Changing pattern of fascioliasis prevalence early in the 3[rd] millennium in Dakahlia governorate, Egypt: an update

Fascioliasis is an important food- and water-borne parasitic zoonosis caused by liver flukes of genus Fasciola [Digenea: Fasciolidae] of worldwide distribution. In Egypt, fascioliasis was encountered in nearly all Egyptian Governorates, particularly in the Nile Delta and specifically in Dakahlia. All enrolled cases were subjected to complete history taking, clinical examination, routine investigations and abdominal ultrasonography. Stool analysis, IHA and ELISA were used for fascioliasis diagnosis. Rural areas showed highest prevalence of fascioliasis than urban areas, however, but without significance [x[2]= 0.042 and P= 0.837]. Regarding human fascioliasis in examined the centers, no statistically significant difference [x[2] =2.824 and P=0.243] was detected. Regarding gender variation, the difference was statistically insignificant [x[2]= 0.166 and P= 0.683]. The difference between the age groups was statistically insignificant [x[2]= 3.882 and P=0.274]. Clinically, 7 cases [35%] were asymptomatic and another 13 cases [65%] had different clinical pictures. Abdominal pain, anemia, eosinophilia, and tender hepatomegaly were seen in 70%, 80%, 70%, and 10%; respectively. Of them, 11 cases showed positive abdominal ultrasonographic findings suggestive of fascioliasis

Evaluation of ELISA and IHAT in serological diagnosis of proven cases of human hydatidosis

Cystic hydatid disease [Hydatidosis] is the most serious tape-worm infection prevalent in the cattle and sheep raising area of the world. Hydatidosis in man [as an accidental host] is caused by infection with the ova containing larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. In the last decade, different techniques have been employed for sero-diagnosis of hydatidosis; as IHA, IFA, ELISA, CCLE [Counter Current Immuno-electrophoresis]. This paper evaluated the validity of ELISA and IHA. Since whole hydatid cyst fluid was used as a source of antigen for serodiagnosis. Thirty surgical and pathological hydatidosis proven patients were examined. The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA were 96.7% and 97.5% respectively, and that of IRA were 86.7%, and 95% respectively

Protein substitution to produce a processed cheese with high branched-chain amino acids of medical and genetic importance

The most important metabolic impairment in patients with advanced liver disease is characterized by low levels of circulating branched chain amino acids [BCAAs]. The etiology of such abnormal amino acid metabolism is multifactorial including protein restricted diet or inadequate nutritional intake as in protein energy malnutrition. Multiple studies report the beneficial effects of BCAAs supplementation to improve plasma amino acids imbalance, several neurologic diseases, protein energy malnutrition, and subsequently the survival rate of cirrhotic patients. In the present study we used a protein substitution technique to synthesize a new processed cheese as a dairy source rich in BCAAs, with low phenylalanine content manufactured from Ras cheese, kariesh cheese, butter oil and phenylalanine-free milk. Chemical composition, amino acids analysis, rheological properties and sensory evaluation were done to all of the cheese samples. L-Phenylalanine was selected to induce hepatic and brain affections in Begg Albino strain c [BALB/c] mice model. Effect of 2.5%, 5% and 10% protein-replacement cheese formulas was evaluated among mice groups including histopathological sections of the liver and brain; colorimetric determination for liver enzymes; serum total and differential cholesterol profile, serum albumin, globulin and total protein along with phenylalanine levels determinations. Analysis of the processed cheese sample with 10% protein substitution revealed that the protein content was 7.42 mg/g [about 50% of the content in the standard processed cheese] while fat content, acidity and moisture were nearly the same. The sensory score for all the formulas ranged from 79-88. Highest content of BCAAs along with least phenylalanine content was attained in the processed cheese with 10% protein substitution. Weight of mice fed on different substitution formulas ranged from 22.8 +/- 2.2-24.66 +/- 2.5 g compared with 17.8 +/- 1.9 g in the untreated diseased mice [P< 0.05]. Serum phenylalanine was 1.822 +/- 0.42 mg/dl in the mice fed on 10% protein substitution formula compared to 6.2 +/- 1.32 mg/dl in the untreated mice [P < 0.01]. There was a highly significant difference [P <0.01] between untreated mice and mice fed on 10% substitution cheese formula as regards the serum protein, Aspartate Transaminase [AST] and Alanine Transaminase [ALT]. The improvement in histopathological findings was more apparent in the mice fed on 10% formula cheese. The manufactured processed cheese with 10% protein substitution was proved to have a more nutritional therapeutic potential that can help in the implementation of dietary management in many medical and genetic disorders with liver and brain affections

Nematodes and water pollution in eastern part of Nile delta

Examination of some represented water sites revealed presence larvae and eggs of the nematodes infecting man and animals. Eggs in a descending order of abundance were Trichostrongylus, Toxocara vitolorum, Toxocaracanis, and Ascaris sp., then Trichocephalus and Ancylostoma sp. Larvae in a descending order were Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus and Ancylostoma sp. No doubt contaminated or polluted water plays an important role as nematode-borne source

On the main reservior host of Fasiola in Dakhlia governorate, Egypt

In the present work, a total of 4180 sheep was obtained from different localities at Daqahlia Governorate. One hundred and eighty male sheep were investigated for Fasciola worms [the adult and juvenile forms] at Mansoura governmental abattoir. Four hundred grazing sheep were screened by the coprological examination from ten centers. The mean number of eggs per gin in a group of ten sheep ranged from 2.9-10.8 egg/gm. The number of worms ranged from 5-84. In the Mansoura abattoir, it was found that 37 sheep were infected [20.56%]. Fasciola worms were recovered from the livers in 100%, common bile ducts in 60%, gall bladder in 80%, two sites in 50% and three sites in 40% of infected biliary tracts. According to the coprological examination, the infection rate was the highest in El-Manzalla Center [15.75] and the lowest was in Mansoura Center [3.25%]. According to the prevalence and egg output results, it was concluded that sheep are the main reservoir host for fascioliasis among the edible animals in Daqahlia Governorate. However, examination of the non-edible animals and the domestic and wild rodents are ongoing

