MOSQUITOES (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) OF THE WESTERN COASTAL AREA, KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA: SPECIES COMPOSITION, ABUNDANCE, DIVERSITY AND MEDICAL IMPORTANCE.

An entomological survey was undertaken for two years to update the mosquito fauna of the 3 regions (Mecca, Al Madinah and Tabouk), of the western coast, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Six localies representing such Regions (lhif, Mecca, Jeddah, Yanbu, Daba and Haql) were sampled for larvae and adults. Nineteen soecies of six genera were reported of which genus Culex (57.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITIES OF CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES PREPARED-FROM LUCILA CUPRINA MAGGOTS (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE).

Chitosan nanoparticles Were studied as antimicrobial agent. The antibacterial activity of chitosan nanoparticles were investigated against three Gram-negative bacteria; Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi, and three Gram-positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus pyogenes. The 'antifungal activity were examined against three fungi; Geotrichum candidum, Candida krusei and Candida parapsilosis.

CHITOSAN NANOPARTICLES PREPARED FROM LUCILIA CUPRINA MAGGOTS AS ANTIBACTERIAL AGENT.

Chitosan were prepared from cuticle of Lucilia cuprina maggots with two steps; deproteinization and deacetylation. It was characterized with solubility and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Chitosan was ball-milled to obtain the chitosan nanoparticles which characterized with dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscope (TEM).

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY FOR EXCRETION AND SECRETION OF THE GREENBOTTLE FLY LARVAE LUCILIA SERICATA (MEIGEN) (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE).

Sterile larval excretion/secretion (ES) exhibited antibacterial activity against some species of bacteria. They were shown to inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis Gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae and Fungi Geotricum candidum and Aspergillus fumigatus thus exhibited limited inhibitory effect towards Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus epidermidis and Gram-negative Proteous vulgaris and Fungi Syncephalastrum racemosum, Candida albicans, that effect was slowed down when challenged with secretion on a solid media but no zone of complete inhibition was detectqd. Growth inhibiting activity was determined in liquid growth media using the Gram-positive, Gram-negative bacterial and fungal strains as indicator organisms.

REPELLENT EFFECT OF OCIMUM BASILICUM AND GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA EXTRACTS AGAINST THE MOSQUITO VECTOR, CULEX PIPIENS (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE).

Essential or volatile oils of plants have been variously reported to have many medicinal applications. Methanol, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of Ocimum basilicum and Glycyrrhiza glabra were screened for their repellency effect against Culex pipiens mosquito. The repellent action of the present plants extracts were varied depending on the solvent used and dose of extract.

Monitoring of the antiviral potential of bee venom and wax extracts against Adeno-7 (DNA) and Rift Valley fever virus (RNA) viruses models.

This study monitored the antiviral potential of bee venom and four wax extracts, ethanol white and black beeswax (EWW/EBW) and acetone white and black beeswax (AWW/ABW) extracts. Two different virus models namely Adeno-7 as DNA model and RVFV as RNA virus models. End point calculation assay was used to calculate virus depletion titer.

Repellent effect of Lagenaria siceraria extracts against Culex pipiens.

Ethanolic, acetone and petroleum ether extracts from leaves and stems of Lagenaria siceraria (Cucurbitaceae) were screened for their repellency effect against Culex pipiens L. mosquito. The repellent action of the present plant extracts were varied depending on the plant parts and the dose of extract.

The using of Lucilia cuprina maggots in the treatment of diabetic foot wounds.

In the present study, Lucilia cuprina maggots were used for the treatment of diabetic foot wounds. An artificial wound was made in diabetic foot of rabbit. The maggots were sterilized and put directly on the wound after dressing the wound without using any antibiotics.

The ultrastructure of sensilla associated with mouthparts and antennae of Lucilia cuprina.

Antennal and maxillary palps of Lucilia cuprina male and female (family: Calliphoridae) were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Five types of sensilla were observed namely: trichoid, basiconic, coeloconic, styloconic and sensory pit. Trichoid sensilla (one subtype: short trichoid sensilla) was found on the scape of the antenna, while both trichoid (two subtypes: short and long trichoid sensilla) and styloconic sensilla were observed on the antennal pedicel.

Effects of midgut bacteria and two protease inhibitors on the transmission of Wuchereria bancrofti by the mosquito vector, Culex pipiens.

Laboratory investigations were carried out to study the effect of two protease inhibitors on the transmission of W. bancrofti filarial by Culex pipiens and to study the susceptibility interaction between filaria and protease inhibitors. The results obtained revealed that, infection rates were variable among untreated and treated symbiotic and aposymbiotic Cx.

Effects of midgut bacteria and two protease inhibitors on the reproductive potential and midgut enzymes of Culex pipiens infected with Wuchereria bancrofti.

Laboratory investigations were carried out to asses the effect of some proteases inhibitors on the reproductive potential of Culex pipiens females resulted from larvae treated with different protease inhibitors. The fecundity and engorgement of symbiotic and aposymbiotic C. pipiens females were significantly reduced.

A preliminary pilot survey (Culex pipiens), Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Sixteen different ecological areas in Sharkia Governorate were surveyed for adult Culex pipiens. The prevalence was investigated among 160 houses of 2800 individuals and their surrounding outdoors. The collected adults were 41488 from October 2003 to November 2004.

The role of aflatoxin-contaminated food materials and HCV in developing hepatocellular carcinoma in Al-Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) have been recognized as one of the most potent chemical carcinogen. In Egypt, HCV is prevalent. The progressive nature of HCV-related liver diseases was found to be influenced by other factors.

Non-invasive markers and predictors of severity of hepatic fibrosis in HCV patients at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Liver biopsy is thought mandatory for management in patients with hepatitis C virus infection (HCV) especially for histopathological grading and staging of the disease to assess suitability for treatment and monitoring disease progression. However, tracking of liver disease progression can't rely on repeated biopsies. The study aimed to evaluate two significant items, we try to develop and validate a non-invasive predictive tool to assess hepatic necro-inflammation and fibrosis.

HCV and associated concomitant infections at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

The natural history of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has a highly variable course. Many patients develop chronic infection, with its consequent risk of cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. A key question is whether patients at high risk of disease progression can be distinguished from those with relatively benign disease course.

Molecular cytogentic profiles of hepatitis C infection in patients at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

It has become apparent that hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major risk factor for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) worldwide. The precise mechanism by which HCV causes HCC is not known. Unlike the hepatitis B virus (HBV), HCV is not a DNA virus and does not become integrated within the genome of hepatocytes.

New concept in histopathological grading and staging of chronic hepatitis C infection at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been estimated by the WHO to infect 170 million patients worldwide, with a high prevalence rate (about 24.5%) among Egyptians. The disease could be presented with variable hepatic lesions ranging from mild inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis to even end stage liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis C virus infection at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt: seroprevalence and associated risk factors.

Because many persons with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are asymptomatic, population based serologic studies are needed to estimate the prevalence of infection and to develop and evaluate prevention efforts. A sample of 1422 individuals was included in the study by using multistage sampling technique. Their age ranged from 4-78 years with a mean age (34.

Experimental demonstration of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in an Egyptian strain of Culex pipiens complex.

Reverse transcriptase (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect hepatitis C Virus (HCV) RNA among heads, guts, larvae and eggs of Culex pipiens complex. The mosquitoes were trapped from homes of hepatitis C patients or among the same organs of symbiotic (normal gut bacteria) and aposymbiotic (without gut bacteria) mosquitoes fed HCV positive blood by an artificial membrane feeder. The eggs and larvae resulted from symbiotic females fed HCV positive blood was tested for HCV-RNA.