Evaluating the Effect of Lactobacillus casei FEGY 9973 and Curcumin on Experimental Giardiasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Giardia is a parasitic hard protozoan that causes a variety of parasitological and pathological changes in gastrointestinal epithelial cells and is resistant to a variety of disinfectants and treatments. This study used experimental animals infected with Giardia Lamblia to assess the potential therapeutic effect of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt) and curcumin in comparison to one of the commonly used drugs (metronidazole). METHODS: The study included 54 Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) that ranged in weight from 80 to 100 g and were divided into six groups: The effect of the used preparations was assessed in terms of parasitological and histopathological aspects in Group I non-infected healthy control, Group II infected non-treated, Group III infected treated with metronidazole MTZ, Group IV infected treated with Lactobacillus casei, Group V infected treated with curcumin, and Group VI infected treated with, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt). The number of G. lamblia cysts per gram of stool was counted during the parasitological examination. RESULTS: The difference between the infected non-treated group and all the treated groups was statistically significant (P0.05). When compared to the infected untreated group, Lactobacillus casei and, Lactobacillus bulgaricus (Lactobacillus in yoghurt) produced a 100% reduction in G. lamblia cyst shedding, curcumin produced an 87.80% reduction in number of cysts, and metronidazole produced a 78.4% reduction in number of cysts. CONCLUSION: Our results highlight the potentially effective therapeutic effect of different preparations of probiotics and curcumin against Giardiasis.

Temporal expression of Toxoplasma stage-specific genes in brain tissue: coincidence with parasitological and histopathological findings in mice models.

In the intermediate hosts, tachyzoites of T. gondii predominate in the acute stage while bradyzoites persist inside tissue cysts with the potential for reactivation. The two stages exhibit different metabolic and antigenic characters. The present study aimed to investigate temporal expression of Toxoplasma SAG1 and BAG1 genes in the brain tissue and the coincident parasitological and histopathological findings in mice models of toxoplasmosis. The study included group A: mice infected with RH strain and sacrificed 7 days post-infection (p.i.); group B: mice infected with RH strain and treated with sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (30 mg/kg/day and 150 mg/kg/day respectively) 24 h p.i. until sacrificed at days 5, 10, or 20 post-treatment; group C: mice infected with ME-49 strain and sacrificed at days 7, 27, 47, or 67 p.i; and group D: mice infected with ME-49 strain and received dexamethasone daily starting at day 68 p.i. and scarified at days 6 or 10 post-treatment. All mice were inspected daily for abnormal physical signs. Peritoneal exudate and brain homogenate were examined for detection of Toxoplasma stages. Brain sections were examined histopathologically. SAG1 and BAG1 gene expression was evaluated using reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction and the ΔΔCt method. Results revealed that marked BAG1 upregulation is consistent with detection of Toxoplasma cysts and degenerative changes while predominance of tachyzoites and inflammatory infiltrate is compatible with SAG1 upregulation. The study sheds light on the potential for using stage-specific gene expression pattern as markers for evaluation of toxoplasmosis disease progression in clinical settings.

First identification of Naegleria species and Vahlkampfia ciguana in Nile water, Cairo, Egypt: Seasonal morphology and phylogenetic analysis.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: In Egypt, there is a scarcity of data concerning Naegleria (N.) family, with a shortage of phylogenetic studies. This study's aim was molecular detection, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of morphologically identified Nagleria and to determine natural seasonal distribution of Nagleria species in water sources of Greater Cairo, Egypt. METHODS: A total of 120 water samples were collected during each season over a year. Every water sample was filtrated and cultured on non-nutrient agar (NNA). Morphologically positive Nagleria-like isolates were subjected to Nagleria genus and species-specific PCR targeting rDNA gene, PCR products were sequenced and obtained sequences were phylogenetic analyzed. RESULTS: Nile River water was the only source found to contained Naegleria. For the first time in Egypt, Vahlkampfia ciguana and the Naegleria species N.australiensis, N.philippinensis and N.neojejuensis were identified from the Nile water. The pathogenic Naegleria fowleri, previously reported in Egypt, was however not detected in this study. CONCLUSION: Interestingly, there were no seasonal variations in prevalence of Naegleria spp.; yet, there was seasonal diversity in the water samples of the same site. These newly discovered Vahlkampfiidae in Egyptian aquatic environments indicate the need for further phylogenetic investigations using bigger sample sizes in order to determine their potential risk for human health.

