Role of water in the transmission of cyclosporiarsis in Shakia Governorate, Egypt

Water samples were collected form five residential areas in El Ekhewa Village where the human populations use this water for daily activity and for consumption. These water sources were Bahr El-Baker drain, low running irrigation canal, under-ground water at shallow depth [3-8 m], finished piped water and underground water > 35m deep. The samples were concentrated by flocculation method and the concentrated pellets were examined by ultraviolet [UV] epifluorescence microscopy for Cvclospora oocysts. The densities of water contamination by 8-10 pm oocysts /liter in the five sources were respectively: 2400, 1900, 700, 200 and zero. This indicated that finished water was sewage contaminated. Stool samples from 109 diarrheal patients and 231 non-diarrheal ones from these areas were examined by the acid fast-trichrome stain, Saline Haemo De single slide tri-chrome stain and by standard bacteriologic techniques. Those with Cyclospora s single pathogen were considered [5.6%] of diarrheal and [2.3%] of the non-diarrheal individuals. The correlation between the density of water contamination and the prevalence of cyclosponiasis among the individuals of each area was significant. No doubt, water was the main vehicle of transmission in the present community. Soil contact and poultry were significant risk factors

Bancroftian filariasis: Clinical parasitologic and serologic evaluation after 4 years appling two antifilarial regimens

In August 1997, 124 individuals out of 1110 were selected as being seropositive for circulating filarial antigen OG4C3 [CFA]. Ten healthy children proven negative for CFA were used as controls. The patients were classified into: G1 [28 patients, 20 asymptomatic microfilaremic [MF] and eight symptomatic amicrofilaremic [AMF]], G2 [80 patients, 22 asymptomatic MF, 48 asymptomatic AMF and 10 symptomatic AMF] and G3 [16 asymptomatic AMF]. G1 was treated by a single annual dose of diethyl carbamazine [DEC] [6 mg/kg], G2 by a single annual dose of albendazole 400 mg and DEC [6 mg/kg] and G3 remained untreated. Four years later [2001], patients were reevaluated. Microfilaremia prevalence in MF patients was lowered to 20% [G1] and 9.1% [G2]. Antigenemia prevalence was lowered to 46.4%, 17.5% and 87.5% in the three groups, respectively. The disease became manifested among the asymptomatic in 5% [G1], 10% [G2] and 25% [G3]. The four years lowered the prevalence of microfilaremia, but it was not sufficient for its elimination from the blood

Evaluation of two commercial assays for immuno-diagnosis of schistosomiasis

This study aimed to evaluate two commerically available assays for diagnosis of schistosmiasis. One is the Schistofast [ABC Diagnostics] based on antigen detection in serum by dot enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and the second Fumouze Schistos-omiasis for detecting antibodies in serum by Indirect Haemaglutination assay [IHA]. The study selected 246 clinically evaluated individuals after thorough examination of urine, stool and rectal snip samples. They were calssified as 184 patients; with primary current infection [84] patients, with late complicated disease and current infection [82], with late complicated disease without current infection [18] and 42 asymptonatic individuals with old treated infection. 20 Schistosome free children without history of contact with, contaminated water. The antibody assay showed [91.6 - 99%] sensitivity among patients with current infection compared with [90-93%] by the antigen assay. As regards patients with previous infection [22 - 85.7%] sensitivity was recorded by the antibody assay compared with [00 - 05%] by the antigen assay. Specificity of both assays were 100% among children lacking contaminated water contact. The antigen assay was easier and more rapid to use but the clarity was much better in the antibody assay. The study recommends the antigen assay for the diagnostic purposes and as a test of cure. The antibody assay is recommended for the epidemiologic purposes