A new species of Oochoristica (Eucestoda: Cyclophyllidea) parasite of Agama mutabilis (Reptilia: Agamidae) from Egypt.

The morphological and morphometric characterization of Oochoristica mutabili, an anoplocephalid cestode infecting the small intestine of the Egyptian changeable lizard, Agama mutabilis (F: Agamidae) in South Sinai were described by light and scanning electron microscopy as a first description from this host in Egypt. Ten out of fifty six (17.9%) of the examined specimens were infected with Oochoristica. Strobila was 14.6 (11.5-22.3) mm long; composed of 34 (30-45) proglottids; 7 (6-11) undifferentiated, 8 (6-10) contained sexual primordia, 14 (13-20) mature and 5 (3-9) gravid. Scolex 324 (300-360) microm wide with four circular suckers measuring 100 (97-124) microm in diameter; neck region is evident. Genital pores irregularly alternating, situated in the anterior quarter of proglottid; testes in median mass situated in the posterior half of proglottid extending laterally to vitellarium; ovary bilobed and situated in the centre of proglottid, vitellaria entire, slightly wider than one lobe of the ovary. Gravid proglottids contained in a uterine capsule containing numerous oncospheres. The described parasite is compared with different species of the same genus from different hosts, it was found that morphometrically the present species was more or less different from the comparable species and the only morphologically similar species was O. parvovaria. Both species were similar in the presence of the cirrus sac, which lied anterior to the ovary, and the bilobed ovary situated in the center of proglottids. However, it can be differentiated by possessing more proglottids, fewer testes, and the lack of primordial development in immature proglottids of the comparable species.

WITHDRAWN: Comparative study of the karyotypes and electrophoretic patterns of Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus truncatus and the ova of their corresponding trematode hosts.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, doi:10.1016/j.parint.2011.05.006. The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.

Studies on the genus Stylocephalus ellis, 1912 (Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Stylocephalidae) in beetles (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from El Fayoum Governorate, Egypt.

Four species of the genus Stylocephalus Ellis, 1912 were recorded and described from beetles in El Fayoum Governorate; S. longicollis, S. phalloides, S. variabilis and S. eastoni. Both S. phalloides and S. variabilis were recorded in Zophosis sp. and Pimelia angulata, respectively for the first time in Egypt. Out of 105 Blaps polychresta, 18 (17.14%) were infected with S. longicollis and 57 (54.29%) with S. eastoni. Out of 30 Pimelia angulata, 17 (56.76%) were infected with S. variabilis and all examined Zophosis sp. (n = 67) were infected with S. phalloides. Scanning electron microscopy on S. longicollis revealed morphological features not reported before; three pairs of longitudinal ribs extending from the second fifth till the posterior extremity of old sporont and a minute pore on the anterior tip of epimerite. In S. eastoni, the epimerite-host epithelium relationship revealed that the parasite invades host's gut with the distal part of epimerite. Regarding the gross pathological symptoms, heavily infected hosts showed a sluggish motility, short antennae, swollen abdomen, lack of fat accumulation, and putrid smell in dead beetles.

Molecular polymorphisms associated with Egyptian, European, Chinese and North American Fasciola hepatica.

A new PCR based system was used that had a broad detection capabilty among parasites based on a conserved region of the 18s of the 18s ribosomal DNA genes. Five samples each of Egyptian, European and Chinese F. hepatica of bovine origin were obtained and DNA was isolated. The PCR primers recognized a fragment of approxiniately 700 nucleotides in length. Sequences were compaici over a 107 base pair region that identified polymorphisms between the strains. All the sequences from Egyptian isolates were identical, similarly so with all European and Chinese isolates. However, there were polymorphisms between these isolates and the isolates from North America. All isolates have a single base additional in target region and there was a single base substitution in Egyptian isolates when compared to others.

Inference of molecular phylogeny of Sarcocystis felis (Sarcocystidae) from cats based on nuclear-encoded ribosomal gene sequences.

