Application and evaluation of the immunofiltration assay in the diagnosis of human schistosomiasis

In a trial to reach fast, simple and efficient diagnostic assay for schistosomiasis, Dot Dye Immunofiltration assay using protein A conjugated gold colloid was applied and evaluated in comparison to Dipstick assay and Enzyme Immunoelectrotransfer Blot Assay [EITB], Both soluble egg antigen [SEA] of Schistosorna mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium were used as capture antigens in each assay. Dot Dye Immunofiltration assay, Dipstick assay and EITB were found to be more efficient by using SEA of S. mansoni, than by using SEA of S. haeinatobium. Using SEA of S. mansoni, Dipstick assay was found to be the most efficient [82.2%] among all performed assays followed by Dot Immunofiltration assay and EITB [80.5%] for each. On the other hand Dot Dye Immunofiltration assay was found to be simpler and faster than Dipstick assay and EITB

Molecular characterization of Egyptian human and animal echinococcus granulosus isolates by Rapd-PCR technique

Five primers of known, but arbitrary nucleotide sequence [OPH-03, OPH-05, OPH-12, OPH-15 and OPH-18] were used to detect the genetic variability in the Egyptian human, camel and pig E. Granulosus isolates. OPH-03, OPH-05 and OPH-15 proved to be useful genetic markers of strain variation; while, OPH-12 and OPH-18 allowed the distinction at the genus level, i.e. diversified from Cysticercus tenuicollis. OPH-03 was the most effective, giving sharp distinct banding pattern and the least values of similarity coefficients. Some variations were detected within E. granulosus isolates from the same host. The level of heterogeneity was low in three of the human isolates, camel and pig strains. An individual variation was detectable within other three human isolates. Human and camel isolates were the most related pair, having similar patterns and the highest similarity coefficients. The study implied that human cases in Egypt are of the camel/dog strain and camels are important hosts for the transmission of human hydatidosis

Association of some HLA-DRB1 antigens with echinococcus granulosus specific humoral immune response

In this study, an ELISA system using crude camel hydatid fluid antigen was used to detect specific IgG and IgG1 in the sera of 35 cystic echinococcosis [CE] patients, in whom the distribution of class II HLA-DR3 anti HLA-DR11 was determined. The recorded sensitivities were 88.6% and 94.35% for IgG and IgG1, respectively. In patients with a high humoral immune response, a statistically highly significant increased frequency of HLA-DR3 was recorded for IgG with a high relative risk value [RR = 3.2] and a reasonable etiologic fraction [EF = 0.3], while HLA-DR11 recorded RR = 2.6 and EF = 0.2. For IgG1, both antigens showed a significant increased frequency [RR = 2.95 and 2.79, respectively, and EF = 0.28 and 0.23, respectively]. HLA-DR3 was highly significantly associated with complicated cases [RR = 4.36 and EF = 0.4], in whom the mean antibody units for both IgG and IgG1 were significantly raised. It was advisable to rely on IgG1 for the diagnosis of CE and to consider the genetic disposition of the patient as an important criterion in the outcome of infection

Effect of Nigella sativa extract on experimental giardiasis

Antiprotozoal effect of alcoholic extract of Nigella sativa seeds was studied in experimental giardiasis in comparison with metronidazole drug. A single oral dose of Nigella sativa seeds alcoholic extract [40 mg/kg body weight] was found to be as effective as a single oral dose of metronidazole [40 mg/kg body weight] as both gave a cure rate of 80%. In addition, Nigella sativa seeds extract showed some protective action against further infection with giardiasis in experimental animals, while metronidazole did not

Effect of praziquantel on pancreatic histopathological changes in experimental schistosomiasis mansoni

The pancreatic tissue showed deposition of S. mansoni eggs on the 8th week of infection, multiple granulomata, interstitial edema, inflammatory infiltrate, acinar atrophy and decrease in the size of islets of Langerhans. It was found that the most effective dose of praziquantel in such changes was 300 mg/kg/mouse, irrespective of being administer once or in three divided doses every four hours in the same day

Intestinal and urinary parasitic infections among primary school Saudi girls in the Western region: Epidemiological, clinical and laboratory study

Stool and urine samples were collected form 1381 Saudi girls aged 9-16 years. They were examined for different parasitic infections. A prevalence rate of parasites was found to be 27.8%. Most of positive cases were among the age groups < 9 years, then infection decreases as age increases. Giardia labmlia was found to be the most prevalent parasite, either alone or with other parasites followed by Entamoeba histolytica then Hymenolepis nana. Other parasites were found at much lower rates. Commensal parasites were detected in 46.9% of total specimens mostly Entamoeba coli then Endolimax nana and Iodamoeba buetschlii. More than half of the cases of positive pathogenic parasites gave no past history of clinical manifestations. Prevalence rate of different parasitic infection was much lower in urban high socioeconomic group than in rural semiurban or urban low socioeconomic groups. The implications of these observations are discussed