Zoonoses from cats: with special reference to Egypt

A zoonosis is an animal disease that is transmissible to humans. Humans are usually an accidental host that acquires disease through close contact with an infected animal, who may or may not be symptomatic. Children are at highest risk for infection because they are more likely to have close contact with pets. Cats are responsible for transmission of an extensive array of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic zoonotic pathogens. The route of transmission can be through the saliva [e.g., bites or contaminated scratches], feces, respiratory secretions, direct contact, or by the cat acting as a vehicle and source of tick or flea exposure. Although cats have been implicated in transmission of zoonosis to their owners, risk of transmission from contact with cats is low and may be further reduced by simple precautions. There is a need for education on zoonotic disease prevention practices for pet-owning households with individuals at higher risk of infection, and to educate future veterinarians during their early years in veterinary school about the risks associated with their future jobs. Also, zoonotic disease awareness training is a valuable service to animal shelter workers

Cytokines and immunoglobulin-E in certain parasitic diseases

Ninety Egyptian patients were classified into 7 groups, 6 with different parasitic infection and 10 normal controls. Forty patients with different schistosomiasis stages [1, 2 and 3] with compensated but the last one [stage 4] of decompansated schistosomiasis. Gs3 and 4 of mixed infections with schistosomiasis and HCV and HBV respectively. The last 3 patients groups were infected with toxoplasmosis, filariasis and hymenolepiasis nana. IL2, IL4 and IgE levels were measured. The results showed significant increase in IL2 [P<0.05], [P<0.01], P<0.01] and [P<0.001] among stages [1, 2, 3 and 4] versus control respectively. In chronic schistosomiasis with HCV and HBV, significance was P= <0.001 and P<0.05 respectively, among toxoplasmosis, filariasis and hymenolepiasis patients, it was P= <0.001, 0.05 and 0.01 respectively. The IL 4 level showed highly significant increase [P< 0.001] among stage 1, 2, Gs 2, 3 and 6. There was significant increase [P<0.01] with stage 3 in Gs 4 and 5 but, without significance [P>0.05] increased in decompensate schistosomiasis patients. IgE level and test of significance versus controls were given and results were discussed

Blastocystis hominis among symptomatic and asymptomatec individuals in Talkha center, DaKahlia governorate, Egypt

Blastocystis hominis is now getting acceptance as an agent of human intestinal disease. B. hominis in stool samples of symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals was evaluated as a possible cause of gastro-intestinal troubles. B. hominis was found in 106 [10.1%] out of 1050 individuals examined from six villages and one city in Talkha Center, Dakahlia Governorate. The highest infection rate was in Manshayt El-Badawy village [25.47%], whereas Talkha City showed the lowest rate [4.73%]. Age group 10-20 years had higher infection [13.3%]. In twenty- three symptomatic patients, B. hominis represented the only causative parasitic agent. The most common symptoms were diarrhoea [30.4%], abdominal pain [26.1%], flatulence [21.7%], vomiting [13.1%] and fatigue [8.7%]. High concentrations of B. hominis were found in symptomatic patients than in asymptomatic ones with statistical significant difference [8.2 cells/100 x field versus 3.8 respectively]. The mean number of B. hominis was significantly high in patients complaining of diarrhoea and abdominal pain

Human fascioliasis among immigrant workers in Saudi Arabia

Animal fascioliasis has been reported in Saudi Arabia among imported and local sheep. The paper demonstrated the parasitological and clinical features of human fascioliasis in nine out of ten male immigrant manual workers with manifestations suggesting fascioliasis. The sedimentation and Kato-Katz techniques proved effect in diagnosing Fasciola species eggs in human stool. The common clinical features were abdominal distension, flatulence, tender right-upper quadrant and easy fatigability and the least was the tinge of jaundice. Others as right upper quadrant pains, colicky abdominal pains and vomiting, epigastric pain and mild fever, and tympanitic abdomen were encountered. Anaemia and eosinophlia were also encountered in the ten patients. Fascioliasis patients [nine] were successfully treated with Mirazid R as two capsules [600 mg] on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast for six consecutive days. Follow-up clinically and parasitologically was available in only seven fascioliasis patients who were completely cured. Follow-up for the other two fascioliasis patients was out in hand. Other parasites recovered in the stained [eosin, iodine and Zeihl-Nelson stains] smear stool samples was Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum. Besides, three were free from intestinal protozoan. The results were discussed on the light of the other work carried out regionally

effect of severe cystic hydatidosis on the liver of a Najdi sheep with special reference to the cyst histology and histochemistry

