Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in Diarrheic Immunocompetent Patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt: Insight into Epidemiology and Diagnosis

Cryptosporidium species is an important cause of gastrointestinal infections globally. This study aimed to shed light on its role in diarrheic immunocompetent patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt and to compare three diagnostic methods. Two hundred diarrheic patients, 37±16.8 year old, were enrolled. Stool samples were examined by light microscopy, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Coproantigens were detected by sandwich ELISA. DNA molecular diagnosis was done by nested PCR. PCR yielded the highest detection rates (21.0%), compared to ELISA (12.5%) and MZN staining method (9.5%). The higher infection rates were in 20–40 year-old group, followed by 40–60 year-old. Association between epidemiologic factors was statistically not significant; positivity and gender, clinical manifestations, residence, source or water, or contact with animals. Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection in Beni-Suef and PCR remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among pregnant women in Almadinah Almunawwarah KSA

Objectives: Given its detrimental obstetric and congential sequelae, the detection of primary toxoplasmosis is most critical during pregnancy. This study aims to detect the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii [Toxoplasma gondii] among pregnant women who either have histories suggestive of toxoplasmosis or may be at risk

Methods: Serum samples of 150 pregnant women aged 18 -45 years were tested by the rapid Toxoplasma test [TOXO IgM/IgG test, InTec]. The results were further confirmed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique for IgM and IgG

Results: Serological results of toxoplasmosis seropositivity were statistically analyzed in light of the available epidemiological data. Thirty-two cases [21.3%] were IgG positive, and none was IgM positive, as shown by both tests

Conclusion: Significant relations were observed between seropositivity, maternal age and history of abortion, and probability of delivering a child with a congenital anomaly. Despite the lack of evidence of recent infection in this study, the high rates of T. gondii seropositivity among pregnant women signaled a threat of primary exposure during pregnancy

prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among foreign workers in Madinah, Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia

Background: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a high number of foreign workers, especially those coming from endemic areas with intestinal parasites

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of parasitic infection among foreign workers in Madina, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Materials and Methods: There was direct microscopic examination of stool samples by wet smears for parasitic stages. This was followed by the formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique to confirm and detect parasites not recovered by the wet mount

Results: The total number of foreign workers was 120, 47.5% of whom were males and 52.5% females. They were within the age group of 20-60 years. A total of 53 cases [44.2%] were infected with IPs. Some samples had double or triple infections, with a total of 69 parasitic infections detected [57.5%]. These included Entamoeba histolytica [27.5%], Giardia lamblia [18.8%], hookworm [14.5%], Ascaris lumbricoides [11.6%], Entamoeba coli [7.2%], Trichuris trichiura [5.8%], Strongyloides stercoralis [5.8%] and Hymenolepis nana [4.3%]. Furthermore, 1.4% each of Enterobius vermicularis, Schistosoma mansoni and Taenia eggs were found

Conclusions: Foreign workers newly arrived from Asia and Africa carry high rates of IPs infection. It is necessary to increase awareness about occupational health, and the risks of parasite transmission to the local population. Moreover, strict adherence to infection prevention policies is recommended

Antibody isotypes in urethral swabs of symptomatic and asymptomatic men infected with trichomonas vaginalis

Trichomoniasis may be asymptomatic or symptomatic in both sexes. The outcome of infection depends on the virulence factors of T vaginalis, but these factors remain unclear. Genetic variability of the isolates and the host's immune response are likely to be key factors in that respect. Symptomatic and asymptomatic males infected with T. vaginalis were compared regarding the differences in antibody subclasses response in the urethral samples. In symptomatic cases there was a significant elevation in IgM, IgG1 and IgG2b levels in urethral samples, and a little, non-significant rise in IgG2a levels. However, there were no statistically significant differences between levels of IgA, IgG3 and IgG4. The results showed that specific IgG1 and IgM and to a lesser extent IgG2 may be involved in established symptomatic trichomoniasis in men, compared to asymptomatic ones