Single and co-breeding of different mosquito species in fogging-free and dengue risk areas in West Malaysia

@#Ovitrap surveillance was carried out in fifteen localities encompassing foggingfree and dengue risk areas in West Malaysia to determine on the dispersal and prevalence of single and co-breeding of mosquito larvae particularly Aedes. Ovitraps were sited randomly indoors and outdoors within human settlements in all study areas. All the localities exhibited positive ovitraps with single breeding of Ae. albopictus that ranged between 64.29% and 100.00%. These findings indicated Ae. albopictus as the predominant container-breeding species in all study areas. The co-breeding of Ae. aegypti with Ae. albopictus larvae (34 ovitraps), Ae. albopictus with Culex quinquefasciatus larvae (32 ovitraps) as well as Cx. quinquefasciatus with Armigeres subalbatus larvae (1 ovitrap) were also detected in certain study localities. Interestingly, co-breeding of Ae. albopictus with Ar. subalbatus larvae as well as Ae. albopictus with Uranotaenia sp. larvae in Malaysia is reported for the first time in the present study. Better understanding of the co-breeding scenario involving different species of mosquito larvae is needed to ensure the efficacy of vector control actions to be conducted.

Effect of household cooking methods on the viability of Bacillus probiotics supplemented in cooked sausage

Background and Objectives: The use of Bacillus probiotics is an interesting way for manufacturing healthier meat and meat products as functional foods and also a valuable solution for overcoming the constraints related to the stability of probiotic strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium during processing and storage of foods. This work is an attempt to investigate the influence of common household cooking methods on the viability of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis as probiotic sporeformers inoculated into cooked sausages

Materials and Methods: After preparation of the final suspensions of Bacillus coagulans ATCC 31284 and Bacillus subtilis var. Natto ATCC 15245 spores, they were supplemented in the sausage samples with different meat types and percentages. The inoculated cooked sausages were then submitted to common household cooking methods, i.e. boiling, microwaving, and deep fat frying. Enumeration of the studied spores was carried out on trypticase soy agar after exposure to a heat shock at 68°C for 20 min. One-way analysis of variance [ANOVA] of SPSS-20 was used for statistical analysis of the data. A Taguchi L9 experimental design comprising 3 variables and 3 levels was performed using MINITAB-17 to determine main effects of the parameters of household cooking process

Results: The results obtained in this study showed that boiling, followed by microwaving and deep fat frying, had the greatest viability and recovery of the studied spores supplemented in the cooked sausages, respectively [P < 0.05]. Furthermore, results of the Taguchi experimental method revealed that the type of Bacillus probiotics, followed by the formulation of cooked sausages and the method of household cooking of cooked sausages had main effects on the concentrations of the spores examined, respectively

Conclusions: The information provided here suggests that boiling as a common household cooking method retained maximum viability and recovery of the studied Bacillus probiotics supplemented in the cooked sausage samples. Besides, the type of spores was the principle parameter, which had a critical effect on the response [i.e. concentrations of the studied Bacillus probiotics]

Lympho-proliferative responses to various Fasciola hepatica worm's antigens: an in vitro study

Fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease with approximately 2-4 million people infected worldwide and a further 180 million at risk of infection. F. hepatica can survive within the bile ducts for many years through its ability to suppress the host immunity with Fasciola cathepsin L1 cysteine protease and Glutathione S transferase playing an important role. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro lympho-proliferative responses of hepatic hilar lymphocytes [HLN] of infected sheep in response to different F. hepatica antigens. The suppressive effects of Fasciola excretory/secretory [ES] and tegument [TEG] and their fractions were also investigated. Our results showed that both ES and TEG had significant suppressive effects on lymphoproliferation, up to 74% and 92%, respectively. When these antigens were fractionated, fraction 3 [MW of >10000-30000] of both ES [64%] and TEG [59%] in addition to fraction 4 [MW of

Screening for autoimmune diseases in type 1 diabetes: low incidence of adrenal insufficiency