Toxoplasmosis an Overlooked Disease: Seroprevalence in Cancer Patients

Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important cosmopolitan life-threatening diseases in immune-compromised patients. It is caused by an intracellular protozoon: Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The parasite can cause pneumonia, encephalitis or disseminated disease in immune-deficient patients and dangerous congenital anomalies in infants born to mothers infected during early pregnancies. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Egyptian cancer patients and to correlate the prevalence with type of malignancy and the different cancer treatment modalities. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from 150 cancer patients and 50 control subjects have been examined for presence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies using a lateral flow chromatographic immunoassay. Results: Among cancer patients included in this study, the prevalence of anti- T.gondii antibodies was 20% for IgG and 4% for IgM, while in the control group it was 8% and 2% in the same order. This difference was statistically significant for IgG (P =0.003) but not for IgM (P = 0.44). Patients with solid organ tumors treated with chemotherapy had the highest prevalence rate of toxoplasmosis (28%). It was also found higher in males (26%) than females (10%) and higher among urban (18%) than rural dwellers (16%). Conclusion: Cancer patients showed a significantly higher rate of infection with T. gondii than their cross-matched control. For that reason, we recommend the inclusion of a screening test for toxoplasmosis in their routine workup.

Impact of treatment with a Protein Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (Genistein) on acute and chronic experimental Schistosoma mansoni infection.

Schistosomiasis mansoni is considered one of the most common fibrotic diseases resulting from inflammation and deposition of fibrous tissue around parasitic eggs trapped in the liver, causing morbidity and mortality. Chemotherapy against schistosomiasis is largely dependent on Praziquantel (PZQ). Yet, the huge administration of it in endemic areas and its incompetence towards the immature stages have raised serious alarms against the development of drug resistance. Few drugs are directed to reverse schistosomal liver fibrosis, particularly at the chronic and advanced stages of the disease. Recently, protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) inhibitors have been identified as potent anti-schistosomal and anti-fibrotic drugs against schistosomes, that may suppress and reverse Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) induced liver fibrosis. The present study was designed to assess the anti-schistosomal and antifibrotic activity of Genistein, a PTK inhibitor, in comparison to PZQ, on both acute and chronic S. mansoni-infected mice using different parasitological, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies. Genistein showed a significant reduction (P < .05) in total worm burden, tissue egg load, mean hepatic granulomas diameter and numbers, percentage of collagen and expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-ß 1) in the examined hepatocytes with elevation in percentage of degenerated ova, in comparison to the control groups, in both acute and chronic stages of infection. The best results were obtained when Genistein was combined with PZQ. Therefore, it was concluded that Genistein showed a promising anti-schistosomal and anti-fibrotic properties which could make it one of the new potential targets in chemotherapy against schistosomiasis.

Nematodes ultrastructure: complex systems and processes.

