Worm and larval burden, histopathological and ultrastructural evaluation of T spiralis vaccination using crude worms and/or larvae antigens: experimental studies

Currently, there is no vaccine for T spiralis; however, several studies have been made towards understanding the immune mechanisms that contribute to host protection against it. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of vaccination by T spiralis adult, larval and combinea adult and larval crude antigens against trichinellosis in experimental mice. Swiss male albino mice [No. = 125] were divided mm 5 groups. Groups A, h and C were immunized by T spiralis crude larval antigen, crude worm antigen, and combined larval and worm antigens, respectively. One week after the last dose of injection, each mouse was injected orally with 150-200 larvae. Two other groups [D and E] served as infected non immunized control groups. Group E. received adjuvant and phosphate buffer saline before infection. At the 8tn day post-infection [PI], 12 mice from each group were sacrificed and the intestinal worm burden was assessed, while the muscle larval burden was evaluated at 28th day P1 in the remaining mice of each group. Intestinal and skeletal muscle specimens were prepared for histopathological study. Meanwhile, adults and larvae were examined by scanning electron microscopic [SEM] and infected muscle sections were examined by transmission electron microscope [TEM]. Combined antigen gave the highest reduction% in intestinal worm and larval muscle burdens 92% and 96%, respectively], followed by larval antigen [86% and 91%], then worm antigen [73% and 88%], compared with infected non immunized control groups. Compared with groups [A and B], group C gave significant reduction in both intestinal and muscle burdens. Histopathological examination revealed marked decrease in intestinal inflammatory infiltrates, and marked reduction of encysted larvae with mild infiltration around the degenerated larvae in mice of group C. SEM and TEM results confirmed the significant effect of the combined vaccine [Group C]. Vaccination with combined worms and larval antigens gave the most protective action against T spiralis challenge infection. The use of combined antigen in mass vaccination of reservoir animals may decrease the risk of human infection

Assessment of diagnosis and DNA damage in microfilarenzic and amicrofilaremic patients in Menoufiya governorate

Lymphatic filariasis is considered an endemic parasitic disease in some localities in Menoufiya Governorate. There is much controversy regarding diagnosis of amicrofilaremic 'endemic normal' population. To evaluate PCR-based assay, indirect immunofluorescent antibody test [IFAT] in microfilaremic and amicrofilaremic patients with lymphatic filariasis in an endemic area. A second objective was to detect individual DNA damage, its relation to microfilaremia and correlation to infection in different age groups. Three villages [Fesha El-Kobra, Serowheit and Ezbet El-Eslah] were selected to perform this study. The study included 128 individuals representing both sex [59 males and 69 females] of different age groups [5-60 years old]. One hour after receiving diethylcarbamazine citrate tablets [DEC], they were subjected to daytime blood film by fresh finger-prick [stained by Giemsa and Wrights stains], and venous blood samples were taken for indirect immunofluorescent antibody test [IFAT, using non-human species of Setaria equina microfilaria], polymerase chain reaction [PCR] based method for detection of filarial parasite DNA and electrophoresis to detect associated DNA damage. Microfilaremic patients diagnosed by examination of blood films were 24/128 [18.75], by IFAT 33/128 [25.78%] and PCR reacted positively in 42/128 [32.8%] of cases. From the latter IFAT missed detection of 8 cases and blood films missed 18 cases. Analysis of study results revealed that PCR was the most sensitive test [95.5%] than IFAT [75%] and lastly the blood film [54.5%]. Significant variable degrees of DNA damage were associated with positive cases than negative ones. Moreover, there was a significant association between DNA damage and microfilaremia. Severe DNA damage was statistically significant in 71.4% of patients within the age group of 20-40 years indicating specific correlation of DNA damage and bancroftian filariasis. Detection of W bancrofti DNA by PCR improved diagnostic sensitivity of bancroftian filariasis because of its high capacity. The method can also be used as a rapid and reliable epidemiological tool for screening villages to locate endemic areas. DNA damage showed considerable relation to microfilaremia and to the patient's age as severe DNA damage was statistically significant in the infected age group of 20-40 years [71.4%]

relation between toxoplasmosis and pityriasis lichenoides chronica

The aim of this work was to find out if there is a relationship between toxoplasmosis and PLC. 22 patients [17 males and 5 females] diagnosed clinically and histopathologically as PLC were chosen for this study. Also, 20 apparently healthy individuals free from skin lesions were included as a control group. Patients and controls were examined clinically for signs of toxoplasmosis and submitted for indirect hemagglutination [IHA] and indirect immunofluorescent antibody [IFA] tests in the Parasitology Laboratory for serodiagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis was diagnosed in eight and three in PLC patients and controls, respectively, by both tests. Using pyrimethamine and trisulfapyrimidine in treating PLC patients showed subsidence of skin lesions in 5 patients with toxoplasmosis within 2 months from the beginning of therapy. The remaining patients showed no response to treatment. In conclusion, toxoplasmosis appears to play a role in the etiology of PLC and serological tests for diagnosing toxoplasmosis should be performed in all PLC patients

Treponemal reagin antibody in bilharzial patients

Venereal disease research laboratory test [VDRL] was carried out for 140 schistosomiasis patients in different stages of the disease and 20 normal individuals as control. Each group was classified according to the age [<15 years and >15 years] and sex. As bilharziasis is one of the most famous endemic diseases in Egypt, this study aimed to look for treponemal reagin in sera of bilharzial patients during the different clinical stages of the disease. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that treponemal reagin antibody is insignificantly found in schistosomiasis patients