effect of potassium permanganate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate on metacercariae of fasciola gigantica

Batches of encysted metacercariae of F. Gigantica adhered to transparent polyethylene sheets were treated with KMnO4, while others were treated with NaDCC at specific concentrations and exposure times. An assessment of their effects was carried out by the detached percentage and viable metacercariae and scanning electron microscope [SEM] ultrastructural changes. In addition, their effects on the leaves of green vegetables were reported. The results showed that all metacercariae were detached and died due to their exposure to KMnO4 [96%] and NaDCC [100%] were detached from the polyethylene sheets. SEM showed that the deformities in the metacercariae soaked in NaDCC were more severe than those dipped in KMnO4. However, neither KMnO4 nor NaDCC affected the consistency, color taste or flavor of the vegetable leaves. The two disinfectants, particularly NaDCC, proved to be safe, effective against the encysted metacercariae with no side effects

Vaccination against congenital toxoplasmosis

Different types of Toxoplasma gondii vaccines were evaluated using parasitological and histopathological means to induce immunity in Swiss pregnant mice and their pups against the challenge with virulent RH strain. Immunization was performed before mating by using live cyst vaccines [LCV], LCV-IL-2 combination, irradiated cyst vaccine [ICV] and ICV-IL-2 combination. It was demonstrated that pre- immunization with the current vaccines offered a significant protection of both dams and pups. The highest level of protection was noticed in mice received LCV-IL2, followed by ICV-IL-2, then LCV and the least protection was elicited in dams immunized with ICV alone. The results revealed the possibility of applying such accines, not only in mice but also in other mammalian hosts including humans

Bacterial-parasite interaction between salmonella and each of fasciola gigantica and trichinella spiralis

The possibility of bacterial-parasite interaction between Salmonella typhimurium and the surface of each of Fasciola gigantica metacercariae and Trichinella spiralis larvae was investigated in vitro. Two studies were carried out. In the first, S. Typhimurium were incubated in vitro with the metacercariae of F. Gigantica. In the second, S. typhimurium was incubated with larvae of T. Spiralis. The interactions of S. typhimurium with each of F. Gigantica metacercariae and T. spiralis larvae were studied by scanning electron microscope [SEM]. In the first study, numerous bacilli were found adhered to the metacercariae surface. In the second study, no S. typhimurium was observed on the wall of T. Spiralis larvae. The results indicated that only F. Gigantica metacercariae act as a carrier for S. typhimurium with the possibility of occurrence of mixed infections with both organisms. So, both fascioliasis and salmonellosis must be treated concomitantly

Detection of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat juice: experimental and surveillance studies

Public health and economic impact of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat is considerable in terms of morbidity and even mortality in humans. Up to date, there is no suitable method for diagnosis of both diseases in meat of slaughtered animals. The present study evaluated the meat juice as a sample from experimentally infected mice with Toxoplasma gondii [T.gondii] or Salmonella typhimurium [S.typhimurium] for detection of anti-toxoplosma or anti-salmonella antibodies by an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique. The results of the current study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences when comparing results of muscle juice ELISA to those obtained from serum samples of mice with strong correlation between the two samples. This indicated that, meat juice is as efficient as blood in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis. Moreover, the superiority of meat juice lies in its ability for diagnosis when blood is not obtainable. The use of this sample was applied in surveillance study which was done on randomly collected beef and chicken meat. The antibodies against T.gondii and S. typhimurium were detected in 31%, 22% and 14%, 7% respectively. This justifies the importance of meat juice to be used in the future large scale meat screening programs

Use of lactoferrin assay in the diagnosis of different vaginal pathogens

Local cell mediated immunity is more important than systemic immunity for protection against different vaginal pathogens. The predominant inflammatory cells in vaginal pool are almost exclusively polymorphonuclear neutrophils [PMN] which were varied according to the type of vaginal pathogens, lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein found in the secondary granules of PMN. In order to determine the usefulness of such marker for neutrophilic activity in different vaginal infections, we examined the vaginal discharge using antilactoferrin antibodies [lactoferrin latex agglutination test: LFLA].Against different gold standard techniques. Our results demonstrated that Trichomonas vaginalis [T.V] revealed a high lactoferrin titer which was positively correlated with the number of PMN. In addition, cases with vaginal candidiasis [V.C] was characterized by mild inflammatory process as expressed by mild lactoferrin level which was also correlated with the PMN count. However, a paradoxic finding was observed in discharge recovered from cases with bacterial vaginosis [B.V] where lactoferrin titer was not correlated with PMN count. In addition, the findings of the present work indicated that LFLA was sensitive and specific when used alone and its sensitivity was increased after coupling with other simple methods as pH determination or amin test. In conclusion, our results described the feasibility of using LFLA as a simple, extremely sensitive, reliable method in distinguishing different types of vaginal pathogens, so it could be used as a promising method for a widespread community screening to diagnose population of females at risk