The phylogenetic position of four clinical isolates of Sarcocystis felis was assessed using ssurRNA and ITS1 gene sequences in the context of a wide array of other Sarcocystis sp. Phylogenetic reconstructions using neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony methods generated identical tree topologies with strong support values at each node. High ssurRNA sequence similarity (> or =99%) and the resulting phylogeny demonstrated that S. felis and S. neurona are significantly closely related to each other. The two Sarcocystis formed a monophyletic group distinct from the other Sarcocystis sp., irrespective of the alignment algorithms or tree-building method used. The absolute (100%) identity of ssurRNA sequences of sarcocysts and sporocysts obtained from one cat raised the question regarding the cat's role as a potential intermediate host besides its known role as a definitive host of S. felis. On the other hand, S. felis sarcocyst DNA sequence was found to be quite dissimilar over the ITS1 region when compared to S. neurona. These findings indicated that using sequences from two different genetic loci provided a stronger comparative basis than would have been possible using either one.

Molecular and microscopic techniques for detection of Sarcocystis neurona sporocysts in fecal samples.

Diagnosis of Sarcocystis sp. in the definitive host is generally by microscopic detection of the sporocysts in feces. This method is insensitive and cannot differentiate between species because sporocysts lack specific staining criteria. The hypothesis suggested that molecular techniques provide better alternatives to classical detection of Sarcocystis sporocysts. The sensitivity of two PCR assays was compared to one another and to microscopic examination by conventional fecal flotation and Diamant-Fuchsin staining procedures for detection of sporocysts spiked into mice feces. PCR1 assay using LSM1 & LSM2 primers that amplified 496 bp of the ssurRNA gene was more sensitive than the PCR2 method using JNB25 and JD396 primers that amplified 334 bp of a RAPD-derived marker. PCRI gave positive results with 200 microl of fecal suspension spiked with as little as 5 sporocysts compared to 75 sporocysts detected by JNB25 & JD396 primers. PCRI was more sensitive than conventional microscopy. PCR1 or PCR2 followed by sequencing or RFLP analysis not only detected Sarcocystis sporocysts in feces but also enabled to ascertain the genotype of the species as S. neurona.

Spot light survey on fresh-water snails of medical importance in Al Fayoum Governorate, Egypt.

In a survey carried out during Summer and Autumn of 2004, for snails of medical importance, nine species were recovered. These were Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, B. pfeifferi, Bulinus truncatus, B. forskalii, Lymnaea natalensis, Bellamya (=Vivipara) unicolor, Physa acuta and Hydrobia musaensis. Parasitological examination revealed that B. alexandrina, B. glabrata and L. natalensis harboured immature stages of their concerned trematode parasites. Moreover, P. acuta harboured the immature stage of the nematode parasite Parastrongylus cantonensis.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum isolates obtained from humans.

Fifty stool specimens collected from severe diarrheic patients attending Misr University Hospital, were examined microscopically for protozoan parasites mainly, Cryptosporidium parvum. Stool examination revealed 22 cases with C. parvum, 8 with E. histolytica, 14 with G. intestinalis and six were parasite-free. The results were compared with the established nested PCR assay to detect DNA directly from stool specimens. After the extraction of DNA from stool, a 402-bp fragment of C. parvum DNA was amplified with two 26-mer outer primers. The amplified products, 194-bp DNA fragment, were used for a second run. This study indicated that the used primers are specific for DNA of C. parvum. The PCR detected a total of 28 positives; six of these cases were negative by AF stool examination, which eventually confirmed to be positive by several successive examinations of the stool and/or duodenal aspiration. Microscopy exhibited 78.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared to 100% specificity and sensitivity with PCR. Consequently, PCR is more sensitive and easier to interpret but required more hands-on time to perform and is more expensive than microscopy. However, PCR batch analysis reduces the cost considerably.

Laboratory and field studies on oribatid mites as intermediate host of Moniezia expansa infecting Egytptian sheep.

Three species of oribatid mites, Scheloribates zaherii, Zygoribatula tadrosi and Z. sayedi from pure colonies were experimentally exposed to infection by allowing them to feed on stool sheep infected with Moniezia expansa. The mites were followed up to the development of the infective cysticercoids. M. expansa was able to achieve sucessfully its larval development in the three species of oribatid mites under laboratory conditions. These were demonstrated after 84, 73 & 69 days post infection, respectively. Z. tadrosi is recorded as inter-mediate host for the first time in Egypt. Six species of oribatid mites, Oppiella nova, S. laevigatus, S. zaherii, Xylobates souchiensis, Epilohmannia pallida aegyptiaca and Z. sayedi, recovered from the sheep infested farm soil, were found naturally infected with different developmental stages of M. expansa.

Efficacy of Mirazid (Commiphora molmol) against fascioliasis in Egyptian sheep.

