Mirazid [commiphora molmol] in treatment of human heterophyiasis

A total of 3278 patients attended Mansoura University Hospitals' Clinics with gastrointestinal troubles suggesting parasitosis were examined by direct smear and by Kato-Katz methods for parasites especially Heterophyes heterophyes. Fifty clinically and parasitologically proved pure heterophyiasis patients were given Mirazid as two capsules for 9 successive days on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast. All the cases were subjected to history taking and clinical examination before treatment and were followed-up for four weeks post-treatment. There was an overt clinical and parasitological improvement. A total of 47 out of 50 [94%] were cured. Another course was given to the three patients who were still positive, but only two of them were cured [66.7%]. The overall cure rate was 49/50 [98%] and none had any side effect. The history and treatment of this zoonotic parasite was critically discussed

In vitro effects of aqueous extract from Artocarpus takoocha Roxb on tegumental surface of Haplorchis taichui.

The tegumental surface of the adult intestinal fluke, Haplorchis taichui, after in vitro incubation in Tyrode's solution containing 25, 50, 75 and 100% of aqueous extract of Artocarpus takoocha for 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours, was monitored by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The effect on worm motility was studied in contemporizing period. The adult worms stopped their motility immediately after being incubated with 25, 50, 75 and 100% of aqueous extract of A. takoocha. Observed under a light microscope, most worms showed bubbling from the oral sucker, ventral sucker and excretory pore. After exposure to the solution, SEM observation showed large blebs protruding from the oral sucker, ventral sucker and excretory pore. The surface damage was composed of numerous small blebs, followed later by the disruption of tegument. The severity of damage increased due to the increasing of aqueous extract of A. takoocha and incubation periods.

Prevalence of Opisthorchis viverrini infection among villagers harboring Opisthorchis-like eggs.

The precise occurrence of Opisthochis viverrini infection in humans, who were positive for Opisthorchis-like eggs in a stool examination, was determined using the potassium permanganate staining method. In the 68 specimens examined, there were more individual O. viverrini eggs (38.24%) than singular Haplorchis taichui eggs (29.41%). One-fourth of the total specimens contained a mixed infection of O. viverrini and H. taichi eggs. The median ratio of O. viverrini: H. taichui eggs in mixed infection cases was 2.29 (min = 1, max = 17.5). It is suggested that chemotherapy with praziquentel treatment should be given to patients who are positive for O. viverrini-like eggs.