Primary Adrenocortical insufficiency [Addison's disease] is a potentially fatal condition that often develops incidentally and can be easily overlooked. Although rare in the general population, it is more common in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus [T1D]. In this study, we reviewed our experience with the occurrence of associated adrenal insufficiency [AI] in children with T1D over 15 year's period at King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH], Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This is a retrospective hospital based study, included children and adolescents with T1D at KKUH in the period January 1995-December 2012. All patients were serologically screened for Celiac and thyroid diseases. Adrenal function was assessed at the time of diagnosis, and annually thereafter by measuring serum cortisol and adrenal corticotrophic hormone [ACTH] using the available commercial kit. Adrenal cortex antibodies [AAA] test was done by Bioscientia laboratory, Germany, in one patient. In a cohort of 305 children and adolescents with T1D at KKUH, only one patient was found to have AI as a part of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1. Thyroid functions were abnormal in 65 [21.3%] patients. Of these, 26 [8.5%] patients have evidence of overt hypothyroidism and 39 [12.8%] patients had subclinical hypothyroidism. In twenty-six patients [8.5%], the intestinal biopsy results were positive for CD. There is no international consensus on the issue of screening for AI in children with T1D. In our experience, we do not favour screening for AI in children with T1D unless there is a clear risk factor

Extensive xanthogranulomatous cystitis mimicking bladder cancer

Xanthogranulomatous cystitis [XC] is a rare benign disease of unknown etiology. A 39-year-old female presented with 2 month history of urgency, dysuria, lower abdominal mass. On physical examination a hard hypogastric mass was present fixed to the rectus muscle. Computerized tomography [CT] abdomen showed heterogeneous enhancing mass arising from the anterior bladder wall with infiltration of the overlying parietal wall. Cystoscopy revealed extensive growth involving the entire wall of the bladder. A biopsy showed cystitis with focal areas suggestive of urothelial neoplasia of unknown malignant potential. Suspecting bladder cancer, we proceeded with radical cystectomy with ileal conduit. Histopathology revealed cystitis cystica with XC of the entire bladder. This is, to our knowledge, the first time that a case has been found to be so extensive with infiltration of the parietal wall and second time that radical cystectomy has been performed for XC

[ relation between psychopathology and severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases]

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease[COPD] is one of the most common lung diseases in which the chronic duration of disease and disability can cause COPD exacerbation. Since there is insufficient dataavailable for this caseinIran, we have investigatedthepsychopathological featuresof these patients. In a descriptive analytic study, from March to September 2008, amongpatients of respiratoryclinicat Ghaem Hospitalof Mashhad city, in northeastern part of Iran, 43 people who werediagnosedwith COPD were selected via a convenience sampling and a spirometry was performed. A clinicalpsychologistassessedthe mentalstatus ofthe patients with the Symptom Checklist-90-R [SCL-90-R] instrument,and theHamilton andBeck Depression Inventory. Data were analyzed using theSPSS-14software and tests such as t-test, ANOVA and Pearson. Mean score for Global Severity Index [GSI] was 0.56 for men and 0.98 for women, and 51.2% of patients had developedmorbid psychopathologicalstatus. 51.8% of the patients were clinicallydepressed and 46.5% of them had abnormalanxiety. Women are more prone to experiencing symptoms such as depression, anxiety, phobia and physical disorders [P<0.05]. Patients with severe COPD were more depressed in compare to patients with mild and moderate COPD [P=0.01 and P=0.03, respectively]. Patients with COPD had high scores of psychopathological status. Depression is more prevalent among women diagnosed with COPD which is directly proportional to the severity of disease

In-hospital adverse clinical outcomes of ST elevation myocardial infarction patients with renal dysfunction

To explore the prognostic value of baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] in Saudi patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI], and its impact on hospital therapies. The STEMI patients with a baseline serum Creatinine enrolled in the SPACE [Saudi Project for Assessment of Coronary Events] registry were analyzed. This study was performed in several regions in Saudi Arabia between December 2005 to December 2007. Based on eGFR levels, patients were classified into: more than 90.1 ml/min [normal renal function], 90-60.1 [borderline/mildly impaired renal function], 60-30 [moderate renal dysfunction], and less than 30 ml/ min/1.73 m[2] [severe renal dysfunction]. Two thousand and fifty eight patients qualified for this study. Of these, 1058 patients had renal dysfunction. Patients with renal dysfunction were older, and had a higher prevalence of risk factors for atherosclerosis. Patients with moderate or severe renal dysfunction were less likely to be treated with beta blockers, angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors, statins, or reperfusion therapies. Significantly worse outcomes were seen with lower eGFR in a stepwise fashion. The adjusted odds ratio of in-hospital death in patients with eGFR less than 30ml/min was 5.3 [95% CI, 1.15-25.51,p=0.0383]. A low baseline eGFR in STEMI patients is an independent predictor of all major adverse cardiovascular outcomes, and a marker for less aggressive in-hospital therapy

