Effective eradication of pinworms (Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera) with Polygonum cognatum Meissn.

Polygonum cognatum Meissn. (Polygonaceae) is a wild edible plant known locally as "solucanotu, madimak" in Turkey and it has been used for various purposes, such as diuretic and antidiabetic, as well to treat oxyuris and worms internally in humans. The present study was carried out to investigate the anthelmintic activity of various extracts were obtained from the aerial parts of P. cognatum in order to justify its traditional usage in Turkish folk medicine. n-Hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts were prepared from the aerial parts of the plant, successively. The anthelmintic potentials of these extracts were evaluated on mice naturally infected with Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera. Cellophane perianal tape test and fecal flotation test were used for the activity screening. The results were compared with control and reference groups. In addition to all these experiments, the total amount of phenolic compounds and tannin contents thought to be responsible for the activity were evaluated for all extracts. According to the results, it has been found that the methanolic extract reduced the number of S. obvelata (66.8%) and A. tetraptera (73.4%) eggs. Moreover, the methanolic extract include higher amount of total phenolic compound (48.75 ±â€¯0.82 mg of GA/g of extract) and tannin (30.04 ±â€¯0.22 mg TA/g of extract) than n-Hexane (17.21 ±â€¯0.75 mg of GA/g of extract; 6.82 ±â€¯0.41 mg TA/g of extract) and ethyl acetate (25.06 ±â€¯0.94 mg of GA/g of extract; 10.29 ±â€¯0.34 mg TA/g of extract); therefore the anthelmintic activity could be related to these constituents. The present study explored the anthelmintic potential of P. cognatum. Further studies should be conducted into the mechanism of these compounds' against helminths. This study can be an important step in the discovery of new anthelmintic agents.

The in vivo anthelmintic efficacy of some Verbascum species growing in Turkey.

Verbascum L. (Scrophulariaceae) species are used for desiccating wounds and as a fish poison in Anatolia as well as for diarrhea and dysentery of animals in several countries. To further evaluate their activity, methanolic extracts obtained from 13 Verbascum species growing in Turkey, including V. chionophyllum Hub.-Mor., V. cilicicum Boiss., V. dudleyanum (Hub.-Mor.) Hub.-Mor., V. lasianthum Boiss., V. latisepalum Hub.-Mor., V. mucronatum Lam., V. olympicum Boiss., V. pterocalycinum var. mutense Hub.-Mor., V. pycnostachyum Boiss. & Heldr., V. salviifolium Boiss., V. splendidum Boiss., V. stachydifolium Boiss. & Heldr. and V. uschackense (Murb.) Hub.-Mor. were evaluated for their in vivo anthelmintic activity. The extracts from V. lasianthum, V. latisepalum, V. mucronatum and V. salviifolum showed the highest inhibitory rates against Aspiculuris tetraptera at 100mg/kg in mice. Additionally, extracts from V. dudleyanum and V. pterocalycinum var. mutense were found generally highly effective. The remaining species did not show any activity. Results of the present study support the utilization of these plant species employed in Turkish folk medicine.

The effect of levamisole and levamisole+vitamin C on oxidative damage in rats naturally infected with Syphacia muris.

This study was performed to determine the effects of levamisole and levamisole+vitamin C against Syphacia muris naturally infection in rats and to detect its effect on the oxidative parameters in blood and tissues of host. For this purpose, natural infection was diagnosed using the cellophane tape method on the perianal region of rats. Infected rats (total 18) were divided into three groups. On the other hand six without helminth rats were used in this study as negative control group. Group 2 was given an orally levamisole HCl treatment with gastric gavage at a dose level of 20mg/kg body weight in distilled water, every alternate day. Group 3 was given levamisole HCl via gastric gavage at a dose level of 20mg/kg and vitamin C was given 1g/L added to the drinking water. All the treatments continued for a period of 7 days. As a result; levamisole administered to rats at dose of 20mg/kg orally 98.34% was found to be effective against adult S. muris in the rats. In addition to levamisole+vitamin C is effective to alleviate the oxidative damage in rats infected with S. muris.

Successful Resolution of Recurrent Vaginal Pinworm Infection With Intermittent Albendazole Administration.

