Transplacental transfer of schistosomal antigens and antibodies

Circulating S. mansoni soluble antigens [CSA] and antibodies [CAB] were investigated in sera of 32 S. mansoni-infected pregnant mothers, their 32 newborns and 26 nonpregnant infected women. CSA levels in pregnant mothers and their newborns were significantly higher than in the 3rd group. Also, a significant positive correlation was detected between the CSA levels in sera from infected mothers and the cord blood of their newborns proving the transplacental transfer of these antigens. On the other hand, CAB levels were significantly higher in the 3rd group than in the mothers and their newborns and this could be explained by the immune complexes formation. No schistosome eggs or worms were detected in placentas and the possibility of congenital schistosomiasis was eliminated

Dot-ELISA as a diagnostic test in hydatid disease

Detection of circulating echinococcal antigens and antibodies were tried in 18 patients with hydatid disease and 32 healthy blood donors as controls using dot-ELISA. Hydatid cyst fluid antigen and anti- echinococcal hyperimmune rabbit sera were used for the detection of antibodies and antigens, respectively. The results proved that this test is sensitive [88.9%], specific [96.9%] and rapid for detecting echinococcal antibodies. On the other hand, circulating antigens could be detected with 55.6% sensitivity. This low sensitivity was attributed to the small amounts of circulating antigens and/or immune complexes formation

Detection of antitrichomonal antibodies in sera and cervical secretion in trichomoniasis

The AT, IFAT and ELISA were used to detect circulating and cervical antitrichomonal antibodies, using living and dead whole parasite or soluble protein extract as antigens respectively, in 93 women with proven trichomoniasis and 25 healthy women as controls. The results revealed that the IFA test is the most sensitive one for detecting serum [92.5%] and cervical [87.1%] antibodies. Circulating IgM rather than IgG appeared to be the antibody class involved in infected women, while cervical secretions showed a significant high concentrations of IgA, IgG and IgM. On the other hand, no IgE was detected neither in sera nor in secretions. The detection of antitrichomonal antibodies in controls, with no demonstrable trichomonal infection, may be accounted for previous infection

Length and hatchability of schistosoma mansoni eggs

Mature Schistosoma mansoni eggs, purely isolated from the intestines of infected mice, were allowed to hatch and classified microscopically according to their lengths. The hatching percentage and the type of shell rupture were studied. An inverse relationship between the length and hatchability of eggs was proved. Smaller eggs have a high hatchability percentage, while eggs larger than 160 um in length failed to hatch. The predominance of oblique type of tear in the shells after rupture suggests a longitudinal arrangement of egg shell chemical constituents

Immunodiffusion, immunofluorescence and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay in the serodiagnosis of giardiasis

Circulating anti-Giardia lamblia antibodies have been estimated in the sera of 48 patients of parasitologically proven G. lamblia infection using the immunodiffusion [I.D.] indirect fluorescent antibody [I.F.A.] and enzyme-liked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] tests. The results showed that ELISA technique was the most simple sensitive [95.8%] and specific [100%] test. These advantages make it more applicable in seroepidemiology of giardiasis

Ultrastructural studies of the surface of hymenolepis nana by scanning and transmission electron microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy of the surface of Hymenolepis nana indicated that dense populations of microtriches occur on scolex proper, suckers and strobila, with an average density of 20/um[2]. The excellent preservation of microtriches proves the efficacy of the critical point drying method for preparing cestodes for study of SEM. The cytological structure of the tegument of H. nana corresponds general to that of other tapeworms

Immunodiagnosis of bancroftian filariasis

The indirect fluorescent antibody test, the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the indirect haemugglutination test were evaluated in immunodiagnosis of bancroftian filariasis using W. bancrofti microfilarial antigens. The tests gave a higher positive reactions with microfilaraemic, clinical filarial and endemic normal sera respectively. Nonspecific cross-reactions were common in the three tests, so immunodiagnosis should be preceded by stool examination. IFAT gave the highest sensitivity and specificity, while IHAT was the least one. ELISA is simple, sensitive and can be used in seroepidemiological studies

