ABSTRACT
We assessed the performance of IgG avidity in the diagnosis of acute, chronic and recent (reinfection) on top of chronic schistosomal infections in patients treated with praziquantel. Immunoglobulin levels were studied in 111 patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection and 28 partially cured patients (not responding to the first dose of praziquantel treatment and almost cured after a second one). Before treatment all patients with schistosomiasis had elevated IgG levels, 75% of them also had increased IgM levels. Avidity index was high among all age groups. The increased IgM/IgG ratio and avidity index among children with schistosomiasis before treatment support the idea of reinfection. Treatment had no significant effect on the studied parameters. We conclude that unlike IgM and IgG antibody levels, IgG avidity test cannot be used to distinguish between recent and chronic infections.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Schistosoma mansoni/immunology , Schistosomiasis mansoni/diagnosis , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Aged , Animals , Antibody Affinity/drug effects , Antibody Affinity/immunology , Child , Child, Preschool , Chronic Disease , Drug Monitoring , Egypt/epidemiology , Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/standards , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Immunoglobulin M/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Praziquantel/therapeutic use , Schistosomiasis mansoni/drug therapy , Schistosomiasis mansoni/epidemiology , Schistosomiasis mansoni/immunology , Schistosomiasis mansoni/parasitology , Severity of Illness Index , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
We assessed the performance of IgG avidity in the diagnosis of acute, chronic and recent [reinfection] on top of chronic schistosomal infections in patients treated with praziquantel. Immunoglobulin levels were studied in 111 patients with Schistosoma mansoni infection and 28 partially cured patients [not responding to the first dose of praziquantel treatment and almost cured after a second one]. Before treatment all patients with schistosomiasis had elevated IgG levels, 75% of them also had increased IgM levels. Avidity index was high among all age groups. The increased IgM/IgG ratio and avidity index among children with schistosomiasis before treatment support the idea of reinfection. Treatment had no significant effect on the studied parameters. We conclude that unlike IgM and IgG antibody levels, IgG avidity test cannot be used to distinguish between recent and chronic infections
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan , Antibody Affinity , Chronic Disease , Drug Monitoring , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Feces , Immunoglobulin G , Immunoglobulin M , Schistosoma mansoni , Severity of Illness Index , Schistosomiasis mansoniABSTRACT
The detection of IgG avidity in sera is potentially useful in the diagnosis of acute and chronic infection. We studied IgG avidity in 31 patients with fascioliasis, with the aim of evaluating the clinical application of this test to confirm the diagnosis of incubating cases and to distinguish between acute and chronic cases. Of the 31 cases, 13 were incubating and had a mean avidity index of 57.28 +/- 5.79%. The 18 chronic cases had an avidity index of 68.80 +/- 8.92%. The difference was highly significant. We conclude that IgG avidity is a reliable means of identifying the stage of fascioliasis and suggest a cut-off point of 59.90% to distinguish between acute and chronic infection.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth , Antibody Affinity/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Fasciola/immunology , Fascioliasis/diagnosis , Immunoglobulin G , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Antibodies, Helminth/immunology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/standards , Fascioliasis/classification , Fascioliasis/immunology , Fascioliasis/parasitology , Hemagglutination Tests/standards , Humans , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Mass Screening/methods , Mass Screening/standards , Middle Aged , Parasite Egg Count , Sensitivity and Specificity , Severity of Illness Index , Time FactorsABSTRACT
An epidemiological study of fascioliasis and/or schistosomiasis was conducted in Abis 1 village. Stool specimens were collected from 2492 individuals and examined. Fascioliasis, alone or combined with schistosomiasis, was more prevalent among children aged between 5 years and 15 years than in adults. Serum procollagen III peptide (PIIIP) levels were determined as an indicator of active fibrosis, and liver histopathology and ultrasonography used as indicators of established fibrosis. PIIIP levels were significantly higher in children than in adults, and in mixed infections than in fascioliasis alone. In adults, fibrosis around granulomata detected by histopathology and grade 3 periportal fibrosis detected by sonography were encountered more frequently in dual than in single infections.
Subject(s)
Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data , Fascioliasis/complications , Liver Cirrhosis/epidemiology , Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology , Schistosomiasis mansoni/complications , Urban Health/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Biomarkers/blood , Biopsy , Child , Comorbidity , Egypt/epidemiology , Feces/parasitology , Humans , Liver Cirrhosis/blood , Liver Cirrhosis/diagnosis , Peptide Fragments/blood , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Procollagen/blood , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
We aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis among inhabitants of El-Meaddeya, Egypt. A cross-sectional stool examination survey was performed on 430 randomly chosen households, comprising 2219 individuals. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 84.7%. Ascariosis was the most common (67.6%), followed by trichuriosis (49.7%) and heterophyiasis (33.8%). The prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis were most common in people 15-45 years, and greater in females than males. The highest intensity of infection was detected among fishermen. Intrafamilial aggregation of cases of heterophyiasis was identified.
