Immunopathological Changes in the Brain of Immunosuppressed Mice Experimentally Infected with Toxocara canis

Toxocariasis is a soil-transmitted helminthozoonosis due to infection of humans by larvae of Toxocara canis. The disease could produce cognitive and behavioral disturbances especially in children. Meanwhile, in our modern era, the incidence of immunosuppression has been progressively increasing due to increased incidence of malignancy as well as increased use of immunosuppressive agents. The present study aimed at comparing some of the pathological and immunological alterations in the brain of normal and immunosuppressed mice experimentally infected with T. canis. Therefore, 180 Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups including normal (control) group, immunocompetent T. canis-infected group, immunosuppressed group (control), and immunosuppressed infected group. Infected mice were subjected to larval counts in the brain, and the brains from all mice were assessed for histopathological changes, astrogliosis, and IL-5 mRNA expression levels in brain tissues. The results showed that under immunosuppression, there were significant increase in brain larval counts, significant enhancement of reactive gliosis, and significant reduction in IL-5 mRNA expression. All these changes were maximal in the chronic stage of infection. In conclusion, the immunopathological alterations in the brains of infected animals were progressive over time, and were exaggerated under the effect of immunosuppression as did the intensity of cerebral infection.

Immunopathological Changes in the Brain of Immunosuppressed Mice Experimentally Infected with Toxocara canis

Toxocariasis is a soil-transmitted helminthozoonosis due to infection of humans by larvae of Toxocara canis. The disease could produce cognitive and behavioral disturbances especially in children. Meanwhile, in our modern era, the incidence of immunosuppression has been progressively increasing due to increased incidence of malignancy as well as increased use of immunosuppressive agents. The present study aimed at comparing some of the pathological and immunological alterations in the brain of normal and immunosuppressed mice experimentally infected with T. canis. Therefore, 180 Swiss albino mice were divided into 4 groups including normal (control) group, immunocompetent T. canis-infected group, immunosuppressed group (control), and immunosuppressed infected group. Infected mice were subjected to larval counts in the brain, and the brains from all mice were assessed for histopathological changes, astrogliosis, and IL-5 mRNA expression levels in brain tissues. The results showed that under immunosuppression, there were significant increase in brain larval counts, significant enhancement of reactive gliosis, and significant reduction in IL-5 mRNA expression. All these changes were maximal in the chronic stage of infection. In conclusion, the immunopathological alterations in the brains of infected animals were progressive over time, and were exaggerated under the effect of immunosuppression as did the intensity of cerebral infection.

Helminth parasitic infections of the central nervous system: a diagnostic approach

Helminth parasitic infections of the central nervous system [CNS] occur worldwide with high prevalence in tropical and subtropical countries. Clinical evaluation of patients is mandatory, and it is convenient to group the clinical manifestations into syndromes: for example space-occupying lesions, meningitis, and encephalitis. The history should focus on residence or travel to endemic areas, diet, activities, inter-current medical conditions, and associated clinical clues. Direct parasitological diagnosis can be reached by cerebrospinal fluid and cerebral tissue examination either by microscopy, culture, or immunological techniques. Immunodiagnosis by detection of parasite antibodies or antigens in serum could provide indirect evidence of parasitic infections. In addition, various imaging and radiological techniques e.g., computed tomography [CT] scan and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] complement the diagnostic work-up of CNS diseases. Finally, the helminthic CNS infections of global impact, such as schistosomiasis, neurotoxocariasis, Strongyloides infection, neurotrichinosis, neurocysticercosis, and echinococcosis will be briefly discussed as regards the principal clinical and diagnostic features

preliminary study on the prevalence of parasitic Infections in immunocompromised children

Parasitic infections might become life threatening in immuno-compromised children' The study assessed the parasites' prevalence in different groups of Immuno-compromised children. It was conducted on 120 children of whom 90 were inpatients in Tanta University Pediatric Hospital and were divided into 6 groups. GI: malignant diseases, GII: renal diseases, GIII: aggressive corticosteroid therapy, GIV: malnourished, GV: diabetic and GVI: miscellaneous. GVII comprised healthy children as control. Each child was subjected to history taking, clinical examination and examination of 3 stool samples by direct wet smear and a concentration technique. Coproculture and smear staining by a special stain, as well as examination of one blood sample for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies were done. The diagnostic efficacy of an immuno-chromatographic test for Giardial Cryptosporidiurn coproantigen was also assessed. The results revealed parasitic infections in 62.2% of the children in the test groups. Cryptosporidium was the most prevalent [33.3%]. Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia were significantly prevalent in GI, Giardia was significantly high in GII, and Strongyloides stercoralis was detected in GIII. Coproantigen detection test showed 100% sensitivity, 87.5% specificity and 95% accuracy for Giardia; and 13.3%, l00%, 35% for Cryptosporidium respectively

