Estimation of nitric oxide level in mice infected by trichinella spiralis

Trichinella spiralis infection causes intestinal inflammation that is associated with hypermotility and hypersecretion. Nitric oxide [NO] is a major secretory product of mammalian cells, with a critical role in host non-specific defense, and has been identified as an important effector molecule that can play a role in immuno-regulation. To investigate the role of NO and the changes in its level in experimental Trichinella spiral/s infection. 150 mice of both sexes were divided into five groups. GI served as healthy control [uninfected untreated group]. The other four groups were infected each with 250 larvae/mouse, G2 served as infected untreated control group, G3 was infected and administered NO in the form of 1 mg/kg intraperitoneally of glycerile trinitrate [Nitrocine], G4 was infected and administered nitric oxide synthase inhibitor in the form of 3 mg/kg intraperitoneally of L-NAME, and G5 was infected and treated with both Nitrocine and L-NAME. Drugs were given three times weekly from day 3 to day 28 post-infection. Two stable breakdown products, nitrate [NO3] and nitrite [NO,] were detected and determined at weekly intervals for 14 weeks for Gl and G2, and at the end of the 14th week in the other three groups, hence NO was calculated. Adult and larval counts were measured in each mouse with estimation of NO, and NO, levels. The adult worm count on the 7th day was 95.2 +/- 3.1 in G2; 142.12+2.94 in G3; 88.3+3.61 in G4 and 107.57+4.03 in G5, while on the 14th day [intestinal and migratory phase], the count was zero in all different groups. The larval count/diaphragm muscle was 690.15+108.1, 1261.75+244.7, 547.3 +/- 130.1 and 1089.0+107.7 in G2. G3. G4 and G5 respectively. Significant increases in NO levels were observed in G3 and G5 compared to G2 and G4 with peak serum level at week 9 in G2. Conclusion: NO administered as a drug intensified T spiralis infection and inhibition of the effect of NO by L-NAME reduced the numbers of worms and larvae. Further studies are needed to determine pro and anti-inflammatory effects of NO on different parasitic infections and the relationship between NO function and concentration in the microenvironment of inflammatory lesions

Diagnosis of trichomonas vaginalis infection by PCR

Trichomonas vaginalis infection is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the world. It causes vaginitis, urethritis and preterm birth. It has been associated with nongonococcal urethritis in men. In this study, a polymerase chain reaction [PCR] targeting the beta-tubulin genes of T. vaginalis was developed for the detection of the organism in both vaginal swab and urine specimens from infected patients. Random urine samples were collected from 30 patients [23 females and 7 males] tested positive for T. vaginalis by wet preparation and the Inpouch T. vaginalis culture system. Two vaginal swabs were collected by each woman, first before insertion of the speculum and then after the insertion of the speculum. A previously published T.vaginalis specific primer set, [BTUB 9/2], BTUB 9 [5' CAT TGA TAA CGA AGC TCT TTA CGA T 3'] and BTUB2 [5' GCA TGT TGT GCC GGA CAT AAC CAT 3'] recognizing a 112-bp target within the beta-tubulin gene of the T. vaginalis organism was used for this purpose. The positive result was reported 28.6% in male urine and 39.1% in female urine samples, first swab 65.2% and second swab 78.3% by wet preparation diagnosis. By the culture test, the male urine samples recorded 42.9% positive, female urine 69.6% while the first swab recorded 86.9% positive and the second swab 91.3% positive. All negative cases by culture in urine and vaginal samples were tested by PCR, which resulted as 2 cases positive in male urine samples and 5 cases were positive in female urine samples, but one case only gave positive with PCR in first swab of vaginal samples and 2 cases of second swab became positive by PCR. No statistical differences were observed in incidences among patients. On conclusion the PCR assay was even more sensitive than wet preparation and culture and afforded the practical advantages of providing results

Eosinophilia as a diagnostic value in patients suffering from schistosomiasis haematobium comparing to eosinophiluria and egg count in the urine

Fifty-out of sixty cases [ranging in age between 18-30 years old] suffering from Schistosomiasis hematobium were selected from Inpatient and Outpatient Clinic of Theodore Bilharz Research Institute. Patients were divided into three groups: 20 infected and non treated, 20 infected and treated, then exposed again to infection and ten were completely treated. Also, a fourth group to serve as healthy control was included. Blood samples were collected to count eosinophil percentage and absolute eosinophil count. Urine samples were collected to study eosinophiluria by slide film staining with Leishman's stain and to count number of ova excreted in 10 ml urine by urine filtration technique. Eosinophilia and eosinophiluria >5% had diagnostic value for Schistosomiasis hematobium as well as the correlation between them and intensity of infection by number of ova in urine