Metagenomic analysis of the ocular toxoplasmosis in children uveitis from Fayoum governorate, Egypt.

Granulomatous anterior uveitis with single or numerous gelatinous nodules was found in children living in rural Egypt. All ocular diseases were originally thought to be water-born and related to digenic flukes. The current study sought to learn more about the causes of anterior granulomatous uveitis in Egyptian youngsters who used to swim in rural water canals. 50 children with eye lesions that had not responded to medical treatment were recruited. Four samples were surgically extracted and examined using real-time PCR, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and shotgun metagenomic sequencing (SMS). Toxoplasma gondii was detected free within the syncytium's distal section, while the proximal part exhibited active synthesis of a presumably extra-polymeric material, possibly released by the microbial population. Toxoplasma gondii was found in 30 samples. Serologically, distinct anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were not found in 91.6% of patients. SMS showed that the T. gondii ME 49 strain had the greatest percentage (29-25%) in all samples within an Acinetobacter-containing microbial community. These findings suggested that these bacteria entered the body via the exterior route rather than the circulatory route. The lack of genetic evidence for subsequent parasite stages invalidates the prior findings about the assumed trematode stage.

Effect of mast cell stabilization on angiogenesis in primary and secondary experimental Trichinella spiralis infection.

BACKGROUND: Mast cells are known to affect the primary and secondary immune responses against parasites, and this effect is partially mediated through the release of pro-angiogenic mediators. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of the mast cell stabilizer (MCS), ketotifen, with and without albendazole, an anti-parasitic prescription medicine, on the inflammatory response against Trichinella spiralis, with the overall aim to investigate its effect on angiogenesis accompanying nurse cell formation. METHODS: The effect of ketotifen and albendazole was explored in eight groups of female BALB/c mice. Four groups were sensitized with a small dose of T. spiralis larvae. The drug regimen was then applied to both sensitized (challenged) and non-sensitized mice. The parasite load was assessed by histopathological examination of the small intestine and muscle tissue, and angiogenesis was assessed by immunohistochemistry to determine the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). RESULTS: Sensitized mice showed a significantly lower parasite load and a more pronounced inflammatory response than mice receiving a single infective dose of T. spiralis larvae. All treated groups showed a significant reduction in parasite count compared to the control groups (groups IAa and IBa), reaching approximately an 98.8% reduction in adult parasite count in the sensitized group treated with albendazole (groups IIAb and IIBb). MCS significantly decreased the parasite count during both the intestinal or muscular phases, reduced tissue inflammation, and decreased local VEGF expression, both in the non-sensitized and sensitized groups. CONCLUSION: Sensitization with a low dose of T. spiralis larvae was found to confer a partial protective immunity against re-infection and to positively affect the study outcomes, thus underlining the importance of vaccination, but after extensive studies. The anti-angiogenic effect of MCS protects against larval encystation during the muscle phase. The anti-angiogenic potential of albendazole suggests that the action of this anti-helminthic during trichinellosis is not confined to structural damage to the parasite cuticle but includes an effect on host immunopathological response.

In vivo assessment of the antischistosomal activity of curcumin loaded nanoparticles versus praziquantel in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is a serious parasitic infection affecting millions worldwide. This study aimed to explore the anti-schistosomal activity of curcumin and curcumin loaded gold-nanoparticles (Cur-GNPs) with or without praziquantel (PZQ). We used six groups of the C57BL/6 mice in which five groups were infected with Schistosoma Mansoni (S. mansoni) cercariae and exhibited, separately, to different treatment regimens of curcumin, curcumin loaded nanoparticle, and PZQ, in addition to one untreated group which acts as a control. Mice were sacrificed at the 8th week where both worms and eggs were counted in the hepatic and porto-mesenteric vessels in the liver and intestine, respectively, in addition to a histopathological examination of the liver granuloma. Curcumin caused a significant reduction in the worms and egg count (45.45%) at the 3rd week. A significant schistosomicidal effect of PZQ was found in all groups. Cur-GNPs combined with PZQ 97.4% reduction of worm burden in the 3rd week and the highest reduction in the intestinal and hepatic egg content, as well, besides 70.1% reduction of the granuloma size. The results suggested the curcumin in combination with PZQ as a strong schistosomicidal regimen against S. mansoni as it alters the hematological, biochemical, and immunological changes induced.

Risk factors contributing to fascioliasis endemicity in a focus in Dakahlia Governorate 1-human host.

Zoonotic fascioliasis is a problem not only in Dakahlia Governorate, but also in other Egyptian Governorates. Two hundreds & twenty patients randomly selected with suggesting manifestations were examined for fascioliasis. A total of 23 (10.4%) were positive by Kato thick smears, of which 21 were from Kafr El-Hessah and two from Oweish El-Hager. The proven human fascioliasis was examined for anti-Fasciola antibodies by IHAT & ELISA (Fhes), haemoglobin level, eosinophils percent, serum bilirubin & liver function tests. IHAT gave 82.61% positive results (19/23), and ELISA gave 100% positive results (23/23). The clinical signs ranged between splenomegaly & ascitis in 4.34% for each up to hepatomegaly in 73.91% & mild fever in 78.26% but 2 cases were asymptomatic. Mild eosinophilia and moderate anaemia were recorded with means of 11 +/- 5.8 and 10 +/- 1.3 respectively. Mean serum bilirubin was not elevated (0.91 +/- 0.51 gm/dl). Liver function tests (AST within normal range in all cases; <40 unit/ml but one patient had ALT above normal; >45 unit/ml).

Detection of protozoal parasites in the stools of diarrhoeic patients using different techniques.

A total of 300 children were selected. A total of 180 apparently healthy children were selected. Each child was given a numerical number and subjected to a medical questionnaire. The rate of infection by the enteric protozoa detected by the four techniques revealed that G. lamblia reached 11.0% by concentration-sedimentation method, 10.3% by Sheather's concentration method and 7.0% (cysts) and 1.7% (vegetative) by direct wet smear. E. histolytica was 3.3% & 3.7% by the two concentration methods respectively. By direct wet smear 2.3% (cysts) and 0.7% (vegetative) were detected. E. coli was 7.3% & 7.0% by the two concentration methods respectively. By the direct wet smear 5.0% (cyst) and 0.3% (vegetative) were detected. Modified Zeihl-Nelsen stain demonstrated 9 cases of C. parvum (3.0%). Mallory and Iron haematoxylin gave the good characterristic colour for G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and E. coli followed by Trichrome. It was worthy to mention that direct smear method detected the low infections' percentage of all the intestinal target parasites in comparison with the four staining techniques.