Filariasis elimination in Egypt: impact of low microfilaraemics as sources of infection for mosquitoes

The elimination strategy for lymphatic filariasis aims at reducing blood microfilaraemia to levels at which vector transmission cannot be sustained. We aimed to determine whether patients with pre-treatment low or ultra-low microfilaria [MF] counts could be a reservoir of infection after mass drug administration [MDA] with a combined regimen. Laboratory-reared mosquitoes were fed on 30 volunteers after 2 rounds of MDA. Microfilaria uptake, infectivity rates and number of Wuchereria bancrofti L3 per mosquito were assessed. One year after MDA-1, 6 subjects transmitted MF, but up to 9 months after MDA-2 transmission failed. Six months after MDA-2 > 90% had clear MF smears and either failed to transmit MF or transmitted MF that did not develop to L3. We conclude that the transmission cycle is seriously weakened after MDA-2

Ecological assessment of natural resources at Dabaa-Egypt using remote sensing techniques aerial photographs

North western coastal zone of Egypt provides a clear example of the impact of man's disruptive action in semi-arid regions. The main objective of the present study is to identify and to make an assessment of natural resources at Dabaa area [lanforms, land cover, land use patterns and soil types] using aerial photographs. A transect extending from north to south was selected at Dabaa [5 km width x 12 km length] to cover almost all variations in topography and vegetation composition. This study indicates that about 66% of the total area is under overgrazing and wood cutting while 32% is under cultivation practices. Also this study indicates that most of Dabaa soils have high potentiality for agricultural practices. The results obtained by the present study were compared with other investrgations and it was found that they confirmed those studies

phytosociolocial study and a preliminary assessment of land resemces at Mersa Gargub-Egypt

The western Mediterranean desert of Egypt, is one of the arid regions which has a long history of intensive land use. The study area encompasses a number of habitats, each of which shelters a fairly distinct vegetation. Vegetation was sampled in 30 stands representing the different habitats in the study area. The stands were classified by NT-SYS method. This analysis recognizes four groups. The dominant plants in each group varied, Ammophila arenaria-Pancratium maritimun in group I; Sprobolus virginicus - Aeluropus lagpoides in group II; Anabasis articulata-Anabasis oropedionun in group III and Lycium europaeum - Pinuranthos tortuostus, Hammada scoparia-salsola tetrandra in group IV. The different habitats are well separated on the three dimensional ordination plane. The analysis of panchromatic aerial photographs indicates that nearly 69% of the total area is under greazing on rangeland while 31.4% is under farming operations and orchard plantations

phytosociological study of gable hafeit at Al-Ein area tunited area [United Arab Emirates]

This study determines the variation in the phytosociological structure in a transect. It evaluates the interrelationships between the distributional behaviour of plant communities and local environmental factors. Vegetation was sampled in 60 stands representing the different habitats in the study area. The stands were classified by the TWINSPAN method. This analysis recognizes six groups. Group I is dominated by Cyperus conglomeratus, Group II by caletropis procera, Group III by Zygophyllum quatarenese, Group IV by Phyragmites australis, Group V by Moringa perigrina and Group VI by Terphrosia apollina. The Detrended correspondence Analysis [DECORANA] was applied to achieve a two-dimensional ordination of stands. Among the soil variables analysed in the present study, gravel%, Sand%, Organic matter and salinity are important in delimiting the vegetation groups

Reconstruction of the incus: Ceravital versus autologous incus

Chronic middle ear disease is common in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ossicular disruption is a sequel to long-standing chronic middle ear infection. In this series the surgical treatment is described of conductive hearing loss as a result of incus necrosis and dislocation. An autologous incus was used in 36 cases and the glass ceramic ossicular prosthesis Ceravital [manufactured by Xomed] was used in 68 cases. The functional results were compared. The hearing gain was better with the Ceravital than with the autologous incus. A success rate of 82% in this series fits well with the current world standard and none of these patients suffered total hearing loss