Hydatid disease: radiological and serological studies before and after surgery

The present study aimed to evaluate indirect haemagglutination test [IHAT] together with imaging modalities ultrasonography [US] and computed tomography [CT] in the diagnosis and postoperative follow up of hepatic hydatid disease. Sixteen patients of hepatic hydatidosis were enrolled in this study. Diagnosis was established by IHAT, US and CT. Cytological examination of hydatid fluid was performed post operatively. IHAT showed a sensitivity of 75%. Imaging techniques were 100% sensitive, they demonstrated solitary cysts in eleven patients and multiple cysts in four patients, mainly affecting the right lobe. In one patient showing a hepatic cyst, an extra hepatic one was encountered in the spleen. Radical surgical procedure in the form of pericystectomy was performed in all patients in conjunction with albendazole therapy pre and post operatively. After one year follow up, there was no evidence of recurrence, IHAT became negative in all except one patient. Complete resolution of the cyst cavities was recorded in 87.5% of the patients by US and CT. It was concluded that US and CT imaging are the most reliable modalities for diagnosis and for assessment of cure in hepatic hydatidosis, IHAT was less sensitive

Histopathological, ultra-structural and histochemical studies on the liver of schistosoma mansoni infected mice under the effect of triclabendazole

The present work investigated the effect of the fasciolicidal drug triclabendazole [TCBZ] on the liver of S. mansoni infected mice. The drug was given to normal as well as to S. mansoni infected mice. The work included histopathological, ultra-structural and histochemical studies. In the normal liver TCBZ induced the formation of scanty foci of inflammatory infiltrate. No changes were observed at the subcellular level or in the hepatocytes enzymes succinic dehydrogenase [SDH] and acid phosphatase [ACP]. The liver of S. mansoni infected mice revealed the classical histopathological picture of schistosomiasis. After TCBZ treatment, the granulomata involuted revealing fibrous transformation. The ultrastructural of hepatocytes of S. mansoni infected mice revealed distortion of the mitochondria, increased number of lysosomes and obliteration of Disse space. These electron microscopic [EM] changes were less obvious after TCBZ therapy denoting improvement of the hepatocellular insufficiency. Histochemically, an increase in ACP and a decrease in SDH activity were observed in S. mansoni infected liver. The activity of these enzymes returned to normal after treatment with TCBZ. It could be concluded that TCBZ has no direct toxic effect on the hepatocytes. In experimental schistosomiasis TCBZ improved the liver pathology and enzymatic activity of the hepatocytes

Laboratory assessment of the molluscicidal activity of Commiphora molmol [myrrh] on Biomphalaria alexandria, Bulinus truncatus and lymnaea calilliaudi

The molluscicidal properties of the oil extract of commiphora molmol [Myrrh] were tested Egyptian snail species: Biomphalaria alexandrina, Bulinus truncates and Lymnaea cailliaudi. The impact of the extract on the egg cluches of B. alexandrina and L. cailliaudi was also evaluated. Snails and their eggs were exposed for 24 and 48 hr at 22-26?C to various concentrations of the extract. The results showed different susceptibilities B. alexandrina showed higher LD[50] and LD[90] [155, 195 PPM] than B. truncates [50, 95 ppm] and L. cailliaudi [50, 85 ppm] after 24 hr exposure. 100% mortality was obtained for the egg cluches of B. alexandrina and L. cailliaudi at concentrations of 100 ppm and 75 ppm respectively. Lower concentrations were needed to obtain the same results after 48 hr. The present laboratory studies demonstrated that Myrrh has a molluscicidal effect on the snail intermediate hosts, particularly on their eggs. Field studies are recommended

Oxygen free radical and nitric oxide production in single or combined human schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The levels of superoxide [O-2] and nitric oxide [NO] production by monocytes have been measured in 15 patients with S. Mansoni, 15 patients with Fasciola and 6 patients with combined infection as well as in control group [15]. The levels of both radicals were significantly higher in all patient groups than in the control group, indicating that these radicals may have a role in the immunity against such infections. Patients with chronic fascioliasis showed lower level of O-2 and NO than those with schistosomiasis. This may be due to the lodging of the mature Fasciola spp. away from the immune system and subsequently decreased amount of antigens reaching the circulation. In combined infection, the levels of these products were at the highest value, due to increased antigenic stimulation and cross reactivity between the 2 parasites which may have lead to augmented immune response

Production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [gm-csf, il-8 and il-6] by monocytes from fasciolosis patients

The production of proinflammatory cytokines by monocytes in vitro has been measured in eight patients with acute fascioliasis and 15 patients in the chronic stage of the disease before and after stimulation by excretory/secretory Fasciola antigen. The results were compared with those of a control group of 12 individuals. The monocytes from patients with acute fascioliasis produced significantly higher levels of GM-CSF, IL-8 and IL-6 as compared to controls. With chronicity, the production of these cytokines was decreased as compared to the acute stage probably due to decreased antigen level in blood. Stimulation of monocytes of healthy control with E/S Fasciola antigen was accompanied with a markedly increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, while monocytes from patients with acute or chronic fascioliasis revealed minimal increase in production. This denoted the importance of E/S Fasciola antigen as an activator of monocytes. A second exposure to the same antigen was accompanied with a limited response

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF] in human toxoplasmosis

Twenty-eight female patients [12 of them had obstetric troubles] and 17 healthy controls were the subjects in this work. According to IHA test and detection of IgM antibodies, three groups of patients were defined: group [I], patients with acute infection; group [II], patients with chronic infection and had high antibody titer and group [III], patients with chronic infections and had low antibody tine. Sera from patients as well as controls were tested for their level of immunologically reactive TNP-alpha using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. TNF-alpha levels in the sera of patients were significantly higher as compared to the healthy control group. Acute infection was associated with the highest levels of TNP- alpha, indicating that it may play a role in the pathogenesis of acute infection. In chronic infection, the level of TNF-alpha was correlated with IHA antibody titer, suggesting that antibodies against T. gondii may participate in TNF-alpha production

Evaluation of liver functions in combined infection with fasciola and schistosoma mansoni

In Egypt, it was reported that Fasciola and Schistosoma mansoni occasionally co-exist in the same patients. The present work was designed to evaluate some liver function tests in cases with fascioliasis acute and chronic [single or combined with S. Mansoni infection]. The total serum proteins and electrophoretic pattern were also studied. Indirect hemagglutination test was carried out for diagnosis of fascioliasis and to determine if there is cross-reaction with S. mansoni infection. It could be concluded that liver affection resulting from fascioliasis is aggravated by a-concomitant hepatic schistosomiasis