Value of purified schistosoma snails antigens in diagnosis of schistosomiasis

This study was done to assess the value of purified Schistosoma snails antigens in diagnosis of schistosomiasis. Five antigens were used, S.mansoni adult worm crude antigen, snails antigens [foot and visceral hump of B.alexandrina and B.truncatus]. Specific hyperimmune mice sera versus each antigen were prepared. Known positive and negative human sera and uninfected mice sera were used as control. Two ELISA techniques [conventional and sandwich] were performed. There was high similarity between S.mansoni crude antigen and B.alexandrina foot antigen in detecting S.mansoni antibodies [100% and 80% respectively] at serum dilution 1:50. B.alexandrina visceral hump antigen detected only 33.3%. Both B.truncatus antigens gave negative results. Sandwich ELISA technique proved to be more species specific than conventional ELISA. B.alexandrina foot antigen was found to be the best antigen among the tested antigens that can replace S.mansoni adult worm crude antigen in diagnosis of schistosomiasis

Detection of protozoal parasites in the stools of diarrhoeic patients using different techniques

A total of 300 children were selected. A total of 180 apparently healthy children were selected. Each child was given a numerical number and subjected to a medical questionnaire. The rate of infection by the enteric protozoa detected by the four techniques revealed that G. lamblia reached 11.0% by concentration-sedimentation method, 10.3% by Sheather's concentration method and 7.0% [cysts] and 1.7% [vegetative] by direct wet smear. E. histolytica was 3.3% and 3.7% by the two concentration methods respectively. By direct wet smear 2.3% [cysts] and 0.7% [vegetative] were detected. E. coli was 7.3% and 7.0% by the two concentration methods respectively. By the direct wet smear 5.0% [cyst] and 0.3% [vegetative] were detected. Modified Zeihl-Nelsen stain demonstrated 9 cases of C. panvum [3.0%]. Mallory and Iron haematoxylin gave the good characterristic colour for G. lamblia, E. histolytica, and E. coli followed by Trichrome. It was worthy to mention that direct smear method detected the low infections' percentage of all the intestinal target parasites in comparison with the four staining techniques

Evaluation of old and recent chemicals used in the control of boophilus annulatus ticks

A newly broad spectrum parasiticide, Ivermectin, and two old acaricides [Coumaphose and malathion] were in field application trials against, Boophilus annulatus ticks, naturally infested animals in an endemic area. The use of combinations between both [old and recent ones] were studied and also the economical aspects of their application taken in consideration. Ivomec s/c injection gave the best clearance rate [96.4%] for adults ticks and 94.3% for nymphal stages] with the longest protection period [35 days] but it was the highest price and the most time consuming and manipulation difficulties. Coumaphose showed moderate clearance rate [85.9% for adult ticks and 89.1%] for nymphal stages and moderate protection period [6 days]. While, malathion was the lowest clearance rate [68.4% for adult ticks and 68.6 for nymphal stages] and protection period [4 days]. Combination of half dose Ivomec injection and half dose Coumaphose spray more effective than combination between half dose Ivomec and half dose Malathion, but more expensive with low integrity. While combinations of half dose of Ivomec and full dose of Coumaphose more reliable with high effectiveness and long protection and period but more expensive