The efficacy of Mirazid (Commiphora molmol or Myrrh) was evaluated in sheep naturally infected with fascioliasis. Total doses of one or two capsules (300 mg each) were given for one, two or three successive days on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast. A total dose of 600 mg gave a cure rate of 83.3%, while a total dose of 900 to 1200 mg gave a complete cure rate (100%), with no clinical side effect. The cure rate was achieved by stool examination and/or macroscopically on slaughtering the sheep. Mirazid proved to be safe and very effective in sheep fascioliasis in Gharbia Governorate.

Mice immunzation using crude Trichinella spiralis antigen.

Four hundred laboratory bred male Swiss strain albino mice, seven to ten weeks old, were experimentally used to determine the effective mode of immunization against T. spiralis infection. In this regard, active immunization using repeated injection of T. spiralis muscle larval antigen was used in comparison with three, commonly used immunosuppressive drugs (Kenacort, Endoxan and Cyclosporin). Also, the minimal oral dose of T. spiralis larvae that can cause the infection was estimated. The use of T. spiralis muscle larval antigen was found promising for vaccination against the spiralis infection. Although Cyclosporin has an immunosuppressive effect, yet it has a direct lethal effect on both adult and larvae of T. spiralis, and being recommended for treatment of trichinosis. The minimal oral dose of T. spiralis larvae that lead to formation of adult worms in the intestine and larvae in muscles was 20 larvae/mouse. Meanwhile, neither adults nor larvae were formed below this dose.

Comparative study between elisa IgG, IgM and PCR in diagnosing and studying toxoplasmosis in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt.

ELISA IgG, IgM antibodies and PCR for toxoplasmosis were performed on 55 women with complicated gestation and their babies. Besides, ELISA IgG and IgM were applied on 27 uncomplicated gestation (mothers & babies) and 152 randomly selected individuals. Seropositivity to specific IgG antibodies was 36.4%, 59.2% and 57.9% and for IgM was 27.3%, 7.4% and 10.5% in complicated gestation. uncomplicated gestation and random population respectively. PCR was positive in 20%, 50% and 60% of mothers with abortion, premature deliveries and deliveries of babies with congenital anomalies respectively. 55.5% and 40% were found seropositive for IgG from normal full term babies and abnormal babies. 13% of abnormal babies were IgM positive and 46.6% were PCR positive from the same group.

A histochemical study on the hydatid cyst and electron microscopy of the hydatid sand of Echinococcus granulosus.

The histochemistry of the hydatid cyst wall of E. granulosus from goat and sheep were studied. The cyst wall contains a carbohydrate-protein substrate complex, collagen and possibly calcium. Calcium is also reported in protoscolices of hydatid sand. Tegumental projections on free brood capsules and protoscolices were viewed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the tegument of protoscolices was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Anthelminthic efficacy of traditional herbs on Ascaris lumbricoides.

The ascaricidal efficacy of six commonly used traditional herbs. Artemesia santonica, Inula helenium, Cassia abutnsifolla, Albizzia lebbek, Acacia auriculoformis and oil of Apium graveolens, was tested in vitro against the eggs and larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides. Aqueous extracts of 1% Artemesia and 5% of Albizzia and Inula were effective in killing both the infective larvae ill less than 40 days and eggs in 20 days. The results showed that Artemesia, Albizzia and to less extent Inula were promising antihelmintics against Ascaris lumbricoides. Extracts of the other tested herbs were less or no value.

The pattern of cryptosporidiosis in experimentally immune deficient albino rats.

Thirty clean laboratory bred male albino rats were divided into two groups. G1, twenty rats received corticosteroids (SC. injection of 1.5 mg dexamethasone, twice per week) for eight weeks for immuno-suppression, while G2, ten rats served as controls. Both groups were separately caged under controlled laboratory observation and given normal diet. After the 8th week, both groups were allowed to acquire Cryptosporidium parvum infection by feeding on infective source. Another week more, all animals were subjected to stool examination and were then sacrificed. Rats of G1 showed oocysts in 13/16, but none in rats of G2. Scrapping of the intestinal mucosa from both rats of G1 and G2 were prepared for microscopic examination, after stained in modified Kinyoun acid-fast (light microscope), and Auramine (fluorescent microscope). Cryptosporidium oocysts were demonstrated in 13/16 (81.3%) of G1 and 3/10 (30%) of G2. So, cryptosporidiosis as an opportunistic parasite threats in immune deficiency.