Potential effect of Curcuma longa extract on infectivity and pathogenicity of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae

Batch of freshly shed cercariae from infected laboratory bred Biomphalaria alexandrina were exposed to different sub-lethal concentrations of turmeric extract for an hour and divided into two groups. The first one was to study the ultrastructural changes induced in them using scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. The second group was to study infectivity and pathogenicity of the exposed cercariae. One hundred and fifty mice were divided into 5 groups: GI: Infected by normal cercariae and served as controls; GII, GIII, GIV and GV infected by cercariae exposed to 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 ppm, respectively. Ten weeks post infection all animals were sacrificed and subjected to parasitologic, histopathologic and immunologic assays. SEM showed cercariae exposed to 5ppm with minimal destruction of head spines and tail. The degenerative changes were progressively severe by increasing extract concentration to reach complete destruction of both at 10 ppm. Infectivity decreased with the increase in concentration to reach highest significance at 10 ppm. Pathogenicity or mean number of egg deposited, mean diameter of liver granulomas and level of IL-10 gene expression significantly decreased in Gs IV and V

Effect of organochlorine [DDT] exposure on experimental giardiasis

This work studied the effect of sub-chronic DDT exposure on the course of experimental giardiasis and efficacy of its treatment. A total of 160 mice were divided into six groups: G1: 30 mice received DDT and infected with Giardia lamblia. G2: 30 mice received DDT, infected and treated with tinidazole [TNZ]. G3: 30 mice infected with Giardia. G4: 30 mice infected and treated with TNZ. G5: 30 mice received DDT only. G6: 10 mice served as normal control. Mice were sacrificed at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days P.I. All groups were subjected to cyst count/2 hours collected stool, trophozoite count in intestine, histopathological examination of small intestinal section and avidin biotin peroxidase technique for local IgA staining. Also, IFN-gama was measured in sera. DDT caused early shedding of many cysts and increase in trophozoite counts for a long time, decreased intra epithelial lymphocytes, low levels of IgA and IFN-gama and severe histopathological changes in intestinal sections in G1 as compared to G3. Also, DDT reduced the efficacy of TNZ treatment in G2 as compared to G4. The results strongly support the immunomodulating effect of DDT on experimental giardiasis that might be responsible for persistence of infection, resistance to treatment and re-infection in DDT exposed persons

Histopathological and immune-pathological changes in the prostates of golden hamsters experimentally infected with schistosoma mansoni

This work has been planned to study the histopathological and immune-pathological changes in the prostates of experimentally infected golden hamsters with Schistosoma mansoni. Fifty male golden hamsters, 10 weeks old, 200-250 gm in weight each and free from parasitic infections were used. They were classified into two groups. Group [1] 40 male golden hamsters infected with 350 S. mansoni cercariae S.C. each. Group [2] 10 male golden hamsters [control]. Viable S. mansoni eggs were collected, washed and egg hatching was performed. Biomphalaria alexandrina snails were infected by 6 - 8 miracidia each. The released cercariae were collected, counted and concentrated so as to contain 350 cercariae / 0.5 ml. [the infective dose / hamster S. C.]. Five infected hamsters were killed 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 weeks p. i. Control animals were sacrificed at once. The prostate- glands of the infected and control male hamsters were dissected; fixed in 10% phosphate buffered formalin. Microscopic examination was conducted on 4 microm thick H. and E. stained sections from paraffin embedded specimens. Immunohistochemical detection of hamster's schistosomal antigen in prostatic sections was performed by DAKO Avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. Other portions of the prostates were digested in 5% KOH for detection of S. mansoni eggs. The results of this work showed that there were diffuse, non granulomatous inflammatory reaction starting at 12[th] week p.i. and reaching maximum intensity at 16[th] week p.i. The epithelial linings of the prostatic acini showed hyperplasia, enfolding and lymphocytic cell infiltration. Stromal fibrosis started at 18[th] week p.i. in 10 [25%] infected hamsters. Immunohistochemical examination showed mild deposits at 12[th] week p.i., moderate deposits at 14[th] week p.i. and intense deposits at 16[th] week p.i. KOH digestion of prostatic pieces showed no S. mansoni ova at any period p. i. S. mansoni infection could involve the prostate gland by variable degrees of inflammation and fibrosis. These inflammatory reactions may be due to antigen deposition in such organ. The inflammation and fibrosis may interfere with the normal function of the prostatic gland leading to alteration of the chemical composition of the seminal fluid which may decrease the fertility capacity of the sperms. Also, prostatic hypertrophy may lead to problems in the erection and urinary tract obstruction

Experimental study on concurrent infection with giardia lamblia and hymenolepis nana in mice

