Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in asymptomatic Egyptian blood donors

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 260 blood donors seen at blood banks, Mansoura University Hospital, Egypt. Blood donors were interviewed about sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors for T. gondii infection. A blood sample was taken to document the T. gondii antibody status by using ELISA. Overall, 155 [59.6%] of 260 blood donors were positive for anti-T gondii IgG antibodies. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between T. gondii positivity and eating processed meat as luncheon and/or shawerma [adjusted odds ratio [OR] 80.82 [95% CI 18.62-350.811, P <0.0001] or being non-educated [adjusted OR 32.25 [95% CI 7.46-139.44], P.<0.0001]. These findings highlight the prevalent T. gondii among blood donors and focused on the risk factors

Helobdella nilae and Alboglossiphonia conjugata leeches as biological agents for snails control

The efficacy of leeches, as biological agents, in control of snail intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis [Bulinus truncatus, Biomphalaria alexandrina] and fascioliasis [Lymnaea natalensis] as well as their effect on the non-target snails Physa acuta, Melanioides tuberculata and Cleopatra bulimoides was evaluated. Two glossiphoniid snail leeches, Helobdella nilae and Alboglossiphonia conjugata were used. They destroyed egg masses and young snails more rapidly than adult ones. H. nilae showed a stronger destructive effect than A. conjugata. In a descending order, it preferred L. natalensis followed by B. truncatus, B. alexandrina, Ph. acuta, M. tuberculata and lastly C. bulimoides. But, A. conjugata preferred L. natalensis followed by B. truncatus, Ph. acuta, M. tuberculata, B. alexandrina and lastly C. bulimoides. The detailed diagnostic morphology and biology of the two leeches were given

molluscicidal efficacy of three products against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Lymnaea natalensis

The toxicity of three local formulated products [Sol EC [mineral oil], Sisi-6 [surfactant] and castor bean oil EC [plant oil]] was tested against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Lymnaea natalensis in two water sources. The results indicated that in dechlorinated water after 24-hour exposure, castor bean oil was the most toxic product against the snails, followed by Sisi-6 and Sol [EC] with LC90 of 250 ppm and 8 ppm against B. alexandrina and L. natalensis, respectively. When Nile water was used after 6-hour exposure, a high concentration of castor bean oil [4 LC90] did not cause 100% mortality of the snails; it was achieved by 2 LC90 of Sisi-6 with Nile water. On the other hand, castor bean oil was more fatal to eggs of the snails [LC90 = 660 ppm] than the other two products. In general, L. natalensis was more susceptible to the experimental products than B. alexandrina

Soluble adhesion molecules versus lymphoblast transformation in diagnosis of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis

Twelve parasitologically proven ZCL patients [one with non-ulcerative lesion and eleven with multiple ulcerative lesions] were subjected to estimation of the levels of lymphoblast transformation [LTT] and soluble adhesion molecules [sICAM-1and sELAM-1 by ELISA]. The results proved high percentage of LTT in relation to number and clinical picture of the ZCL lesions. As to the soluble adhesion molecules, s ICAM-1 levels were significantly increased than in normal controls and correlated positively with the number of ulcerative lesions. s ELAM-1 levels were not significantly increased than the normal controls but correlated positively with the number of ulcerative lesions. Consequently, soluble adhesion molecules mainly s ICAM-1 is a good marker of endothelial damage in ZCL as related to number and clinical type of lesions

Evaluation of direct fluorescent monoclonal antibody test for detection of cryptosporidium in diarrhoeic patients

In a trial for evaluation of direct fluorescent monoclonal antibody test [Mab] in diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis, stool of 250 diarrhoeic patients, collected from 150 immunocompetent and 100 immunosuppressed children at different ages, were subjected for both modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain [MZN] and Mab. The obtained data showed that Mab was sensitive, easy and quick to perform in addition to its ability for detection of scanty infection. However, high cost and rapid fading of parasites are its main disadvantages. Although MZN showed less sensitivity to detect Cryptosporidium oocyst, it had the advantage of recognition of other protozoa e.g. G. lamblia. It is concluded that Mab proved to be more superior diagnostic technique, as it could be helpful for epidemiological screening for cryptosporidiosis