Risk factors contributing to fascioliasis endemicity in a focus in Dakahlia governorate 1- human host

Zoonotic fascioliasis is a problem not only in Dakahlia Governorate, but also in other Egyptian Governorates. Two hundreds and twenty patients randomly selected with suggesting manifestations were examined for fascioliasis. A total of 23 [10.4%] were positive by Kato thick smears, of which 21 were from Kafr El-Hessah and two from Oweish El-Hager. The proven human fascioliasis was examined for anti -Fasciola antibodies by IHAT and ELISA [Fhes], haemoglobin level, eosinophils percent, serum bilirubin and liver function tests. IHAT gave 82.61% positive results [19/23], and ELISA gave 100% positive results [23/23]. The clinical signs ranged between splenomegaly and ascitis in 4.34% for each up to hepatomegaly in 73.91% and mild fever in 78.26% but 2 cases were asymptomatic. Mild eosinophilia and moderate anaemia were recorded with means of 11 +/- 5.8 and 10 +/- 1.3 respectively. Mean serum bilirubin was not elevated [0.91 +/- 0.51 gm/dl]. Liver function tests [AST within normal range in all cases; <40 unit /ml but one patient had ALT above normal; >45 unit/ml]

parasitological study on the use of biotherapeutic yeast in the treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

Infection with Schistosoma mansoni induces humoral and T cell mediated responses and leads to a delayed hypersensitivity that result in granulomatous inflammatory disease around the parasite eggs. The nonpathogenic Saccharomyces species have potential as an exogenously administered agent for maintaining colonization resistance during antibiotic therapy, preventing diarrhea and other gastrointestinal diseases as well as its antagonistic activity [in vitro and in vivo] against various bacterial pathogens. Saccharomyces boulardii exerts its immunoprotective effect through the secretion of immunoglobulins. In this work the antibilharzial effect of S. boulardii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was studied. Both yeast products were given orally to mice for 21 days before infection. Their effects on worm burden, egg count, fecundity and granuloma diameter were elucidated. Both were effective in reducing worm burden and egg count resulting in a significant decrease in granuloma diameter. The obtained data show that S. cerevisiae gave more potent effects on S. mansoni parasitism than S. boulardii

Role of mast cells and T-lymphocytes in pemphigus vulgaris: significance of CD44 and the c-kit gene product [CD117]

Molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of pemphigus vulgaris are still not clear. We aimed to determine the significance of detecting expression of some antigens that might be pivotal to the process, namely CD44 and CD117, in patients with active pemphigus vulgaris. Seventeen patients with active pemphigus vulgaris and 19 normal healthy controls were included in the study. The immunohistochemical results showed prominent expression of CD44 in 13 of the patients and CD117 in 9 of the patients with new blister formation. CD44 percentage values in peripheral T-lymphocytes were significantly higher in patients than controls, as detected by flow cytometry. In addition, there was a significant increase in a soluble form of c-kit in sera of patients with active pemphigus vulgaris compared to controls

Fungal enzyme activities using sawdust as carbon source

Cellulase and protease activities were determined in the extracellular fluids of different fungal strains grown on sawdust [1%] for different incubation periods. Considerable amounts of CMC-ase and beta- glucosidase were observed in case of Penicillium funiculosum, while a high activity of neutral protease was detected only with Phanerochaete chrysosporium. The results showed the importance of including a pretreatment step in order to improve sawdust properties towards enzymatic attack. On the other hand, some enzymatic activities from Eupenicillium javanicum grown on sawdust, as the only carbon source, were determined. The levels of some of these enzymes were compared in both endo-and extracellular fractions as well as in shake and static cultures

Simple method for the estimation of 2-keto-3-deoxy aldonic acids formed by fungi

A simplified colorimetric procedure has been developed for 2-keto- 3-deoxy aldonic acids on the base of previously reported methods using periodate oxidation. The periodate oxidation product is coupled with thiobarbituric acid to form a chromogen whose absorption maximum is at 545 to 550 nm. Cell-free extracts of six Penicillia were analyzed for their ability to degrade D-gluconate and L-arabonate. The formed 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-gluconate [KDG] and 2-keto-3-deoxy-L-arabonate [KDA] were estimated by this method. High yield of KDG was observed in case of Penicillium citrinum, P. Funiculosum and P. Chrysogenum, but a considerable amount of KDA was detected. KDG and KDA were also estimated as a product of C3 + C3 and C3 + C2 reverse reactions of aldolases, respectively. This method is unique in that it can be applied to a large number of microorganisms as a metabolic marker for taxonomic purposes

Studies on proteases formation by phanerochaeta chrysosporium

Glucose and sawdust media supplemented with nitrogen sources were used for the growth and proteases formation by Phanerochaete chrysosporium. Urea and ammonium sulfate were found to be suitable sources for fungal growth respectively, followed by albumin. Changes in pH values were detected during growth. Optimum protein content was reached after four days of incubation at 30 degrees in case of sawdust medium supplemented with [NH4]2SO4, while as protein content was increasing gradually by increasing the incubation period up to seven days in glucose medium supplemented with urea. Variable levels of extracellular and endocellular protease A were detected using these media, but a comparatively low level was observed in case of protease B and C. Optimum pH for endocellular protease A and B activities were found to be three and seven, respectively. A linear relationship was obtained when endocellular protease B activity was assayed at different incubation periods after one hour of incubation

Biodegradation of hemicellulosic materials for cellulase and hemicellulase production by fungi

Bagasse, rice and wheat straw hemicelluloses were separately used as the only carbon source for the growth and enzyme production by Aspergillus niger and Penicillium funiculosumThe IR spectra of bagasse and rice straw hemicelluloses show a great similarityAcid hydrolysis of these hemicelluloses indicated that sugar components were mainly xyloseThe activities of cellulase [CMC-ase, filter- paper activity and beta-glucosidase] and hemicellulase [xylanase and beta-xylosidase] were determined endocellularly and extracellularlyHigher endocellular and extracellular beta-glucosidase, beta- xylosidase, xylanase and extracellular CMC-ase activities were obtained with ANigerNo filter-paper activity could be detected after seven days of incubationThe results may indicate an evidence on the existence of a relationship between cellulases and hemicellulases in the tested organisms

Carbon sources influencing the production of cellulases and proteases by different cellulolytic microorganisms

Treated corn cobs cellulose [2%] was used as the only carbon source for the growth and production of extracellular cellulases and proteases by four cellulolytic microbes: Penicillium funiculosum, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Micromonospora calcea and Trichoderma virideTViride and Pfuniculosum showed a great ability for the production of carboxy-methyl cellulase [CMCase], filter paper-ase [FPA], neutral and acid proteasesMaximum neutral protease activity was obtained with MCalcea and TvirideOptimum activities in relation to the incubation periods varied according to the enzyme studied and the organism testedThe effect of different carbon sources on cellulases and proteases production indicates that cellulose and lactose were good inducers for CMCase production by Pfuniculosum and PhChrysosporium respectivelyThe latter inducers were also the best for the production of neutral proteases by Tviride and Mcalcea respectively, while cellobiose and lactose were the best inducers for acid protease production by PFuniculosum and Phchrysosporium, respectively