Predominance of Cryptosporidium parvum genotype among diarrheic children from Egypt as an indicator for zoonotic transmission.

Cryptosporidium is a genus of zoonotic pathogens transmissible from a variety of animals to humans and is a considerable public health concern. It is a significant cause of diarrheal disease in developing and industrialized nations. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the main agents of cryptosporidiosis in humans.

Metacercariae recovered from fresh-water fishes in the vicinity of Qualkyobia Governorate, Egypt.

A total of 410 Tilapia zillii, 70 Clarias gariepinus, 30 Bagrus bajad and 15 Chlrysichthys auratus fishes were collected from different water bodies in Qualyobia Governorate. Microscopic examination of samples showed infection in muscles and head region (gills & branchial cavity) with encysted metacercariae in 91.7% of T.

Effect of different temperatures on viability of seven encysted metacercariae recovered from freshwater fishes in Qualyobia, Egypt.

Encysted metacercariae (EMC) from seven trematod-zoonotic parasites were exposed to different temperature mechanisms. Boiling of the infected fishes was sufficient to kill the EMC, frying of fishes for five minutes was quite sufficient to inhibit the viability of EMC, but frying for 10 minutes killed all EMC. Grilling of infected Tilapia zillii was sufficient to kill EMC after 10 minutes; however five minutes were sufficient only to kill EMC in Clarias gariepinus.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis: reservoir host and insect vector in north Sinai, Egypt.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a protozoan disease well documented not only in Egypt, but in nearly all the East Mediterranean Countries. Sinai Peninsula was a sparsely populated area where sporadic cases of ZCL were reported with the reconstruction of Sinai and people coming in and out, it was indicated to study the status of ZCL in North Sinai Governorate, the reservoir host(s) and insect vector(s) in Sinai. In the present study, the six species of rodents were trapped from areas or nearby areas where human ZCL cases were detected.

Re-evaluation of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis status in North Sinai Governorate, Egypt.

Generally speaking, there are at least few endemic zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in the Sinai and the Suez Canal Governorates. A spotlight survey for new cases of human ZCL among out-patients with skin complaints revealed sixteen out of 100 (16%) individuals examined. But, none ZCL infection was found among 50 normal individuals.

Schistosoma mansoni: the immune response against cercarial glycocalyx.

Schistosoma mansoni cercarial glycocalyx was separated and purified by Sephacryl-300 SR. It was found to stimulate the humoral immune response in mice injected with it. Antiglycoalyx antibodies raised in CD/1 mice were found to be cytotoxic to schistosomula in vitro.

Seroepidemiological studies for toxoplasmosis among out- and inpatients in Benha University Hospitals, Qualyobia Governorate.

Toxoplasma antibodies were detected in sera of 700 cases; 500 were collected randomly from individuals attending the outpatient clinics of Benha University Hospitals of different ages and sexes and 200 from suspected inpatients from Obstetric, Opthalmology, Internal Medicine and Surgery Departments. The indirect fluorescent antibody technique was performed. The results were correlated with the clinical picture, age, sex and residence.

Study of free living amoebae in Egypt.

At different locality in Egypt, free living amoebae (FLA) were detected in 32%, 20% and 4% of water samples obtained from swimming pools, surface water canals and tap water respectively. Naegleria spp. were identified from 12 (75%) out of 16 swimming pool samples and 6 (60%) out of 10 surface water & canals samples from different Governorates in Egypt, while Acanthamoeba spp.

Study of human and parasitic factors in relation to bancroftian filariasis in Egypt.

The Human Leucocytic Antigen (HLA) and the histochemical reaction of microfilaria were studied by using cytotoxicity test and microfilarial acid phosphatase activity respectively to evaluate the role of the genetic factors and the parasitic factor in the pathogenesis of filariasis. Statistical significant association was found between HLA-B7 and the susceptibility for retaining microfilariae in blood and the development of clinical manifestations of filariasis. Histochemical study reported more or less the same results obtained in Egypt in elsewhere.

