Serological survey on toxoplasmosis among slaughtered sheep and goats in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia

Sera from 397 sheep and 290 goats slaughtered at Tabouk Official Abattoir were examined for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by LAT, IHAT and IF AT. The results showed infection rates 23.4, 41.8 and 52.2% [P<0.001] in sheep and 19.3, 40.7 and 51.7% [P<0.001] in goats by the 3 tests respectively. Infection rates were higher in sheep than goats [P>0.05], relatively nearby in local and imported sheep [P>0.05], higher in imported goats than local ones [P>0.05] and higher in female sheep and goats than males [p>0.05]. High liters were in goats than in sheep [P<0.001]. IFAT showed highest sensitivity [100% and 96.7%], specificity [97.1% and 96.1%] and highest diagnostic accuracy [98.5% and 96.9%] in sheep and goats respectively. The IHAT showed high diagnostic accuracy and high applicability. The interpretation of results and recommendations were presented

Immunochemotherapy for cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mouse model

Immunochemotherapy as a dual regimen [Nitazoxanide NTZ and Interferon gamma INF-gamma] and a triple one [NTZ, INF- gamma and Paromomycin PRM], administered to immunosuppressed Cryptosporidium infected mice for 10 days [4[th]-13[th]] day post-infection] was evaluated during and after treatment by determination of parasite count in ileum, associated histopathological changes, oocyst count in Kinyoun's acid fast stained faecal smears, percent reduction in oocyst excretion and cure rate. Both regimens induced nearby efficacy [P>0.05] with significant reduction in parasite count in the ileum on 7[th] [P< 0.01] and 14[th] [P<0.001] P.I. days, partial regression of histopathological changes and reduction in oocyst count from the 2[nd] day post-treatment. Oocyst excretion reduction percent was reached zenith on 13[th] P.I. day in both dual [95.76%] and triple [94.86%] regimens [P>0.05]. Complete cure was not achieved. Three days post-treatment relapse occurred in both regimens [P<0.001] increase in oocyst count [P<0.01] increase in parasite count in ileum, more severe histopathological changes with rapid deterioration and then, death of all remaining treated mice

Effect of some immunomodulators on the host- parasite systen in experimental hymenolepiasis nana

Mice experimentally infected with H. nana and injected with immunosuppressant [cyclophosphamide [Cp] and lead nitrate [Ln] showed significant increase in infection intensity, significant decrease in intestinal mast cell count, dissemination of larvae to the liver, toxic hepatitis and absence of specific serum IgG. Cyclophosphamide caused morphological abnormalities in adult worms, prolongation of patent period and more severe villous changes. Immuno-stimulants represented by Levamisol [Lv] and gamma interferon [IFN-alpha] caused significant decrease in infection intensity, significant shortening of patent period and early improvement of histopathological changes. Immunostimulants, particularly IFN-alpha, were highly effective in counteracting hyperi nfection seen with immuno-suppression. The study confirmed the deleterious effects of immunosuppression on hymenolepiasis and suggested a beneficial role for immunotherapy for immunosuppressed patients

Detection of DNA of W. bancrofti in blood samples by QC-PCR-Elisa-based

An internal control was used in a polymerase chain reaction PCR-ELISA-based technique to detect the DNA repeat of the filarial parasite W. bancrofti. The sensitivity of the test could detect as low as one single microfilania added to 200 micro litre of blood. The assay was evaluated on field samples from persons living in areas endemic for filariasis. Examination of night blood of 113 individuals for the presence of microfilania by filtration revealed 44 microfilaria carriers. All microfilaria carriers were positive in the PCR-EL1SA and, in addition, 14 more samples were proven to contain parasite DNA. All the 58 proven cases had circulating filarial antigens in their serum samples. Assuming a sensitivity of PCR-ELISA on night blood of 100%, the sensitivity of night blood filtration was 74% and that of circulating filarial antigens is 100%. The data showed that the described PCR-ELISA method was capable of detecting the filarial infections. Consequently, this method facilitated the identification of the filarial endemic areas and the monitoring of control programs

Fascioliasis among local and imported sheep in Saudi Arabia: parasitological and serological diagnosis

Eight-hundred-twelve local and imported sheep, slaughtered at Riyadh abattoir, were subjected for parasitological diagnosis of fascioliasis by detection of eggs in the stool and worms in the liver and for serological diagnosis by detection of circulating anti-Fasciola IgG [CAFIgG] and circulating Fasciola antigens [CFAgs] using the indirect ELISA and the double antibody sandwich ELISA respectively. Detection of eggs revealed 13.5% infection rate compared with 21.9% by detection of worms [p<0.001]. Infection rate was significantly higher [p<0.001] among the imported sheep [15.1%] than among the local ones [4.96%]. Positivity for CAFIgG was 64.3% among all sheep while that of CFAgs was 30.2% [p<0.001]. Sheep passing Fasciola eggs showed positivity of 99.1% for CAFIgG and 87.3% for CFAgs [p<0.05], Sheep free from any parasitic eggs showed positivity of 61.2% for CAFIgG and 21.1% for CFAgs. There was a highly significant association [p<0.001] between positivity of both CAFIgG and CFAgs and positivity of eggs in the stool

