Estimation of nitric oxide level in mice infected by trichinella spiralis

Trichinella spiralis infection causes intestinal inflammation that is associated with hypermotility and hypersecretion. Nitric oxide [NO] is a major secretory product of mammalian cells, with a critical role in host non-specific defense, and has been identified as an important effector molecule that can play a role in immuno-regulation. To investigate the role of NO and the changes in its level in experimental Trichinella spiral/s infection. 150 mice of both sexes were divided into five groups. GI served as healthy control [uninfected untreated group]. The other four groups were infected each with 250 larvae/mouse, G2 served as infected untreated control group, G3 was infected and administered NO in the form of 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally of glycerile trinitrate [Nitrocine], G4 was infected and administered nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the form of 3 mg/kg intraperitoneally of L-NAME, and G5 was infected and treated with both Nitrocine and L-NAME. Drugs were given three times weekly from day 3 to day 28 post-infection. Two stable breakdown products, nitrate [NO3] and nitrite [NO,] were detected and determined at weekly intervals for 14 weeks for Gl and G2, and at the end of the 14th week in the other three groups, hence NO was calculated. Adult and larval counts were measured in each mouse with estimation of NO, and NO, levels. The adult worm count on the 7th day was 95.2 +/- 3.1 in G2; 142.12+2.94 in G3; 88.3+3.61 in G4 and 107.57+4.03 in G5, while on the 14th day [intestinal and migratory phase], the count was zero in all different groups. The larval count/diaphragm muscle was 690.15+108.1, 1261.75+244.7, 547.3 +/- 130.1 and 1089.0+107.7 in G2. G3. G4 and G5 respectively. Significant increases in NO levels were observed in G3 and G5 compared to G2 and G4 with peak serum level at week 9 in G2. Conclusion: NO administered as a drug intensified T spiralis infection and inhibition of the effect of NO by L-NAME reduced the numbers of worms and larvae. Further studies are needed to determine pro and anti-inflammatory effects of NO on different parasitic infections and the relationship between NO function and concentration in the microenvironment of inflammatory lesions

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection and its relationship to snail distribution in a village at the Nile Bank south to Cairo

The relationship between epidemiology of S.mansoni infection and snail distribution at a village, related to Guiza Governorate and lies south to Cairo, was investigated. A systematic random sample of houses was selected. All inhabitants of the houses were invited to share in the study. The Number examined was 704. Urine and stools were examined using Nucleopore filtration and standard Kato-Katz techniques, respectively. Snail collection was done from 35 sites along the water bodies related to the village. Snails collected were examined by cercariae shedding under light. Snail differentiation was done. The results showed that the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni human infection was 25.1% and GMEC was 2.4 +/- 5.5. Schistosoma haematobium infection was zero percent. Biomphlaria alexandrina snail infection rate was 3.7% with density equal 0.5 +/- 1.3. Bulinus truncatus snail infection rate was zero percent. The pattern of S. mansoni human infection was closely related to snail distribution and infection. Presence of a hybrid species of B.alexandrina and B.glabrata may explain the epidemiological pattern found in the studied village

Upgrading of Kato-katz technique for diagnosis of S. Mansoni infection in rural Egypt

Processing of the same stool samples was done using standard Kato-Katz [KK] technique with 41.7 mg of stools and one of the three modifications. These included KK technique using a higher concentration of glycerin for preparation or another stain [negrosin- eosin] with a specified formula instead of the standard malachite green or processing a smaller volume of stools [20 mg]. The results showed that using cumulative infection rate from the two comparable tests as the reference KK with higher concentration of glycerin was more sensitive than standard KK [sensitivities 77.6% and 61.2%, respectively]. Using negrosin-eosin stain showed higher sensitivity [75.0%] in relation to standard KK technique [70.8%]. KK with higher concentration of glycerin showed the same sensitivity as KK with negrosin-eosin stain [85.7%] in relation to others. All comparisons showed statistically insignificant differences. Using 20 mg of stools showed very low sensitivity in relation to standard KK technique [57.9% and 100%, respectively]. The statistical difference was highly significant. All specificities were 100%. Other screening indices showed the same trend of sensitivities. Degree of microscope clarity was optimal with higher concentration of glycerin. Negrosin-eosin showed better visualization of ova than the standard KK. All modifications took only an hour after processing to be examined. KK technique used with any of these modifications is simple, inexpensive, use with either a higher concentration of glycerin or negrosin-eosin stain