comparative efficacy study of praziquantel and albendazole treatment in experimental schistosomiasis

The currently used drug for chemotherapeutic control of schistosomiasis is praziquantel [PZQ]. Albendazole is a broad spectrum antiparasitic drug that showed trematocidal activity. The present study aimed at testing the effect of albendazole on experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infection using PZQ as therapeutic control. Swiss strain albino mice were infected with Schistosoma mansoni [S. mansoni] cercariae. Drugs were given orally on the 45[th] day post infection [PI] for 2 successive days. Mice were sacrificed on the 47[th] day PI and subjected to parasitological and scanning electron microscopic [SEM] studies. Albendazole caused a significant reduction in worm load and those recovered were shorter as measured by the camera lucida. By SEM, perfused S. mansoni albendazole treated worms showed surface tegumental changes. Albendazole is a promising drug for treatment of schistosomiasis

effect of potassium permanganate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate on metacercariae of fasciola gigantica

Batches of encysted metacercariae of F. Gigantica adhered to transparent polyethylene sheets were treated with KMnO4, while others were treated with NaDCC at specific concentrations and exposure times. An assessment of their effects was carried out by the detached percentage and viable metacercariae and scanning electron microscope [SEM] ultrastructural changes. In addition, their effects on the leaves of green vegetables were reported. The results showed that all metacercariae were detached and died due to their exposure to KMnO4 [96%] and NaDCC [100%] were detached from the polyethylene sheets. SEM showed that the deformities in the metacercariae soaked in NaDCC were more severe than those dipped in KMnO4. However, neither KMnO4 nor NaDCC affected the consistency, color taste or flavor of the vegetable leaves. The two disinfectants, particularly NaDCC, proved to be safe, effective against the encysted metacercariae with no side effects

Further studies an antoclaved cercarial vaccine against Schistosomasis: Safety, longevity and stability

This study was performed to adjust the dose and to assess vaccine safety, longevity and stability as well as the possibility of transplacental transmission of immune response from pregnant mice to their offspring. The results showed that two doses of the lowest most effective concentration of autoclaved cercarial vaccine [ACV] that achieved the high percentage reduction of worm burden were safe as demonstrated by the absence of any local or systemic side effects, normal blood picture and normal liver and kidney function tests. ACV is stable when kept either at 4C for 6 months or at-35C for up to 12 months and it offers a considerable duration of longevity. The offspring of vaccinated mothers did not show any signs of protection against challenge infection

Coagglutination [Co- A]: a rapid test for the diagnosis of expenimental Trichinellosis

This work aimed to evaluate Co-A test as a new diagnostic tool in the detection of T. Spiralis antigens in both sera and urine of experimentally infected mice as compared with ELISA for the diagnosis of trichinellosis. The results obtained by Co-A test were closely correlated with those of ELISA. The results showed that both tests were capable to detect T. spiralis antigen in the urine of lightly-and heavily-infected mice only at the 30th day post infection. So, Co-A is an accurate, easy and rapid test that can be used on large scales for the diagnosis of trichinellosis

Vaccination against congenital toxoplasmosis

Different types of Toxoplasma gondii vaccines were evaluated using parasitological and histopathological means to induce immunity in Swiss pregnant mice and their pups against the challenge with virulent RH strain. Immunization was performed before mating by using live cyst vaccines [LCV], LCV-IL-2 combination, irradiated cyst vaccine [ICV] and ICV-IL-2 combination. It was demonstrated that pre- immunization with the current vaccines offered a significant protection of both dams and pups. The highest level of protection was noticed in mice received LCV-IL2, followed by ICV-IL-2, then LCV and the least protection was elicited in dams immunized with ICV alone. The results revealed the possibility of applying such accines, not only in mice but also in other mammalian hosts including humans

Bacterial-parasite interaction between salmonella and each of fasciola gigantica and trichinella spiralis

The possibility of bacterial-parasite interaction between Salmonella typhimurium and the surface of each of Fasciola gigantica metacercariae and Trichinella spiralis larvae was investigated in vitro. Two studies were carried out. In the first, S. Typhimurium were incubated in vitro with the metacercariae of F. Gigantica. In the second, S. typhimurium was incubated with larvae of T. Spiralis. The interactions of S. typhimurium with each of F. Gigantica metacercariae and T. spiralis larvae were studied by scanning electron microscope [SEM]. In the first study, numerous bacilli were found adhered to the metacercariae surface. In the second study, no S. typhimurium was observed on the wall of T. Spiralis larvae. The results indicated that only F. Gigantica metacercariae act as a carrier for S. typhimurium with the possibility of occurrence of mixed infections with both organisms. So, both fascioliasis and salmonellosis must be treated concomitantly

Detection of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat juice: experimental and surveillance studies

Public health and economic impact of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat is considerable in terms of morbidity and even mortality in humans. Up to date, there is no suitable method for diagnosis of both diseases in meat of slaughtered animals. The present study evaluated the meat juice as a sample from experimentally infected mice with Toxoplasma gondii [T.gondii] or Salmonella typhimurium [S.typhimurium] for detection of anti-toxoplosma or anti-salmonella antibodies by an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique. The results of the current study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences when comparing results of muscle juice ELISA to those obtained from serum samples of mice with strong correlation between the two samples. This indicated that, meat juice is as efficient as blood in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis. Moreover, the superiority of meat juice lies in its ability for diagnosis when blood is not obtainable. The use of this sample was applied in surveillance study which was done on randomly collected beef and chicken meat. The antibodies against T.gondii and S. typhimurium were detected in 31%, 22% and 14%, 7% respectively. This justifies the importance of meat juice to be used in the future large scale meat screening programs

novel macrolide in mixed protozoal infection in immunosuppressed mice

As the number of immunocompromized patients is increasing, there will be an increasing need for a reliable therapy efficacious against the opportunistic intestinal protozoa. The present work aimed to study the efficacy of azithromycin as a single weapon directed against mixed intestinal protozoal infection induced in immunosuppressed mice. In the infected treated group of mice, there was a marked amelioration of the pathological changes provoked by the four parasites Cryptosporidia, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica. As long as the mice were receiving azithromycin, there was a significant reduction of all parasitic stages with the complete absence of spore forming protozoa. One week after the drug was stopped Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica stages were progressively reduced but oocysts of cryptosporidia and spores of Entercytozoon bieneusi reappeared in situ. Azithromycin therapy should be continued as long as the individual is immunosuppressed