Seropositivity of toxoplasmosis in patients with schizophrenia

Recent studies indicate that infectious agents may contribute to some cases of schizophrenia. In animals, infections with Toxoplasma gondii can alter behavior and neurotransmitter function. In humans, acute infection can produce psychotic symptoms similar to those displayed by persons with schizophrenia. In the present study, an enzyme immunoassay [EIA] was employed to measure the level of Toxoplasma IgG antibodies in serum samples from 75 patients of schizophrenia and 85 matched controls. Percentage of positive sera for Toxoplasma IgG antibodies was significantly higher in schizophrenic cases than controls [80% vs. 52.9% respectively]. Infection increased with age in both groups and no significant association was found with sex. No association was found with duration of illness or presence of family history of schizophrenia. Circumstantial evidence indicates that infection with Toxoplasma gondii may lead to some cases of schizophrenia

Vegetable-transmitted parasites among inhabitants of El-prince, Alexandria and its relation to housewives' knowldge and practices

In the present study, stool samples were obtained from 575 individuals from El-Prince, a suburban village of Alexandria, Egypt to detect helminthic eggs and protozoan cysts. The results showed that, 35.7% of the sample had at least one vegetable-transmitted parasite the highest percentage [46.4%] was in the age group of 6 to less than 15 years. The nematode Ascaris lumbricoides was the most prevalent in 18.4%, followed by the protozoan Giardia lamblia in 10.4%. Fasciola eggs were found in 2.4% of samples. Knowledge and practices of housewives concerning Fasciola and its source of transmission and methods of washing leafy vegetables was obtained through house-to-house interviews with 303 housewives. Knowledge that leafy vegetables were a source of Fasciola infection was indirectly proportional with age, better in younger housewives and those of secondary or higher education. More than half of the interviewed housewives [57.7%] washed leafy vegetables under running tap water and 32.7% soaked them in tap water. Only 9.6% soaked them in water mixed with a substance as vinegar, lemon juice or common salt. Only 5% of those who were infected with vegetable transmitted parasites washed vegetables by soaking in water with an added substance compared to 19.6% of parasite free housewives. Most of those adding a substance to soaking water [89.7%] used vinegar. Results of the study revealed that a serious and consistent effort through public health activities is essential to educate housewives about vegetable-transmitted parasites, their transmission and ways of prevention

Pediculicidal activity of certain plant essential oils against head lice pediculus humanus capitis

This paper reports the pediculicidal activity of certain monoterpenoids of plant essential oils compared to several anti-head lice formulations. It also reports the molecular features required for a chemical to kill head lice. Live adult Pediculus humanus capitus were collected from children living in the Qabary area, Alexandria, Egypt and used in in vitro bioassays. The data demonstrated that the commercial formulation, Quick [0.5% malathion] was the most potent formulation against head lice, while Para plus was the least potent. It was clear that the potency of the tested monoterpenoids was at least similar to Quick. The data also revealed that, monoterpenoid phenols and alcohols were more potent against head lice than monoterpenoid aldehydes, esters and acyclic monoterpenoids. One of the molecular features that is evidently important for monoterpenoid toxicity against head lice is the presence of electronegative group such as a hydroxyl group. In conclusion, this study reports an alternative chemical control that is safer, and more effective against head lice

Current status of S. mansoni infection in El-prince village, Alexandria governorate

The present work was implemented to determine the current status of Schistosorna mansoni infection in "El-Prince" village, near Alexandria, which was studied before as a Control village between 1985 and 1990. Stool examination was performed on 571 of the inhabitants by Kato thick smear technique and intensity of infection was determined. Prevalence was found to be 15.4% with a percentage decrease of 53% from the 1990 survey. The geometric mean egg count [GMEC] ranged from 19.05 eggs/gram of stools in children aged five years or less to 81.86 in the oldest group greater than 50 years of age and averaged 42.26. Age stratified prevalence of infection peaked at 31.4% in the [20 to 25]-year-old age group. High prevalence of 23.6% was also observed in the age group from 36 to 50 years. Infection in males was higher than females [17.8% vs.13.5%]. However the difference was not statistically significant [x2 = 2.2, P=0.0086]. Risk factors significantly associated with the infection were an age more than 5 years, male gender, males with water contact activities and having done a previous lab oratory analysis for schistosomiasis. The community category of the village changed from high prevalence in 1990 to moderate prevalence in 2002. Most of the infected individuals [85%] had light intensity of infection [less than 99 eggs lg stools]. Active screening and treatment programs should be maintained in the area. More control measures should be directed towards older people who should be included in evaluation of control programs

Blastocystis hominis among infants and preschool children in an urban and a rural area in Alexandria

Blastocystis hominis is now gaining acceptance as an agent of human intestinal disease. This case-control study of the prevalence of B. hominis infection in children less than 6 years old was conducted in an urban area and a rural area in Alexandria. A total of 600 stool samples were examined by wet mount preparation, Merthiolate iodine Formaldehyde concentration technique and permanent staining by using modified Ziehl Neelsen and trichrome stains. The difference between the prevalence of B. hominis in infants and preschool children from an urban area [20.33%] was not significantly different from that in a rural area [24%]. The most common clinical manifestations of B. hominis infection were diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and vomiting. B. hominis was found in 85 [28.33%] of 300 stool specimens of cases with diarrhea and in 48 [16%] of 300 control specimens. Seventy cases [82.35%] of diarrhea had heavy infection [>5 organisms/20 HPF]. The presence of diarrhea with B. hominis infection was more common in boys aged from one to six years, in severely malnourished cases and in areas with no sewage system and in absence of in-house piped water supply. Contaminated water was suspected to be the major source of infection, since several cases were associated with Giardia infection. These findings support the concept of B. hominis pathogenicity in children with diarrhea