Comparison between Kato-Katz thick smear and sedimentation techniques in diagnosis of faecal-orally transmitted helminthes and other geohelminthes

Kato-Katz technique is widely used for the diagnosis of Fecal-orally transmitted helminthic infections. It is relatively simple and inexpensive. However, a single slide prepared from a single stool specimen has low sensitivity, particularly in light infections. Therefore, there is a great need for concentration techniques. This study detected an accurate and affordable method for diagnosis of fecal-orally transmitted helminthes and other geohelminthes. The study was carried out on 217 stool samples of different sex and age groups. Stool samples were collected from different urban and rural areas in Sharkia Governorate. Stool samples were examined macroscopically and analyzed by different parasitological techniques: direct wet mount [DWM], Kato-Katz thick smear, spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique [SSTT] and formol ether sedimentation technique [FEC]. The results showed that formol ether sedimentation method detected 59 positive samples followed by spontaneous sedimentation in tube technique [48/59 positive samples]. FEC showed significant difference when compared to direct wet mount and Kato-Katz thick smear. SSTT also showed significant difference when compared to DWM [P <0.05].The overall prevalence of intestinal helminthes was [29.6%] among studied samples in Sharkia Governorate. The commonest helminthic infection was H. nana [12%] followed by E. vemicularis [10%] then A. lumbricoides [3.7%]

Characterization of the hemocytes of susceptible and resistant biomphalaria alexandrina snail

The internal defense system consists of soluble components of hemolymph and circulating cells known as hemocytes. The circulating hemocytes play a central role in innate immunity. This work aimed to study the hemocytes of both susceptible and resistant B. alexandrina snails exposed to and mansoni infection using light and electron microscopes. Two tested groups were included in the study; 60 susceptible and 60 resistant B. alexandrina snails. Both tested groups were studied as regad the hemocyte count [before and after infection] and the morphological characteristics of both circulating and tissue hemocytes by light and electron microscopes. Before infection, there was no significant difference between the two groups as regard the hemocyte count, however after infection, there is a significant decrease in the circulating hemocytes of the resistant group. Light microscopy revealed five morphological types of circulating cells of both susceptible and resistant snails. Regarding scannig electron microscopy, hemocytes of susceptible snails appeared rounded with smooth or slightly rough surface. However, that of the resistant snails appeared irregular in shaped with corrugated surface. Furthermore, Light microscopy and the transmission electron microscopy revealed signs of cell activation in the hemocytes of the resistant group. The circulating hemocytes consist of five cell types in both susceptible and resistant B. alexandarina and morphologies of these cells are quite similar, but with more signs of cell activations in the resistant group. More specific studies on the functional activities of the hemocytes and mechanisms that may affect or influence the susceptibily and/or non-susceptibility of molluscs to invade microorganisms is essential and how they an act in the immune response

Effects of artemether treatment on prepatent and patent Schistosoma mansoni infection in experimentally infected mice

Schistosomiasis is a chronic debilitating parasitic disease. Long-term repeated use of praziquantel [PZQ] for control of the disease morbidity may lead to resistance or reduced susceptibility to the drug. Artemether [ART], the anti-malarial drug may become an alternative therapy to PZQ as it also displays anti-schistosomal properties. To assess the effects of artemether experimentally on prepatent [juvenile worms] and patent [adult worms] Schistosoma mansoni infection. Three groups each composed of twenty mice were used in the study. The first group [prepatent infection] was treated with double dose of ART [each 400 mg/kg] three and four weeks post infection [PI], the second group [patent infection] was treated with the same dose at six and seven weeks PI and the third group represented the infected control group. The effect of the drug was assessed by parasitological, histopathological and ultrastructural studies. It was found that ART significantly decreased the number of worms and their body sizes in treated mice groups. It also decreased the tissue egg load and decreased the granuloma size in the liver of mice in the second group. It had a more potent effect on juvenile worms [group 1] as no or few fibrous granulomas appeared in the tissues. Scanning electron microscope revealed swelling and erosion of the tubercles with breaks in some areas of the tegument in both groups of treated mice groups. The oral sucker showed breaks and focal lysis of the underlying muscle fibers. Artemether is an effective drug against Schistosoma mansoni infection. It has schistosomicidal and ovicidal effects and hence anti-pathologic activities especially in those treated early after infection [3 and 4 weeks PI]. Additional clinical studies using artemether in different epidemiologic settings with higher doses as well as future trials to study its ability to prevent reinfection and against S. hematobium are also recommended

Relationship between serum cytokines profiles and hepatic fibrosis in Schistosomiasis mansoni: an experimental study

Forty of eighty mice [10 each group] were infected with S. mansoni cercariae and sacrificed at 3 weeks [G-A], 6 weeks [G-B], 12 weeks [G-C] and 16 weeks [G-D] post infection [P.I]. The other forty mice were used as control groups of ten mice each. There were highly significant difference between egg counts after 12 weeks and 16 weeks of infection compared to 6 weeks P.I. The maximum egg count and mature eggs were in 6[th] week P.I while dead eggs reached the peak at 16[th] weeks P.I. Liver egg counts showed maximum followed by intestinal and then, stool egg counts. A highly significant differences in hydroxy-proline, TGF-Bland DL-4 of infected than in controls and their peak at 16 weeks P.I. A significant difference in the EFN-gamma in the infected than in controls with peak occurred at 6 weeks P.I. and declined after that reaching a low level at 16 weeks P.I. A highly significant positive correlation was between TGF-Bland IL4 and significant negative correlation between IFN- gamma and both IL4 and TGF-B1. A highly significant and significant negative correlation between TGF-B1 and egg count at 12 and 16 weeks P.I respectively. Negative correlation was between IL-4 and egg count at 16 weeks P.I. But, significant positive correlation was between IFN- gamma with the egg count at 16 weeks P.I. A significant negative correlation was between TGF-B1 and oogram at 6 and 16 weeks P.I, but highly significant positivity was between IFN- gamma and oogram at 16 weeks P.I. A significant negative correlation was between IL-4 and oogram at 16 weeks P.I. A significant positive correlation was between levels of hydroxyproline and TGF-B1 at 12 and 16 weeks P.I. Highly significant negative correlation between hydroxyproline and IFN- gamma was at 12 weeks P.I with significant and highly significant positive correlation between hydroxyproline and IL4 at 12 and 16 weeks-P.I