Levels of helminthic infections in the quails coturnix coturnix from kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The present study aims to clarify the difference of the intensity of parasitic infection between the domestic quails Coturnis coturnis and the migrant ones. A total of 60 domesticated and 60 migratory quails were investigated during the migration season September-November 2009 for intestinal parasites. Investigations revealed that both domestic and migrant quails were susceptible to infection with three helminth parasites; a nematode [Heterakis gallinaruni], and two cestodes [Choanotae-nia infundibulum and Hymenolepis sp.]. The prevalence of infection in the migratory males was higher than the female ones, the opposite results was obtained for the domestic birds. The differences in the prevalence were found to be statistically significant in case of the domestic birds. Single infection showed the highest prevalence followed by the double infection and finally the triple infection. The mean intensity of infection in the female domestic and migrant C. coturnix was higher than male

Study of kinetics of circulating schistosome antigens in tissues and sera of infected mice using anti-schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody

In the present study, the kinetics of uptake and deposition of Schistosoma mansoni antigens in liver, spleen, kidney and intestine of C57BL/6 mice infected with 100 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae as well as their levels in sera have been investigated during the course of infection [12 weeks]. The presence of antigen was demonstrated by indirect immunofluorescence using IgM anti-soluble egg antigen monoclonal antibody [anti-SEA MAb]. Immunofluorescence reactivity was evident in both renal and spleen tissues 3 weeks post-infection [p.i.], in Kupffer cells of liver 4 weeks p.i. and in intestinal mucosa [5 weeks p.i.]. Maximal immunofluorescence staining was reached during the patent phase [5-9 weeks p.i.]. During the chronic stage of infection [9-12 weeks pi.], diminution of immunofluorescent intensity was evident in liver tissue, while it remained constant in other studied organs. Circulating schistosome antigen [CSA] level in mice sera was determined using a sandwich ELISA with a MAb for both antigen capture and detecting antibody. CSA was demonstrated in mice sera [one week p.i.] reaching its peak at 6 weeks p.i. and remained at a detectable level until the end of the study [12th week p.i.]

Schistosoma mansoni: testis alterations induced by antischistosomal drug ro15-5458

Effects of the administration of curative and sub-curative doses of antischistosomal drug [Ro15-5458*] on the testis of Schistosoma mansoni were studied using electron microscopy. Worms were recovered from mice one and seven days after treatment. Testis alterations included disintegration of the non-germinal cells, detachment of the muscle fibers from the basal lamina, cellular shrinkage, disorganization of the germ cells, vacuolation within the testis and regression of spermatocytes. Degrees of lesion intensity were clearly depending on the period of recovery after treatment and on the dosage

Scanning eleectron micropical studies on cercaria and metacercariae of fasciola gigantica

The surface topography of Fasciola gigantica cercariae and metacercariae was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The head of F. gigantica cercaria is covered with several small knobs and its tail is provided with two lateral folds, fused ventrally, near the distal end of the tail. The oral sucker is smaller than the ventral one and possesses a characteristic surface structure. The outermost layer [layer I] of the outer cyst wall of the metacercaria is roughened with irregular furrows. The inner surface of the outer cyst wall [layer II] is more homogeneous and nearly smooth. The outermost layer of the inner cyst wall [layer III] is smooth and lacks any furrows or tubercles. The differences between F. gigantica and F. hepatica cercariae and metacercariae were discussed

Ultrastructural aspects of intramolluscan developing cercariae of echinostoma liei

The ultrastructure of the daughter redia of Echinostoma liei inside their host Biomphalaria alexandrina is described. The tegument consists of one layer, bearing numerous microvilli on its outer surface. Besides, the description of the ultrastructure of the developing cercariae within the daughter rediae is also included in the present study. The young cercariae are covered with a thin nucleated primitive temporary epithelium, which is lost when the true tegument is formed beneath it. The mechanism of spine formation was not apparent, but there is some indications that the spines are associated with a thickened part of the basal membrane of the tegument. Section through these cercariae showed that the tissues lying below the tegument are disposed in consecutive layers, suggestively representing developing muscle tissues

relation between infection of schistosoma mansoni and free amino acids and total proteins of biomphalaria alexandrina

The variation in the free amino acids and total proteins in the non- infected and infected Biomphalaria alexandrina with Schistosoma mansoni were studied. There were 17 amino acids in each of non- infected and infected snails. Most of the levels of the free amino acids and total proteins were lower in infected snails than non- infected ones. This may be due to retardation of protein metabolism developed after infection

Histological and histochemical studies on the digestive gland of bulinus truncatus infected with schistosoma haematobium

The structure of the uninfected and infected digestive gland of the freshwater snail, Bulinus truncatus, was studied histologically and histochemically. The digestive gland consists of two types of cells clearly differentiated from each other. The pathological effects of infection of the snail with cercariae of Schistosoma haematobium have resulted in considerable structural and histochemical alterations in the digestive gland. Generally, the main effects were reflected by increased cellular vacuolation and marked diminution of carbohydrates, proteins and lipids of the gland cells