Many individuals are infected with more than one intestinal parasite. The presence of dual infection is a common incidence especially by parasites causing autoinfection or direct infection. Therefore, this work was planned to study the effect of concurrent infection with Giardia lamblia and Hymenolepis nana on the course of infection and local inflammatory reaction and immunity. Materials and methods: 170 Swiss albino mice, 18-20 gm each were used and divided into five groups; G [1] infected with G. lamblia [100, 000 cysts orally] only, G [2] infected with H. nana [500 shell free eggs orally] only, G [3] infected with G. lamblia then H. nana, G [4] infected with H. nana then G. lamblia and G [5] control non infected. Animals were sacrificed weekly after the last infection for 4 weeks. The intestines were processed for histopathological examination, stained with Alcian blue to examine the goblet cells and toluidine blue for identification of mast cells and IL-6 mRNA estimation by PCR technique in the small intestinal tissue homogenates. Two-hour cyst and trophozoite counts were performed weekly in Giardia groups and cysticercoids and adult H. nana were counted in Hymenolepis groups. There was a significant decrease in H. nana cystcercoid and adult worm counts in G [3]; and in G. lamblia cyst and trophozoite counts in G [4]. There was increased intensity of histopathological changes, lymphocytic infiltration in the lamina propria and hyperplasia of mast cells and goblet cells in Gs [3 and 4]. IL-6 mRNA was higher in the mixed infection than in the single infection groups. The presence of a preceding infection may produce a state of partial immunity against a second heterologus parasite and decrease the severity of infection by this parasite

Study on the prevalence of congenital in neonates with Jaundice

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease of world wide distribution caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It infects all species of mammals and birds. The present study aimed to study the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in neonates with jaundice estimation of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG and IgM] in neonates with jaundice by the indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. The study was done on 78 neonates with jaundice [Group I] and ten healthy neonates as a control group [Group II] with estimation of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG and IgM] in all selected neonates by the indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. In group I anti- Toxoplasma IgG was positive in 23 cases [29.4%] while anti-Toxoplasma IgM was positive in 10 cases [12.8%]. In group II anti-Toxopasma IgG was positive in one case [10%] and anti- Toxoplasma IgM was negative. From the present study we concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis must be born in mind in the differential diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis should be done in neonates for early detection of subclinical cases and early treatment to reduce the severe long-term sequelae

Study on the prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis neonates with janndice

Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease of world wide distribution caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. It infects all species of mammals and birds. The present study aimed at estimation of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG and IgM] in neonates with jaundice by the indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] and the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA]. The study was done on 78 neonates with jaundice [group I] and ten healthy neonates as a control group [group II]. In group I anti-Toxoplasma IgG was positive in 23 cases [29.4%] while anti-Toxoplasma IgM was positive in 10 cases [12.8%]. In group II, anti-Toxopasma IgG was positive in one case [10%] and anti-Toxoplasma IgM was negative. From the present study we concluded that congenital toxoplasmosis must be born in mind in the differential diagnosis of neonatal jaundice. Serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis should be done in neonates for early detection of subclinical cases and early treatment to reduce the severe long-term sequelae

dual effect of cyclosporin A in experimental Hymenolepis nana infection in mice

This work was planned to study the dual effect of cyclosporin A in experimental Hymenolepis nana infection in mice. 100 Swiss albino mice were used and divided into 2 large groups. 60 mice were used in the first experiment and subdivided into gp. [1] control, gp. [2] treated with CsA [150 mg /kg/dose] early at infection time [2a] or later at days 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 p.i. [2b] and gp. [3] treated with cortisone acetate [2.5 mg /dose] early [3a] or later on [3b]. Cysticercoid count was done for gp. [2a, 3a and 1] and adult worm count was done for gp. [2b,3b and 1]. 40 mice were used in the second experiment and divided into [4] groups to study the effect of CsA on the acquired resistance to re-infection. Gp. [1] infected with 500 H.nana eggs and challenged with 2000 eggs at 10[th] day p.i., gp [2] received a single 2000 eggs at 10[th] d.p.i., gp. [3] received CsA, infected and challenged with H.nana eggs and gp [4] received cortisone acetate, infected and challenged with H.nana eggs. Local intestinal IgA was examined by peroxidase anti-peroxidase technique [PAP]. Histopathological examination on H.and E. stained sections was done to see the intensity of infection. The results of this work showed that CsA has a direct antiparasitic effect by decreasing the cysticerciod counts in both experiments and immunosuppressive effect as indicated by increased worm burden and decreased local IgA deposition in experiments I and II respectively in comparison to normal and cortisone treated groups. Thus, it can be concluded that, in H. nana infection CsA exerts both antiparasitic and immunosuppressive effects. However, the antiparasitic effect predominates the immunosuppressive one