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of "tuberculous pleurisy"

Differential diagnosis between tuberculous pleurisy [TBP] and non-tuberculosis pleural effusion represents a critically important clinical problem. In recent years, several noninvasive methods have been found for diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy. This study aimed to evaluate the value of detection of the genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis [MTB] by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] method for the diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy and compare the results with those of conventional methods. In this cross-sectional study, we studied 62 patients [42 men and 20 women] with pleural effusion in Ghaem Hospital, affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from January 2006 to June 2007. A total of 20 patients had tuberculous pleurisy [45.4%], 15 patients had malignant pleural effusion [34%], 3 patients had pleural effusion with various "non-tuberculosis non-malignant" etiologies [6.8%] and 6 patients had transudative pleural effusion [13.6]. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PCR in tuberculous pleurisy were 85%, 100%, 100% and 88.8%, respectively. The value of PCR test and pleural biopsy was similar in the diagnosis of TBP. However, PCR detected MTB in pleural effusion when conventional pleural biopsy failed to do so

Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in a Jordanian family with tuberous sclerosis

Tuberous sclerosis is a genetic disease in which a variety of hamartomatous lesions arise in the nervous system and other organ systems. It is characterized clinically by the triad of adenoma sebaceum, epilepsy and mental retardation. Neurological lesions consist of cortical tubers, subependymal nodules and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas. We report a Jordanian family in which the mother and three of her male children, aged 12, 8 and 4 years, are affected by tuberous sclerosis. The two elder brothers developed subependymal giant astrocytoma in and around the foramen of Monro. The two tumours in the two brothers were almost identical in position, size and shape. Both brothers were operated upon and their tumours were excised successfully in a gross total fashion. No radiotherapy was given postoperatively. Their condition was followed for 19 years and no recurrence was seen. Tuberous sclerosis and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas are discussed. Although the incidence of tuberous sclerosis is around 1 in 10000 with 30% of cases being familial and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas occurring in about 10% of tuberous sclerosis patients, presentation of a patient with tuberous sclerosis should prompt assessment of the entire family for features of tuberous sclerosis and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas aiming for early diagnosis and treatment of such lesions

Hemodynamic changes effect on mitral valve area in stenosed mitral valve

dobutamine stress echocardiography is a good tool in assessment of valvular heart disease but it is still underused in MS so this work aimed at detection if MVA can change with changing hemodynamics or not still subject of cutovers. dobutamine stress echo was done for 30 patients with isolated MS in sinus rhythm, MVA measured by both Planimetry and PHT methods at rest and after dobutamine infusion. Result: COP increased by > 50% in 13 patients [group I] and by <50% in 17 patients [group II] MVA by Planimetry increased by [27.3 +/- 10.23%] in group I and by [17 +/- 17.71%] in group II [NS difference] but as regards MVA by PHT shows increase by [43 +/- 29.57%] in group I and by [17.2 +/- 28.7%] in group II significant difference [p < 0.05], with increase in cardiac output important clinical changes [from sever to moderate] in 7 patients by Planimetry and in 5 patients by PHT and from [sever to mild] in 2 patients by PHT. MVA is dynamic and responds to increase in COP inspite these changes are small but clinically significant. Also both Planimetry and PHT are accurate methods in assessing MVA with changing hemodynamics and stress echo is safe and productive technique in MS

Effect of famciclovir on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rates; histological and cytogenetic study