Nematode and water pollution in Eastern part of Nile Delta

The examination of some represented water sites revealed the presence of larvae and eggs of the nematodes infecting man and animals. Eggs in a descending order of abundance were Trichostrongylus, Toxocara canis, T. Vitulorum and Ascaris sp., then Trichocephalus and Ancylostoma sp. Larvae in a descending order were Strongyloides, Trichostrongylus and Ancylostoma sp. Contaminated or polluted water plays an important role as nematode-borne source

Cellular immune response in Giardiasis

In this study, adult persons attending the outpatients clinics of Tropical Medicine in Mansoura University, Banha Branch, Zagazig University as well as in the Clinical Pathology of Ain-Shams Specialized Hospitals were subjected to stool examination using Kato thick smear and repeated concentration technique. There was a statistically significant difference between all groups of giardiasis patients regarding the grade of CD4 lymphocyte infiltration, being more marked in the symptomatic group. The prevalence of flatulence, anorexia and vomiting was more frequent in patients with heavy CD4 lymphocyte infiltration in duodenum. A high statistical significant increase was observed in the mean OD values of anti-giardia duodenal secretory IgA in patients with marked CD4 infiltration in duodenum. But, a statistical insignificant difference was found in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grades of CD4 infiltration in the symptomatic group. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean OD values of anti- giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intraepithelial CD8 lymphocyte infiltration in the duodenum in the asymptomatic group. There was a statistically insignificant difference in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grades of intraepithelial CD8 infiltration in the symptomatic group. Also, there was statistically significant increase in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intraepithelial CD8 lymphocyte infiltration in the duodenum regarding the immunohistochemical staining of giardia antigen in duodenal biopsies

Study of soluble adhesion molecules in some intestinal and tissue helminthes

Soluble adhesion molecules; namely, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 [sICAM-1] and soluble E-selectin [sELAM-1] were assayed in hydatid patients with or without complications. It was found that sICAM-1 was significantly increased in patients with hydatid cysts as compared with the control group. In lymphedemic filariasis cases, both SICAM-1 and sELAM-1 showed highly significant increase more than the control group. However, non of both soluble adhesion molecules were significantly elevated in patients with ascariasis, hymenolepiasis, heterophyiasis and strongyloidiasis as compared with the control. The results indicated that sICAM-1 and sELAM-1 were useful markers for hydatidosis and filariasis; but not for ascariasis, hymenolepiasis, heterophyiasis and strongyloidiasis

study on trichomoniasis vaginalis and female infertility

In this study, a total of 280 patients [240 infertile and 40 pregnant] was subjected to thorough history taking, general and local examination for the exclusion of organic lesion, laboratory investigations to exclude parasitic, bacterial and fungal infections. Sterile vaginal swab was taken from the posterior fornix and examined by wet smear preparation, Giemsa staining and cultivation on CPLM medium for Trichomoniasis infection. Out of 240 infertile women; 18.75% complained of discharge, 17.5% itching, 15.42% dysuria, 14.58% dyspareunia and 10% had cervical lesion. Of the 40 controls; 5% complained of discharge, 2.5% complained of itching, dysuria and dyspareunia and none had cervical lesion. Of the total cases, 36 had T. vaginalis. The clinical data observed were significantly higher among the infertile group than the control group. Cultures were positive in 14.58% of the infertile group and 2.5% in the control group

Studies on patients with Schistosomiasis mansoni, HCV and/or typhoid fever

This study was carried out on two groups of patients: The first one included 50 Schistosomiasis mansoni patients [30 with simple infection, ten with splenomegaly and ten with ascites] and the second group included 111 patients of whom 20 with pure S. Manson, 27 with pure HCV infection, 54 with mixed infection of schistosomiasis and HCV and ten with schistosomiasis, HCV and typhoid fever. Serum transaminases and anti-HCV antibodies performed showed anti-HCV raised levels in 10% of simple schistosomiasis, 60% in splenomegalic patients, 80% in ascites patients and 7.1% in the controls. Liver function tests in the first group were within the normal range except in those with ascites. In the second group, liver function tests were normal in pure schistosomiasis patients. In pure HCV patients, serum bilirubin was normal in 22.2% and AST, AET and alkaline phosphatase were higher. In mixed infection; serum bilirubin was normal in 18.5%, serum transaminases were higher and alkaline phosphatase was normal among 77.7%. Patients with typhoid fever, HCV and schistosomiasis showed a significant increase of liver function as compared with each of pure HCV or HCV and schistosomiasis

profile of intestinal amebiasis in Dakahlia Governorate using the cellulose acetate precipitin test

Entamoeba histolytica is a highly endemic disease in Egypt. The present work was carried out to study the prevalence of amaebiasis in different population groups in Dakahlia province. Two hundred and one patients were examined, of them 110 were males and 97 were females of different age groups. The total infection rate, was found to be 27.3% and 31% among males and females respectively, while invasive amoebiasis were used including stool examination by the Merthiolate iodine formaldehyde concentration[MIFC] method, the indirect haemagglutination[IHA] and the cellulose acetate precipitation [CAP] tests. The IHA test was found to be more specific and sensitive while the CAP test was easier in the application and gave more qualitative information about invasive amoebiasis which favours its application in seroepidemiological studies