Identification of the diagnostic and epidemiological potential of camel strain G6 in human cystic echinococcosis

Recent molecular studies detected the presence of camel G6 genotype in human samples in different countries including Egypt. However, none of them studied the diagnostic and epidemiological role of camel G6 genotype in patients' sera with cystic echinococcosis [CE]. Detection of camel G6 strain in patients' sera by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and determination of changes in the genotype profile that might be influenced by the predominant transmission cycle during a certain time. Eighty subjects were divided into 2 main groups with 3 subgroups in each: Group I [31 CE cases with positive G6 PCR in parasite material obtained from their cysts] subdivided into Group IA [21 hepatic CE], Group IB [5 pulmonary CE], Group IC [5 multiple organ CE], Group II [49 control subjects] including Group IIA [29 patients with other parasitic diseases], Group IIB [10 patients with space occupying lesions] and Group IIC [10 healthy individuals]. DNA was extracted from CE patients' sera for amplification and sequencing. Hot-start specific G6 PCR for patients' sera [PCRs] revealed that all CE cases [100%] were of G6 genotype, with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity and a specific band at 254 bp. Indirect hemagglutination test [IHAT] showed 61.29% sensitivity and 95.92% specificity. DNA sequencing of the amplified DNA fragments of patient's sera showed 100% homology with extracts from parasite materials taken from their own cysts [Gen Bank under the accession no. from GQ476732 to GQ476735], as well as with that of an Argentinean reference strain [provided from WHO reference laboratory]

Evaluation of soluble adhesion molecules in the diagnosis of amonebiasis, Giardiasis and toxoplasmosis

A total of 47 patients with toxoplasmosis [21 cases] with amoebic liver abscess [14 cases] and with giardiasis [12 cases] as well as 14 healthy control were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination stool and urine analysis, complete blood picture, ESR, C-reactive protein, ASO, widal test, blood cultures, liver function tests, serum creatinine, hepatitis viral markers, rheumatoid factor, auto-antibodies, stool culture, rectal snip, chest X-ray, abdominal sonar, level of serum adhesion molecules [sLCAM-1, sELAM-1], ELISA detection of Toxoplasma antibodies in serum, liver biopsy, detection and counting of Giardia cysts. In toxoplasmosis group, highly significant increase in serum levels of sICAM-1 [P<0.01] and significant increase in serum levels of sELAM-1 [P<0.05] in comparison to control. However, only sICAM1 levels were significantly increased in IgM cases more than in IgG cases. In amoebic liver abscess group, both sICAM-1 and Selam-1 significantly increased when compared with control. In giardiasis group, highly significant increase of serum levels of sELAM-1 was noticed than in control group [P<0.01], while sICAM-1 showed no significant difference [P>0.05]. There was no correlation between sELAM-1 and number of cysts in the stool [intensity of infection]. Soluble forms of adhesion molecules especially sICAM-1 have the potentiality as good markers of endothelial damage, severity of disease and to less extent load of infection

pathogenesis of Demodex folliculorum [hair follicular mites] in females with and without Rosacea

In rosacea patients [ages 11-50 years old] 44% were infested with D. folliculorum as compared to normal controls [23.0%]. The difference was significant. The mean +/- SD of mite density ranged between 13.2 +/- 0.9 to 18.2 +/- 1.2 as compared to normal controls with mite density ranged between 1.4 +/- 0.25 to 2.4 +/- 0.3. Demodex infestation in rosacea patients was 66.1% in squamous, 66.7% in erythemato-telangiectate and 83.3% in papulo pustular rosacea. The highly infested site was check [27.3%] with mean mite density of 25.3 +/- 1.3, followed by the area around the orbit [23.4%] with a density of 19.0 +/- 1.2, the area around the nose [19.5%] with mite density of 7.1 +/- 1.5, then chin [15.6%] with a density of 8.2 +/- 1.4 and lastly the area around the mouth [14.1%] with a mite density of 14.2 +/- 1.3. Undoubtedly, infestation with D. folliculorum particularly in large number causes rosacea

Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in children with malignancy

The study aimed at the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in 73 children with malignancy; 31 with lymphoma [22 with Hodgkin's and 9 with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma] and 42 with leukemia [34 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 8 with acute myelogenic leukemia]. In positive cases, toxoplasmosis was manifested by any of the following; fever, lymph node enlargement, neurological manifestations and/or hepatosplenomegaly. The indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] for toxoplasmosis detected four [5.4%] positive cases with malignancy [two with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. The immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [IgM ELISA] detected only one [1.4%] case with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunoglobulin G [IgG] ELISA detected six [8.2%] positive cases [three with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. Polymerase chain reaction for detection of parasite DNA in blood [PCR] was the most useful in diagnosing toxoplasmosis with malignancy, as it was able to detect nine [12.3%] positive cases [five [6.8%] with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one [1.4%] with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and three [4.1%] with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. No positive toxoplasmosis cases were detected with acute myelogenic leukemia by any of the above methods

Role of recombinant interleukin-12 as an adjuvant on vaccine-induced immunity in murine schistosoma mansoni infection

In the present work, the role of recombinant interleukin-12 [rIL-12] as an adjuvant to soluble worm antigen preparation [SWAP] in protection against primary murine S. mansoni infection, using certain immunization protocol, was studied. A highly significant statistical increase in resistance [P <0.001] was observed in the group immunized with SWAP and rIL-12 [group I] and those immunized with SWAP only [group II] when each was compared to the infected control group [group III]. Moreover, resistance to challenge infection was higher in group I [73.6%] than in group II [66.1%]. In comparison to group III, histopathological examination of liver sections of groups I and II showed marked reduction in granuloma sizes with more reduction in group I to the extent that some ova were seen without cellular reaction around them. Liver necrosis and fibrosis were detected only in the infected control group

Study of gamma-interferon in schhistosomiasis mansoni, autoimmune diseases and schistosomal arthhropathy

IFN-gamma, aTh1 cytokine, was quantitatively estimated using EASIA in the sera of patients with different stages of Schistosomiasis mansoni autoimmune diseases and schistosomal arthropathy. Level of IFN-gamma was significantly elevated in all the test groups compared to the control group. The highest level of IFN-gamma observed was in RA and SLE with insignificant statistical difference between them. Cases with early S. mansoni infection showed significant higher level of IFN-gamma compared to hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with and without ascites. A significant statistical difference concerning IFN-gamma level was observed when comparing RA and SLE to different stages of S. mansoni infection and schistosomal arthropathy. This study concluded that IFN-gamma estimation in sera of patients having joint complaint could be a good marker for differentiation between autoimmune collagen induced arthritis and schistosomiasis induced arthropathy