We describe the case of a 7-year-old girl with repeated vaginal Enterobius vermicularis infection, never detected as a digestive tract infection. Two-dose pyrantel pamoate or 2-dose albendazole could not suppress recurrence. Finally, 3-dose albendazole after 2-week intervals was successful in preventing relapse.

The acute effects of single-dose orally administered doramectin, eprinomectin and selamectin on natural infections of Syphacia muris in rats.

This study was designed to determine the acute effects of a single-dose of orally administered doramectin, eprinomectin and selamectin on Syphacia muris infection in rats. Rats, naturally infected with S. muris, were divided into four groups: three different treatment groups (n=7) and one positive control (n=7). Cellophane tape preparations were obtained from the treated rats on day 0 pre-treatment and on days 2, 4 and 6 post-treatment. Syphacia sp. eggs were counted. Eprinomectin was found to be 100% effective in eliminating eggs on two post-treatment. However when egg counts on day 6 post-treatment were compared with pre-treatment egg counts, doramectin and selamectin were found to be 99.32 and 98.77% effective in eliminating eggs, respectively. On day 7 post-treatment, blood samples were obtained from all groups, and then the rats were necropsied. Doramectin, eprinomectin and selamectin were found to be 100% effective in eliminating adult S. muris, when compared with the positive control group.

A cost-effective and efficacious method of pinworm treatment for large colonies of mice.

Rodent pinworm infestations are common in modern animal facilities, and treatments to eradicate these nematodes are often costly and labor-intensive. The authors describe a method they developed to treat rodents with ivermectin using the automatic watering system available at their facility. This delivery method proved an efficacious and cost-effective means of eradicating Aspiculuris tetraptera from a large colony of mice. The system might also be used to provide other orally administered agents to mice and other species.

Comparison of various anthelmintic therapies for the treatment of Trypanoxyuris microon infection in owl monkeys (Aotus nancymae).

Trypanoxyuris microon is a pinworm that infects New World nonhuman primates, including Aotus nancymae. Although it typically is clinically insignificant, infection may serve as a significant variable during experimental data analysis. In this study we sought to determine the most effective anthelmintic therapy for eradication of T. microon infection in A. nancymae. Animals confirmed to be infected with T. microon by perianal tape test were treated twice (on days 0 and 14) with pyrantel pamoate, ivermectin, or thiabendazole and evaluated for eggs by daily perianal tape test throughout the entire 28-d period. Successful clearance of eggs was defined as 5 consecutive negative perianal tape tests. Pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin were significantly more effective at egg clearance than were thiabendazole and no treatment. Overall, 100% of the pyrantel pamoate and ivermectin treatment groups were cleared of infection after 2 treatments, whereas only 60% of the thiabendazole group became negative for pinworm eggs. In addition, the time after treatment until clearance was 1 to 2 d for pyrantel pamoate, 2 to 4 d for thiabendazole, and 4 to 6.5 d for ivermectin. These results indicate that pyrantel pamoate was the most effective and rapidly acting anthelmintic for the treatment of adult T. microon infection, with ivermectin as a suitable alternative. However because of the potential for continued development of immature stages or reinfection, anthelmintic doses should be repeated after 1 to 2 wk, in combination with effective environmental sanitation.

The effect of Nigella sativa oil against Aspiculuris tetraptera and Hymenolepis nana in naturally infected mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiparasitic effect of Nigella sativa oil (NSO) on Aspiculuris tetraptera (A. tetraptera) and Hymenolepis nana (H.nana) in mice in January 2005. METHODS: Mice were obtained from the animal house facility of the Faculty of Medicine, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van, Turkey. The natural infections were determined by the cellophane tape method and the centrifugal flotation method of stool samples. The infected mice with A. tetraptera and H.nana were divided into 4 groups; 2 treatment and 2 control groups. Nigella sativa oil was given at the dose of 250 ul/kg body weight orally for 2 consecutive days in the 2 treatment groups. All the mice were sacrificed on the seventh day after the last treatment. Gastrointestinal tract of the sacrificed animals was opened and washed with a serum physiologic. The contents were examined under a stereo microscope for counting and identifying of the parasites. The treatment and the control groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U-Test. RESULTS: Nigella sativa oil reduced both A. tetraptera and its eggs. The difference was significant between Group 1 and Group 3 (p<0.05). Nigella sativa oil reduced H.nana eggs starting from second day of the treatment until necropsy day during 5 days, but it was not significant between Group 2 and Group 4 (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Antiparasitic effect of NSO is related to its stimulating immune system.

