Cystic echinococcosis: Development of an intermediate host rabbit model for using in vaccination studies.

The aims of this study were an establishment of the domestic rabbit as an intermediate host for cystic echinococcosis (CE) and to evaluate the potency of the crude germinal layer and the protoscoleces antigens to protect against the CE. Firstly; Two groups of white Newzeland rabbits were infected orally either by 5000 active oncospheres or viable protoscoleces separately. After 20 weeks, the slaughtered rabbits showed the presence of hydatid cysts at different internal organs. Molecular detection of the resulted cysts was conducted. Secondly; 27 rabbits were divided into nine groups (n = 3). Groups 1 and 2 were immunized with the crude germinal layer antigen while the groups 3 and 4 were immunized with the crude protoscoleces antigen. Groups 5 and 6 received the adjuvant mineral oil. Groups 7 and 8 were used as positive control. The last 9 group was kept as a negative control. The obtained results showed a significant high protection percentage of 83.4% and high antibody titer was recorded in groups that received the crude germinal layer antigen comparing with the groups that immunized with the crude protoscoleces antigen as their protection percentage was 66.7% with lower IgG response. In conclusion, the domestic rabbits could be used as a laboratory model for CE. Developing of the germinal layer antigen is more immunogenic than the protoscoleces one and could be used as a promising vaccine. Attention should be directed towards the existing rabbit in the environment adjacent to infected dogs as it could be a part of Echinococcus life cycle.

Marine biodiversity patterns off Alexandria area, southeastern Mediterranean Sea, Egypt.

The biological marine system in the Mediterranean Sea off Alexandria, Egypt, was investigated to recognise its biodiversity and the relations among "ichthyofauna, invertebrates, and benthic" cover including biota and flora, as well as seabed bathymetry during 2017 using a multi-seasonal surveys by the commercial bottom trawler. Moreover, zooplanktonic community from the water column was also collected to support the picture of the biodiversity in the investigated area. The identified species were 94 fishes, 64 invertebrates, 6 benthic flora, and 304 zooplanktonic species. The ichthyofauna included 5 Chondrichthyes species (5.3% of the fish species), while Osteichthyes fishes were 89 species (94.7%) belonging to 48 families and 72 genera. The most abundant family was Sparidae (13 species). The highest abundance of fishes occurred in the summer (68 fish species 72.34%), while the lowest abundance occurred in the spring (49 species, 52.13%). Regarding the demersal and benthic biota, the most abundant phylum was Mollusca (31 species) and represented by three classes (Bivalvia, Cephalopoda, and Gastropoda). Gastropoda was the most abundant class (18 species), while the lowest Phyla was Chordata (1 species of Ascidians) and Annelida (1 species). The number of lessepsian fish species were 17 (18.1%) of the total number of species caught by the bottom trawl net. In addition, this work provided new records Aulopareia unicolor (F): Gobiidae) for the area for first time and considered the second time in Egypt. The benthic flora was represented by 6 species belonging to three phyla (Tracheophyta, Chlorophyta, and Rhodophyta). Sea grasses were represented by three species (Posidonia oceanica, Cymodocea nodosa, and Halophila stipulacea). The highest abundance of benthic species occurred in the summer (53 species with 75.7%), while the lowest one was in autumn (27 species, 38.6%). Geologically, the fishing ground constituted of hard rocks to very fine silt. The eastern part of the study area includes terrigenous Nile sediment origin, while the western side has biocalcareous sediment with shell fragments richness, coastal limestone ridges origin. The continental shelf, which runs along the study area, is portrayed by a 200-m contour line. In the water column, zooplanktonic community was represented by 304 taxa, belonging to 12 phyla, 6 phyla (Arthropoda, Tintinnida, Chordata "fish eggs and larvae", Cnidaria, Foraminifera, and Radiozoa) were dominant. Copepods were the dominant group (71.59%); its annual average abundance was 1271 ind./m3. Its most diversified season was the winter (175 No/m3.) and its average abundance was 1892.9 ind./m3. However, in spring, 118 species were recorded presenting the highest average abundance (2419.4 ind./m3). The lowest diversified season was summer (85 organisms) with density of 1150 ind./m3. The present work offers updated data regarding the marine biodiversity in Egypt, enriches the gaps in the bibliography in the Eastern Mediterranean, and gives preliminary list of species and biodiversity of bottom trawl combined with the interaction with other biosystems and features of fishing ground. These data could be used to monitor evaluate the impact of bottom trawl on the fisheries habitats and changing in ecosystems. Also, it could be used as constructive step to manage or protect such area in combination with other. It is recommended to fulfil the need for more and detailed studies in all areas by different gears to cover the gaps in marine biodiversity data.

