Biological and biochemical studies on biomphalaria Alexandrina snails, treated with low concentration of certain molluscicides [synthetic and of plant origin]

The effect of low concentrations of different synthetic and natural mollusciciding agents may introduce to fresh water environment on reproduction and biochemical aspects of Biomphalana alexandrina was studied. Different mollusciciding agents [copper sulphate, ayluscide, Uccmaluscide, Agave filifera and A. attenuate] inhibited egg production, induced marked increased the percent of abnormal laid eggs and induced marked reduction in their hatchability. The maximal reductions in egg hatchability resulted with Bayluscide [0.0%] and Uccmaluscide [18%], A. filifera [21%] and A. attenuata [15%]. All the antimolluscal materials caused a successful killing effect against miracidia and cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. CuSo4, Bayluscide and Uccmaluscide killed 40% of the exposed miracidia and 50% of cercariae after an hour exposure. The plants sublethal concentration killed 100% of cercariae and miracidia after 6 hours oexposure. Water leaving behaviour among the exposed snails was noticed especially during the first three weeks, showing maximal percentage [60%] after one week of exposure to Bayluscide. A general decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] especially with Bayluscide [48.4%] and in acetylecholine esterase activity in the haemolymph especially on applying plant molluscicide A. filifera [50.8%] was noticed. Transaminases showed marked elevations in activities during the three weeks, then began to drop [ASAT: 6 1.5%, with Bayluscide and ALAT: 50.8% with Uccmaluscide]. The results reflect the effect of the metabolic disorders on life, egg laying, egg hatchability, hepatic cells damages, lack of smooth trans-mission at nerve junction, loss of muscular coordination and convulsions, then snails' death

Epidemiology of Schistosoma mansoni infection and its relationship to snail distribution in a village at the Nile Bank south to Cairo

The relationship between epidemiology of S.mansoni infection and snail distribution at a village, related to Guiza Governorate and lies south to Cairo, was investigated. A systematic random sample of houses was selected. All inhabitants of the houses were invited to share in the study. The Number examined was 704. Urine and stools were examined using Nucleopore filtration and standard Kato-Katz techniques, respectively. Snail collection was done from 35 sites along the water bodies related to the village. Snails collected were examined by cercariae shedding under light. Snail differentiation was done. The results showed that the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni human infection was 25.1% and GMEC was 2.4 +/- 5.5. Schistosoma haematobium infection was zero percent. Biomphlaria alexandrina snail infection rate was 3.7% with density equal 0.5 +/- 1.3. Bulinus truncatus snail infection rate was zero percent. The pattern of S. mansoni human infection was closely related to snail distribution and infection. Presence of a hybrid species of B.alexandrina and B.glabrata may explain the epidemiological pattern found in the studied village

Atherosclerotic changes in the carotid and femoral arteries in asymptomatic hemodialysis and predialysis patients

The present study was designed to evaluate the early atherosclerotic changes of large arteries in hemodialysis. Intima-media thickness [IMT] and atherosclerotic plaques of the carotid and femoral arteries were examined in three groups [30 hemodialysis patients, 30 predialysis patients and 20 healthy control subjects matched for age and sex] by high resolution B-mode ultrasound. The results have shown that IMT values of the carotid and femoral arteries in the hemodialysis patients were significantly higher than in the predialysis patients and were significantly higher in both patients groups than in healthy control subjects. Atherosclerotic plaques were found in the majority of hemodialysis patients [60%], 40% in predialysis patients vs. 13.3% in healthy controls. The present study has shown that the IMT of the carotid and femoral arteries is significantly increased in asymptomatic hemodialysis as well as in predialysis patients. Atherosclerotic and arteriosclerotic vessel wall changes are present in most chronic uremic patients before or after hemodialysis

Lipoprotein [A] in nephrotic syndrome

Lipoprotein [a] [Lp [a]] is an independent risk factor of early atherosclerosis with atherogenic and thrombogenic properties. Several studies have described a correlation between high plasma Lp [a] level and coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral atherosclerosis. We measured plasma Lp [a] concentration in 21 patients with primary untreated nephrotic syndrome. Lp [a] levels were determined by immunopreciptin analysis. Data were compared with a healthy control group matched for age and sex. Histological lesions were MCGN in 1 pateint, MPGN in 4 patients, membranoproliferative GN in 8 cases, memberanous GN in 4 cases, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 3 patients and crescntic GN in 1 patient. 57% of nephrotic patients had Lp [a] levels > 30 mg /dl compared to 20% in the control group. There was no significant difference in Lp [a] levels with respect to the underlying renal pathology, there was no significant correlation between Lp [a] and urinary protein excretion, renal functions, or with other lipid parameters including total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol. There was however a significant inverse correlation between Lp [a] and serum albumin [r = - 0. 464, p = 0.034]. Our findings suggest that decrease in serum albumin led to increased hepatic Lp [a] synthesis