Seroprevalence study of Toxocara canis in selected Egyptian patients

This study was conducted in order to reveal the seroprevalence of T. canis infection in selected 150 Egyptian patients with presumptive clinical syndromes. They were children [128] with respiratory symptoms or pyrexia of unknown origin [PUO] and adults [22] with PUO. Anti-Toxocara antibodies [IgG] were detected in sera by ELISA. The results showed 6.2% positivity in children. The frequency increased in male gender, those in rural residence and in 6-12 years group versus 1-6 years, and 4% and 13.3% positivity in those with respiratory symptoms and PUO respectively. Adults positivity was 18%. So, male gender and residence in rural regions could be considered as risk factors for transmission of toxocariasis in children

Critical illness in obstetric patients requiring ICU admission: analysis of disease spectrum, interventions and clinical outcome

Critically ill obstetric patients represent an interesting group with unique characteristics, whose management is challenged by the presence of a fetus, an altered maternal physiology, and diseases specific to pregnancy. To review a series of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to our medical-surgical intensive care unit [ICU] to assess the spectrum of disease, required interventions, and maternal mortality, and to identify conditions associated with maternal death. This retrospectively designed cohort study comprised 365 patients [age, 26 +/- 8 years; mean gesta-tional age, 29 +/- 9 weeks] [mean +/- SD], constituting 2.8% of 13,000 ICU admissions. APACHE II score was 13 +/- 7, with 23% predicted mortality; SOFA score was 5 +/- 3; and TISS score at 24 h was 25 +/- 9. Forty-one percent of patients required mechanical ventilation. ARDS, shock, and organ dysfunction were present in 18.6%, 27%, and 49% of patients, respectively. Most patients [63%] were admitted postpartum, and 75% of admissions were of obstetric cause. Hypertensive disease [40%], major hemorrhage [17%], septic abortion [13.7%], and non-obstetric sepsis [13.2%] were the principal diagnoses. Maternal mortality was 11.5%, with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome [43%] and intracranial hemorrhage [38%] as main causes. There were no differences in death rate in patients admitted for obstetric and non-obstetric causes. Only 32% of patients received antenatal care, which was more frequent in survivors [33% Vs 6% non-survivors, p=0.014]. Although ARDS, organ failures, shock, and use of MV were extremely frequent in this population, maternal mortality remains within an acceptable range. APACHE II overpredicted mortality in these patients. Septic abortion is still an important modifiable cause of mortality. Efforts should concentrate in increasing antenatal care, which was clearly underprovided in these patients

Experimental schistosomal hepatitis: protective effect of coenzyme-Q10 against the state of oxidative stress

Schistosoma mansoni [S. mansoni] eggs trapped in the host liver elicit a chain of oxidative processes, where they not only trigger the production of reactive oxygen species, but also lead to alteration of the host antioxidant defense mechanisms. Such events may be, at least in part, responsible for the pathology and progression of fibrosis associated with schistosomal hepatitis. This study was designed to fulfill two aims; assessment of protective effect of the antioxidant Coenzyme-Q10 [Co-Q10] against the state of S. mansoni-induced oxidative stress in the liver, and evaluation of the potential role of Co-Q10 as an adjuvant to praziquantel [PZQ]. S. mansoni infected mice were divided into four main groups; group I: control non-treated group. Group II: received Co-Q10 after infection and was sacrificed 8 and 12 weeks post infection. Croup III: treated by single oral dose of PZQ 8 weeks post infection. Group IV: treated by single oral dose of PZQ 8 weeks post infection then was given Co-Q10 for four weeks. The oxidative stress and overall liver function were improved under Co-Q10 therapy as evidenced by significant reduction in oxidative stress markers, and preservation of antioxidant factors. Liver fibrosis was also reduced with a positive impact on liver function. Moreover, addition of Co-Q10 to PZQ therapy caused; significant reduction of liver egg load, significant improvement of the redox status, and lastly decreased liver fibrosis. From this study we concluded that Co-Q10: 1] ameliorated the oxidative stress status, 2] reduced the degree of liver fibrosis, and 3] enhanced the efficacy of classical therapy in experimental S. mansoni-induced hepatitis