Initial characterization of an autoclaved Toxoplasma vaccine in mice.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoal disease that has a major significance from the perspectives of public health and veterinary medicine. Therefore, an obvious long-term goal of many scientists would be the development of an effective vaccine. In this study, autoclaved vaccine was evaluated for its ability to protect mice against Toxoplasma gondii RH challenge as an acute infection model.

Anthelmintic effect of artesunate in experimental heterophyid infection.

Artesunate is a water-soluble semi-synthetic drug derived from artemisinin which is extracted from leaves of the Chinese plant Artemisia annua. This successful basically-antimalarial drug has been proved to be also effective against trematodes like Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni, Fasciola hepatica and Clonorchis sinensis.

A study on Blastocystis hominis in food-handlers: diagnosis and potential pathogenicity.

Proper diagnosis of Blastocystis hominis in not performed routinely in medical laboratories of developing countries; consequently clinical significance of this common intestinal protozoon is liable to remain unsettled. Food-handlers are more prone to get and transmit this feco-oral infection. This work compared the sensitivity of direct diagnostic methods to detect B.

Effect of mirazid (Commiphora molmol) on experimental giardiasis.

Mirazid -a purified oleo-resin extract derived from myrrh- with previously proved trematocidal activity, has been recently reported to be also effective against protozoa like Trichomonas vaginalis and cryptosporidium in humans. This experimental study aimed at investigating the possible therapeutic effect of mirazid on experimental Giardia lamblia infection in albino rats, using tinidazole as a therapeutic control. Results proved the efficacy of mirazid, as indicated by a 100% reduction in parasite- load of both intestinal and fecal parasitic counts, a direct toxic effect on Giardia trophozoite as revealed by SEM and TEM in form of cell membrane erosions together with increased cytoplasmic vaculation and dissociation, and also by reversal of the observed mucosal damage associated with Giardia after complete treatment.

Clinical and parasitological study on scabies in Sirte, Libya.

The present work aimed to determine the risk factors, clinical and parasitological skin lesion features and effective drug regimens. Study was carried out on 200 patients referred to dermatology outpatient clinics in Sirte-Libya. Each was subjected to detailed questionnaire, dermatological skin examination, parasitological skin scraping test (SST), burrow ink test (BIT), drug administration and follow up.

Disinfection efficacy of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NADCC) against common food-borne intestinal protozoa.

The present study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) on the infective stages of common food-borne intestinal protozoa; Entamoeba histolytica (E. histolytica), Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia), Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and Microsporidia; beside its effect on raw green vegetables and fruits.

Emerging cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sirte-Libya: epidemiology, recognition and management.

The present work aimed to determine the risk factors, lesion pattern and effective therapy of emerging ZCL in Sirte-Libya. The study was carried out on 163 patients referred to health centers of Al-Gadaheya and Al-Hisha villages in the years 2006 & 2007. Methods consisted of a predesigned questionnaire (personal and demographic data), clinical examination of lesions, and parasitological examination by slit smear, treatment and follow up.

Study on human ophthalmomyiasis externa caused by Oestrus ovis larva, in Sirte-Libya: parasite features, clinical presentation and management.

Oestrus ovis larva is by far the commonest cause of human ophthalmomyiasis. The larva usually limits it's activity to the conjunctiva and cornea, but, penetration of the eye is a potential complication. Misdiagnosis is common and the condition of acute catarrhal conjunctivitis is ascribed to other causes.

The adjuvant effects of IL-12 and BCG on autoclaved Leishmania major vaccine in experimental cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a universal disease causing skin ulceration and deformity. A reliable vaccine remains to be a possible practical means of control. The amastigotes multiply intracellulary in macrophages provoking a cell-mediated type of immune response.

The utility of lactoferrin in differentiating parasitic from bacterial infections.

Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein found in the 2ry granules of PMN. In order to determine the usefulness of such marker for neutrophilic activity in differentiating cases suffering from amoebic and bacillary dysentery, Schistosoma and bacterial UTI infections, we examined stool and urine specimens using anti-lactoferrin antibodies (lactoferrin latex agglutination test: LFLA), compared with different standard gold techniques. Our results demonstrated that cases with either shigllosis or UTI revealed a high lactoferrin titer which was positively correllated with the number of PMN.

Effect of Mirazid (Commiphora molmol) on experimental heterophyidiasis.

Mirazid (MZ), an oleo-resin extract derived from Myrrh was reported in several experimental and clinical trails to be safe and effective against other trematodes like schistosomiasis and fascioliasis. This experimental work aimed at investigating the possible efficacy of MZ against heterophyids (Pygidiopsis genata), using praziquantel as a therapeutic control. Results showed that MZ in emulsion form is a promising drug for the treatment of heterophyidiasis, as proved by significant reduction of worm count, overt surface tegumental changes like deformity and erosion of tegumental spines observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).