Effects of medication with ivermectin, chloroquine and artemether on plasma nitrate / nitrite levels in calves naturally infected with onchocerca gutturosa

In a comparative study involving the use of Ivermectin, Chloroquine and Artemether against Onchocerca gutturosa in calves, the plasma nitrate /nitrite concentration was measured. Following treatment and clearance of skin mf of O. gutturosa, the plasma nitrate/ nitrite concentrations, nor the stable end product of Nitric Oxide [NO] breakdown, rise significantly although it showed short peaks following reduction in dermal mf counts but no clear correlation was detected

preliminary pilot survey on head lice, pediculosis in Sharkia Governorate and treatment of lice with natural plant extracts

Twelve different representative areas in Sharqia Governorate were surveyed for head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis. The prevalence was investigated among 120 houses containing 2448 individuals with different age, sex and socioeconomic status. Examination was done by naked eye aided with hand- lens. A total of 137 individuals was infested. Infestation rates were higher in the rural areas with low socioeconomic levels and concrete houses with over-crowded family members. Children had significantly higher infestation rates than adults. Males had lower infestation rates than females. However, the hair length and permanent hair washing were the factors accounted for both age and sex difference in prevalence of Pediculosis. Head lice infestations were found all over the year, but increased in summer and spring. One hundred infested patients [90 females and 10 males] with different aged and hair length were treated with four mixed creams from plants Lawsonia alba L. [henna], Trigonella faemum-gracaum [fenugreek], Hibiscus cannabinus [hibiscus] and Artemisia cina [wormseed]. The head lice completely disappeared within a weak among those patients treated by Henna mixed with aqueous extract of sheah [100%] or mixed with helba [75%] or with karkade [50%]

Ectoparasites of wild birds in Egypt

The authors tried to trace incidence of ectoparasites of wild birds in Egypt. The subjects hunted were 72 wild birds from Abu-Rawash area Giza Province all over a year. The infestation rate of heron by ectoparasites was high [44. 4%] then followed by egyptian kestrel [30.77%] and little owl [30%] and low in Egypt kite [35%] and barn owl [22.22%]. Six species from lice found as the ectoparasites of wold birds which were Liperus caponis, Cuclotogaster heterographus, Menopon gallinae, Menacanthus stramineus Trinoton sp., lastly Ricinus sp. and one species from mites was found Dermanyssus gallinae

Effect of some natural plants on two species of house dust mites

House dust mites are the most common source of allergens to which patients with allergic disease respond. The effect of using cumin [Cuminum cimium], cardamom, cinnamon [Cinnamonum zeglanicum], fenugreek [Trigonella foenum graecum] and henna [Lawsonia inermis] in different amounts mixed with food on two species of house dust mites [Dermatophgoides petronyssinus] and [Dermatophagoides farinae] was described. Results revealed that, the ratio between natural plants used and mite food are 0.5: 10, 1: 10, 1.5: 10 and 2: 10. The cumin acts as a good killer for the tested mites with a maximum effect at a ratio of 2: 10. The killing effect occurred within 1-4 hours. Cardamom and cinnamom act as good repellents at a ratio of 1.5: 10, 1: 10, respectively. While cinnamom is a good killer at a ratio 2: 10. Fenugreek and henna are good repellents when mixed both of them with mite food at ratios of 1.5: 10 and 1: 10, respectively. Plants mentioned could be for controlling the house dust mites without polluting the environment