Diagnosis of ocular and glandular toxoplasmosis using the Indian ink immunoreaction.

The Indian ink immunoreaction (IIR) as a method for diagnosis of Toxoplasma infection has been evaluated. 68 sera from patients with suspected ocular and glandular toxoplasmosis and 30 control sera from normal individuals were tested using both indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) and IIR. The test proved to be specific, simple and rapid especially for screening purposes.

Canine and rodent leishmanial isolates from Egypt.

Two leishmanial stocks isolated in Egypt, one from a dog and the other from Rattus norvegicus, were typed according to their excreted factor (EF) serotype and the electrophoretic mobility of their glucose phosphate isomerase. The canine isolate was indistinguishable from L. donovani (= L. infantum ) strains. The rat isolate appeared to be different from L. donovani, L. tropica and L. major.

An IFAT cercarial slide antigen preparation for schistosomiasis.

A modified technique for the preparation of a cercarial microscopic slide antigen for use in IFAT, that could be stored at -20 degrees C for 6 months is described. Cercariae were deposited by cooling, fixed in 0.5% buffered formaline, mixed with 7% egg albumin, dropped on slides and dried. Before use, antigen was post-fixed in absolute methyl alcohol. Evans blue was used as a counterstain. The antigen was evaluated with known human positive and negative sera, also with sera from normal individuals and others residing in endemic areas and exposed to infections with schistosomiasis; as well as with sera of patients with other helminthic infections (strongyloidiasis, ankylostomiasis, ascariasis and microfilariasis). It indicated a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 61.5%.

Evaluations of antibody levels in Toxoplasma infection by the immunofluorescent antibody test and ELISA test.

In this study 292 sera were screened by the IFAT. 46 sera with variable IFAT titres were tested with ELISA Reagent Set and microtitration tests. A comparative evaluation of the specificity and reliability of ELISA method with that of IFAT for the detection of Toxoplasma infection was done.

Effect of Toxoplasma gondii on histopathology and histochemistry or reticuloendothelial system in experimental animals.

The effect of acute and chronic infections by Toxoplasma gondii on the spleen, thymus and liver of mice and rats, and on their antibody response has been studied. In acute infection while the splenic weight increased the thymic weight decreased. The histopathological studies demonstrated lymphocytic depletion of splenic follicles and thymic cortex. Numerous phagocytes and plasma cells were seen in the red pulp and thymic medulla. Vascular congestion and haemorrhages were marked. The liver cells showed degeneration which progressed from hydropic to fatty. The succinic dehydrogenase activity of damaged cells was decreased, while the phosphatase activity was increased. The parasites were seen in some liver cells. Marked cellular infiltration was observed around the blood vessels in the form of granulomata. The reticuloendothelial cells, Kupffer cells and phagocytes showed higher alkaline phosphatase activity. In chronic infection the thymus showed early lymphocytic depletion then returned to normal. The splenic weight was increased and the follicles were enlarged with the presence of immunoblasts in the germinal centres. The cords of the red pulp were thickened and contained numerous plasma cells. Most of the liver cells were normal with normal enzymatic activity but small foci of necrosis were seen. There was a gradual increase in antibody response in both acute and chronic infections. It was concluded from the results that acute infection mainly produced toxic effects, whereas chronic infection produced immunological responses.

Immunodiagnostics of Toxocara canis in suspected ocular and visceral manifestations.

Sera from patients with ocular and visceral manifestations of toxocariasis were tested by precipitin absorption (PAT), counter-immunoelectrophoresis (CIEP), indirect fluorescent antibody (IFAT) and ELISA. The ocular cases revealed a percentage of positivity of 36% by PAT, 0% by CIEP, 32% and 28% by IFAT with embryonated egg (EE) and frozen section antigens (FS) respectively and 40% by ELISA. The visceral cases revealed 44% positively by PAT, 24% by CIEP 52% and 48% by IFAT with EE and FS respectively and 52% by ELISA. Statistical evaluation was done to interpret the results.

Experimental concomitant toxoplasma and malaria infection in rats.

The effect of concomitant toxoplasma and malaria infection on the reticuloendothelial system was investigated in rats. This was evaluated by the level of plasmodial parasitaemia; humoral antibody response; effect on splenic weight; histopathological changes in thymus and spleen; histopathological and histochemical changes in liver. The parasitaemia appeared after 2 days in single malaria and concomitant infections. The peak was reached after 6 days with single and precedent malaria, and after 10 days with precedent toxoplasma. The clearance of parasitaemia was delayed to 30 days with concomitant infections instead of 14 days with single malaria. Higher than normal malarial antibody levels were reached with precedent toxoplasma, while the toxoplasma antibodies were lower than normal in both concomitant infections. There was a significant increase in splenic weight in both precedent malaria and toxoplasma, followed by a decrease which did not return to normal in case of precedent malaria. The thymus was packed with thymocytes in precedent malaria, while depletion in the cortex occurred in precedent toxoplasma. In the liver, there was glycogen depletion and decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity in both concomitant infections. Choline esterase activity in precedent malaria was decreased and returned to normal on day 40 while in precedent toxoplasma the activity was normal all through the period. The alkaline phosphatase activity was decreased and returned to normal on day 40 in both concomitant infections.

Synthesis and biological activity of 2-thiono-[1H]-5-spirocyclohexylimidazo[4,3-b]quinazolone and 8-azaquinazolone derivatives.