Phylogenetic patterns of Haemonchus contortus and related trichostrongylid nematodes isolated from Egyptian sheep.

Haemonchus contortus is a major parasite of small ruminants and its blood-feeding behaviour causes effects ranging from mild anaemia to death. Knowledge of the genetic variation within and among H. contortus populations can provide the foundation for understanding transmission patterns and aid in the control of haemonchosis. Adult male H. contortus were collected from three geographical regions in Egypt. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of nuclear ribosomal DNA was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced directly. The population genetic diversity and sequence variations were determined. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed one genotype (ITS2) in all worms, without genetic differentiation. The similarity in population genetic diversity and genetic patterns observed among the three geographical regions could be attributed to possible movement between the sites. This is the first study of genetic variation in H. contortus in Egypt. The present results could have implications for the rapid characterization of H. contortus and other trichostrongyloid nematodes, and evaluation of the epidemiology of H. contortus in Egypt.

Modeling of liquid-liquid hollow fiber supported membrane equilibrium including the non-ideality of the aqueous and organic phases in the recovery systems of radionuclides in sulphate-halide/aliquat-336 in O-xylene.

Study of modeling of L/LHFSLM equilibrium based on the Non-ideality of the Aqueous and Organic Phases in the Recovery of 152+154Eu in H2SO4-Halides/Aliquat-336 in 20% kerosene as feeding phase at pH 3.78-4.55, by the ratio 89.7%,while separation of 90Sr and 134Cs there was a problem between them by using hollow HFSLM only, the reason for that the organic solvents affect the rate of reaction in the Diamino-1,2-cyclohexane/tetraacetic acid (DCTA) as stripping phase concentration from 0.15 to 0.55 mol/L. The system has been developed; this led to the extraction of elements in the same time. The Matlab software program was introduced to obtain some mathematical parameters like, standard deviation (SD), equilibrium constant Kex and standard deviation coefficient (SDC).

Prevalence of Bartonella spp., haemotropic Mycoplasma spp. and others vector-borne pathogens in private-owned dogs and cats, Egypt.

Vector-borne pathogens have been increasingly investigated for their impact on dog and cat health and their zoonotic potential. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence estimates of selected vector-borne pathogens in client-owned pets from the Giza and Cairo governorates, Egypt.  Out of 200 dogs and 100 cats, 94 (47%) and 23 (23%) were positive for at least one of the tested pathogens (P<0.0001). In particular, 84 (42%) dogs and 3 (3%) cats tested PCR-positive for Bartonella spp. (P<0.0001). A significantly higher prevalence of Bartonella spp. was detected in dogs from the rural areas of the Giza governorate (60/77, 79.2%, P<0.0001) compared to those from Cairo governorate. Bartonella henselae was the dominant species infecting dogs (81/200, 40.5%) followed by Candidatus Bartonella merieuxii (3/200, 1.5%), while B. henselae (2/100, 2%) and B. clarridgeiae were rare in cats. Haemoplasma DNA was detected in 17% (34/200) of dogs and 20% (20/100) of cats with increased risk in dogs from Giza rural areas (21/77, 27.27%, P=0.002) and from both dogs (16/63, 25.40%, P=0.03) and cats (7/14, 50%, P<0.002) with anemia. Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (30/200, 15%) and Mycoplasma haemocanis (4/200, 2%) in dogs and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum (18/100, 18%) and M. haemofelis (2/100, 2%) in cats were detected. Additionally, 2 dogs were positive for C. burnetii DNA. Coinfections were detected in dogs, with the majority (23/200, 11.5%) including B. henselae and C.M. haematoparvum, followed by Mycoplasma haemocanis and C.M. haematoparvum (2/200, 1%) and B. henselae, CMhp and C. burnetii (2/200, 1%). Haemoplasma infection was high in Egyptian dogs and cats with a high prevalence for zoonotic Bartonella spp. in dogs with anemia, highlighting the need to investigate these agents in the diagnostic algorithm of anemia and to adopt preventive measures to protect both animal and human health.

Molecular detection of Candidatus Anaplasma camelii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia.