The use of epifluorescence microscopy and fluorescent dyes for visualization of Oxyuris equi eggs.

This study presents a new method for visualization of Oxyuris equi eggs collected by means of a clear adhesive tape applied to the perianal region of horses. The obtained results indicate that this protocol permits a quick, easy, clear and selective visualization of Oxyuris equi eggs even in the presence of feces and other material. Another advantage of this method is that it can be used with fluorescent dyes solubilized in water, which will stain biologic material without dissolving or altering the adhesive tape and is also environmentally safe. Other dyes currently used for staining biologic materials use organic solvents, which may be combined with acids or bases in their formulation, preventing their use with the tape method.

Efficacy and security of ivermectin given orally to rats naturally infected with Syphacia spp., Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana.

The results of this study show that the oral administration of ivermectin (48 mg/L) repeatedly for 72 h used in accordance with the present protocol is a safe and highly effective treatment for Giardia spp. and Hymenolepis nana in laboratory rat colonies. The drug can be easily and safely administered using drinking water. This simple regimen should control pinworm infection (Syphacia muris), a problem that can be endemic in laboratory colonies. Experiments using healthy animals are likely to generate more consistent results, thereby requiring a reduced number of animals per group.

Clinical trial methodology in intestinal parasitic diseases.

The high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections as an index of underdevelopment, especially in tropical countries, is related to poverty, poor housing, lack of sanitation, malnutrition, and ignorance. The effects are lowered work capacity, physical and mental retardation, leading to recurrences and exacerbations of the parasitism and malnutrition. The most prevalent parasites, methods of detection by specific tests in patients in clinical trials involving antiparasitic drugs are dealt with. How and by whom investigations of new drugs should be undertaken, the need for a basic knowledge of parasitology and techniques of the discipline, of biostatistics, and use of such controls as randomized allotment to treatment groups, placebo administration, and double-blind assessments are emphasized. The justification for undertaking an evaluation of an antiparasitic drug is predicated on the demonstration of safety in exhaustive in vitro and animal studies and of the drug's potential superiority as to efficacy and lower incidence of unwanted side effects, as compared with existing agents. Tolerance and dose-range studies should be conducted in male adult hospitalized patients under close supervision. The evaluation of amebicides in clinical trials, as well as of anthelmintics, is considered in terms of differentiation and reproductive habits of specific causative agents and tests for detecting their elimination to determine improvement under drug therapy. The problem of reinfection, particuarly of nonhospitalized patients under the adverse conditions of life, is stressed.

Anthelmintic 1-cinnamamido-2,4-imidazolidinediones.

A series of 1-(substituted cinnamamido)-2,4-imidazolidinediones has been prepared from the corresponding cinnamoyl chlorides and 1-amino-2,4-imidazolidinedione hydrochloride in pyridine. These compounds possess a significant degree of anthelmintic activity against the mouse pinworm Syphacia obvelata. The most active compounds are those substituted with halogen or cyano groups.

Syntheses and anthelmintic activity of alkyl 5(6)-(substituted-carbamoyl)- and 5(6)-(disubstituted-carbamoyl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates and related compounds.

A number of alkyl 5(6)-(substituted-carbamoyl)- and 5(6)-(disubstituted-carbamoyl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates and related compounds have been synthesized, and their anthelmintic activity against various intestinal helminths of experimental animals have been evaluated. A large percentage of the compounds synthesized showed noteworthy activity against Ancylostoma ceylanicum and at higher doses against Hymenolepsis nana infections. Compared to the alkyl 5(6)-(substituted-carbamoyl)benzimidazole-2-carbamates, the disubstituted carbamoyl analogues were found to exhibit better anthelmintic activity. The most active compound of the series, namely, methyl 5(6)-[(N-2-pyridylpiperazino)carbamoyl]benzimidazole-2-carbamate (90), has been screened against intestinal helminths in higher animals and as a micro- and macrofilaricidal agent. Compound 90 has been identified as a broad-spectrum anthelmintic agent. Compound 90 has been identified as a broad-spectrum anthelmintic in view of its efficacy against A. ceylanicum (hamsters and dogs), H. nana (rats), Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (rats), Syphacia obvelata (mice), A. tubaeformis (cat), Toxocara spp. (cat), and Litomosoides carinii (cotton rat).