Famciclovir is a widely used antiviral drug it has a potent and selective inhibitory effect on many human herpes viruses. Some side effects to the drug were reported by the Food and Drug Administration. The aim of this study was to evaluate the histological effect of maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir, antiviral drug, on the testes, sperms and chromosomes of albino rats. Forty male albino rats have been divided into four groups, ten rats for each. The first was served as a control group; the second was treated for 2 weeks with 135 mg/ kg b. w.t./ day. The third was treated for 4 weeks with the same dose; and the forth group was served as recovery group, where the animals were examined 4 weeks after stopping the drug. Rats were decapitate and testes specimens were taken and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin. The sperms were examined for number, viability, motility and shape abnormalities. For chromosomal study, rats from each group were anaesthetized and the bone marrow cells were obtained by Rabello-Gay and Ahmed method. Microscopic examination of the testicular specimens, revealed, disorganized germinal epithelium with abnormal mitotic figures and apoptotic cells. Sperm analysis showed that sperm count, viability and motility were decreased and the sperm anomalies were increased. Chromosomal analysis of bone marrow cells showed many aberrations as chromosomal fragments, terminal chromatid deletions, ring chromosomes, chromosomal gaps, dicentric chromosomes, clumping of the chromosomes and polyploidy. All the former results were time dependent and reversible. The maximum therapeutic dose of famciclovir affect spermatogenesis and alter normal sperm parameters. There were also chromosomal aberrations which are time dependent and reversible. So it is preferred to avoid the maximum therapeutic dose and prolonged intake of the drug

Experience in ICD implantation and follow-up in Ibn-Albitar Hospital

Survivals of sudden cardiac death [SCD] episodes have recurrence rate of 30-50% within two years, with malignant ventricular arrhythmias most often responsible. The overall survival rate for SCD in USA is 5%. Ninety-five percent of patients suffering their initial event fail to survive to become candidate for secondary prevention. Because of the wide spread acceptance of implantable cardioverter defibrillator [ICD] as a method treating the survivals of SCD, attention has turned to primary prevention. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator [ICD] is highly effective in primary and secondary prevention of SCD due to life threatening ventricular tachycardia [VT]. To register and interpret the results of implantation and follow-up of ICD during the period between 2002-2007 in Ibn Al-Bitar hospital. Sixty patients with standard indications for ICD; data were pooled from patients history, ECG, Echocardiography, Holter, blood investigation and coronary angiography.75% males and 25% females. After implantation, class III anti-arrhythmic drugs [Amiodarone] were stopped, except for patients with a history of supraventricular tachycardia or recurrent VT. Coronary artery disease [CAD] was the most common presentation of patients for whom implantation was done; coronary artery disease [CAD] 43%, dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM] 26%, and hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy [HOCM] 16%. Sixty-three of them had moderate-severe LV dysfunction [LVEF<40%]. Recurrent VT was the most common cause of implantation [76%]. Primary prevention was aimed in [60%] of patients and secondary prevention in 40%. Sixty percent of those with ICD implanted due to primary prevention fulfil MADIT II [Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial II] criteria. The majority of patients had structural heart disease. Most non-sustained VTs reverted to sinus rhythm by antitachycardia pacing [ATP] therapy from ICD [90%].A11 VF events reverted to sinus rhythm by high energy shock from ICD devices. ICD is highly effective in primary and secondary prevention of life threatening VT/VF

Manipulation with Schanz screws for closed reduction of femoral shaft fractures during intramedullary nailing

To use Schanz screws as a simple and effective method for closed reduction of femoral shaft fractures. In the present cohort study, which was carried out in Shohada Orthopedic Center, Tabriz, Iran between January 2004 and February 2005, 30 adult patients, with a mean age of 29 [18-65 years] with femoral shaft fractures underwent closed reduction with Schanz pins. The patients were followed up for 12 months. Reduction was satisfactory in 93.3% of patients. The average time for reduction was significantly shorter if treated in the first 48 hours, and if the amount of pre-operative traction approached 15% of the body weight. Reduction time was also shorter in Winquist-Hansen type III and IV fractures than in type I and II fractures [5.9 +/- 0.2 minutes versus 15.7 +/- 0.4 minutes]. There was 13% valgus deformity [5-10 degrees], 33% external mal-rotation [5-15 degrees] and 37% shortening [up to 1-3 cm]. We encountered no need for blood transfusion or bone grafting. Schanz screws provide a very effective method for closed reduction of femoral shaft fractures, and complications are similar to or less than other methods, especially if carried out in the first 48 hours after the trauma and if the weight for pre-operative traction approaches 15% of body weight

Influence of therapy on early development of osteoporosis in male smoker subjects with hypoandrogenism influenced by life style and schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

