Evaluation of some micronutrients, antioxidant biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity in human giardiasis

Giardia lamblia, a common parasite of the human small bowel, is responsible for diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies and production of free radicals. Micronutrients regulate many physiological functions and participate in antioxidant defense. Changes in their serum levels occur in several gastrointestinal disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the homeostasis of some micronutrients and antioxidant defense in human giardiasis. The study was designed to compare serum levels of some micronutrients and antioxidant status in 30 patients with symptomatic giardiasis and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Giardia trophozoites and/or cysts were detected in the stool samples of patients using saline and iodine wet mount preparations and formol ether technique. Levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and chromium were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Vitamin E level was determined as well as total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and serum levels of the antioxidant biomarkers; albumin, total bilirubin and uric acid were evaluated. Giardia-infected patients displayed significantly lower levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, chromium and vitamin E and higher levels of copper and uric acid compared to controls. TAC, albumin and bilirubin in Giardia-infected patients were not significantly different from the controls. The pathophysiological changes in giardiasis alter the homeostasis of some micronutrients. Uric acid constitutes an important antioxidant defense in human giardiasis that may compensate for the deficiency of some antioxidant micronutrients. Prevention and treatment of giardiasis may have a positive impact on the micronutrient status and on the general health of the population

Effect of storage on the infectivity of vampirolepis nana var. nana eggs to swiss albino mice

Vampirolepis nana is the most common cestode in humans especially children. Domestic mice and rats can serve as definitive hosts for V. nana. Confusion exists over the species status and host-specificity of this tapeworm. In a previous study done by the same authors it was found that the Egyptian human isolates of V. nana could be used to infect mice for experimental work. Eggs in human feces and in the fecal pellets excreted by mice probably lose their infectivity sooner or later. Such information is very important from the epidemiologic and epizootic points of view. The aim of this work was to study the infectivity of V. nana var. nana eggs isolated from human feces, murine fecal pellets and worm gravid proglottids after storage for different periods of time. According to the results, the transmission potential capacity of the human strain of V. nana by mice can not be ignored. The relative infectivity of the eggs isolated from the murine rectal fecal pellets is higher than that isolated from the worm because some immature eggs are found in the gravid segments. It was clear that storage of eggs had a deteriorating effect and that the egg infectivity was dependent upon storage time. After 2 wk of storage in dechlorinated water some eggs were still viable and infective. Such a group of eggs present a health risk for people living in the wastewater-exposed areas like Egyptian rural areas, or when wastewater is reused for agricultural purposes as in countries with water scarcity

Preparation, characterization and evaluation of methylcellulose/polyacrylic acid composite as thickening agent in printing cotton with reactive dyes

Cellulosic wastes of El-Nasr Co. for Intermediate Chemicals were used as a starting material for the preparation of water-soluble methyl cellulose. The obtained methylcellulose sample was polymerized with acrylic acid monomer under the initiation action of potassium persulphate to obtain a thickening agent, which acquires - COOH groups like sodium alginate. Rheological measurements revealed that the prepared composite is water-soluble and acquires non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and can be diluted with water at any ratio. The prepared methylcellulose/polyacrylic acid composite was evaluated as thickening agent in printing cotton fabrics with four different reactive dyes. The results of the colour strength, overall fastness properties and the handle of the printed goods indicate that methyl cellulose/polyacrylic acid composite could be used successfully, a thickening agent, either alone or in a mixture with either sodium alginate or emulsion [i.e., as semi-emulsion] in printing cotton fabrics with reactive dyes

Efficacy of praziquantel against Giardia lamblia in rats: parasitological, pathological and therapeutic study

Four-five weeks old rats were included in this study and divided into two experimental groups received single or split doses of praziquantel [PZQ] as well as two control groups, one infected untreated and the other normal healthy rats. The effect of infection on rat growth as well as the jejunal and duodenal architecture was histopathologically studied after H and E staining. The jejunal ultrastructure was examined by SEM and TEM. The effect of PZQ was evaluated using the same techniques. It was observed that infected as well as infected treated animals had less weight than the healthy controls. The intensity of infection decreased gradually after treatment. The cure rate was 100% after split dose and 80% after a single dose. Altered villus height and cryptic depth were the characteristic changes in the architecture of the duodenum and jejunum, more pronounced in the latter. The split dose of PZQ revealed a more improvement of the histopathological findings than the single dose. By SEM, circular imprints representing defects in the villi were observed in the jejunum. By TEM deformation of microvillar architecture was observed together with organellar changes in the RER and the mitochondria after PZQ treatment

comparative study on the effect of praziquantel and triclabendzole on vampirolepis nana in vitro

V. Nana was frequently associated with Schistosoma mansoni and Fasciola spp. This study was conducted to investigate and compare the effects of praziquantel and triclabendazole on V. nana worms after in vitro exposure to 1 and 2 mug/ml of each of praziquantel or triclabendazole. All the worms were put under observation for 30 minutes. The worm mortality rates were recorded and the topographic tegumental changes were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results demonstrated that praziquantel showed comparatively superior effect on adult V. nana worms than triclabendazole. The latter still revealed an anthelmintic effect

Laboratory assessment of the molluscicidal activity of Commiphora molmol [myrrh] on Biomphalaria alexandria, Bulinus truncatus and lymnaea calilliaudi

The molluscicidal properties of the oil extract of commiphora molmol [Myrrh] were tested Egyptian snail species: Biomphalaria alexandrina, Bulinus truncates and Lymnaea cailliaudi. The impact of the extract on the egg cluches of B. alexandrina and L. cailliaudi was also evaluated. Snails and their eggs were exposed for 24 and 48 hr at 22-26?C to various concentrations of the extract. The results showed different susceptibilities B. alexandrina showed higher LD[50] and LD[90] [155, 195 PPM] than B. truncates [50, 95 ppm] and L. cailliaudi [50, 85 ppm] after 24 hr exposure. 100% mortality was obtained for the egg cluches of B. alexandrina and L. cailliaudi at concentrations of 100 ppm and 75 ppm respectively. Lower concentrations were needed to obtain the same results after 48 hr. The present laboratory studies demonstrated that Myrrh has a molluscicidal effect on the snail intermediate hosts, particularly on their eggs. Field studies are recommended

Compartive studies on the effect of bithionol, praziquantel and triclabendazole in rabbit's fascioliasis, 1 Parasitological studies

In this study, rabbits were infected with 30 metacercariae each. Then, they were divided into four categories, each of two groups. One category served as control and the others were treated each with a drug. The first group from each group was treated when worms were still immature, the other group was treated after maturity. The effect of the drugs was monitored by stool examination for eggs, the percentage of egg reduction and worm recovery at autopsy were studied and the percentage of the drug efficacy was calculated. Some eggs were cultured and their embryonation and hatching were traced. The results pointed out that triclabendazole was the best fasciolicide, followed by bithionol. Praziquantel had a negligible effect

Prevention of human fascioliasis: a study of the role of acids detergents and potassium permanganate in clearing salads from metacercariae

Prevention of human fascioliasis could depend on clearing the leafy salads from the metacercariae. The present work evaluated the role of some chemicals in detaching and killing this infective stage. It was observed that washing in running water for 10 minutes detached only 50% of the metacercariae. Citric acid in the concentration of [10 ml/L], commercial vinegar [120 ml/L], liquid soap [12 ml/L] and KMnO4 [24 mg/L] detached all metacercariae after 10 minutes exposure. The use of vinegar and KMnO4 was recommended; the former is lethal to other parasites in the vegetables, the second destroyed the metacercariae. Vegetable leaves were not softened and remained fresh