Ivermectin for human strongyloidiasis and other intestinal helminths.

Since ivermectin, a mixture of 2 closely related macrocyclic lactones, has proven highly effective against animal intestinal nematodes, trials were undertaken to determine its efficacy against human intestinal nematodes. We tested 110 patients with strongyloidiasis and 90 with enterobiasis; many had other intercurrent intestinal nematode infections. Stool examinations were done before and after patients were given a single dose of oral ivermectin capsules (50, 100, 150, or 200 micrograms/kg body wt); 55 recipients of 100 or 200 micrograms/kg doses received a second identical dose the next day. Kato and saline smears, ethyl acetate concentration, modified Baermann's technique, and Harada-Mori cultures were repeated; cure was defined as complete absence of eggs and/or larvae from stools tested 30 days after dosing. Ivermectin was well tolerated. Overall cure rates at all doses 30 days after therapy averaged 88% for strongyloidiasis, 100% for ascariasis, 85% for trichuriasis, and 85% for enterobiasis. Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus were little affected.

Enterobius vermicularis infection in a children's ward.

Following the discovery that two patients on a children's orthopaedic ward were excreting Enterobius, all patients and staff on the ward were screened for the presence of pinworms. None of the staff was infected but 11 (55%) of 20 patients either had Enterobius ova on the anal margin or excreted worms following piperazine treatment. Epidemiological investigations indicated that this was unlikely to be a ward outbreak because four of the infected children had been on the ward for under 3 days, i.e., less than the prepatent period for Enterobius. Although none of the children was symptomatic, all children and staff on the ward were treated with piperazine. Faecal samples were collected from nine children and the majority of their worm load was shed within 32 h of starting therapy. Microscopic examination of the adult male worms showed that each patient was excreting both Enterobius vermicularis and E. gregorii.

Albendazole in the treatment of intestinal helminthiasis in children.

A single dose of 2% albendazole suspension (400 mg in 20 ml) was administered to 77 patients (42 males and 35 females), ages ranging between 2 to 12 years, with helminthic infections. Ascariasis was the most prevalent infection. Patients were followed-up for 3 weeks. The results showed that albendazole was highly effective against Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Enterobius vermicularis. Significant improvement was also observed in patients having infections due to Trichuris trichiura. Albendazole was well tolerated and did not produce any significant side-effects. Single dose albendazole appears to be appropriate for mass chemotherapy to control intestinal nematode infections in highly infected communities.

Albendazole: a new single dose anthelmintic. Study in 1455 patients.

Albendazole has been tested in an open trial conducted in France, seven countries of West-Africa, Martinique and the People's Republic of China in a total of 1455 patients harboring single or mixed infections caused by round-worms, pinworms, hookworms and whipworms. All patients were closely observed before and after treatment for clinical side effects and hematology and clinical chemistry values were done in about 5% of the cases. Fecal samples obtained before and approximately 15, 16 and 17 days after treatment were examined using the Kato test, and when negative, a concentration technic. In case of ancylostomiasis, a coproculture was carried out for species identification. Following a single oral dose, albendazole was highly effective in enterobiasis (100%), ascariasis (89%), ancylostomiasis caused by Necator americanus (88%) and trichuriasis (70%). The drug did not procedure any significant adverse reactions or modifications of the hematological and clinical blood chemistry values and only 6% of the 1455 patients reported minor side effects.

Cutaneous manifestations of intestinal helminthic infections.

Several intestinal helminths may involve the skin. In cutaneous larva migrans and enterobiasis this is often the only organ involved, whereas hookworm and trichinosis are characterized by multisystem disease. The clinical spectrum of strongyloidiasis may range from a low-grade chronic dermatitis to a fulminant, often fatal, hyperinfection syndrome in the immunocompromised host. In the absence of recent breakthroughs in diagnostic testing, a meticulous history and knowledge of the life cycles and the often characteristic skin manifestations of these parasites remain essential to prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.

Intestinal nematode infections.

This article discusses strongyloidiasis, hookworm infection, trichostrongyliasis, ascariasis, trichuriasis (whipworm infection), and enterobiasis (pinworm infection). For each infection, the author describes the organism, the epidemiology and geographic distribution, symptomatology and pathogenesis, and diagnosis and treatment.