Knowledge of molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in camels in Saudi Arabia is very limited; few molecular epidemiological studies have been under taken. This study was to detect Anaplasma spp. and Piroplasma spp. in camels from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 blood samples were collected from camels in Asir Province and investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted 18S rRNA and 23S rRNA to detect the DNA of Piroplasma spp. and Anaplasma spp., respectively. The positive samples for 23S rRNA were assayed again by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA. All the blood samples were free from Piroplasma spp. infection. Three camels (2%) were found to be positive for Anaplasma infection through use of PCR that targeted the 23S rRNA gene. There were no significant differences between ages or sexes in the camels that tested positive for Anaplasma. All positive Anaplasma infections were recorded in camels that were infested by ticks. Two Anaplasma sequences for the16S rRNA gene were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MN882724 and MN882725. They recorded 99.16% and 99.34% similarities (respectively) with KF843825.1 (Candidatus Anaplasma camelii reported in Unizah, Saudi Arabia). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two sequences recorded in this study were close to each other; both were located in one cluster with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii isolates that were recorded before in the adjacent areas of Unizah in Saudi Arabia and Iran. In conclusion: two new Anaplasma genotypes close to Candidatus Anaplasma camelii were found in camels in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia for the first time. The camels in this province were found to be free of Piroplasma infection.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania major in stray dogs in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia.

Dogs can act as a reservoir of canine leishmaniasis disease, which is caused by Leishmania species. The study aimed to identify and document the genotype of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the stray dogs in Riyadh Province using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) as a target gene by using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). This cross-sectional investigation was conducted over the course of two years, from March 2016 to July 2018, in different districts of Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 237 dogs were examined, only 18 of the dogs were suspected clinically of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to the presence of cutaneous nodules and cutaneous lesion. Biopsy tissue collections were performed and DNA was extracted. CSB2XF and CSB1XR primers were used to amplify the Leishmania kDNA regions. The Leishmania species were detected by specific 13Z and LIR primers by applying nested PCR assay. Nine dogs were found to be positive for Leishmania major. The examined dogs were negative for other Leishmania spp. The phylogenetic analysis and blast results of kDNA showed that the 9 isolates L. major is closely related (99.9%) to the L. major isolate CMG_irfan5, accession number HQ727556.1 from human, Pakistan. This is the first molecular study on dog leishmaniasis from Saudi Arabia confirmed that dogs have a L. major infection. Further epidemiological and molecular investigations are required to study domestic and wild canine infections with L. major and other Leishmania spp in endemic and nonendemic areas of Saudi Arabia as part of leishmaniasis control.

Adsorption studies on the removal of COD and BOD from treated sewage using activated carbon prepared from date palm waste.

In this work, the adsorption of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD) from treated sewage with low-cost activated carbon prepared from date palm shell waste by chemical activation method was studied. Different parameters affecting the adsorption process such as carbon dose, pH, contact time, agitation rate, and temperature were studied. Adsorption equilibrium was attained after 150 min at pH 6.0 with agitation rate of 400 rpm at 25 °C. The results showed that COD removal percentage of 95.4 and 92.8% for BOD was obtained with carbon dosage of 0.1 g/100 ml of solution. The experimental batch equilibrium results follow linear, Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherm models. The experimental data was fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetics model controlled by pore diffusion. Thermodynamic parameter values of ΔH 0, ΔG 0, and ΔS 0 were calculated. The obtained data indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous, endothermic nature and reflects an increased randomness and degree of disorderliness at the activated carbon/sewage interface during the adsorption process investigated in this study. Concentrations of different impurities were reduced to very small value by investigated adsorption process.

Administration of ATP-MgCl2 following hemorrhage and resuscitation increases hepatic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and decreases pyruvate kinase activities.

