In Vivo Evaluation of the Anti-Schistosomal Potential of Ginger-Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Schistosoma mansoni: Histopathological, Ultrastructural, and Immunological Changes.

Chemotherapy is the most widely advocated method of Schistosome control. However, repeated chemotherapy leads to the emergence of drug-resistant Schistosoma strains. Therefore, efforts to find alternative drugs, especially those of natural origin, have risen globally. Nanoparticles (NPs) have received special interest as efficient drug delivery systems. This work aimed to investigate the anti-schistosomal potential of Zingiber officinale (ginger, Zingiberaceae)-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (GCsNPs) on Schistosoma mansoni experimentally infected mice that were exposed to 80 ± 10 cercariae/mouse. The study groups are: (G1) negative control; (G2) positive control; (G3) praziquantel in a dose of 500 mg/kg/day for two consecutive days; (G4) ginger in a dose of 500 mg/kg treated; (G5) chitosan nanoparticles in a dose 3 mg/kg (G6) GCsNPs in a dose 250 mg/kg; and (G7) GCsNPs in a dose 500 mg/kg. The anti-schistosome potential was assessed using histopathological scanning electron microscopically and immunological parameters. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in cellular granuloma count (p < 0.05) and granuloma diameter (p < 0.001) in all infected treated mice groups, in comparison to the infected non-treated group with the highest reduction in both G3 and G7. SEM of S. mansoni adult worm recovered from G3 showed mild edema of oral and ventral suckers with some peeling and blebs around them, while that recovered from G7 showed abnormal oedematous oral and retracted ventral sucker, edema of the tegument, rupture of many tubercles with vacuolation and complete loss of spines. All infected treated mice groups, in comparison to positive control G2, showed a significant reduction in IL-4, IL-10, and TNF-α levels (p-value < 0.001), especially groups G6 and G7 (p-value < 0.05); both G6 and G7 values were nearer to the normal that indicated recovery of the liver tissue.

Diagnosis of Entamoeba histolytica in symptomatic children, Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia.

Amebiasis is one of the most common parasitic infections worldwide. Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar are two morphologically indistinguishable human protozoa parasites that are genetically distinct species. Differential diagnosis of E. histolytica (pathogenic) and E. dispar (non-pathogenic) is essential both for treatment decision and public health knowledge. Stool samples from 500 randomly selected children complaining of gastroenteritis were examined microscopically by direct wet smear and subjected to detection of E. histolytica antigen by ELISA using TechLab E. histolytica II test. E. histolytical E. dispar were also identified at molecular level by targeting the 166 bp, and 752 bp sequences of the 18Sr RNA gene of E. histolytica and E. dispar respectively using polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR). The overall prevalence of E. histolytica/dispar by microscopic examination was 30/500 (6%). E. histolytica was positive in 161500 (3.2%) by antigen detection ELISA technique, whereas 10 samples were not detected microscopically. PCR was able to confirm the presence of E. histolytica in 13/16 cases whereas the 3 samples recorded negative were positive by ELISA; even so there was a good agreement k = 0.86 between the two techniques. In conclusion, stool antigen detection test by ELISA is recommended over PCR in detecting and confirming E. histolytica amoebic enteritis.

Multilocus genetic analysis of Cryptosporidium isolates from Saudi Arabia.

A total of 35 Cryptosporidium positive samples were collected from children in Jeddah city. The samples were microscopically examined with Ziehl Neelsen (ZN) and Auramin phenol (AP) staining methods. Cryptosporidium antigen was detected in the faecal samples by using the Cryptosporidium ELISA kit. Cryptosporidium sp. were identified by targeting an 840 bp of the hyper-variable region of the 18S rRNA gene and about 550 of the first domain (N terminal) of the COWP gene. The sub-genotypic identification of C. parvum and C. hominis isolates was done by targeting the sporozoite antigen gp15/45/60 gene. Four sp. were identified; C. hominis 13/35 (37%), C. parvum 15/35 (42.9%), C. meleagridis 1/35(2.9 %), & C. muris 1/35 (2.9 %). One isolate was a mixed infection of C. parvum & C. hominis.

A new modified technique for concentrating intestinal parasites.

The present study evaluated the diagnostic performance of a modification of the formol ethyl acetate concentration technique, with the addition of 25% acetic acid as compared with formol ethyl acetate concentration technique (FEA) and fecal parasite concentrator kit Fresh fecal material, free of ova and parasites, was pooled in a ratio of 1:4 with 10% buffered formalin to prepare a standardized specimen. Sufficient volumes of formalin-fixed suspension of Giardia lamblia cysts, Entamoeba histolytica cysts, Cryptosporidium oocysts; Ascaris lumbricoides ova, Necator americanus, Taenia spp. and Hymenolepis nana were used to seed individually 3-ml portions of the fecal specimen. The 3-ml samples were split in three parts, one processed by FEA, a second part with FPC and the third part by the modified FAEA; six smears from each sediment were examined by light microscopy. FAEA technique gave the clearest sediments and the highest numbers in most of the parasites. FAEA resulted in a higher percenttage of H. nana, Taenia spp., N. americanus, and G. lamblia per one ml of stool compared with FEA method. When compared with FPC, the same results were achieved in addition to E. histolytica.

Trichomoniasis among women with vaginal discharge in Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia.

During the year of 2003, vaginal discharge specimens were collected from 1767 women aged (15-50) in 6 cardinal hospitals in Jeddah city of Saudi Arabia. The samples were examined for Trichomonas vaginalis, a prevalence rate of 12 (0.7%) were positive. Demographic characters did not show significant relation to the infection rate. All accompanied symptoms were insignificant (P>0.05) except the vaginal consistency which was significant (P<0.05). The studied risk factors were insignificant to the T. vaginalis infection. So, the symptoms were neither reliable to diagnose the vaginal trichomoniasis nor specific underlying factors provoke the infection.

Farm animals' fascioliasis in Ezbet El-Bakly (Tamyia Center) Al-Fayoum Governorate.

To continue the study on fascioliasis in Tamyia Center, some farm animals were investigated for natural infection with Fasciola species by stool examination. The results showed 40% infection in sheep, 20% in buffalos, 6.7% in donkeys and zero% in horses. The overall percentage of infection was 25.5. The sheep (total dose 1800mg) and the donkey (total dose (4500 mg.) were successfully treated with Mirazid. On the other hand, one buffalo was successfully treated by a total dose 7500mg, the seconds one did not cured, but the eggs deposited per gm markedly decreased.