Virulence of giardia lamblia isolates to laboratory mice

Laboratory breed albino mice free of G. muris infection were inoculated with G. lamblia cysts isolated from the stools of patients with different clinical manifestations, symptomatic diarrhoeic, symptomatic non-diarrhoeic and asymptomatic cyst carriers. The virulence of various isolates was assessed by cyst excretion rate in the stools, trophozoite counts in the duodena and histopathological lesions of jejunal mucosa. A marked variation in the virulence of cysts obtained from the 3 groups of patients was proved

Detection of giardia lamblia copro-antigens by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and counterimmunoelectrophoresis

The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and counter immunoclectrophoresis [CIEP] were used to detect G. Lamblia Copro antigens. Rabbit antisera raised against Giardia trophozoites and cysts were used as anti-Giardic antibodies. The overall sensitivity of the ELISA was 96.15% and its specificity was 93.48% in contrast to 69.23% and 82.61% for the CIEP

course of giardia muris infection in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mice

No significant sex-related difference was observed in immunocompetent mice. Sexually mature mice of both sexes excreted large numbers of Giardia cysts over a longer period than did immature ones. Cyclosporin A has compromised the immunological response of the primary Giardia infection. However, it does not affect the ability of the immune host to resist challenge infection. The use of this drug may cause fulmination of giardiasis

mechanism of acquired immunity in experimental giardiasis

Giardia-spontaneously cured mice were rendered resistant to challenge infection. This was documented by the decreased cyst excretion rate comparable to the control ones. Endoxan and irradiation treatment caused a breakdown in both humoral and cellular immunity. Immune-depressed mice were more susceptible to Giardia infection, thus proving the active role of antibodies and cell-mediated immune response in giardiasis

Immunogenetic susceptibility in Egyptian with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

HLA-antigen typing and the pattern of total T-lymphocytes, T-helper cells, T-suppressor cells and helper/suppressor ratio were studied in 36 patients with isolated post-schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, 49 patients with simple chronic intestinal schistosomiasis and 30 normal controls. The monoclonal antibodies were used to identify the pattern of T-cells and its subset. The results revealed that patients with post-schistosomal hepatic fibrosis were associated with high frequency of HLA-A2, -B12 and -DR3 antigens. On the other hand, patients with simple intestinal schistosomiasis were positively associated with HLA- DR2 and low helper/suppressor ratio due to increased suppressor proportion. It seems that DR2 has a protective role against the development of schistosomal complications, while DR3 exaggerates granuloma formation with hepatic fibrosis. A strong association was observed between the high immune response and the development of hepatic fibrosis

Cheatotaxic characters of an Egyptian strain of schistosoma mansoni cercariae

The pattern of argentophilic sensory papillae of an Egyptian human strain of Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was studied by light microscopy and their cheatotaxic characters were described

Duodenal immunoglobulins and cell-mediated immune response in human strongyloidiasis

Duodenal secretory immunoglobulins and cell-mediated immune response were estimated in 38 patients with acute and chronic strongyloidiasis. The results revealed marked immune response as manifested by increased level of duodenal secretory immunoglobulins and decreased percentage of macrophage migration inhibition factor especially in acute cases. An inverse relationship was proved between the intensity of infection and both duodenal immunoglobulins and cell-mediated immune response

Seroepidemiologic observations on human toxoplasmosis in Dakahlia Governorate

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies as detected by I.H.A. and I.F.A. tests were studied among 162 inhabitants from the Dakahlia Governorate. The results revealed that I.F.A.T. was highly sensitive than I.H.A.T. with 91.7% agreement between the two methods. A higher prevalence of Toxoplasma antibodies was correlated with age, some occupations, residence in older houses, contact with cats and other animals, blood grouping and infection with soil-transmitted parasite. On the other hand, no significant association was proved between toxoplasmosis and sex, marital status and urbanization