Since administration of ATP-MgCl2 following trauma and hemorrhagic shock improves tissue perfusion as well as cell and organ function, the aim of this study was to determine whether this agent has any salutary effects on the hepatic rate-controlling enzymes specific for gluconeogenesis, such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), and for glycolysis, such as pyruvate kinase (PK), under such conditions. To study this, rats underwent a 5-cm midline laparotomy (i.e., trauma-induced) and were bled to and maintained at a mean arterial pressure of 40 mm Hg until 40% of maximum bleed out volume was returned in the form of Ringer's lactate (RL). The animals were then resuscitated with 3 times the volume of shed blood with RL over 45 min, followed by 2 times RL with ATP-MgCl2 (50 micromol/kg body wt.) or an equivalent volume of normal saline over 95 min. Hepatic PEPCK, PK and glucokinase activities were determined 4 h after the completion of resuscitation. The mRNA levels of PEPCK and PK in the isolated hepatocytes were determined by Northern blot analysis. The results indicate that glucokinase activity was not significantly altered after hemorrhage, irrespective of ATP-MgCl2 treatment. Although the mRNA levels of PEPCK were similar in all groups, PEPCK activity decreased significantly after hemorrhage. ATP-MgCl2 treatment, however, restored PEPCK activity. Hemorrhage resulted in an increase in PK activity and its mRNA. ATP-MgCl2 treatment significantly decreased PK activity and the mRNA. Thus, up-regulation of the gluconeogenic enzyme, PEPCK, and down-regulation of the glycolytic enzyme, PK, by ATP-MgCl2 may be responsible, in part, for the beneficial effects of this agent following trauma-hemorrhage and resuscitation.

Intrasplenic Arterial Aneurysms during Pregnancy.

Splenic artery aneurysms account for about 60% of all visceral aneurysms. Pregnancy is a risk factor for splenic artery aneurysms rupture with high maternal mortality and fetal loss. Intrasplenic arterial aneurysms are extremely rare and have not been reported to be associated with pregnancy. This report presents a 34-year-old woman during the second trimester, admitted with severe left upper quadrant and left shoulder pain. She had two uncomplicated intrasplenic aneurysms. Splenectomy was done. She delivered a full term healthy girl. This is the first report of acute abdomen during pregnancy caused by intrasplenic artery aneurysms with maternal and fetal survival.

Molecular detection of Candidatus Anaplasma camelii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia

@#Knowledge of molecular identification of tick-borne pathogens in camels in Saudi Arabia is very limited; few molecular epidemiological studies have been under taken. This study was to detect Anaplasma spp. and Piroplasma spp. in camels from Asir Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 150 blood samples were collected from camels in Asir Province and investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) that targeted 18S rRNA and 23S rRNA to detect the DNA of Piroplasma spp. and Anaplasma spp., respectively. The positive samples for 23S rRNA were assayed again by PCR targeting the 16S rRNA. All the blood samples were free from Piroplasma spp. infection. Three camels (2%) were found to be positive for Anaplasma infection through use of PCR that targeted the 23S rRNA gene. There were no significant differences between ages or sexes in the camels that tested positive for Anaplasma. All positive Anaplasma infections were recorded in camels that were infested by ticks. Two Anaplasma sequences for the16S rRNA gene were deposited in GenBank with accession numbers MN882724 and MN882725. They recorded 99.16% and 99.34% similarities (respectively) with KF843825.1 (Candidatus Anaplasma camelii reported in Unizah, Saudi Arabia). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the two sequences recorded in this study were close to each other; both were located in one cluster with Candidatus Anaplasma camelii isolates that were recorded before in the adjacent areas of Unizah in Saudi Arabia and Iran. In conclusion: two new Anaplasma genotypes close to Candidatus Anaplasma camelii were found in camels in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia for the first time. The camels in this province were found to be free of Piroplasma infection.

Proliferation of immature myeloma cells by interleukin-6 is associated with CD45 expression in human multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy of human plasma cells, and myeloma cells can be classified into several subpopulations according to phenotypic differences, such as CD38 MPC-1- CD49e- immature, CD38 MPC-1+ CD49e- intermediate and CD38 MPC-1+ CD49e+ mature myeloma cells. The expression of the CD45 molecule on myeloma cells is quite variable, and the physiological consequence of CD45 on myeloma cells is still unknown. Recently, we have found that a few MPC-1- immature myeloma cells express CD45 antigens while most myeloma cells do not express the CD45. MPC-1- CD45+ CD49e- but not MPC-1- CD45- CD49e- immature cells contain proliferating cells in response to interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6 can also induce expression of CD45 on the MPC-1- CD45- subpopulation of immature myeloma cells. In addition, myeloma cell lines responding to IL-6 express CD45, whereas cell lines proliferating independent of IL-6 do not express CD45. In the U266 cell line, IL-6 leads to the induction of CD45 expression and cell proliferation, indicating that IL-6-induced effects are closely linked to CD45 expression. Thus, there is a heterogeneity in human myeloma cells, and among these subpopulations immature myeloma cells expressing the CD45 molecules appear to proliferate in response to IL-6. In this review we propose the involvement of CD45 in MM pathogenesis, and the possible implications of CD45 as both a phenotypic marker and a functional molecule is discussed.