The study aims to evaluate the multifact outcome of hypoandrogenemia colinked with the impact of oxidative stress induced by glucose intolerance, Schistosomal hepatic fibrosis [SHF] and cumulative smoking influence on bone remodeling and early development of osteoporotic manifestations. The effect on vascular endothelium immune mediated mechanisms and antioxidant capacity were monitored in cases of 30 middle aged selected male cases involving 20 subjects with hypoandrogenemia who were either smokers and subjected to sedentary life style, glucose intolerance and SHF [GI] or without [GII] as well as cases of GI after following 6 months therapy [GIII] compared to controls [GIV]. Monitoring of clinical picture and biochemical assessments of osteoporotic indices [osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, urinary cyclic AMP], hypoandrogenism [dehydroepiandrosterane sulphate "DHEAS" and testosterone] glycemic determinant [insulin] immunoinflammatory response [interleukein-6 "IL-6", tumor necrosis factor a "TNF-alpha", E-selectin, ceruloplasmin] smoking index [serum cotinine], tolal antioxidant capacity [AOC] and lipid peroxidation product [malonedialdehyde] were done before and after 6 months therapeutic program involving supplement of DHEAS, chromium picolinate, and megavit zinc alongside smoking cessation and physical exercise daily for at least 30 minutes. It was evident that the adjustment of hormonal status and antioxidant potential should be dealt with smoking cessation to maintain physical fitness and to retard the early onset of osteoporosis. the recognition of the profound impact of life style choices on bone health, risk factors of which the most frequent include smoking, hypoandrogenemia and glucose intolerance besides metabolic and immunoinflammatory derangement posed by SHF all of which induce oxidative stress and potentiate the early development of osteoporosis in middle aged male smokers. Cessation of smoking and adopting active life style with at least half hour daily sportive exercise besides supplements with DHEAS, chromium, zinc and multivitamin-mineral supplement for six months had retarded and readjusted osteoprotic manifestations in studied group

Effect of allopurinol in chronic nonbacterial prostatitis: a double blind randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: The exact mechanism of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis has not been yet elucidated and the outcome with the current management is dismal. In this trial, we studied the effect of allopurinol in the treatment of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized double blind controlled trial, a calculated sample size of 56 were grouped into "intervention group" who received allopurinol (100 mg tds for 3 months) with ofloxacin (200 mg tds) for 3 weeks (n = 29) and "control group" who received placebo tablets with ofloxacin (n = 27). PatientsÆ scores based on the National Institute of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Score were recorded before therapy and then every month during the study. A four-glass study was performed before intervention and after 3 months. RESULTS: The 2 groups were similar regarding outcome variables. In the first month of study, a significant but similar improvement in symptom scores was observed in both groups. Microscopic examination of prostate massage and post-massage samples were also similar in both groups. No side effects due to allopurinol were observed in patients. CONCLUSION: We did not find any advantage for allopurinol in the management of chronic prostatitis versus placebo in patients receiving routine antibacterial treatment.

Antischistosomal efficacy study on praziquantel, its alkaline hydrolysis and the sun-decomposed products

Praziquantel [PZQ] administered in a dose of 40 mg /kg body weight to S. mansoni infected albino mice, was not active enough to cause a significant reduction in the mean worm recovery 16.6%. The reduction caused by the alkaline hydrolysis product, [PZQ-HP] 28.6%, and the sun decomposed product, [PZQ-SDP] 47.6% of PZQ suggested higher antischistosomal activity of these two products compared to PZQ. There were no significant differences in liver and intestine tissue egg count carried on the infected-treated groups, and the infected-untreated group. The granulomas observed in the livers of the experimentally S. mansoni infected-untreated mice were mainly cellular existing within the portal tract and subcapsular parenchyma. Schistosome pigments were observed in the Kuffer cell with thickening of the portal tract. The vascular lesions comprised granulomatous occlusions, periphelebitis, perivascular cuffing of the central vein and sinusoidal dilatation. The hepatic histopathological changes observed in the PZQ, and the PZQ-HP-treated groups were similar. characterized by the scattering of the granulomas in the portal tract and intralobular parenchyma. The vascular lesions in these groups [PZQ and [PZQ-HP]] comprised periphelebitis of some portal radicles, granulomatous occlusions and rarely the perivascular cuffing of the central vein. These results indicated comparable efficacy of the two compounds. The granulomas of the PZQ-SDP treated group were found distributed between the portal radicles and parenchyma in equal manner with central egg and/or shell or necrosis. Schistosome pigments were less intense than in the infected-untreated mice with infrequent leucocytic foci, perivascular cuffing of the central vein and periphlebitis of the portal vein. The number of granulomas in the SP-treated group was less than in the infected-untreated mice with greater size whereas that of PZQ- and PZQ-HP-treated groups were comparable in number and size but significantly different in number [p= 0.01] in comparison with the infected-untreated mice. These variations were interpreted and justified. Despite of the death of half the group treated with PZQ-SDP compound within the first and second week post treatment; there were no signs of hepatotoxic effects as revealed by the histopathological study conducted at our laboratories

