Molecular investigation of mixed malaria infections in Southwest Saudi Arabia

To investigate the incidence of mixed-species [MS] malaria infection, and compare the results with microscopically confirmed cases of malaria. During 2010, blood spots collected from 371 clinically suspected cases of malaria were microscopically examined in a cross-sectional study. The DNA was extracted from the samples, and a nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] was performed. The results obtained by the 2 methods were compared. From the microscopic analysis it was determined that 369 samples [99.5%] were positive for Plasmodium falciparum [P. falciparum] and 2 were Plasmodium vivax [P. vivax] mono-infections. There were no mixed malaria infections. The PCR analysis, however, showed that in 7 cases [1.9%] the infection was caused by MS malaria comprising of P. falciparum and P. vivax, 2 of these representing the cases that were microscopically diagnosed as P. vivax mono-infections. All cases were negative for Plasmodium malariae, Plasmodium ovale, and Plasmodium knowlesi. Mixed malaria infections are currently overlooked when using microscopy. The PCR assays are essential complementary techniques that should be used with microscopic examination of blood smears

Assessment of the antischistosomal activity of ginger [zingiber officinale] against schistosoma mansoni harbored in C57BL/6 mice

This study was conducted to assess the effect of ginger [Zingiber officinale] aqueous extract, on the oxidative status, antioxidant defense system and liver pathology of Schistosoma mansoni -infected C57BL/6 mice. Ginger at dose level of 500 mg/kg body weight was orally administered, daily for five weeks from the 5[th] week post-infection. Result showed that S. mansoni-infected mice exhibited a suppression of liver antioxidant capacity, and depleted reduced glutathione content [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], and catalase [CAT] activities. In addition, the hepatic lipid peroxidation was deleteriously elevated in S. mansoni-infected mice. The hepatic total protein [TP], alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] activities were profoundly decreased due to their release from necrotic liver cells into blood of S. mansoni-infected mice. Concomitantly, histopathologiacl and histochemical data indicated severe hepatic cell necrosis and multigranulomas with different sizes and collagenous fiber contents indicated in both acute and chronic infection. Hepatic sinusoidal dilation, cytoplasmic degeneration, total protein pattern depletion as well as intravascular and perivascular inflammatory infiltration were also observed. The treatment of S. mansoni-infected mice with ginger extract succeeded to suppress oxidative stress by enhancing antioxidant defense system and decreasing lipid peroxidation. In addition ginger treatment markedly minimized the structural abnormalities where the size of granulomas and collagenous fiber were significantly reduced. The histochemical profile of TP level was partially restored. It could be concluded that oxidative damage and pathologic changes of liver may be improved partially by ginger treatment via suppression of the oxidative stress and enhancement of antioxidant defense system

Detection of toxoplasma gonddi DNA by PCR in blood samples collected from pregnant Saudi women from the Aseer region, Saudi Arabia

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii, is diagnosed mainly by serological methods that are hindered by insufficient sensitivity. When it fails, it becomes necessary to rely on either direct detection of the parasite or DNA detection by polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. We aimed to establish molecular tools for toxoplasmosis research in the country by using PCR targeting the B1 gene and compare it with ELISA results. Conducted at the College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia between January 2009 and April 2010 on Saudi pregnant women attending three major hospitals in the Aseer region. Peripheral blood samples [n=137] were collected from patients. DNA was extracted and the B1 T gondii gene was amplified by PCR. The amplicons were visualiezed and sequenced, and the results were analyzed. For comparison, sera were tested for anti-T gondii IgG and IgM by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. Of the 137 samples tested, the B1 gene could be amplified in 56 cases [41%] by PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed these results. IgM-ELISA assay detected 9 [6.5%] of these cases. The results of immunoglobulin G detection were positive in 53 [38.6%] of the patients. The present study showed the need for PCR as a confirmatory assay in addition to serological assays to detect recent infection. We recommend national implementation of these molecular diagnostic tools

Effects of schistosoma mansoni experimental infection on some inorganic elements in the snail host biomphalaria alexandrina

The alteration in the concentrations of metallic ion Pb, Zn, K, Na, Co. Fe, and Cu in the soft parts of the Biomphalaria alexandrina snails shedding Schistosoma mansoni cercariae was detected by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Six elements Pb, Zn, K, Na, Co, and Cu were found to be present at significantly higher concentrations in cercariae-shedding snails compared with uninfected snails. The concentration of Fe ion showed non-significant decrease in the tissues of cercariae-shedding snails. Variation in the present results compared with related previous studies lead to the suggestion that the effect of trematode parasitism on fresh-water snails should not be considered universal and might be varies according to the trematode-snail combination, the organs or the tissues analyzed and the analytical method used

Distribution of ABO blood groups and Rhesus factor in Southwest Saudi Arabia

To document the distribution of the ABO and rhesus Rh blood groups in a random sample of Saudi students from the King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and to compare our results from that of other studies in the Kingdom and elsewhere. The subjects included in this study were 944 males from thesouthwest region of Saudi Arabia including Aseer, Jizan, and Najran regions. The ABO blood groups and Rh factor from 944 Saudi males were determined. The frequency of ABO blood groups and Rh status were calculated separately. This study was carried out at King Khalid University, Abha, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, from January to March 2008, and the ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethical Committee, College of Science, King Khalid University. The frequencies of ABO groups showed 56.8% for group O, 33.4% group A, 6% group B and 3.8% group AB trend. Only 7.2% of them were found to be Rh-negative. The frequencies of ABO and Rh phenotypes in the southwest population of Saudi Arabia are similar to those reported in most areas of the Arabian Gulf region

Freshwater snails in Asser region, Saudi Arabia with special refernce to the zoonotic trematode

The present study gave information about the recent distribution of freshwater snails in Asser region, and the current status of trematode infection specially schistosomiasis within the snails. Fifteen localities were visited from Septeinber 2007 to December 2008 and the collected snails were examined for the presence of trematode infection. Seven species of snails were collected: Biomphalaria arabica, Bulinus truncatus, Bulinus beccari, Physa acuta, Lymnaea palustris, Lymnaea arabica and Melanoides tuberculata. The parasitological examination revealed none trematode immature stages