Studies on the genus Stylocephalus ellis, 1912 [Apicomplexa: Eugregarinida: Stylocephalidae] in beetles [Coleoptera: tenebrionidae] from El Fayoum governorate, Egypt

Four species of the genus Stylocephalus Ellis, 1912 were recorded and described from beetles in El Fayoum Governorate; S. iongicollis, S. phalloides, S. variabilis and S. eastoni. Both S. phall-oides and S. variabilis were recorded in Zophosis sp. and Pimelia angulata, respectively for the first time in Egypt. Out of 105 Blaps polychresta, 18 [17.14%] were infected with S. longicollis and 57 [54.29%] with S. eastoni. Out of 30 Pimelia angulata, 17 [56.76%] were infected with 5. variabilis and all examined Zophosis sp. [n=67] were infected with S. phalloides. Scanning electron microscopy on S. longicollis revealed morphological features not reported before; three pairs of longitudinal ribs extending from the second fifth till the posterior extremity of old sporont and a minute pore on the anterior tip of epimerite. In S. eastoni, the epimerite-host epithelium relationship revealed that the parasite invades host's gut with the distal part of epimerite. Regarding the gross pathological symptoms, heavily infected hosts showed a sluggish motility, short antennae, swollen abdomen, lack of fat accumulation, and putrid smell in dead beetles

Molecular polymorphisms associated with Egyptian, European, Chinese and north American fasciola hepatica

A new PCR based system was used that had a broad detection capability among parasites based on a conserved region of the I 8s ribosomal DNA genes. Five samples each of Egyptian, European and Chinese F. hepatica of bovine origin were obtained and DNA was isolated. The PCR primers recognized a fragment of approximately 700 nucleotides in length. Sequences were compared over a 107 base pair region that identified polymorphisms between the strains. All the sequences from Egyptian isolates were identical, similarly so with all European and Chinese isolates. However, there were polymorphisms between these isolates and the isolates from North America. All isolates have a single base additional in target region and there was a single base substitution in Egyptian isolates when compared to others

Inference of molecular phylogeny of Sarcocystis felis [sarcocystidae] from cats based on nuclear-encoded ribosomal gene sequences

The phylogenetic position of four clinical isolates of Sarcocystis felis was assessed using ssurRNA and ITS 1 gene sequences in the context of a wide array of other Sarcocystis sp. Phylogenetic reconstructions using neighbour-joining and maximum parsimony methods generated identical tree topologies with strong support values at each node. High ssurRNA sequence similarity [>/= 99%] and the resulting phylogeny demonstrated that S. felis and S. neurona are significantly closely related to each other. The two Sarcocystis formed a monophyletic group distinct from the other Sarcocystis sp., irrespective of the alignment algorithms or tree-building method used. The absolute [100%] identity of ssurRNA sequences of sarcocysts and sporocysts obtained from one cat raised the question regarding the cat's role as a potential intermediate host besides its known role as a definitive host of S. felis. On the other hand, S. felis sarcocyst DNA sequence was found to be quite dissimilar over the ITS 1 region when compared to S. neurona. These findings indicated that using sequences from 'two different genetic loci provided a stronger comparative basis than would have been possible using either one

Molecular and microscopic techniques for detection of Sarcocystis neurona sporocysts in fecal samples

Diagnosis of Sarcocystis sp. in the definitive host is generally by microscopic detection of the sporocysts in feces. This method is insensitive and cannot differentiate between species because sporocysts lack specific staining criteria. The hypothesis suggested that molecular techniques provide better alternatives to classical detection of Sarcocystis sporocysts. The sensitivity of two PCR assays was compared to one another and to microscopic examination by conventional fecal flotation and Diamant-Fuchsin staining procedures for detection of sporocysts spiked into mice feces. PCR1 assay using LSM1 and LSM2 primers that amplified 496 bp of the ssurRNA gene was more sensitive than the PCR2 method using JNB25 and JD396 primers that amplified 334 bp of a RAPD-derived marker. PCR1 gave positive results with 200 micro1 of fecal suspension spiked with as little as 5 sporocysts compared to 75 sporocysts detected by JNB25 and JD396 primers. PCR1 was more sensitive than conventional microscopy. PCR1 or PCR2 followed by sequencing or RFLP analysis not only detected Sarcocystis sporocysts in feces but also enabled to ascertain the genotype of the species as S. neurona

Spot light survey on fresh-water snails of medical importance in Al Fayoum governorate, Egypt

