Scanning electron microscopy of Subulura brumpti from domestic chicken Gallus gallus domesticus from Taif, Saudi Arabia

The nematode Subulura brumpti is described from the caecae of the domestic fowl collected from Taif, Saudi Arabia. The surface topography of the worms is described using scanning electron microscopy. This included the description of mouth opening, sensory papillae, cuticular surface, copulatory spicules and copulatory papillae

Mode of attachment of a polyopisthocotylean parasite, Metamicrocotyla cephalusto the gills of Mugil cephalus through the study of haptoral compartments

The monogenean parasite, Metamicrocotyla cephalus uses the ventrally located haptor provided with two symmetrical rows of clamps in its attachment to the middle regions of the gill filaments of Mugil cephalus. Several factors are reported that protect the parasite from dislodgement by the breathing water current of the host. Firstly, the body of adult parasite produces 45 degrees with the longitudinal axis of the gill filament and its length is nearly equal to the free distal region of the filament located anterior to the site of attachment. So, the parasite did not bend to loop around the gill filaments as exhibited in mature ones with bodies longer than the gill filaments. Secondly, clamps can tightly grip two successive secondary gill lamellae in alternate positions which are directed inwardly towards the longitudinal axis of the haptor. Thirdly, the number of clamps depends on the age of the parasite where it increases as the age increases. Fourthly, the middle clamps are the largest while the anterior ones are the smallest. Fifthly, there is an exocytotic movement of electron-dense secretory bodies through the thin syncytium in the interior surface of the clamp. Sixthly, the clamp sclerites are embedded into the radial muscle fibers and directly inserted into the sclerite walls especially the median ones. Seventhly, the lateroposterior sclerite II is able to penetrate the gill tissue with its tip under the controlled action of three groups of muscle fibers. Thus, the protrusion and retraction of clamp are controlled by longitudinal haptoral muscle strands and extrinsic muscle fibers forming a highly organized array inside the haptor

Hematological and parasitological effect of cyctein protease inhibitor on murine schistosomiasis

Cysteine protease enzyme [CP] is crucial for parasitic disease propagation, and inhibitors of such proteases are emerging with promising therapeutic uses in the treatment. This study was designed to evaluate the hematological and parasitological efficacy of one of the cysteine protease inhibitors [Sodium nitroprusside] that was administered alone as chemotherapy for murine schistosomiasis manosni in different schistosomal stages [shistosomula and mature worm]. Thirty mice were infected with 80 S. mansoni cercariae/mouse and were divided into 3 groups [10 mice each]. Group I: Infected untreated mice Group II and III. Mice were intraperitoneally treated with 100 mg/kg of cysteine protease inhibitor for 10 consecutive days three and six weeks post infection. Eight weeks post infection all animals were sacrificed and subjected for assessment of cysteine protease protein expression in liver tissue samples using immunoblotting technique [Western blotting], parasitological criteria and EM examination of buffy coat bone marrow and worms. Expression of cysteine protease protein was detected at the expected molecular weight [28 kDa] in 9 of the 10 [90%] infected untreated mice. After treatment protein expression returned negative in the treated groups. A highly significant reduction in worm burden was observed in all groups treated with inhibitor in comparison to infected control group [p<0.001]. However the greatest reduction in the worm burden was observed in treated group 6 weeks post infection in comparison to 3 weeks post infection [P<0.05]. Also, treatment could reduce egg count when given early in infection or significantly decreased egg burden when given late in infection. As regards EM examination sodium nitroprusside treated mice 3 and 6 weeks post the infection revealed degenerated tegument with completely implanted and degenerated spines. In addition 6 weeks post infection treated Schistosoma mansoni male worms showed vaculation and necrosis of spermatocytes. Buffy coat examination of Schistosoma mansoni infected untreated mice showed the inability of the eosinophil to be degranulated, while both treated groups revealed degranulation. In addition the group treated six weeks post infection showed hypodense eosinophils with large number of cytoplasmic vacuoles which represent an activated phenotype. Also in latter group activated lymphocytes were detected with marked dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum. Bone marrow examination of Schistosoma mansoni - treated mice revealed degranulated eosinophils and eosinophilic myelocytes with activated phenotype in addition to degranulated platelets. Our findings indicate that the cysteine protease secreted by the different stages S. mansoni plays a crucial role in attenuating effector functions of eosinophils as it decreases the eosinophil's responses and inhibit its activation to the parasite resulting in diminished degranulation and reduced generation of superoxide. So, it is preferable to give CPI at any time post infection, with frequent observation of platelets function and different coagulation tests

comparative efficacy study of praziquantel and albendazole treatment in experimental schistosomiasis

The currently used drug for chemotherapeutic control of schistosomiasis is praziquantel [PZQ]. Albendazole is a broad spectrum antiparasitic drug that showed trematocidal activity. The present study aimed at testing the effect of albendazole on experimental schistosomiasis mansoni infection using PZQ as therapeutic control. Swiss strain albino mice were infected with Schistosoma mansoni [S. mansoni] cercariae. Drugs were given orally on the 45[th] day post infection [PI] for 2 successive days. Mice were sacrificed on the 47[th] day PI and subjected to parasitological and scanning electron microscopic [SEM] studies. Albendazole caused a significant reduction in worm load and those recovered were shorter as measured by the camera lucida. By SEM, perfused S. mansoni albendazole treated worms showed surface tegumental changes. Albendazole is a promising drug for treatment of schistosomiasis