Molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium isolates among Egyptian children with cancer.

Immunocompromised individuals especially children with cancer are at risk for acquiring cryptosporidiosis, which can result in severe morbidity and mortality. This work was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parasite and its genotypes in children with cancer. Stool specimens were collected from 145 children in the Oncology unit of Pediatric Department, Zagazig University Hospital, Sharqiyah province, Egypt. Cryptosporidium infection was evaluated using modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining and nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in oncological children was 29.7% using microscopy and 25.5% using nested PCR. Genotypic characterization showed that 23 (62.2%) had C. hominis, 11 (29.7%) C. parvum, and 3 specimens (8.1%) were mixed infection of both genotypes. Cryptosporidiosis was significantly associated with diarrhea. However, no statistically significant difference was detected between the age, gender, residency, animal contact and malignancy type concerning to Cryptosporidium infection. This study concluded that Cryptosporidium is a prevailing opportunistic parasite among children with cancer. It should be considered in oncological patients especially those suffering from diarrhea which requires proper management to reduce its complications.

Effect of nanoparticles on the therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni infection in murine models.

Praziquantel (PZQ) is the main treatment of Schistosomiasis mansoni. However, resistance to it was described. So, there is a necessity to develop novel drugs or to enhance the present drugs. This work aimed to assess the efficacy of PZQ alone and when loaded on liposomes in treatment of S. mansoni infection by parasitological and histopathological studies in experimental murine models. 112 male laboratories bred Swiss Albino mice were used in this work. They were divided into four groups: Group 1: control group; Group 2: infected then treated by PZQ (500 mg/kg) at 7, 30 and 45 days post infection; Group 3: infected then treated by liposome encapsulated PZQ (lip.PZQ) (500 mg/kg) at 7, 30 and 45 days post infection; Group 4: infected then treated by free liposomes at 7, 30 and 45 days post infection. The results showed that G3 caused the highest significant reduction of the total worm count, eggs/gram liver tissue and intestine (97.2%, 99.3%, 99.5%) respectively. Followed by G2 (85.1%, 97.6%, 89.8%) respectively. Regarding the histopathological studies, G3 showed the highest significant reduction in number and diameter of hepatic granuloma (97.6% and 98.1%), followed by G2 (77.2% and 75%) when compared to other groups. In conclusion, lip.PZQ is more effective than free PZQ from all aspects especially when administered 45 days PI.