Evaluation of parasep [faecal parasite concentrator] for detection of Giardia lamblia in faeces

This study was carried on 168 patients suspected to be infected with Giardia lamblia. They were all subjected to direct stool microscopic examination, formol-ether concentration and by Parasep [fecal parasite concentrator]. The results showed that 14.3% of the patients were positive for giardiasis by Parasep 10.7 were positive for giardiasis by formol-ether concentration and 5.35% of the cases were positive by direct stool microscopic examination. The results showed that the use of Parasep is an effective and convenient mean for the detection of G. lamblia cysts in feces with the disadvantage of highly cost-benefit taking into consideration that the microscopic examination is the gold standard of giardiasis

Some field and laboratory studies on rattus Rattus subspecies and rattus norvegicus in two Egyptian governorates of different ecological characters

Both Damietta and Qalyoubia governorates were examined for the seasonal activities of Rattus species and subspecies and their natural infection with Trypanosoma lewisi. The common domestic rodents identified were Rattus r. alexandrinus, R. r. frugivorus and Rattus norvegicus. They were common all the year round except in winter for R. norvegicus in Damietta. Gravid females of the three rodent species were identified in Damietta in summer, in addition to autumn for R. norvegicus only. In Qalyoubia, gravid females of the three rodent species were identified in spring, in addition to autumn for R. norvegicus only. The heaviest rodent in weight was R. norvegicus in summer [Damietta] and in spring [Qalyoubia]. The three rodent species were naturally infected with T. lewisi

Study on humoral and lymphocyte specific reactions in patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni

This study was carried out on 25 patients [10 males and 15 females]. Their ages ranged between 8 and 45 years. The control group included 8 healthy subjects [3 females and 5 males] free of schistosomiasis and also from other parasitic diseases. Their ages ranged between 14 and 35 years. All cases were subjected to stool analysis by direct smear method, simple sedimentation technique and egg counting by modified Kato technique. The detection of immune response by IHAT [indirect haemagglutination test], colorimetric technique using MTT [Dimethyl tetrazolium salt] was used to detect lymphoblastic reaction to SEA [schistosoma egg antigen] and to PHA mitogen [phytohaemagglutinin]. The variation in stool egg counts showed insignificant difference in relation to age, IgG titre [IHAT] and lymphoblastic response to SEA and PHA among the patients group. IgG titer was found moderately high in the patients groups. The non specific lymphoblastic response to PHA was significantly higher in control group versus infected group [P < 0.001]. The lymphoblastic reaction to SEA was significantly higher in patients compared to control group [P < 0.001]