A single case of severe hydatidosis in a liver of a Najdi sheep was studied. The estimated age of the animal was 1.5 years and the liver was infected with 29 cysts and their diameters ranged from 4.0 mm to 5.1 cm. Cysts with a diameter less than 10 mm were immature and those of more than 1.5 cm were fertile and developed protroscoleces. Harvested protroscoleces measured 120 x 60 to 140 x 80 um. Comparative histochemical studies by hematoxylin and eosin, periodic acid Schiff [PAS] and Masson's trichrome stains revealed that the cystic wall consisted of three layers [germinal, laminated and fibrous, respectively]. The thickness varied with each stain. The glycogen and mucopolysaccharide content increased in the infected sheep. Histopathological changes were the formation of fibrotic capsules around biliary tracts and portal vein and also leaky liver was marked in all the sections examined. Meanwhile, pre-malignant changes were seen in the different foci, particularly around the biliary tracts and portal veins. The histochemical structure of the hydatid cyst wall may pave the way for an effective therapeutic treatment

DNA ploidy and S - phase fraction in the patients of chronic HCV and hepatocellular carcinomas

In this study, 400 blue Feulgen-stained nuclei were measured from each lesion using DNA image cytometry. The histopathological and cytopathological observations revealed that 52 cases had variable degrees of chronic hepatitis, 12 cases were emerging into cirrhosis; while 11 cases represented different grades of HCC. Most of cases with minimal or mild chronic hepatitis were females, while most of the males had moderate or severe chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and HCC. DNA image analysis data helped in the histological observations. All of chronic hepatitis C and cirrhotic cases showed normal diploid and/or tetraploid histograms; while they showed increasing S-phase fractions' values of the highly diseased chronic hepatitis and cirrhotic cases. Hepatocellular carcinomas and one cirrhotic case only revealed aneuploidy [diploid and tetraploid], while one case of poorly differentiated HCC revealed multi-ploid histogram

Effect of itraconazole and terbinafine on leishmania promastigotes

The antiproliferative effect induced in vitro by two antifungal compounds, the azole itraconazole and the allylamine terbinafine on Leishmania major, L. Donovani and L. Mexicana promastigotes was reported. Treatment of promastigotes cultures with itraconazole or with terbinafine induced growth arrest with L. major, but neither with L. Donovani nor with L. mexicana concentrations of 0.75 mul/l or more of itraconazole induced cell lysis after 72 hours with L major. However, even relatively large concentrations of terbinafine [2.0 mul/l] did not induce cell lysis. For L. major, the IC50 for itraconazole and terbinafine were 0.31 mul/l and 3.3 mul/l, respectively

preliminary pilot survey on head lice, pediculosis in Sharkia Governorate and treatment of lice with natural plant extracts

Twelve different representative areas in Sharqia Governorate were surveyed for head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis. The prevalence was investigated among 120 houses containing 2448 individuals with different age, sex and socioeconomic status. Examination was done by naked eye aided with hand- lens. A total of 137 individuals was infested. Infestation rates were higher in the rural areas with low socioeconomic levels and concrete houses with over-crowded family members. Children had significantly higher infestation rates than adults. Males had lower infestation rates than females. However, the hair length and permanent hair washing were the factors accounted for both age and sex difference in prevalence of Pediculosis. Head lice infestations were found all over the year, but increased in summer and spring. One hundred infested patients [90 females and 10 males] with different aged and hair length were treated with four mixed creams from plants Lawsonia alba L. [henna], Trigonella faemum-gracaum [fenugreek], Hibiscus cannabinus [hibiscus] and Artemisia cina [wormseed]. The head lice completely disappeared within a weak among those patients treated by Henna mixed with aqueous extract of sheah [100%] or mixed with helba [75%] or with karkade [50%]

Coccidiosis among immuno-competent and-compromised adults

There was significant increase in coccidia positive cases among Hodgkin lymphoma receiving chemotherapy as compared to control group [p<0.05]. The increase was highly significant in the group of acute lymphocytic leukaemia receiving chemotherapy as compared to control group [p<0.01]. The total percent of cases with single type of coccidian were 12.2% compared to multiple coccidial infections [4.3%]. The most commonly associated parasite was Cryptosporidium. The total cryptosporidial infections [single and mixed with other coccidia] were 12.1% of the total studied cases. In the immunocompromised the prevalence was 14.3%, in the immunocompetents with diarrhea, was 8.3% and in control was 5.6%. Microsporidial infections [single and mixed with other coccidia], being the least detected among the four intestinal spores forming coccidia, were 2.4% in the immunocompromised groups. No Microspordium was detected in the immunocompetent or adult control groups. The total cyclosporal infections [single and mixed with other coccidia] were 6.3% of the total studied cases. In the immunocompromised groups, the prevalence was [8.3%] where in immunocompetent group, was 2.8%. None was detected in the control subjects. Single Cyclospora was 3.0% while mixed Cyclospora represented 3.3% of all studied cases. The Isospora infections [singles and mixed] were 38% of total patients. The prevalence among immunocompromised group was 5.2% and in immunocompetent patients was 2.8%

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