Toxocara canis as a cause of chronic urticaria

93 patients with idiopathic chronic urticaria and 62 apparently healthy controls were investigated by ELISA for the presence of Toxocara antibodies in their sera as well as for eosinophilic blood count after taking complete history and thorough clinical examination. All were proved to be free of any other parasitic infections. Results showed the presence of Toxocara antibodies in 58.1% of chronic urticaria patients with a highly significant association between the two diseases. Hepatomegaly and eosinophilia were the most related manifestations. Treatment of 10 patients with mebendazole resulted in complete cure of urticaria in 4 patients, improvement in 3 and no benefit in 3

Immunization against trichinella spiralis using antigens from different life-cycle stages: experimental study in mice

Crude antigen preparations from different life-cycle stages of T. spiralis using 10 mug and 100 mug antigen/dose were tested for their ability to immunize mice against homologous challenge infection. Immunization was assessed by accelerated expulsion of adult worms, reduction in female worm fecundity and decreased yield of muscle larvae. The dose of 100 mug proved to be more protective in all antigen preparations. The AA provided highly significant protection against adult stages [89%] and muscle larvae [80%]. NLA produced highly significant protection against muscle larvae only [76%]. MLA provided highly significant protection against adult stages [74%], female fecundity [74%] and muscle larvae [80%]. Combination of AA and MLA produced highly significant protection against adult stages [96%], female fecundity [73%] and muscle larvae [86%]. The results showed that all antigen preparations provided variable, considerable, but partial protection against challenge infection. The variations in immunization potential were discussed

Detection of pneumocystic carinii in immuno-suppressed rats by different histological stains and immunological assays

Detection of P. carinii in lung sections of 35 immunosuppressed albino rats was evaluated using five histological stains [Toluidine blue "O", Giemsa, Gram's stain, PAS and H and E] and two immunological assays [indirect immunofluorescence [IIF] and indirect immunoperoxidase [IIP]], using polyclonal antibody raised in white New Zealand rabbits against rat P. carinii. In spite of the high sensitivity of the histological stains, they yield insufficient details for easy identification with difficult interpretation. However, Gram and PAS stains provided a better visualization with easy identification of the parasite. On the other hand, both immunological assays allowed an accurate rapid interpretation to the stained slides. The IIP technique, having 100% sensitivity in detecting the precipitated parasite antigens with absolute specificity, seems to be a good diagnostic tool for detecting P. carinii in lung sections

Giardia lamblia and chronic gastritis

One hundred and two patients suffering from giardiasis and/or chronic gastritis were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. Purified immune rabbit's serum against Giardia lamblia was used in ELISA and immunoperoxidase [IIP] techniques for detection of Giardia antigen in the stomach. Results showed that out of 70 cases with intestinal giardiasis, 8 [11.4%] by ELISA and 6 [8.6%] by IIP showed gastric giardiasis. Higher percentage of gastric giardiasis [14%] was encountered in cases with both giardiasis and chronic gastritis [50] than in cases with giardiasis alone [5%] but with statistically insignificant difference. None of the cases with chronic gastritis alone [without giardiasis] was positive for gastric giardiasis. Dyspepsia was the main presenting symptom in cases with gastric giardiasis with significant association. Helicobacter pylori was encountered in 6 out of 8 cases [75%] with gastric giardiasis with significant association. Duodenogastric reflux was detected in 4 out of 8 cases [50%]. Histopathological changes in antral mucosa were detected in all cases of gastric giardiasis

Experimental trichinosis: effect of immunosuppression on the host-parasite system

Experimental trichinosis in immunocompetent verus immunosuppressed albino rats was studied over a period of two months. The Immunosuppressed ones showed significant delay in expulsion of adult worms, significant increase in the yield of muscle larvae, lower IFA titres and delayed encystation of muscle larvae with mild cellular infiltration. Specific antigen deposits detected in the muscles and different tissues of the immunosuppressed rats indicated augmentation of circulating antigens. In both groups, the liver, kidney, lung, brain and testes showed nonspecific pathological changes but larvae were never detected in examined sections, Incidentally, on the 14th post-infection day, two immunocompetent rats were found pregnant, and near-full-term embryos showed more deposition of Trichinella antigens in most of their tissues indicating placental passage of circulating antigens. This study indicates that in patients receiving immunosuppressive drugs, possible exposure to T. spiralis infection will result in severe manifestations or complications

Blastocystis hominis: laboratory identification and clinical relevance

A total of 350 stool specimens from outpatient populations with gastrointestinal symptoms and 100 specimens from asymptomatic controls were examined for B. hominis and other associating parasites. Methods for preparation and staining of B. hominis were described. It was detected in 57 [16.3%] of the symptomatic patients and was the sole parasite in 39% [11.1%] of them. Among asymptomatic controls, it was detected in 10% and was the only parasite in 8% of them. Diarrhoea [71.8%] y specially mild and recurrent form was the most significant presenting symptom followed by flatulence [66.7%] and abdominal pain [60%]. Concomitant infection with other pathogenic parasites resulted in additional presentation with anorexia [38.9%], nausea and vomiting [27.8%] and tenesmus [27.8%]. Heavy infection [>5 organisms/HPF] was significantly associated with acute presentation of symptoms. Preliminary epidemiological features indicated a significant peak of incidence at ages 21-40 years and a male: female ratio of 1: 1.3. Possible spread within families was suspected. This study shows that B. hominis is a common finding in stool specimens and it should be included in the investigation of gastrointestinal disorders