Intestinal parasitic infections among expatriate workers in Al-Madina Al-Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Al Madinah Al Munawarah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has one of the largest number of expatriate workers. Most of them are from Sri-Lanka, Indonesia, Philippines, India and Bangladesh. These countries are considered as endemic areas for intestinal parasites. A total of 2732 stool samples were screened for intestinal parasites. Positive cases were recorded among 407 stool samples (14.9%). The common parasitic infections were encountered among 20-29 age groups (18.5%) while, the lowest infection rate was among individual > 50 years (11.8%). According to the nationality, the highest infections were recorded among Pakistanis (23.2%), followed by Philippines (22.2%), Sudanese workers (18.7%), and the lowest infection rates were recorded among Bangladeshi individuals. The infected persons were farmers, food handlers and shepherds. The detected intestinal parasites were Giardia lamblia (21.9%), Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba coli (17.8%), Trichuris trichiura (16.2%), Ascaris lumbricoides (15.8%), hookworm (13%), Hymenolepis nana (8.9%), Strongyloides sterocoralis (3.5%), Schistosoma mansoni (2.2%), and Enterobius vermicularis (0.43%). In conclusion, the high prevalence of parasites among expatriates may produce health problem among the Saudi society due to the nature of the expatriates’ work.

Host - Parasite Relationships Between Schistosoma Mansoni and Echinostoma liei and their Intermediate Host Biomphalaria Alexandrina using RAPD - PCR Analysis

The aim of this study was to use RAPD-PCR assay offering an alternative approach to host-parasite relationships. This was performed by investigating the genetic variation and compatibility among S. mansoni, E. liei and their intermediate host B. Alexandrina with a special emphasis on the variations occurring in snails infected with S. mansoni and/or E. Liei. Six primers were screened for DNA analysis and gave total patterns from 28-37 reproducible bands for each species. All specimens analyzed by the RAPD-PCR gave interpretable electrophoretic banding patterns that were polymorphic and compatible in the amplified products of these primers within each species

Surface to pography of adult Anchitrema sanguineum [Sansio,1894] Looss, 1899 and prosthodendrium [prosthodendrium] urna [looss, 1907] Dollfus, 1931 infecting bats in upper Egypt [Qena]

Anchitrema sanguineum and Prosthodendrium [Prosthodendrium] urna are two digenean trematodes infecting many species of bats in Egypt. The surface topography of them was studied by scanning electron microscopy. The examination of A. sanguineum revealed the presence of posteriorly directed broad-base spines all over the body. The oral sucker is bordered by several small sucker-like papillae and few irregularly distributed pores. The ventral sucker is smaller than the oral one and surrounded by several papillae. In P. [P.] urna, the body is covered with simple, spines posteriorly directed. The oral sucker has few papillae and its tegumental rim is slightly elevated. The ventral sucker is slightly larger than the oral one

Diagnosis of Fasciola gigantica in snail using the polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay

The 124-bp repetitive and highly abundant DNA sequence, used as a specific probe for the detection of Fasciola infection in snails, was tested in the detection of F. Gigantica infection in Lymnaea natalensis. The probe did not show any positive PCR results with Lymnaea natalensis, Physa acuta, Biomphalaria alexandrina and Bulinus trancatus or with Schistosoma mansoni, S. haematobium and Echinostoma liei. However, the probe was found capable to detect F. Gigantica infection within L. natalensis at very early stages of the prepatent period and at very low concentrations. Thus, the present assay was specific and sensitive for the detection of F. Gigantica within its intermediate host. It confirmed the idea that 124-bp repetitive and highly abundant DNA sequence in Fasciola sp. genome could be used as an epidemiological tool for the examination of fascioliasis intermediate host. The nucleic acid-based assay could eliminate both inherent uncertainties and lengthy periods of the time required for the visual examination of the snails. Also, the assay is valuable in the epizootiology of F. Gigantica, vector suitability and host- parasite relationship