Detection and differentiation of entamoeba histolytica and entamoeba dispar isolates in clinical samples by PCR

A total of 140 out of 180 outpatients attended MISR University for Science and Technology Hospital complained of abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or dysentery. Stool examination showed 47 [33.6%] had Entamoeba sp., 36 [25.7%] had cysts and 11 [7.9%] had trophozoites. Of 40 asymptomatic ones, 4 [10%] had cysts. A total of 51 positive stool samples for Entamoeba sp. [40 cysts and 11 trophozoites] were tested by Ne-sted Polymerase Chain Reaction [N-PCR] and Restriction Enzyme Digestion [RED] to clarify true E. histolytica from E. dispar. The results showed that 9/51 [17.6%] had E. dispar, while 31 [60.8%] had E. histolytica and 11 [21.6%] had dual infection with both E. histolytica and E. dispar. All E. histolytica PCR proved cases were from the symptomatic group, 11 had trophozoites and 34 had cysts. Thus, the result showed the potential use of molecular tools in detection of E. histolytica and E. dispar, and is a promising tool for epidemiology, particularly to differentiate pathogenic and non pathogenic Entamoeba sp

Touchdown PCR, ELISA and stool examination for early diagnosing ofschistosoma mansoni in mice

A detection assay for Schistosoma mansoni DNA in mouse serum samples based on touchdown PCR was evaluated. Fifty four mice [7 weeks old] were infected with 60 +/- 10 cercariae of S. mansoni [Egyptian strain] through tail skin. Three days and 1-8 weeks post-infection [P1], six mice were randomly chosen from the infected ones and blood was collected by cardiac puncture. Sera and faeces were collected for 8 weeks P1. Antisoluble egg antigen [SEA] IgG for S. mansoni was detected in infected mice sera of at 3 weeks P1 by ELISA. The earliest deposition of eggs in the small intestines was at the 5[th] week P1. The eggs were detected in faeces at the 8[th] weeks by modified Kato's thick-smear. However, S. mansoni DNA was detected by touchdown PCR in sera at 2 weeks PT. The intensity of S. mansoni DNA bands in infected mice sera detected in polyacrelamide gel electrophoresis increased gradually during the experimental period. Data recommended touchdown PCR potential tool for the early diagnosis of S. mansoni infection

Co-infection with cryptosporidium parvum and cyclospora cayetanensis in ummunocompromised patients

Forty nine stool specimens collected from severe diarrheic patients. Eight were suffering from Hodgkin's lymphoma, and the rest were suffering from acute lymph plastic leukaemia. All were examined microscopically for protozoan parasites mainly, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis. Of the patients, 34 [69.4%] were positive and 15 [30.6%] were negative by both microscopy and nested PCR. An additional 12 [24.5%] who were negative by microscopy were positive by nested PCR. Stool examination revealed 16 cases with C. parvum, and 6 with C. cayetanensis, and 3 cases showed mixed infection. The results were compared with the established nested PCR assay to detect DNA directly from stool specimens. The patients <3 years old more affected by Cryptosporidium infection, unlike Cyclospora sp. Infection was in older age groups, which reflected the modes of parasite' transmission. Diarrheal illness was stronger for Cyclospora than for Cryptosporidium. After the extraction of DNA from stool, a 402-bp fragment of C. parvum, and 602 bp fragment of C. cayetanensis was amplified. The amplified products, 194-bp DNA fragment for C. parvum, and 306 bp DNA fragment of C. cayetanensis were used for the second run. This study indicated that primers were specific for DNA of C. parvum and C. cayetanensis. PCR detected a total of 22 [44.9%] positives for C. parvtim infection [6 negative by AF stool examination], and 12[24.5%] positives for C. cayetanensis. Infection [6 negative by AF stool examination], 7[14.3%] showed mixed infection [4 negative by AF stool examination], all microscopic negative specimens were positive by successive stool examination. Microscopy exhibited sensitivity of 72.7% for C. parvwn, 50% for C. cayetanensis and 100% specificity for both parasites compared to 100% sensitivity and specificity with PCR. So, PCR is more sensitive and easier to interpret but required more hands-on time to perform and is more expensive. However, PCR batch analysis reduces the cost considerably

Degree of symptoms versus copro-antigen levels in giardia lamblia infection

A total of 82 out-patients were examined for Giardia coproantigens and 12 neonate stool samples as control. ELISA had a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 91.67%. ELISA [OD] had neither significant correlation to Giardia cyst count, to stool consistency or presence of blood, mucus or fat in stool, nor to age but positive correlation to the severity of diarrhoea, colic, nausea, anorexia, weight loss, distension and fatigue. Giardia cyst count was higher in cases with loose stool, while ELISA [OD] correlated positively with symptoms except constipation and vomiting. The different in clinical outcome of giardiasis can be attributed, partially to strain differences and host resistance

Human infection with dicrocoelium dendriticum in Riyadh district [Saudi Arabia]

During one academic year, a total of 1196 patients refereed to Parasitology Laboratory from King Abdel-Aziz University Hospital, 121 patients were positive for D. dendriticum. The majority were Saudis and only 32 of the 121 patients had true dicrocoeliasis as detected by re-examination after three days of a liver-free diet. The other patients had false dicrocoeliasis. The infection was influenced by the patients behaviors. The Saudis consumed more sheep meat during a month Du-El-Heja and Haj and Feast. The examination of the slaughtered sheep at the governmental slaughterhouses showed that the majority of the patients had liver infection [9-24%] with the lancet liver fluke

Human infection with Onchocerca volvulus in Asir district [Saudi Arabia]

During one academic year, three patients were referred to Parasitology Laboratory from Dermatology Outpatients Clinics in King Abdul-Aziz University Hospitals. They were diagnosed as sowda [chronic hyperactive form of Onchocerciasis volvulus]. The lesion was characterized by a severe papule dermatitis localized to the lower limbs with a marked skin darkening. There was an extensive follicular hyperplasia of the regional lymph nodes in two cases only. The skin snips taken from the three patients were positive microfilariae. On the other hand, the urine sample of one patient was positive. Six months after the onset of treatment by the clinicians in the specialized hospital, skin snips and urine samples were negative

Fasciola immature stages sought in lymnaea species and biomphalaria species in the water bodies of Dakahlia governorate

The examination of five different water bodies in Daqahlia Governorate revealed four species of Lymnaea [L. Natalensis, L. Truncatula, L. stagnalis and L. columella]. Also, two species of Biomphalaria were recovered [B. Alexandrina and B. glabrata]. The examination of all these snails showed natural infection with immature stages of Fasciola sp. in 5.5% of L. natalensis [= cailliaudi], 3.1% in L. truncatula and 0.67% in B. Alexandrina. The importance of these snails in the dissemination and spreading of fascioliasis was discussed

Studies on lice infesting goats in North Sinai

Out of 304 goats, 218 were infested with three species of lice [Bovicola caprae, Linognathus africanus and L. stenopsis]. Infestation with more than one species of lice was also seen. The highly infested season was winter and the least one was spring. The highly infested body site was hip and the least infested one was britch. The economic loss of goats infested with lice was discussed