Seroprevalence of fasciolosis and the difference of fasciolosis between rural area and city center in Isparta, Turkey

To investigate the seroprevalence of fasciolosis and the possible causes of differences between rural and city center. We undertook a multi-stage sampling analysis of data from Isparta, Turkey, between March and June 2004. Four hundred and fifteen individuals participants from Isparta center and 171 from Asagi Gokdere village were included in the study. Fasciola hepatica [F. hepatica] specific antibodies were analyzed using excretory-secretory [ES]-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] method. Fasciola hepatica antibodies were detected as positive in 10 [2.4%] of 415 people whose sera were collected from the city center and 16 [9.3%] of 171 people from Asagi Gokdere village. The positivity rates between village and city center were found statistically significant. A statistical difference was noted for fasciolosis positivity between individuals who have ingested water cress and who have not. Fasciolosis was not detected in the individuals who used to wash vegetables with water containing vinegar. Most of the patients in this region reported consumption of uncooked or unwashed water cress. Watering channel is one of the major risk factors of fasciolosis. Therefore, it is essential to determine the watering systems in this region. Moreover, ES-ELISA would be useful in investigating the laboratory diagnosis of fasciolosis

new technique to avoid losing the strains of Echinococcus multilocularis during passaging

To examine the survival of Echinococcus multilocularis [E. multilocularis] and the formation of protoscoleces, under refrigerated conditions over a 43-day observation period. We conducted this study in Ege University, School of Medicine, from May-December, 2004. We included 4 healthy females and 2 males, 8-12 week old M. unguiculatus species [approximately 60-70 gr] for the study, as they are known to be susceptible to E. multilocularis. In this experimental study, we aimed to define a technique to keep the strains during these passages. We found preserved viability and virulence of E. multilocularis stored in RPMI 1640 plus 10% fetal calf serum at +40C. We accomplished the infection of the Meriones unguiculatus after in-vivo passaging from that flask, which we kept at +40C, and this proves the viability of protoscoleces and membranous structures perfectly at the 43rd day. We also found that E. multilocularis metacestodes and the formation of protoscoleces keep their viability up to 60 days and virulence up to 43 days under this condition. We recommend storing an extra flask during each passage as a precaution against losing strains

Assessment of latex indirect agglutination test [toxolatex fumouze] for the detection of toxoplasma specific antibodies in human sera in Turkey

Sera from 50 patients were examined with conventional ELISA, IFA and Toxolatex Fumouze. Out of 50 specimens, only 3 false positive cases were detected with Toxolatex Fumouze as compared with the results of ELISA and IFA tests. Toxolatex Fumouze represents a rapid, highly sensitive and specific technique for screening of specific antibodies against toxoplasmosis, but due to false negative results, sera from patients at risk of severe toxoplasmosis [fetus, HIV + transplant, immunosuppressed] should be tested with other serological methods such as the dye test, DS-ELISA and ISAGA