study on the effect of Myrtus communis and Olibanum on Giardia lamblia infection in Egypt

Giardia lamblia is one of the most common protozoal infections in humans. Although metronidazole [MTZ] is the drug of choice for treatment of giardiasis, yet its chemical composition poses major threats. The search for new alternative therapeutic approaches for this parasitic disease in replacement of MTZ. The effect of Myrtus Communis [MC; called Aas plant in Arabic] and Olibanum [OL; called Leban in Arabic] on G. lamblia were studied. Extracts of MC [methyl alcohol, petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts] amid ethanol extract of OL were used. In vitro culture of G. lamblia trophozoites on TYI-S-33 medium was done, followed by inoculation of the plants' extracts in three different concentrations. This was evaluated by trophiozoite multiplication, adherence assay and electron microscopic study. The in viva effect was evaluated by histopathological study of the duodenum of experimentally infected mice after treatment by each herb. All plant extracts affected G. lamblia trophozoites in a manner dependent on concentration and time of exposure. In low concentration, both herbs significantly decreased the in vitro adherence of tropliozoites when compared to infection control group, while there was no statistical difference when compared to MTZ control group. Extensive ultrastructural changes of Giardia trophozoites were evident after 48 hours exposure to each medical herb. Histopathological examination of duodenum of G. lamblia infected mice showed epithelial microvillus abnormalities, which improved after administration of MC and OL extracts. Results confirm the antiparasitic effect of MC and OL on G. lamblia as an alternative to MTZ, to overcome its resistance and hazards

Detection of genetic variabiltiy in non - human isolates of fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica by the RAPD - PCR Technique

The present study showed the molecular characterization of Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica isolates collected from cows and sheep, using the random amplified polymorphic DNA fragments-polymerase chain reaction [RAPDs-PCR] technique. Optimal standardization of amplification conditions and thermocyclation were made, using genetic markers. The methodology used compared the genetic patterns of the two species [interspecies] and inside each species [intra-species] between cow and sheep and the amplification fragments were between 135 and 741 base pairs of marker. The results showed genetic variations [polymorphisms] of Fasciola gigantica and F. hepatica with amplification fragment based on a 500-400 base pair [bp]. Inside each species, there were genetic variations in bovine and ovine and the amplification fragments were between 600 and 400 base pairs [bp]

Molecular identification of coproantigens of Cryptosporidium parvum compared to conventional staining techniques

To compare the immunologic techniques with the conventional staining methods [mainly modified Ziehl-Neelsen, MZN], 93 children [65 immunocompromised and 28 immunocompetent] potentially at risk of Cryptosporidium parvum were studied. Using MZN, a prevalence of 10.7% in diarrheic children was found. ELISA coproantigen and detection of 23 kDa band of immunoblotting by serum IgG were sensitive and specific. They gave 85.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 100% diagnostic accuracy, 100% positive predictive value and 98.9% negative predictive value. ELISA detection of serum IgG gave 85.7% sensitivity, 97.7% specificity, 96.8% diagnostic accuracy, 75% positive predictive value and 98.9% negative predictive value. So, it was concluded that 23 kDa band determined by ELISA is a valuable sensitive and specific mean of diagnosing cryptosporidiosis, as this antigen is a consistent target of the humoral immune response

in-vitro effect of Assafoetida on Trichomonos vaginalis

Asafetida is an oleo-gum resin obtained from the roots and stems of many Ferula species. In this work, the effect of asafetida on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro was studied and compared with metronidazole as a reference drug. It showed that asafetida had a potent antiparasitic effect on T. vaginalis compared with metronidazole. Thus, a further investigation to study its applicability in the treatment of parasitic infections is needed

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in children with malignancy

The study aimed at the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in 73 children with malignancy; 31 with lymphoma [22 with Hodgkin's and 9 with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma] and 42 with leukemia [34 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 8 with acute myelogenic leukemia]. In positive cases, toxoplasmosis was manifested by any of the following; fever, lymph node enlargement, neurological manifestations and/or hepatosplenomegaly. The indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] for toxoplasmosis detected four [5.4%] positive cases with malignancy [two with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. The immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [IgM ELISA] detected only one [1.4%] case with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunoglobulin G [IgG] ELISA detected six [8.2%] positive cases [three with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. Polymerase chain reaction for detection of parasite DNA in blood [PCR] was the most useful in diagnosing toxoplasmosis with malignancy, as it was able to detect nine [12.3%] positive cases [five [6.8%] with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one [1.4%] with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and three [4.1%] with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. No positive toxoplasmosis cases were detected with acute myelogenic leukemia by any of the above methods

enzyme-linked immunoelectrotrotransfer blot assay for diagnosis of human cystic echinococcosis

An enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot [EITB] test was assessed for diagnosis of 47 pulmonary cystic echinococcosis [CE]. Diagnosis of these cases was established on clinical examination, X-ray, sonography and indirect hemagglutination [IHA] test, which was negative in 4 cases [sensitivity 91.5%]. Sera from patients with other parasitic infections, carcinomas or normal sera were used as controls. Human and camel hydatid cyst fluids were used as antigens after separation and characterization of their antigenic components using 12.5% SDS-PAGE under reducing conditions. Six molecular weight antigens with molecular masses approximately 7, 20, 28, 35 and 127 kDa were of diagnostic importance. They were strongly recognized by sera of all CE patients, specially with camel hydatid cyst fluid [HCF], giving a 100% sensitivity to the EITB test. Sera of patients with other parasitic infections as well as carcinomas and normal control sera could not recognize any of the above antigens, therefore were negative for the test, resulting in 100% specificity of the EITB test. These data supported the concept that EITB using camel hydatid fluid is a good diagnostic test for cystic echinococcosis

Assignment of the crystal toxin genes of the mosquitocidal bacterium, bacillus thuringiensis israelensis to a specific plasmid

Bacillus thuringiensis 4Q1-WT and the prepared mutants, 4Q1-72 and 4Q1-81, were bioassayed against Aedes caspius larvae. The strain-4Q1-WT, which contains all plasmid arrays and the strain 4Q1-72 which contains the 108 kb plasmid gave 100% mortality, while stain 4Q1-81, which contains no plasmids, gave 0% mortality. Crystals from all tested strains were isolated, solubilized and characterized using PAGE to detect any homology or difference in crystal production, properties, and the relatedness to the plasmid profile