Protozoal pollution of surface water sources in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Water samples were collected different water sources and different districts of Dakahlia G., from September 2005 to August 2006, were investigated for pathogenic protozoa. Water specimens were examined by concentration technique followed by modified Ziehl-Neelsen [MZN] and Truant auramine-rhoda-mine [AR] stains for Giardia sp. cysts, Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts, and other protozoa species. In the 1[st] survey, 94/480 [19.6%] water samples had protozoa. Prevalence rates were in summer 38/120 [31.6%], autumn 27/ 120 [22.5%], spring 20/ 120 [16.6%] and lastly winter 9/120 [7.5%]. Protozoa were less common in treated potable water tanks 15/120 [12.5%], followed by River Nile [Demiatta branch] 22/120 [18.3%] and sub-branch Bahr-El-Saghear 24/120 [20%]. The highest prevalence was in water of the main local draining 33/120 [27.5%]. In the 2[nd] survey, 840 potable water samples from seven districts were examined. Prevalence in descending order was C. parvum [3.1%], G. intestinalis [2.1%], E. histolytica [1%], Blastocystis homi-nis [1%], lodamoeba sp, [0.5%], Isospora belli [0.47%], E. coli [0.36%], Cyclospora cayetanensis [0.24%], and Chilo-mastix mesnilli [0.12%]. Data suggested that C. parvum and G. intestinalis were the commonest disease-agent. The implementation of preventive measures to protect water system from protozoa contamination was given

Correlation of ELISA copro-antigen and oocysts count to the severity of cryptosporidiosis parvum in children

A total of one thousand and fifty [1050] young children from Mansoura Pediatric Hospital, July 2005 to July 2006 were examined for cryptosporidiosis. Detailed history was taken from each participant, stool examination by direct smear, Formalin-ether sedimentation, Sheather's floatation, modified Ziehl-Nelseen [MZN] stain, Cryptospordium oocysts count, coproantigen detection by ELISA. Other infections were excluded. Out of 1050 children examined, cryptosporidial oocysts were detected in 90 cases by modified Zeihl Nelseen [MZN] stain, and coproantigen ELISA added another 10 cases. There was a significant difference between age group [1-2 years], rural locality, nutrition status, and diarrhea regarding Cryptosporidium infection. There was highly significant difference in malnourished children regarding Cryptosporidium oocysts and ELISA-OD. There is a significant positive correlation between oocysts count, ELISA-OD and malnutrition. Only diarrhea had a highly significant difference in relation to other symptoms in both mean oocysts count and ELISA-OD. There was highly significant positive correlation between symptoms, oocysts count and ELISA-OD

Echinococcosis [zoonotic hydatidosis] in street dogs in Urban and Rural areas, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

A total of one hundred and ninety street dogs were captured from urban area, Mansoura district and three hundreds and fifty from rural area, Met El-Korama and adjacent villages [Manshet El-Badawy, Talka Center]. The overall prevalence of Echino-ccocus granulosus was 5%, with a worm burden ranging from 4 to 1010 [mean = 421]. The prevalence was 6% in rural locality and 3.2% in urban locality. E. granulosus in dogs was significantly higher in rural areas but, without significant difference in puppies and males. The overall sensitivity was 61.5% and specificity was 97.5%. Apart from E. granulosus, dogs were also, infected with Taenia sp., Diplydium caninum, Toxocara canis, Trichurus vulpis and Ancylostoma caninum. The major cross-reactions were with Taenia sp., and D. caninum. Significantly, no correlation was found between ELISA on dogs' sera and E. granulosus burden

role of parasitic infections in fever of undetermined origin among Egyptians in Dakahlia, epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic evaluation

This study investigated the role of parasitic infections as possible etiologic agents in prolonged fever of undetermined origin [FUO]. The value of some diagnostic serological tests was also proved. 43 patients who fulfilled the international criteria for prolonged fever were studied. All cases were exposed to urine examination and culture, stools examinations, hemogram, liver and renal function tests, chest X-ray, tuberculin test, bone marrow, liver biopsy, blood films, serological tests including ELISA, IHA and IFA for detection of schistosomiasis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and malaria. The majority of cases with positive parasitic etiology were coming from rural areas. The pattern of fever was predominantly intermittent especially with malarial and schistosomal cases. Lymphadenopathy was detected in one third of cases, 60% of which were visceral leishmaniasis. The IHA test for leishmaniasis detected all cases at a titer of 256, 512 and 1024 reciprocally. The dot-ELISA detected 8 out of the 10 cases diagnosed by the IHA test. The detection of seropositive cases of visceral leishmaniasis in the studied area suggests the existence of reservoir or a focus and warrants epidemiological study to establish the actual situation