The reaction of 5-spirocyclohexylimidazole-2,4-dithion with one and two mole equivalent of b-aminocarboxylic acid derivatives (2a-b and 5) to give new heterocyclic systems of synthetic and potential biological interest viz. compounds (3a-b, 4a-b, 6 and 7). The structures of the products have established by chemical and spectroscopic evidence. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was tested against 10 bacterial and yeast strains.

Plasma concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins in newborn kids and female Baladi goats during late pregnancy and onset of lactation.

Concentrations of blood lipids and some lipoproteins were investigated in normal female Baladi goats during late pregnancy, parturition and onset of lactation as well as in their newborn kids during the first two weeks of life. A total number of 60 herparinized blood samples was collected from does at 4, 3, 2 and 1 weeks pre-partum, day of parturition and at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks postpartum. In addition, blood samples were also collected from their newborn kids during the first two weeks of life (day of birth, 1 and 2 weeks of age). Plasma was separated and analyzed for concentration of total lipid, total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, phospholipids, non esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and some lipoproteins as high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The obtained results revealed that there was a significant decrease in plasma level of total lipids at one week after parturition. Plasma level of triaclyglycerols was significantly higher at 4, 3 and 2 weeks before parturition. This increase became very highly significant at one week before parturition. Meanwhile, plasma phospholipid concentrations showed a significant decrease at 3 weeks before parturition, followed by an significant increase at 2 and 3 weeks after parturition and highly significant increase at 4 weeks after parturition. The concentration of plasma NEFA showed a significant increase at 4 weeks before parturition followed by a very highly significant increase at 2 and 1 week before parturition. On the other hand plasma NEFA was non detected at 2, 3 and 4 weeks post-partum when compared with the value reported at day of parturition. Regarding plasma lipoprotein concentrations the obtained results showed that there was a significant increase in plasma HDL-C level at 2 and 3 weeks after parturition, followed by a very highly significant decrease at the fourth week post-partum. However, plasma LDL-C level showed a significant decrease at 3, 2 and 1 weeks before parturition, followed by a further highly significant decrease at 1 and 2 weeks post-partum. In newborn kids plasma concentrations of total lipids, total cholesterol, phospholipids, HDL-C and LDL-C were very markedly increased at 1 and 2 weeks of age. However, plasma triacylglycerol concentrations showed a highly significant decrease at 1 and 2 weeks of age. The concentration of plasma NEFA showed a very highly significant decrease at 2 weeks of age, whereas, at one week of age plasma NEFA were not detected in comparison with first day of life.

Metabolic changes concerning the effect of castration on some blood constituents in male rabbits.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of castration on some metabolic alterations concerning proteins, lipids and minerals metabolism in both immature and mature rabbits. Twenty male New Zealand White rabbits (10 immature and 10 mature) were used. Blood samples were collected from the immature and mature intact animals (control non castrated). Moreover, the castrated animal groups (immature and mature) were sampled at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks after castration. The obtained results revealed that, castration caused a significant decrease in serum total protein, albumin, alpha 1-globulins and alpha 2-globulins concentrations. Meanwhile, gamma-globulins level was decreased temporarily at 2 weeks after castration in mature rabbits. beta-globulins level revealed non significant decrease at 2 weeks after castration in immature rabbits followed by a non significant increase. In mature rabbits beta-globulins level non significantly increased. A significant decrease in serum total nucleic acid concentrations was observed after castration throughout the experimental periods, whereas the value of serum uric acid level markedly increased after castration. Serum lipids concentrations (total lipids, total cholesterol, phospholipids and non esterified fatty acids) were increased after castration. The value of serum trace elements including copper, iron, zinc and manganese concentrations showed a significant decrease after castration. The decrease in serum copper and zinc levels were markedly observed in mature castrated rabbits. Also, serum sodium and potassium concentrations were decreased after castration. Testosterone propionate administration in mature castrated rabbits restored most of the investigated serum blood parameters to the levels of intact non castrated mature rabbit. It could be concluded that castration (deficiency of testosterone) induced marked decrease in protein synthesis and increased protein degradation, but serum lipids markedly elevated after castration in both immature and mature animals. Also, castration caused a marked decrease in some serum minerals and trace elements.

Concomitant Toxoplasma and Toxocara infections.

Toxoplasmosis being to a large extent a soil transmitted infection is acquired in the same manner and often at the same time as toxocariasis, the source being concomitantly infected cats. 110 sera of patients suspected of toxoplasmosis and found positive by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), were also tested for Toxocara antibodies by the IFAT. Seropositivity was found to be 18.1%. On the other hand, 12 sera from patients presenting with toxocariasis and proved serologically positive, were tested to detect Toxoplasma antibodies and only one was positive (8.3%). Association of antibodies of the two parasites was found in 21 sera (17.2%).

Investigation of Sarcocystis as a causative agent in cardiac disease.

Sera from 56 cases with cardiomyopathy and myocarditis and 40 cases with different types of valvular diseases were tested, using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) for the detection of antibodies to Sarcocystis. None of the cases showed specific reaction where the IFAT was negative at the cut off titre 1:8 in all the cases.

Effect of dexamethasone on the development of pneumocystosis in rats.

Dexamethasone proved an active agent in the provocation of experimental Pneumocystis pneumonia in rats. Different treatment regimens were associated with changes in the prepatent period, survival time of the animals, intensity of infection and lung reactions. The findings clearly indicate that opportunistic pneumocystosis tends to occur more frequently when synthetic steroid derivatives are used as substitutes in clinical practice.