Nematode worms are among the most ubiquitous organisms on earth. They include free-living forms as well as parasites of plants, insects, humans and other animals. Recently, there has been an explosion of interest in nematode biology, including the area of nematode ultrastructure. Nematodes are round with a body cavity. They have one way guts with a mouth at one end and an anus at the other. They have a pseudocoelom that is lined on one side with mesoderm and on the other side with endoderm. It appears that the cuticle is a very complex and evolutionarily plastic feature with important functions involving protection, body movement and maintaining shape. They only have longitudinal muscles so; they seem to thrash back and forth. While nematodes have digestive, reproductive, nervous and excretory systems, they do not have discrete circulatory or respiratory systems. Nematodes use chemosensory and mechanosensory neurons embedded in the cuticle to orient and respond to a wide range of environmental stimuli. Adults are made up of roughly 1000 somatic cells and hundreds of those cells are typically associated with the reproductive systems. Nematodes ultrastructure seeks to provide studies which enable their use as models for diverse biological processes including; human diseases, immunity, host-parasitic interactions and the expression of phylogenomics. The latter has, however, not been brought into a single inclusive entity. Consequently, in the current review we tried to provide a comprehensive approach to the current knowledge available for nematodes ultrastructures.

Molecular seasonality of Giardia lamblia in a cohort of Egyptian children: a circannual pattern.

Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) is the most worldwide prevailing intestinal parasite, notorious for its broad range of seasonal and age-related prevalence. The potentially lethal nature of giardiasis makes it essential that the seasonality, the groups at risk, and other potential risk factors are identified. The present molecular epidemiological study was designed to determine the genetic diversity of G. lamblia infection, taking into account seasonal peaks, age distribution, and associated symptoms in a cohort of Egyptian diarrheic patients. Stool samples were collected from 1187 diarrheic patients attending outpatient clinics of Cairo University hospitals, of all age groups over a 12-month period. The patients were examined microscopically for fecal G. lamblia cysts, and/or trophozoites, and for copro-DNA detection using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assays targeting beta giardin gene. PCR-positive samples were characterized molecularly by nPCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to determine Giardia assemblages. The findings revealed circannual prevalence of Giardia, with a seasonal pattern peaking in mid-summer and late winter, with the summer peak preceded by a peak in temperature. Infection was prevailing in 224 (18.9 %) cases, mainly assemblage B (81.2 %) followed by assemblage A (18.8 %). There were statistically significant associations between the detection of Giardia and flatulence, persistent diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain, while gender and intermittent diarrhea showed no association. The pre-school age group was the most vulnerable. This is the first study of molecular characterization of Giardia to determine its circannual prevalence in Egypt, a finding which carries promising potential for the diagnosis, treatment, and elimination of the disease.

MODIFIED CULTURE METHODOLOGY FOR SPECIFIC DETECTION OF BLASTOCYSTIS HOMINIS IN STOOL SAMPLES.

Blastocystis hominis provides major challenges for laboratory diagnosis due to its polymorphic nature in wet mounts which can result in confusion with other protozoa, yeast or even fat globules. Studies revealed that simple smears were less sensitive than in vitro cultivation using different media for the detection of B. hominis in stool specimens. Cultures of B. hominis are usually enriched by different types of sera to enhance growth and multiplication of the parasite. The aim of this study is to assess the use of two sera types other than horse serum that is commonly used in culture media for the growth, multiplication and detection of B. hominis in examined stool samples and comparing the results with those obtained using horse serum. Fifty stool samples were collected from patients suffering from different colonic manifestations attending Cairo University Hospitals. The samples were freshly cultured in three different culture media using horse serum (in Jones' medium), donkey serum (as a modification ii Jones' medium) and human plasma (in modified Pavlova's medium) in adequate preparations. Cultures were then left for incubation and examined by direct microscopy to detect Blastocystis hominis. The result showed of 50 stool samples studied,. 18 samples (36%) were positive results for B. hominis. The number of positive results obtained by horse serum, donkey serum and human plasma were 13,18and 11 respectively. Paired comparisons were made between each 2 cultures with each culture set as a reference once to detect the most appropriate one for diagnosis When horse was set as the reference method, donkey serum showed a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 86.5% with a 90% agreement between the 2 methods. While human plasma showed a sensitivity of 46.2% and specificity of 86.5% with an agreement of 76%. In addition, the vacuolar form was the commonest pattern observed in this study throughout all the three cultures.