Detection of DNA of W. bancrofti in blood samples by QC-PCR-Elisa-based

An internal control was used in a polymerase chain reaction PCR-ELISA-based technique to detect the DNA repeat of the filarial parasite W. bancrofti. The sensitivity of the test could detect as low as one single microfilania added to 200 micro litre of blood. The assay was evaluated on field samples from persons living in areas endemic for filariasis. Examination of night blood of 113 individuals for the presence of microfilania by filtration revealed 44 microfilaria carriers. All microfilaria carriers were positive in the PCR-EL1SA and, in addition, 14 more samples were proven to contain parasite DNA. All the 58 proven cases had circulating filarial antigens in their serum samples. Assuming a sensitivity of PCR-ELISA on night blood of 100%, the sensitivity of night blood filtration was 74% and that of circulating filarial antigens is 100%. The data showed that the described PCR-ELISA method was capable of detecting the filarial infections. Consequently, this method facilitated the identification of the filarial endemic areas and the monitoring of control programs

Geoparasites in rural Dakahlia Governorate, apreliminary based study for development of the community-based intervention programs

A prospective study was carried out to detect the rural prevalence and intensity of geoparasites in Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. A total of 1070 soil samples were collected; 571 [53.4%] were infected with one or more parasites. Only 24% of samples were infected with one parasite, 16.4% and 13% with two, and more than two parasites respectively, and the difference was statistically significant. The geoparasites in a descending order of their prevalence were: E. histolytica cysts [9.2%], Toxocara eggs [9.1%], Giardia cysts [7.9%], Cryptosporidium oocysts [6.1%], Trichostrongvius eggs and larvae [5.6%], isospora oocysts [4.3%], Acanthamoeba cysts [4.1%], Naegleria cysts [3.6%], Dust mites [2.7%], H. diminuta eggs [2.7%], Strongyloides free living adults, rhabditiform and filariform larvae [2.3%], H. nana eggs [1.7%], S. mansoni eggs [1.2%], Ascaris eggs [0.6%], Ancylostoma larvae [0.5%], Taenia eggs [0.4%], Trichocephalus eggs [0.4%] and F. gigantica eggs [0.2%]. The prevalence of parasitic infections was significantly higher [P < 0.001] in fields [63.4%] than streets [47.7%] and indoor-yards samples [35.3%]. The intensity of infections was significantly higher [p< 0.001] in streets than fields and indoor-yards [18.1, 9.7 and 1 parasite / 10gm of soil respectively]