Cardiotoxic lipid peroxidation products in chronic renal failure in relation to severity of anemia and to left ventricular hypertrophy

To investigate the relationship between oxidative stress, anemia and cardiac injury in chronic renal failure [CRF] patients we measured two lipid peroxidation products [Malondialdehyde [MDA] and 4-hydroxynonenal [4-HNE]] by HPLC in 75 subject group I[15 apparently healthy volunteers as normal control], group II[15 CRF patients on conservative treatment], group III [15 CRF patients on regular haemodialysis [HD]] with Hb < 10g/dl], group IV [15 CRF patients on regular HD with Hb > 11g/dl]. group IV [15 anemic patients with normal kidney function]. [chocardiography was done to CRF patients and left ventricular mass index [LVMI] was estimated. Results of the study revealed that MDA and 4-HNE were significantly elevated in CRF patients [groups II, III, IV] and in non uremic anemic patients [group V] compared to control subjects [group I] [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001] for each group. Also significant increases in serum levels of these oxidative stress parameters in CRF patients under regular III] with Hb concentration < 10g/dl compared to those with Hb > 11g/dl [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001]. MDA and 4-HNE were elevated in group III [patients on regular HD with Hb < 10g/dl] compared to group II [conservatively treated group] but this difference was not statistically, significant [P > 0.05],[P > 0.05]. They were also elevated in CRF patient compared to anemic patients with normal kidney function [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001]. These parameters were significantly reduced after the HD session compared to before it in groups III and IV [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001] for each group. Serum MDA and 4-HNE showed significant negative correlations with Hb concentration [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001], and significant positive correlations with each of serum creatinine [P < 0.001], [P < 0.001], BUN [P < 0.001] [P < 0.001], and [[LVMI] [P < 0.001] [P < 0.001] in HD patients with Hb < 10g/dl. Similar correlation results were obtained in HD group with Hb > 11g/dl. These results lead to the conclusion that optimized correction of renal anemia as well as the use of biocompatible HD membranes may result in significant reduction of oxidative stress and therefore reduction of cardiac affection, reducing the co-morbidity of HD patients

Environmental survey and the occurrence of some helminthic parasites in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria

The exposure event to parasites is related to the persons' behavior and household environment, which are further influenced by the cultural and economic circumstances of the community, in Egypt, human fascioliasis has been considered as an important public health problem and recently, several cases have been reported from Alexandria and Abis villages. The present work aimed at studying the occurrence of helminthic parasites in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria and their possible association with the personal, socioeconomic, and environmental variables in the corresponding villages. This work was conducted in Abis 7 and Abis 8 villages, which are located 15 Kilometers south east of Alexandria city, in the period from December 1994 to March 1995. The study included 4423 subjects from 506 houses that were selected as a fifty percent systematic random sample. All sample members were subjected to respond to a pre-designed questionnaire sheet which included age; sex; and occupation of the residents of the household, and data concerning drinking water supply; water closets; sewage disposal; animals; and irrigation. All subjects were asked to give a stool sample. Two Kato slides were prepared for every sample and examined by two observers. Drinking water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, and proper disposal of animal wastes are still deficient in some houses of Abis 7 and Abis 8 villages. Schistosoma mansoni, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Fasciola species were the major helminthic parasites encountered in Abis 7 and Abis 8, Alexandria. They were found to affect 24.2%, 11.9%, and 5.7% of subjects in Abis 7 and 37.8%, 6.2%, and 10.4% of persons in Abis 8, respectively. In Abis 7, 5.3% of subjects using canals for irrigation were positive whereas none of persons using drains were positive and it was found to be statistically significant. In Abis 8, an apparent difference was observed. Drains are usually polluted by agricultural effluents with pesticides residues and thus affecting the snail intermediate host of Fasciola