Effects of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract on chronic toxoplasmosis in a mouse model.

The current work was undertaken to investigate the potential effectiveness of Thymus vulgaris ethanolic extract (TVE) against Toxoplasma gondii infection in chronic experimental toxoplasmosis. To evaluate prophylactic effects, mice received 500 mg/kg TVE for 5 days before they were infected by an avirulent Me49 T. gondii strain.

Laboratory diagnosis of Blastocystis spp. in diarrheic patients.

Background: Many laboratories currently diagnose Blastocystis spp. infections by looking for the presence of vacuolar forms in faeces and the amoeboid form in diarrheal stools.

Objectives: To investigate the best direct method in diagnosis of Blastocystis spp.

Soil transmitted parasites in Qualyobia Governorate.

The study determined the relation between prevalence of intestinal parasites and soil-transmitted parasites among households in Shiblanga representing a rural area of Qualyobia Governorate and Benha City representing an urban area of the same Governorate. The effect of soil's type on the intensity of parasites and to provide guidance on the prevention and control of soil transmitted parasitic infections for future studies in this field. This study was conducted at Benha City and Shiblanga village representing the urban and rural areas of Qualyobia Governorate.

Helobdella nilae and Alboglossiphonia conjugata leeches as biological agents for snails control.

The efficacy of leeches, as biological agents, in control of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis (Bulinus truncatus, Biomphalaria alexandrina) and fascioliasis (Lymnaea natalensis) as well as their effect on the non-target snails Physa acuta, Melanioides tuberculata and Cleopatra bulimoides was evaluated. Two glossiphoniid snail leeches, Helobdella nilae and Alboglossiphonia conjugata were used. They destroyed egg masses and young snails more rapidly than adult ones.

Comparative study between elisa IgG, IgM and PCR in diagnosing and studying toxoplasmosis in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt.

ELISA IgG, IgM antibodies and PCR for toxoplasmosis were performed on 55 women with complicated gestation and their babies. Besides, ELISA IgG and IgM were applied on 27 uncomplicated gestation (mothers & babies) and 152 randomly selected individuals. Seropositivity to specific IgG antibodies was 36.

Pairing of Schistosoma mansoni males in infected Syrian hamsters.

Pairing of male schistosomes in the liver of infected hamsters was recorded with Egyptians S. mansoni strain. The homospecific male pairs never carried each other in the gynaecophoric duct, but they being closed in either central or hepatic veins.

Free living amoebae as opportunistic parasites in immunocompromised hosts.

The acquisition of invasiveness of mammalian tissue by free living amoebae (FLA) is an extremely noteworthy phenomenon. Many factors may be responsible for this evolutionary change in their physiology. The present work aimed to clarify the host factors in this problem.

Intestinal parasites among food-handlers in Qualyobia Governorate, with reference to the pathogenic parasite blastocystis hominis.

A total of 1700 male food handlers, above 20 years of age who came for health clearance certificate were the subjects of the present study. Health assessment questionnaire was filled out on each person including dietary habits, water supply, history of diarrhoeal disease. Clinical examination and stool samples collection in 3 alternative days were performed.

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.

Enhanced efficacy of praziquantel treatment in mice vaccinated with radiation attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni.

Normal, and vaccinated mice four weeks previously with radiation attenuated cercariae of S. mansoni (500/mouse) were challenged with normal cercariae (150/mouse), then treated one week later with praziquantel (400 mg/kg body weight, orally). Worm burden was determined to calculate the % immunity in all groups under study.

Congenital toxoplasmosis among premature infants with different clinical pictures in Saudi Arabia.

No doubt, toxoplasmosis is a prevalent infection in all the Arab countries. However, the incidence differs from one country to another and even within the same country. Congenital toxoplasmosis is the most important form of the infection.

Effect of praziquantel on sex hormone levels in murine schistosomiasis mansoni.

Changes in sex hormonal levels were studied in Schistosoma mansoni infected and praziquantel treated mice (400 x 2 mg/Kg), drug control and in normal control groups. It was observed that schistosomiasis lead to increase in the level of testosterone, progesterone and 17B-esteradiol, 60 and 70 days postinfection in male and female mice, respectively. In praziquantel treated group the level of testosterone was lowered 10, 20 & 30 days post treatment, progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol fell 30 days post treatment after primary rise.

The effect of praziquantel treatment on the liver functions, worm burden, and granuloma size using two drug regimen in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection.

The effect of single dose of praziquantel (400 mg/kg) or two doses on two consecutive days was studied in mice infected with S. mansoni. With the single dose there was improvement in the serum protein pattern towards pre-infection values & a transient rise in serum transaminases which soon declined to normal.

Serum immunoglobulin and complement values in scabietic patients.

Immunity entails all the forces concerned with recognition, specific reaction and removal of foreign bodies after they again access into the body of the host. The immune system interacts with genetics and infectious agents as well as with metabolic, endocrine and environmental factors. The serum immunoglobulins (G.

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.

Tonsilar toxoplasmosis.

One hundred cases were suffering from chronic tonsillitis, aged between 4-12 years, of both sexes (60 males and 40 females), from outpatient clinic of E.N.T.

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.

Assessment of IgG & IgM, ELISA and IFAT in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in pregnancies at risk.

This study was carried out on 100 pregnant cases, divided into 5 groups of patients having congenitally malformed newborns, suffering from stillbirths, premature labours, repeated abortions and control group. The incidence of positive Toxoplasma antibodies was higher in the congenital malformation and stillbirths groups than other groups. Analysis of the results showed that an excellent correlation exists between ELISA and IFAT with a minimal differences (less than 5%).

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.

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.