Epidemiological study on the etiological agents and the predisposing factors of diarrheal diseases in children under two years in Alexandria

Infantile diarrheas are diseases of world wide distribution and are a major public health problem in most developing countries. Still diarrhea is considered the commonst cause of death during early years of life. This study was carried out with the aim of determining the socioeconomic predisposing factors and the causative agents of diarrhea among children below 2 years of age in Alexandria. A total sample of 183 children suffering from primary diarrhea attending the outpatient clinic of El-Ahfushi and El-Ramleh peadiatric hospitals were examined. These cases with a past history of no intake of drugs or antibiotics. Isolation and identification of the causative organisms were carried out according to the standard parasitological and bacteriological procedures. The known intestinal bacterial pathogens detected were Shigella sonni, Shigella flexneri, Salmonella species and Campylobacter. Campylobacter proved to be a most prevalent one and should be searched for as a probable cause of diarrhea in infants. The recorded intestinal parasites were Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia. Further studies to detect other causes mainly viral agents should be investigated. By these preventive methods, proper treatment can be put to control diarrhea and to lower the incidence of death from this disease

Biological combat of schistosomiasis: ambrosia maritima [Damsissa] for snail control

Ambrosia maritima [Damsissa] as a biological means of control of Bilharzia snails has been successfully tried in the field when, applied green, dry and also by growing along infested canals. The method is quite easy, safe and inexpensive. The plant has proved to be able to control snails in the field for quite a long time and at a very low concentration. Also it does not cause stream pollution or kills nontarget organisms