Renal changes in golden hamsters experimentally infected with leishmania d. infantum on top of schistosoma mansoni infection

This work aimed to study the concomitant infection of L. d. infantum on top of S. mansoni infection in Syrian golden hamsters, the model animal for both parasites. The results showed that the renal changes were more or less the same as infection with either parasite alone. Both parasites produce mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix increase. Some glomeruli showed complete replacement of the capillary tuft with structureless homogenous material. In one S. mansoni positive control hamster, Schistosoma eggs were seen within granulomas and atrophic glomeruli. However, the leishmanial infection, more or less suppressed the schistosomal infection. The leishmanial infection itself became more prominent and the renal lesion appeared earlier and was more obvious

Biomphalaria glabrata: a new threat for schistosomiasis transmission in Egypt

Identification of Biomphalaria glabrata [the snail host of Schistosoma mansoni in the new world] was based on morphometry of the shell, shape of the radular lateral teeth and the presence of the characteristic renal ridge. B. glabrata snails collected from natural water courses in Egypt proved to be susceptible to a local strain of S. mansoni. These snails were infected by 52% versus 75% for Biomphalaria alexandrina [the only local host] under the same laboratory conditions. Meanwhile, the periodic total cercarial production was higher in B. glabrata than in B. alexandrina [252+110 cercariae/snail versus 203+86 cercariae/snail, respectively]. Differences in infection rate, length of schistosome incubation period, duration of cercarial shedding and cercarial production in various sizes of the two snail species were reported and discussed

Epidemiologic study of schistosomiasis in two rural areas with different topographic characteristics in El-Minia governorate

Schistosomiasis is a major health problem in Egypt as in other tropical and subtropical areas. The present study was designed to measure the prevalence of schistosomal infection in two rural areas with different topographic and ecological characteristics in El Minia governate and to evaluate some human host factors that might influence schistosomiasis spread. The study was done in the Internal Medicine department, El Minia Faculty of Medicine over the period from October, 1993 to October, 1994. It was conducted on 650 subjects: 500 from El Hawaslia village [264 males and 236 females with their ages ranging from 4-92 years] and from Dir El Adra village [74 males and 76 females with ages ranging from 5-71 years]. All subjects were subjected to thorough history taking, clinical examination and both qualitative and quantitative urinalysis and stool examination. Abdominal ultrasonographic examination was performed as well. As regards schistosomiasis haematobium, the study reported a prevalence rate of 10.3% in El Hawasila, while Dir El Adra village only one case was detected. In El Hawaslia the highest prevalence was found among the youngest age group [4-20 years]. The total prevalence was higher in males [11.5%] than in females [8.9%]. Nevertheless females reported higher prevalences among older age groups 62.5%, 66.7% and 66.7% in females versus 37.5%, 33.3% and 33.3% in males in the age groups 21-40, 41-60 and >/= 61 years respectively. Occurpation, irrigation system and water contact activities played an effective role in schistosomiasis haematobium spread in El Hawaslia. Regarding S. mansoi one case was reported in El Hawaslia [indeed it was mixed infection of S. haematobim and S. mansoni]. No schistosomiasis mansoni was detected in Dir El Adra. In conclusion, schistomosiasis had not been yet controlled in our locality inspite of the many control programs. Contaminated water contact was far the most important factor in spreading the infection. Schistosoma mansoni began to spread from Lower to Upper Egypt and this might change the spectrum of morbidity of bilharziasis in Upper Egypt