Abortifacient effects of a unique class of vasoactive lipids from Pinus ponderosa needles.

Pinus ponderosa needle (PN) ingestion by late pregnant cows results in decreased uterine blood flow, premature parturition, and retained placentae. Further, plasma from PN-fed cows increases caruncular arterial tone (i.e., induces prolonged contraction) in an isolated perfused bovine placentome. A novel class of vasoactive lipids was isolated and identified using a bovine placentome assay-guided fractionation of CH2Cl2 extracts of PN. Placentome perfusion tests indicated that 1-12-dodecanedioyl-dimyristate (14-12-14) was the most potent of the PN lipids for increasing caruncular arterial tone. Late pregnant guinea pigs (GP) were used to evaluate the abortifacient activity of these vasoactive lipids. In Study 1, on d 50 of gestation, part of the control diet was replaced with chopped PN (Diet A) or chopped PN subjected to sequential extraction with diethyl ether (Et2O; Diet B); Et2O and CH2Cl2 (Diet C); and Et2O, CH2Cl2, and methanol (Diet D). The GP on Diets A and B exhibited shorter (P<.01) gestation lengths and reduced (P<.01) pig birth weights than GP on the control diet or Diets C and D. Further, only GP on Diets A and B exhibited retained placentae. In Study 2, on d 50 of gestation, part of the control diet was replaced with chopped PN that had been subjected to exhaustive CH2Cl2 extraction and then infiltrated with either CH2Cl2 alone (Diet E), CH2Cl2 containing 14-12-14 (Diet F), or CH2Cl2 containing isocupressic acid (Diet G); then solvents were evaporated. The GP consuming Diet F had shorter (P<.05) gestation lengths and reduced (P<.05) pig birth weights than did GP consuming Diets E or G. The GP consuming Diet F also exhibited a high incidence of retained placentae. These data provide evidence that a unique class of vasoactive lipids in PN exhibit abortifacient activity in guinea pigs.

Fat indices in high and low altitude populations in Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

The present study was undertaken to determine the fat indices in high and low altitude populations in Southwestern Saudi Arabia. Measurement of weight, height, mid-upper arm circumference, mid-upper arm muscle area, and skinfold thickness over the triceps region in 261 males living at high altitude (3150 meters above sea level) and 237 males living at low altitude (500 meters above sea level) in Southern Saudi Arabia are reported. The assessment of fatness by calculation of percent body weight is supported by correlation of triceps skinfold thickness with body mass index (BMI). In both high- and lowlanders the triceps skinfold thickness has significant correlation with BMI (P<0.001 for both). BMI also showed significant correlations with body weight, mid-upper arm circumference and mid-upper arm muscle area (P<0.001 for all). The findings show that the use of skinfold thickness in the prediction of degree of fatness in both groups seems to be a practical and useful method. However, it appears that there is a need for densitometric studies among Saudi populations to enable the derivation of valid regression equations for the calculation of body fat from skinfold thickness measurements. In the absence of skinfold measurements the BMI appeared to be a reliable indicator for assessment of body fat in Saudi high- and lowlanders.

Effective photodegradation of methomyl pesticide in concentrated solutions by novel enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 using CdSO4 nanoparticles.

Annihilation of electrons-holes recombination process is the main remedy to enhance the photocatalytic activity of the semiconductors photocatalysts. Doping of this class of photocatalysts by foreign nanoparticles is usually utilized to create high Schottky barrier that facilitates electron capture. In the literature, because nonpolar nanoparticles (usually pristine metals, e.g., Ag, Pt, Au, etc.) were utilized in the doping process, the corresponding improvement was relatively low. In this study, CdSO4-doped TiO2 nanoparticles are introduced as a powerful and reusable photocatalyst for the photocatalytic degradation of methomyl pesticide in concentrated aqueous solutions. The utilized CdSO4 nanoparticles form polar grains in the TiO2 matrix due to the electrons leaving characteristic of the sulfate anion. The introduced nanoparticles could successfully eliminate the harmful pesticide under the sunlight radiation within a very short time (less than 1 h), with a removal capacity reaching 1,000 mg pesticide per gram of the introduced photocatalyst. Moreover, increase in the initial concentration of the methomyl did not affect the photocatalytic performance; typically 300, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 mg/l solutions were completely treated within 30, 30, 40, and 60 min, respectively, using 100 mg catalyst. Interestingly, the photocatalytic efficiency was not affected upon multiple use of the photocatalyst. Moreover, negative activation energy was obtained which reveals super activity of the introduced photocatalyst. The distinct photocatalytic activity indicates the complete annihilation of the electrons-holes recombination process and abundant existence of electrons on the catalyst surfaces due to strong electrons capturing the operation of the utilized polar CdSO4 nanoparticles. The introduced photocatalyst has been prepared using the sol-gel technique. Overall, the simplicity of the synthesizing procedure and the obtained featured photocatalytic activity strongly recommend the introduced nanoparticles to treat the methomyl-containing polluted water.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of Leishmania major in stray dogs in Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia

