Determination of antigenic patterns of three taenia extracts and their use for differential diagnosis of taeniasis by immunoblot

Immunoserological differential diagnosis of Taenia spp. is the major contribution of the present work. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] was used to analyze the protein components of three Taenia extracts prepared from Cysticercus bovis, Taenia saginata and Taenia taeniaeformis. Antigenic components of the three taeniid antigens revealed by [SDS-PAGE] were: [I] Cysticercus bovis cystic fluid antigen: 180, 116, 90, 66, 45, 26, 17 and 10 kD. [II] Taenia saginata excretory secretory antigen [ES]: 198, 180, 146, 116, 55, 45, 35 and 26 kD. [III] Taenia taeniaeformis whole crude antigen 170, 140, 120, 116, 66, 55, 45, 35, 26, 17 and 10 kD. The characterized extracts were used as antigens in Western Blot [WB] technique. Sera from immunized rabbits with Cysticercus bovis fluid antigens were used in detecting a variety of immunogenic bands: [I] Cysticercus bovis: 160, 116, 86, 52, 45, 38 and 29 kD. [II] Taenia saginata: 86, 68 and 10 kD. [III] Taenia taeniaeformis: 170, 116, 86, 68, 52, 45 and 29 kD. The present results suggested that the diagnostic bands by Western Blotare 160 and 38 kD for Cysticercus bovis, 10 kD for Taenia saginata [ES] antigen and 170 kD for Taenia taeniaeformis

Coproantigen versus EGG antigen in immunodiagnosis of intestinal capillariasis using Western Blot Technique

Capillaria philippinensis is a zoonotic nematode that causes severe diarrheal syndromes in humans. C. philippinensis coproantigen and egg antigen were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. Several protein bands were detected in both antigens. Protein profile of coproantigen of C. philippinensis infected patient included wide range of bands ranging from 10- 180 kD. Protein profile of egg antigen revealed only few bands detected at 10, 34- 36.5, and 148 kD. Using Western blot, a variety of protein bands were recognized by the infected patient serum. When tested against coproantigen, it detected a wide range of antigenic proteins at different molecular weight [10, 14, 34-36.5, 48, 54, 62, 66, 86, 94, and 148 kD respectively]. None of these bands were detected in normal human feces. When tested against egg antigen, the infected patient serum detected only two faint antigenic bands at 62 and 66 kD. It is concluded that coproantigen was more convenient than egg antigen in diagnosis of capillariasis by WB

Possible causes of morphometric differences in Schistosoma haematobium eggs in Sohag [Upper Egypt]

Eggs of Schistosoma spp. are of particular taxonomic importance. Minor variations in morphometry of egg or spine may denote a different species, variety or strain. Eggs of Schistosoma haematobium were detected from five urinary bilharzial cases. They were of different ages [6-29 years old] and different worm burdens [egg count varied from 5-375 eggs/1ml urine]. Previous treatment was also taken in consideration. Eggs were subjected to microscopical examination. Wide variations were observed in the egg measurements. Abnormal morphology was also observed Unfertilized eggs were observed for the first time. These were generally smaller in size than fertile eggs, and showed some deformity in their outline and contain few different- sized refractile granules. It is concluded that S. haematobium in Egyptian patients may belong to different strains that have eggs variable in measurements and shapes. Cross-fertilization between different species may affect the morphometry of the resultant eggs and may also be responsible for the deformities described during the present study

Detection of schistosoma haematobium egg antigen by western blot

Eggs of Schistosoma release a potent soluble egg antigen SEA" which is used as an important marker in immunodiagnosis of schistosomiasis. Electrophoresis and identification of different protein fractions of the antigen are used in accurate serological diagnosis. This work aimed to detect Schistosoma haematobium egg antigens in human serum and hyperimmune sera of rabbits by Western blot [WB]. The results revealed important bands detected with rabbit anti-sera against [SEA] at 32-34, 40, 63 and 100 KD. In case of human anti-sera, the most important bands were at 24-26, 32-34, 40, 63 110 and 150 KD. This work was done for the first time in Egypt and its results agreed with what was done before by other methods

Prevalence of cysticercus bovis and effect of cooking on its viability

Taenia saginata infection is found wherever raw or undercooked beef is eaten. Supervised slaughtering and good methods of cooking can control infection. Random samples of bovine meat and serum were collected from 100 cattle slaughtered in Assiut abattoir and inspected for Cysticercus bovis. Infected samples were processed for different methods of cooking and the viability of the cysts was estimated. The prevalence of infection was [8%] and [29%] by inspection and serology respectively. Boiling is a safer cooking, grilling and braising are susceptible while roasting is risky when rare-done

Light microscopic study of the effect of flubendazole, praziquantel and combination of both drugs on adult schistosoma mansoni [with 14 figures]

It is considered that combination of chemotherapy with other control measures can reduce transmission and morbidity of schistosomiasis. This study was done using 60 albino mice infected with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Mice were divided into 4 groups [control, flubendazole treated, praziquantel treated and combination of both drugs]. The effect of treatment was evaluated on male and female worms after [1, 2 and 3 Week Post Treatment]. Worms were collected by perfusion of portal vein and mesenteric veins separately, stained with acetic acid alum carmine and examined by light microscope

Scanning electron microscopy of adult schistosoma mansoni after treatment with praziquantel, flubendazol and combination of both [with 4 plates]

Many antischistosomal drugs are known to cause changes in the ultrastructure of adult worms. This study was done using 60 albino mice infected with cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni. Mice were divided into 4 groups [Control, Flubendazole-treated, Praziquantel-treated and the last group treated by combination of both drugs]. The effect of treatment was evaluated on male and female worms after one and three weeks post treatment. Worms were collected by perfusion of portal vein and mesenteric vein separately then examined by scanning electron microscopy

Prevalence of sarcocystis in bovine meat and effect of cooking on its viability

Sarcocystis is one of the important parasites infecting bovine meat. Protection from infection needs supervised slaughtering and good cooking. Random samples of bovine meat and serum were collected from 100 cattle slaughtered in Assiut abattoir, inspected and examined macroscopically, microscopically and serologically for sarcocysts. The prevalence of infection by macroscopic examination was [2%] and microscopic examination was [64%], while the seroprevelance was [71%]. Infected meat samples were processed for different methods of cooking and the viability of Sarcocystis was estimated by antigen capture ELISA. The parasite lost its viability and antigenicity by heating at 66-68. The best safe methods for protection from infection were boiling for 10-20 minutes and grilling of small meat samples for 10 minutes and large samples for 20 minutes while roasting is risky when cooked as raredone

Immunodiagnosis of capillaria philippinensis by western blot using coproantigen and egg antigen

Capillaria philippinensis is a zoonotic nematode that causes severe diarrhoeal syndromes in humans. C. philippinensis coproantigen and egg antigen were fractionaled using SDS-PAGE. Several protein bands were detected in both antigens. Protein profile of coproantigen of C. philippinensis infected patient included wide range of bands ranging from 10 - 180 kD. Protein profile of egg antigen revealed few bands detected at 10, 34- 36.5, and 148 kD. Using Western blot, a variety of protein bands were recognized by the infected patient serum. When tested against coproantigen, it detected a wide range of antigenic proteins at different molecular weights [10, 14, 34-36.5, 48, 54, 62, 66, 86, 94, and 148 kD respectively]. None of these bands were detected in normal human feces. When tested against egg antigen, the infected patient serum detected only two faint antigenic bands at 62 and 66 kD. It is concluded that coproantigen is more convenient than egg antigen in diagnosis of capillariasis by WB