Effects of filaricidal drugs on longevity and enzyme activities of the microfilariae of Setaria cervi in white rats

Objective: To analyse the efficacy of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), tetramisole and chlorpromazine on the longevity and activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase in the microfilariae recovered from the peripheral circulation of the rats before and after the treatment. Methods: Setaria cervi worms were implanted in white rats via laparotomy and microfilaraemic rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated with DEC, tetramisole and chlorpromazine respectively, while Group 4 served as infected control. Longevity of microfilariae and differential leucocyte counts were recorded till the disappearance of microfilariae from peripheral blood. Glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase enzymes were localized in the microfilariae recovered from normal and treated rats. Results: The microfilariae survived for 48 days in untreated rats while survival was reduced to 15, 21 and 27 days after treatment with DEC, tetramisole and chlorpromazine, respectively. Eosinophils and neutrophils increased during 2nd and 3rd weeks, whereas the lymphocytes increased during 4-7 weeks. DEC treatment resulted in slight decrease in the localization of succinate dehydrogenase but not in glucose-6-phosphatase. Tetramisole and chlorpromazine treatment did not show any appreciable change in the localization of both the above enzymes. Conclusions: DEC proved the most effective drug which cleared the microfilaraemia within 15 days and reduced the activity of succinate dehydrogenase to some extent followed by tetramisole and chlorpromazine which took more time for the clearance of microfilariae and had no effect on the localization of both glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase.

Inestinal parasitic infections among primary school children in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among primary schoolchildren was studied. Seven male and seven female schools covering different parts of Jeddah City were selected for the study. A total of 1000 questionnaires was distributed to primary schoolchildren, filled by the childs guardian, and 230 stool samples were collected from those who agreed to participate in the study. They were analyzed by the formalin-ether technique. Of the 231 stool samples, only 22 had parasites. Giardia lamblia was the most reported parasite. Double infection was seen in three samples only. The low prevalence of intestinal parasites among the study group reflects the outstanding health and hygienic care in the selected primary schools