@#Dogs can act as a reservoir of canine leishmaniasis disease, which is caused by Leishmania species. The study aimed to identify and document the genotype of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the stray dogs in Riyadh Province using kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) as a target gene by using nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). This cross-sectional investigation was conducted over the course of two years, from March 2016 to July 2018, in different districts of Riyadh Province, Saudi Arabia. A total of 237 dogs were examined, only 18 of the dogs were suspected clinically of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to the presence of cutaneous nodules and cutaneous lesion. Biopsy tissue collections were performed and DNA was extracted. CSB2XF and CSB1XR primers were used to amplify the Leishmania kDNA regions. The Leishmania species were detected by specific 13Z and LIR primers by applying nested PCR assay. Nine dogs were found to be positive for Leishmania major. The examined dogs were negative for other Leishmania spp. The phylogenetic analysis and blast results of kDNA showed that the 9 isolates L. major is closely related (99.9%) to the L. major isolate CMG_irfan5, accession number HQ727556.1 from human, Pakistan. This is the first molecular study on dog leishmaniasis from Saudi Arabia confirmed that dogs have a L. major infection. Further epidemiological and molecular investigations are required to study domestic and wild canine infections with L. major and other Leishmania spp in endemic and nonendemic areas of Saudi Arabia as part of leishmaniasis control

Effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica under laboratory conditions.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of Mirazid(®) and myrrh volatile oil on adult Fasciola gigantica (F. gigantica ) under laboratory conditions. METHODS: The effects of oleoresin extract of myrrh (Mirazid(®)) and myrrh volatile oil on the surface morphology of adult F. gigantica following treatment in vitro had been determined by scanning electron microscopy. The results were compared with those observed in the fluke tegument following incubation in triclabendazole sulphoxide (TCBZ-SO), active form, (Fasinex(®), Ciba-Geigy). RESULTS: Observations of the efficacy of Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract and myrrh volatile oil indicated that both products showed dose-dependent anthelmintic efficacy. The anterior half of the fluke was consistently more severely affected than the posterior half. The surface changes induced by Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract were less severe than those observed after exposure to either myrrh volatile oil or TCBZ-SO. Flukes showed swelling after these treatments, but its level and blebbing were much greater with myrrh volatile oil; in which patches of tegumental sloughing were observed in the apical cone and the posterior mid-body region of flukes. This was not observed after treatment with Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract. CONCLUSIONS: The comparatively more disruption, observed in myrrh volatile oil exposed specimens, compared to that exposed to Mirazid(®) oleoresin extract might suggest that the anthelmintic activity of Mirazid(®) oleo resin extract was attributed to its content of volatile oil. So, increasing the concentration of myrrh volatile oil in Mirazid(®) might possibly help to developing its anthelmintic activity.

Cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of human schistosomiasis mansoni.

To diagnose human schistosomiasis mansoni, the current study tested an ELISA system that employs indirectly, through a chicken cystatin capture agent, the S. mansoni cysteine proteinases as antigens to detect IgG anticysteine proteinases. The study examined 40 patients with S. mansoni, 20 patients with parasitic infections other than schistosomiasis mansoni, and 20 apparently healthy individuals with no parasitic infections. The results showed that the cystatin capture ELISA gave a high sensitivity of 100% even in patients with low egg count. A similar high sensitivity was also recorded with conventional ELISA using SWAP alone without presensitization of ELISA plate with cystatin. Moreover, the capture ELISA showed no cross reactions with patients with other parasitic infections or normal individuals giving a 100% specificity, while the conventional ELISA using SWAP alone gave a lower specificity of 85%. The cystatin capture ELISA was found to be an easy, highly sensitive and specific serological method for the diagnosis of human schistosomiasis mansoni without the need of purified proteinases antigens.