In a survey carried out during summer and autumn of 2004, for snails of medical importance, nine species were recovered. They were Biomphalaria alexandrina, B. glabrata, B. pfeifferi, Bulinus truncatus, B. forskalii, Lymnaea natalensis, Bellamya [=Vivipara] unicolor, Physa acuta and Hydrobia mesaensis. Parasitological examination revealed that B. alexandrina, B. glabrata and L. natalensis harboured immature stages of their concerned trematode parasites. Moreover, P. acuta harboured the immature stage of the nematode parasite Parastrongylus cantonensis

Laboratory and field studies on oribatid mites as intermediate host of moniezia expansa infecting Egyptian sheep

In this study, three species of oribatid mites, Scheloribates zaheri, Zygoribatula tadrosi and Z. Sayedi, from pure colonies were experimentally exposed to infection by allowing them to feed on stool sheep infected with Moniezia expansa. The mites were followed up to the development of the infective cysticercoids. M. expansa was able to achieve successfully its larval development in the three species of oribatid mites under laboratory conditions. They were demonstrated after 84, 73 and 69 days post infection, respectively. Z. tadrosi is recorded as intermediate host for the first time in Egypt. Six species of oribatid mites, Oppiella nova, S. Laevigatus, S. Zaheri, Xylobates souchniensis, Epilohmannia pallida aegyptiaca and Z. sayedi, recovered from the sheep infested farm soil, were found naturally infected with different developmental stages of M. expansa

Molecular Characterization of cryptosporidium Parvum isolates obtained from Humans

In this study, 50 stool specimens collected from severe diarrheic patients were examined microscopically for protozoan parasites mainly, Cryptosporidium parvum. Stool examination revealed 22 cases with C. parvum, 8, with E. histolytica, 14 with G. Intestinalis and 6 were parasite-free. The results were compared with the established nested PCR assay to detect DNA directly from stool specimens. After the extraction of DNA from stool, a 402-bp fragment of C. Parvum DNA was amplified with 2 26-mer outer primers. The amplified products, 194-bp DNA fragment, were used for a second run. This study indicated that the used primers are specific for DNA of C. parvum. PCR detected 28 positive cases, 6 of them were negative by AF stool examination, which eventually confirmed to be positive by several successive examinations of the stool and/or duodenal aspiration. Microscopy exhibited 78.5% sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with 100% specificity and sensitivity with PCR. Consequently, it was concluded that PCR is more sensitive and easier to interpret, but required more hands-on time to perform and is more expensive than microscopy. However, PCR batch analysis reduces the cost considerably

Efficacy of mirazid [Commiphora molmol] against fascioliasis in Egyptian sheep

The efficacy of mirazid [Commiphora molmol or Myrrh] was evaluated in sheep naturally infected with fascioliasis. Total doses of one or two capsules [300 mg each] were given for one, two or three successive days on an empty stomach, an hour before breakfast. A total dose of 600 mg gave a cure rate of 83.3%, while a total dose of 900-1200 mg gave a complete cure rate [100%] with no clinical side effect. The cure rate was achieved by stool examination and/or macroscopically on slaughtering the sheep. Mirazid proved to be safe and very effective in sheep fascioliasis in Gharbia Governorate

Antihelminthic efficacy of traditional herbs on Ascaris lumbricoides

The ascaricidal efficacy of six commonly used traditional herbs, Artemesia santonica, Inula helenium, Cassia abutnsifolla, Albizzia lebbek, Acacia auriculoformis and oil of Apium graveolens, was tested in vitro against the eggs and larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides. Aqueous extracts of 1% Artemesia and 5% of Albizzia and Inula were effective in killing both the infective larvae in less than 40 days and eggs in 20 days. The results showed that Artemesia, Albizzia and to less extent Inula were promising antihelmintics against Ascaris lumbricoides. Extracts of the other tested herbs were of less value or no value at all

pattern of cryptosporidiosis in experimentally immune deficient albino rats

Thirty clean laboratory-bred male albino rats were included in this study and divided into two groups. G1 included 20 rats received corticosteroids [SC injection of 1.5 mg dexamethasone, twice per week] for eight weeks for immuno-suppression, while G2 included 10 rats served as controls. Both groups were separately caged under controlled laboratory observation and given normal diet. After the 8 weeks, both groups were allowed to acquire Cryptosporidium parvum infection by feeding on infective source. A week later, all animals were subjected to stool examination and were then sacrificed. Rats of G1 showed oocysts in 13/16, but there were none in rats of G2. Scrapping of the intestinal mucosa from both rats of G1 and G2 were prepared for microscopic examination after stained in modified Kinyoun acid-fast [light microscope] and Auramine [fluorescent microscope]. Cryptosporidium oocysts were demonstrated in 13/16 of G1 and 3/10 of G2