ABSTRACT
A longitudinal study that included 6 surveys was done on 264 children attending a rural primary school in Gharbia Governorate, Egypt to study the transmission of the protozoan Giardia lamblia. The surveys were done every two months from September 2001 to July 2002. On each survey, three stool samples were collected from each participating child over one week period, and all three samples were pooled and examined using formol ether concentration technique. At the end of the study period, weight and height were recorded and anaemic status was estimated. Results revealed that G. lamblia prevalence ranged between 20.5% in May and 26.5% in November with no observed seasonality. By the end of the study period, 83.7% of the children had at least one positive G. lamblia stool examination. Loss and reinfection rates were 77% and 40.9%, respectively. The high susceptibility may be due to the ubiquity of the parasite in the environment and the antigenic variation of the organism that leads to evasion of the immune response. Transmission pathways appear to be person to person as indicated by repeated infection in 50% of children with bad personal hygiene, and in those having a high crowding index. Environmental role is indicated by higher detection times among those who used stored water for drinking. Neither anaemia nor under nutrition was associated with the infection. An integrated program should be implemented blending nutritional interventions and phytotherapeutic agents with health education to minimize symptomatology and clear the parasite, without significant side effects
ABSTRACT
Chemotherapy is the main tool for control of schistosomiasis. Although praziquantel has high degree of efficacy and minimal side effects, yet concern was raised over possible ' low-level resistance. This necessitates search for new safe and effective drugs. The present study was implemented to evaluate the efficacy of Mirazid [oleo-resin extract of Myrrh obtained from the stem of Commiphora molmol]. 1184 recruits were parasitologically screened using Kato-Katz technique and intensity of infection was classified into light, moderate, or heavy according to WHO Guidelines. Schistosoma mansoni infection was detected in 156 recruits I [13.2%], they were equally allocated to one of three therapy groups either mirazid [600 mg] for ' 3 consecutive days, mirazid [600 mg] for 6 consecutive days, or single dose of praziquantel 40 mg/kgbw. Cure was monitored 3 and 6 weeks post-treatment by parasitological stool examination using quantitative Kato-Katz [4 slides/stool sample] and formol detergent techniques. Cure rate was [55.6%] for 3-days Mirazid, [45.8%] for 6-days Mirazid, and [94.3%] for praziquantel when assessed 6 weeks post-treatment. Results showed that cure rates decreased with increasing pre-treatment egg counts for the 3 studied treatment groups. For the uncured subjects, the percent reduction in geometric mean egg count observed 6 weeks post-treatment was [-6%] for those who received 3-days Mirazid, [39.1%] for those who received 6-days Mirazid, and [97.2%] for those who received praziquantel. Based on the findings of this study, although Mirazid is a well tolerated herbal drug with minimal side effects, yet if compared with praziquantel as an anti-schistosomal drug, it has a lower cure rate and is given in multiple doses with a compliance problem
ABSTRACT
A national survey of adolescents aged 10 to 19 years was conducted in Egypt, in 1997. This study describes results of stool and urine analysis for the presence of parasites and their association with anemia. 1,953 adolescents submitted either urine or stool sample and 1,904 provided a blood sample. 45.2% harboured a parasite and protozoa showed higher proportions than helminths, with Giardia lamblia [24.2%] as the most common parasitic protozoan. Area of residence was a significant predictor for infection where adolescents from Lower and Upper Egypt showed higher rates than those from urban governorates. Anemia was significantly associated with Schistosoma haematobium, Ascaris lumbricoides and with multiple parasites. Results suggest a need for implementing a national control program