Evaluation of earth Tec R as a molluscicide against biomphalania Alexandria under laboratory conditions

Earth Tec [R] is an environmentally responsible copper sulfate product manufactured and marketed as an algaecide/bactericide with an active ingredient form of copper ion [Cu[++]]. Studies were carried out, under laboratory conditions to evaluate the molluscicidal activity of Earth Tec [R] on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, the intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni. Earth Tec [R] was used in varying concentrations against young and adult snails, both non-infected and infected. Three modes of exposure to the molluscicide were used: single, double and continuous. In the single exposure, lethal concentration [90][LC[90]] of Earth Tec[R]was found to be 0.45, 0.55, 0.32 and 0.4 ppm for non infected young and adult, infected young and adult snails respectively. The double exposure LCD [90] of Earth Tec[R]was found to be 0.35. 0.33, 0.26 and 0.3 ppm for non infected young and adult, infected young and adult snails respectively. The continuous exposure LC[90] of Earth Tec[R]was found to be 0.4, 0.29, 0.38 and 0.28 ppm for non infected young and adult, infected young and adult snails respectively. It was also tried against egg masses from both-non infected and infected snails in the same concentrations used against the snails. The continuous exposure inhibitory concentration [LC[90]] for egg masses was 2 and 1.1 ppm for eggs of non infected and infected snails respectively. It can be concluded that Earth Tec[R] has promising molluscicidal properties

Evaluation of cercarien hullen reaction [CHR] as a diagnostic test in chronic schistosomiasis and as a parameter for reinfection in acute cases

CHR was evaluated as a serodiagnostic test in relation to stool analysis, rectal snip and indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] in 25 cases with chronic active mansonian schistosomiasis. Sensitivities of CHR, IHA, rectal snip and stool analysis, respectively, proved to be 68%, 48%, 84%, and 52%. Rectal snip showed higher diagnostic efficacy 90% followed by CHR [77.5%], while IHA showed 67.5% diagnostic efficacy. To study CHR as parameter for pattern of reaction after treatment, 120 school children with acute mansonian schistosomiasis were examined. CHR was done before and one month after treatment. These children were followed up for one year by stool examination. Results of CHR test after treatment showed that the children who were not reinfected gave the highest degree of reaction, while those of high reinfection showed decrease in reaction. This denotes that anticercarial antibodies may play a role in resistance to reinfection and CHR test could be used as parameter for reinfection in such cases

Comparative study of three tests [indirect hemagglutination, direct agglutination, and indirect immunofluorescence] for detection of antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women

Sera of 600 asymptomatic pregnant women were tested by IHAT for toxoplasma antibodies. The positive reactors were further tested by IFAT and direct agglutination test [DAT]. The prevalence of toxoplasma antibodies was found to be 27.3% by IHAT, and 58.5% of those found positive were also positive by IFAT, while only 51.8% of them were positive by DAT with 71.34% degree agreement between both tests. So, IFAT was found to be more sensitive than DAT in reference to IHAT and is recommended as a confirmatory test for those found positive on screening by IHAT, DAT, compared to IFAT, gave 69.7% sensitivity and 73.5% specificity. Results support previous findings that IHAT, IFAT, and DAT measure different antibodies of Toxoplasma gondii

Comparative evaluation of antigens used in immunofluorescence [IFAT] antibody test for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis

The diagnostic value of antigens used in the IFAT for serodiagnosis of schistosomiasis has been evaluated. Cryosections of Schistosoma mansoni adults, formaline fixed cercariae and cryosections of infected liver, from gold hamster, which contained granuloma were used as antigens in this evaluation. The cryosections of adult worm were more reliable and more specific as an antigen for immunofluorescence [diagnostic efficacy was 95.52%]. The cercarial antigens gave the same results as the cryosection of adults. The IFAT using cryosection of infected liver contains granuloma was less reliable due to autofluorescence of eggs in the granuloma with negative sera [diagnostic efficacy was 49.01]

Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Abha, Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Abha, Saudi Arabia, was measured in pregnant women, by the indirect hemagglutination test, It was found to be still as high [31.6%] as reported previously, and the problem of toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabia needs an organised health education and control program

Parasitic infections and haemoglobin level among school children of different socioeconomic classes in Abha, Saudi Arabia

A total of 717 school children from Abha region, from upper, middle and lower social classes [182, 405 and 130 respectively], were examined for parasitic infections and haemoglobin level. Giardia Lamblia was found to be the most common intestinal parasite among children of all classes, Entamoeba histolytica followed among children of middle class, and Hymenolepis nana among those of lower one. Anaemia was more prevalent among parasitically infected children particularly the multi-infected ones of the lower social class

preliminary survey of parasitic infections and nutritional status among school children in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

A total of 320 school children in the Model Institute of the Capital in Riyadh, were clinically and parasitologically examined. Thirty-five [10.94%] had intestinal parasites. Entamoeba coli [61.91%] was found more frequently among the commensals, while Giardia lamblia [28.57%] was the most common pathogenic parasite. All urines were parasite free. The low infection rate with Giardia could be explained by the good physical and nutritional status and better sanitary and living conditions