Leukaemogenic effect of toxoplasmosis and irradiation on albino rats.

The leukaemogenic effect of irradiation associated with toxoplasmosis was studied. Rats were infected with Toxoplasma gondii RH strain 3 weeks prior to irradiation. The leukaemic effect of irradiation was aggravated by toxoplasmosis as leukaemia appeared in 10% of 300 cGy irradiated rats and in 30% of 500 cGy irradiated ones, six months after irradiation.

Animals as reservoir hosts for Leishmania in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt.

A total of 239 rodents were collected from El-Khanka, Shebin El-Kanater, El-Kanater, Shoubra El Khima, Qualiob, Tokh, Benha and Kafr-Shokr and identified as Mus musculus (30), Rattus rattus (78), Rattus norvegicus (35), Arvicanthus niloticus (62) and Acomys cahirinus (34). Examination of these rodents showed the presence of cutaneous lesions in two R. rattus, three R.

Humoral and cellular immune response in schistosomiasis pre and post praziquantel therapy.

Humoral and cellular immune response in schistosomiasis was studied pre and post praziquantel therapy. After treatment the mean anti SEA IgM and IgG and anti SWAP IgM levels in all cases showed significant reduction. In patients with high eosinophilic count anti SEA IgE and IgA were statistically decreased.

Total leucocytic count, eosinophilia and cellular immune response in acute and chronic schistosomiasis.

Among school children in a rural area the serological diagnosis (ELISA) was more accurate than the parasitological tests. The mean total leucocytic and eosinophilic counts, and the blastogenic response to S. mansoni egg antigen were significantly higher in early than in chronic schistosomal cases.

Correlation between intensity of infection and hepatic histopathological lesions in bilharzial patients.

Liver biopsy examination of 106 patients showed 47 with pure bilharzial liver, 16 with chronic persistent hepatitis, 19 with chronic persistent hepatitis associated with bilharzial liver, 14 with chronic active hepatitis and 10 with chronic active bilharzial liver. There was significant correlation between intensity of infection and bilharzial affection of the liver.

Dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

We describe a dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) as a field applicable tool for the rapid diagnosis of schistosomiasis. This antibody capture assay is performed using 50 ng protein of crude Schistosoma mansoni egg antigen (SEA) in 1 microliter volumes per dot. Sera (1 microliter/dot) at 1:40 dilution were optimal.

HBSAg antigenaemia in bilharzial patients.

The frequency of HBSAg in bilharzial patients (7%) was significantly higher than that in non bilharzial ones (2-5%). The presence of insulted liver by bilharzial, non bilharzial (C.P.

The effect of some drugs on acute toxoplasmosis in mice.

The effect of some chemotherapeutics, on the course of acute toxoplasmosis in experimentally infected mice was studied. Obtained results showed that, praziquantel, levamisole had no effect on acute toxoplasmosis, while trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole and clindamycin showed some prophylactic effect on acute toxoplasmosis in mice.

Effect of diet on experimental giardiasis.

Protein and fat deficiency diet produced significant reduction of Giardia cysts in rats, while vitamin A, D and iron deficiency diet had no effect on cyst count. On the other hand pathological changes due to Giardia infection encountered in small intestine and liver were aggravated by the diet deficiency induced.

Effect of ambient temperature changes on chronic toxoplasmosis in rats.

The effect of excess heat and cold on chronic toxoplasmosis was studied on rats. That was evident from the average increase in body weight, the effect on blood picture, deleterious effect of the pathology recorded in various organs, increased Toxoplasma brain cyst count, long persistence of parasites in the viscera, high antibody titre by I.H.

Immunoglobulins in bilharzial patients with and without chronic hepatitis.

The mean values of IgG and IgA were significantly higher in bilharzial patients than in the non bilharzial ones. The mean IgG level in patients with S. mansoni was significantly higher than that in patients with negative stool while the reverse was true as regards IgA.

Four methods in diagnosing protozoal parasites in stool.

Stool examination by 4 different methods showed that zinc sulphate floatation technique was more or less the best.