Effect of ivermectin on combined intestinal protozoal infection [giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis]

Ivermectin, a broad spectrum antiparasitic agent, has become a promising drug for treating parasitic infection and infestation. This study was carried out to investigate its activity against 2 common protozoal infection, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, in a rat model. The results of this study showed that ivermectin therapy is effective against both parasites at a dose of 200 mug/kg

Dissemination of leishmania to organs of mice experimentally infected with leishmania tropica

Swiss strain albino mice were inoculated intradermally in a shaved area above the tail with Leishmania tropica strain. The dissemination of the parasites to various organs and distant cutaneous sites was followed up to 16 weeks. The infection was detected in the metastatic foci by examination of impression smears, inoculated culture tubes containing Tanabe's medium with specimen obtained from lesions and by histopathological changes. It was found that the parasite disseminated from the site of inoculation to visceral organs; namely, the liver, spleen, kidney and lung. However, no invasion of the testis was observed throughout the experiment. Metastatic cutaneous lesions occurred late in the infection and was observed only in 2 animals. Cutaneous metastatic lesions developed exclusively on the tail and the face

trial to produce an antischistosomal vaccine using heterophyid antigens

Heterophyid metacercariae, crude and partially purified heterophyid antigens were given prior to S. mansoni infections in an attempt to produce a potent antischistosomal vaccine. Three main groups of albino mice were used. Each group after receiving the appropriate heterophyid antigen prior to S. mansoni infection was studied parasitologically as regards worm load and tissue egg count and histopathologically as regards granulomata number, size and cellular constituents as well as immunologically by the indirect immunofluorescent test. The results showed a reduction in worm burden recoveries and egg load resulting in lesser number of granulomata and diminution in size of granulomata as well as acceleration in their reaction together with inhibition of fluorescence. These results were more obvious in the group infected one month post heterophyid infection, as well as in mice immunized with the highest dose of crude heterophyid antigen [200 micro g protein] .However, a low dose of 50 micro gram of partially purified fractionated antigen gave the most evident results

Preparation and use of monoclonal antibodies in the detection of trichinella spiralis circulating antigen

In the present study, a trial was made to evaluate the monoclonal antibody produced as a tool in the detection of circulating antigen. For the preparation of monoclonal antibodies, four Balb /C mice were immunized with Trichinella spiralis larvae. Immunized spleen cells were prepared and a suitable mutant NS[1] myeloma cell line was used for fusion. Eighty white swiss albino mice were orally infected with 500 L[1] T. spiralis larvae. Their serum was collected at different periods i.e. 5, 11, 18 and 28 days post infection for the detection of circulating antigen which was done by the ELISA technique. Circulating antigen could not be detected on day 5 post infection, while on day 11 it was clearly identified; on day 18 it could be detected but at a lesser O.D. reading however the antigen disappeared completely on the 28 th day. This study confirmed that monoclonal antibodies may be a valuable tool in the early diagnosis of trichinosis by the detection of specific antigens, even in small amounts whenever present in the circulation

Effect of levamisole on toxoplasmosis during pregnancy in guinea-pigs

The effect of levamisole was tested in guinea-pigs infected with an avirulent strain of Toxoplasma gondii at mid-pregnancy and in two different doses and schedules of administration. With a small short-term dose, the pregnancy terminated rapidly with high foetal wastage, and the severity of infection in the offspring decreased. With a large long-term dose, the pregnancy protracted and the severity of infection in the offspring increased. It was concluded that, during pregnancy, small doses of levamisole cannot be used without harm in the prescribed schedules to reduce the severity of infection. On the other hand large doses are immunosuppressive and can aggravate the severity of infection in the offspring