Genetic polymorphism of Toxoplasma gondii from recently infected aborted Egyptian women

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in human beings. Human toxoplasmosis can be associated with serious clinical manifestations, particularly in developing fetus. The aim of the current study was to identify the possible lineage type of Toxoplasma gondii, molecularly detected in placental samples of women whose pregnancies were spontaneously terminated in the first trimester. Preliminary detection of Toxoplasma genomic materials was done by a SYBR green qPCR technology. Subsequent identification of Toxoplasma strain was done for the positive samples using PCR- restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] at the SAG2 loci of T. gondii using restriction enzymes HhaI and Sau3AI. Out of 72 tested samples, Toxoplasma B1 gene was detected in 9 cases. Toxoplasma genotypes I and II in addition to unknown type were identified in 4, 3 and 2 cases respectively, while type III was not detected in our samples, hence excluded as a leading cause of abortion in humans in our preliminary study. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain to what extent the genotype of the parasite directly contributes to the clinical severity of human toxoplasmosis. Certainly, advanced molecular techniques targeting different Toxoplasma strains are crucial for better understanding of human toxoplasmosis. For more elucidation, additional studies are recommended intended for genetic characterization of such serious parasitic infection using larger number of samples

Mosquito identification and molecular xenomonitoring of lymphatic filariasis in selected endemic areas in Giza and Qualioubiya governorates, Egypt

Lymphatic filariasis is a vector-borne health problem that has been focally endemic in Egypt for centuries. The chief vectors of transmission are Culicinae species. Control measures in the form of mass drug administration of DEC citrate treatment have been implemented in Nile delta for almost a decade. This study aimed to identify the prevalent mosquito species in endemic areas in Giza and Qualioubiya governorates and to monitor Wuchereria bancrofti infection by detecting the parasite DNA in collected mosquitoes. Adult mosquitoes were collected using light traps hung indoors. Microscopic examination was performed to identify and examine the morphologic characters of mosquitoes. Female Culex mosquitoes were subjected to semi-nested PCR to detect filarial DNA targeting repetitive DNA sequences [pWb12 repetitive region] specific for W.bancrofti

The results revealed 3 species of mosquitoes Culex pipiens, Culex pusillus and Culex quinquefasciatus with the predominance of Culex pipiens [85.7%]. Wuchereria bancrofti DNA was not detected in any of the collected mosquito pools. With the progress of elimination programme in Nile Delta, follow up studies with larger sample size are recommended as the predominance of Culex pipiens the main lymphatic filariasis vector remains a risk of transmission in such areas

Therapeutic effect of lauric acid, a medium chain saturated fatty acid on giardia lamblia in experimentally infected hamsters

Giardia lamblia is a common cause of diarrheal disease in humans, particularly among children causing nutritional disorders. Metronidazole and other nitroimidazoles are commonly used as the mainstay of therapy for giardiasis. The present work was carried out to evaluate the effect of lauric acid, a natural product extracted from coconut oil, against G. lamblia in experimentally infected hamsters [Mesocricetus auratus]. Sixty five laboratory bred hamsters were used in the current experimental study. Ten served as normal non infected non treated control group [A]. Fifteen uninfected hamsters served as drug control group [B]: five received metronidazole group [B1]; five received lauric acid group [B2] and five received combined treatment [metronidazole and lauric acid] at a half doses of each drug [B3]. The remaining forty hamsters were orally infected by 10,000 G. lamblia cysts/hamster [group C], and were divided into 4 groups of 10 hamsters each: infected control [C1]; metronidazole treated [C2]; lauric acid treated [C3]; combined treatment at a half dose of each drug [C4]. Two weeks after treatment, compared with infected non treated controls, the highest percentages of reduction in the number of Giardia cysts and trophozoites were in the group that received combined treatment [98.83%, 96.95%, respectively]. Lower percentages of reduction were recorded for the metronidazole treated group [93.77%, 95.50%, respectively] and the lauric acid treated group [82.03%, 78.76%, respectively]. Histopathological examination and electron microscopic examination revealed complete healing of intestinal mucosa after the combined treatment, while partial healing of the lining epithelium of the intestine was noticed after metronidazole or lauric acid treatment alone. Lauric acid improved the therapeutic effect against giardiasis when combined with metronidazole