Intestinal permeability in hymenolepis nana as reflected by non invasive lactulose/ mannitol dual permeability test and its impaction on nutritional parameters of patients

Assessment of Hymenolepis nana infection among 102 children and adults of both sexes [5-16 years] residing 2 Welfare Institutes [Giza and Cairo] showed a prevalence of 22.33%. The effect of H. nana on intestinal permeability and on nutritional parameters of patients was studied. A total of 46 subjects were divided into 2 groups: GI [20 H. nana patients] and GII [26 parasite-free control]. Both groups were subjected to lactulose/mannitol dual permeability test, anthropometric study, estimation of vitamin B12 and folate levels in plasma and estimation of haemoglobin [HB]%, RBCs and WBCs counts and haematocrite value [HCT%] for anaemia. The H. nana patients showed significant higher percent [P=0.04] of altered intestinal permeability versus controls denoting intestinal leakage, significant means lower levels of vitamin B12 [P=0.01] and folate [P <0.04] in blood plasma versus control denoting liability to vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies. Means value of HB%, RBC and WBC counts and HCT% showed generalized decrease but without significant difference in H. nana patients and control denoting anaemia liability. The percent of stunting [HAZ

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]

surface ultrastructure of the Egyptian liver fluke Fasciola gigantica

Scanning electron microscopy [SEM] of adult Fasciola gigantica, a known liver fluke in Egypt, shows the presence of tegumental spines and folds giving the appearance of a rough surface. The spines are small and closely-spaced anteriorly, increasing in size and number on the in the mid-lateral aspect of the ventral surface. Towards the posterior end the spines progressively decrease in both size and number. Tegumental transverse folds or invaginations are interspaced between the spines. There are two types of sensory papillae on the tegumental surface. The dorsal surface exhibits similar features but the spines and papillae are less numerous with less extensive surface folds than on the ventral surface of the body. The oral and ventral suckers, together with the excretory pore, appear spineless, bearing ciliate sensory papillae. Further studies should be directed at deciphering the genetic codes and the synthesis of some of these antigens by recombinant DNA technology to be used in serodiagnosis, vaccination and for drug receptors

Hypersensitivity to house dust mite and storage mite in relation to the clinical picture of scabies

In this study, 50 patients with the typical clinical picture of scabies were subjected to direct parasitological examination to detect sarcoptes scabiei and to estimate their skin reactivity to antigens of house dust mite [HDM], Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [DP] and storage mite [SM] Tyrophagus putrescentia [TP]. Intradermal skin prick test [SPT] by the mentioned antigens showed highly significant positive results in patients when compared with the normal subjects. The rate of successful treatment to eradicate scabies was significantly higher among cases who had weak and negative skin reaction to DP and TP in comparison with that of cases with strongly positive SPT reaction to the same antigens