Cryptosporidiosis among immunocompromised patients in Saudi Arabia.

A total of (408) immunocompromised Saudi patients (<2 - >60 years) checked for Cryptosporidium infection showed 69.7% and 64.2% infection rates by Kinyoun's acid fast staining for oocysts and a monoclonal ELISA kit for C. parvum coproantigen detection respectively (P > 0.05). Microscopic examination of stained faecal smears was more sensitive than ELISA (P > 0.05) & showed 84.4% sensitivity, 81.7% specificity & 83.8% diagnostic accuracy. Infection rates of 47.6%, 78.2% & 82.3% were obtained by microscopic examination for children with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition, patients receiving immunosuppressive (I.S.) drugs for organ transplantation or cancers and patients with HIV and chronic diarrhoea respectively. Infection rates of 84% & 74.3% were in patients receiving I.S. drugs for organ transplantation and malignancy respectively. In all patients, the highest infection rate (84%) was among age group 16-40 years while the least (35.3%) was among infants <2 years (P<0.001). Infections in males (73.9%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than females (62.6%). This high prevalence rate revealed the first reported for cryptosporidiosis among immunocompromised Saudis, indicating the presence of infection source(s) (nosocomial), and thus, transmission in Saudi Arabia.

Serological survey on toxoplasmosis among slaughtered sheep and goats in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia.

Sera from 397 sheep and 290 goats slaughtered at Tabouk Official Abattoir were examined for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by LAT, IHAT & IFAT. The results showed infection rates 23.4, 41.8 & 52.2% (P < 0.001) in sheep and 19.3, 40.7 & 51.7% (P < 0.001) in goats by the 3 tests respectively. Infection rates were higher in sheep than goats (P > 0.05), relatively nearby in local and imported sheep (P > 0.05), higher in imported goats than local ones (P > 0.05) and higher in female sheep and goats than males (p > 0.05). High titers were in goats than in sheep (P < 0.001). IFAT showed highest sensitivity (100% & 96.7%), specificity (97.1% & 96.1%) and highest diagnostic accuracy (98.5% & 96.9%) in sheep and goats respectively. The IHAT showed high diagnostic accuracy and high applicability. The interpretation of results and recommendations were presented.

Immunochemotherapy for cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mouse model.

Immunochemotherapy as a dual regimen (Nitazoxanide NTZ and Interferon gamma INF-gamma) and a triple one (NTZ, INF-gamma & Paromomycin PRM), administered to immunosuppressed Cryptosporidium infected mice for 10 days (4th-13th day post-infection) was evaluated during and after treatment by determination of parasite count in ileum, associated histopathological changes, oocyst count in Kinyoun's acid fast stained faecal smears, percent reduction in oocyst excretion and cure rate. Both regimens induced nearby efficacy (P > 0.05) with significant reduction in parasite count in the ileum on 7th (P < 0.01) & 14th (P < 0.001) P.I. days, partial regression of histopathological changes and reduction in oocyst count from the 2nd day post-treatment. Oocyst excretion reduction percent was reached zenith on 13th P.I day in both dual (95.76%) and triple (94.86%) regimens (P > 0.05). Complete cure was not achieved. Three days post-treatment relapse occurred in both regimens (P < 0.001) increase in oocyst count (P < 0.01) increase in parasite count in ileum, more severe histopathological changes with rapid deterioration and then, death of all remaining treated mice

Effect of some immunomodulators on the host-parasite system in experimental Hymenolepiasis nana.

Mice experimentally infected with H. nana and injected with immunosuppressant {cyclophosphamide (Cp) and lead nitrate (Ln)} showed significant increase in infection intensity, significant decrease in intestinal mast cell count, dissemination of larvae to the liver, toxic hepatitis and absence of specific serum IgG. Cyclophosphamide caused morphological abnormallities in adult worms, prolongation of patent period and more severe villous changes. Immuno-stimulants represented by Levamisol (Lv) and gamma interferon (IFN-alpha) caused significant decrease in infection intensity, significant shortening of patent period and early improvement of histopathological changes. Immunostimulants, particularly IFN-alpha, were highly effective in counteracting hyperinfection seen with immuno-suppression. The study confirmed the deleterious effects of immunosuppression on hymenolepiasis and suggested a beneficial role for immunotherapy for immunosuppressed patients.

Detection of DNA of W. bancrofti in blood samples by QC-PCR-ELISA-based.

An internal control was used in a polymerase chain reaction PCR-ELISA-based technique to detect the DNA repeat of the filarial parasite W. bancrofti. The sensitivity of the test could detect as low as one single microfilaria added to 200 ul of blood. The assay was evaluated on field samples from persons living in areas endemic for filariasis. Examination of night blood of 113 individuals for the presence of microfilaria by filtration revealed 44 microfilaria carriers. All microfilaria carriers were positive in the PCR-ELISA and, in addition, 14 more samples were proven to contain parasite DNA. All the 58 proven cases had circulating filarial antigens in their serum samples. Assuming a sensitivity of PCR-ELISA on night blood of 100%, the sensitivity of night blood filtration was 74% and that of circulating filarial antigens is 100%. The data showed that the described PCR-ELISA method was capable of detecting the filarial infections. Consequently, this method facilitated the identification of the filarial endemic areas and the monitoring of control programs.

Fascioliasis among local and imported sheep in Saudi Arabia: parasitological and serological diagnosis.

Eight-hundred-twelve local and imported sheep, slaughtered at Riyadh abattoir, were subjected for parasitological diagnosis of fascioliasis by detection of eggs in the stool and worms in the liver and for serological diagnosis by detection of circulating anti-Fasciola IgG (CAFIgG) and circulating Fasciola antigens (CFAgs) using the indirect ELISA and the double antibody sandwich ELISA respectively. Detection of eggs revealed 13.5% infection rate compared with 21.9% by detection of worms (p<0.001). Infection rate was significantly higher (p<0.001) among the imported sheep (15.1%) than among the local ones (4.96%). Positivity for CAFIgG was 64.3% among all sheep while that of CFAgs was 30.2% (p<0.001). Sheep passing Fasciola eggs showed positivity of 99.1% for CAFIgG and 87.3% for CFAgs (p<0.05). Sheep free from any parasitic eggs showed positivity of 61.2% for CAFIgG and 21.1% for CFAgs. There was a highly significant association (p<0.001) between positivity of both CAFIgG and CFAgs and positivity of eggs in the stool.