Subject(s)
Endemic Diseases/statistics & numerical data , Heterophyidae , Trematode Infections/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Age Distribution , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Egypt/epidemiology , Female , Fishes/parasitology , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Parasite Egg Count , Population Surveillance , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sex Distribution , Socioeconomic Factors , Trematode Infections/diagnosis , Trematode Infections/parasitology , Water/parasitologyABSTRACT
We aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis among inhabitants of El-Meaddeya, Egypt. A cross-sectional stool examination survey was performed on 430 randomly chosen households, comprising 2219 individuals. The overall prevalence of parasitic infection was 84.7%. Ascariosis was the most common [67.6%], followed by trichuriosis [49.7%] and heterophyiasis [33.8%]. The prevalence and intensity of infection of heterophyiasis were most common in people 15-45 years, and greater in females than males. The highest intensity of infection was detected among fishermen. Intrafamilial aggregation of cases of heterophyiasis was identified
Subject(s)
Heterophyidae , Epidemiologic Studies , Parasitic Diseases , Prevalence , Trematode InfectionsABSTRACT
The detection of IgG avidity in sera is potentially useful in the diagnosis of acute and chronic infection. We studied IgG avidity in 31 patients with fascioliasis, with the aim of evaluating the clinical application of this test to confirm the diagnosis of incubating cases and to distinguish between acute and chronic cases. Of the 31 cases, 13 were incubating and had a mean avidity index of 57.28 +/- 5.79%. The 18 chronic cases had an avidity index of 68.80 +/- 8.92%. The difference was highly significant. We conclude that IgG avidity is a reliable means of identifying the stage of fascioliasis and suggest a cut-off point of 59.90% to distinguish between acute and chronic infection
Subject(s)
Acute Disease , Chronic Disease , Immunoglobulin G , Antibody Affinity , FascioliasisABSTRACT
An epidemiological study of fascioliasis and/or schistosomiasis was conducted in Abis 1 village. Stool specimens were collected from 2492 individuals and examined. Fascioliasis, alone or combined with schistosomiasis, was more prevalent among children aged between 5 years and 15 years than in adults. Serum procollagen III peptide [PIIIP] levels were determined as an indicator of active fibrosis, and liver histopathology and ultrasonography used as indicators of established fibrosis. PIIIP levels were significantly higher in children than in adults, and in mixed infections than in fascioliasis alone. In adults, fibrosis around granulomata detected by histopathology and grade 3 periportal fibrosis detected by sonography were encountered more frequently in dual than in single infections
Subject(s)
Schistosomiasis , Liver Cirrhosis , Procollagen , Liver , Prevalence , FascioliasisABSTRACT
We performed a series of ELISAs to evaluate the diagnostic significance of two Schistosoma mansoni proteins, Sm31 (cysteine proteinase, cathepsin B) and Sm32 (asparaginyl endopeptidase). Our study populations were chosen from two villages in an endemic area close to Alexandria. Using fusion proteins MS2-Sm31 and MS2-Sm32 as antigens, 70% and 78.9%, respectively, of patient sera from 134 parasitologically confirmed cases reacted positively. The percentage of seropositivity increased to 84.5% when parasite-derived proteins Sm31 and Sm32 were used. The serum levels of antibodies to these two proteins in recombinant or native forms do not correlate with intensity of infection and hence are detected even when egg counts are low, which makes proteins Sm31 and Sm32 useful antigens in the identification of S. mansoni infected cases, particularly in endemic areas in Egypt.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Antigens, Helminth/immunology , Cysteine Endopeptidases/immunology , Endemic Diseases , Helminth Proteins/immunology , Plant Proteins , Schistosoma mansoni/immunology , Schistosomiasis mansoni/diagnosis , Schistosomiasis mansoni/immunology , Adolescent , Adult , Animals , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Egypt/epidemiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Parasite Egg Count , Reproducibility of Results , Schistosomiasis mansoni/epidemiology , Sensitivity and Specificity , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Severity of Illness IndexABSTRACT
The present work aimed at studying the effect of Ambrosia maritima (Damsissa) on the viability of Lymnaea snails. Lymnaea snails used in these trials were acclimatized to laboratory conditions before use in the toxicity test. The snails were exposed to various concentrations (100-3000 mg/l) of dry powdered Damsissa, Ambrosia maritima was lethal to Lymnaea snails at concentration of 3000 mg/L after one day and at 100 mg/l after 14 days.
Subject(s)
Lymnaea , Molluscacides , Plant Extracts , Animals , Azulenes , Molluscacides/isolation & purification , Plant Extracts/isolation & purification , Sesquiterpenes , Sesquiterpenes, GuaianeABSTRACT
Liver biopsies from 5 patients with established fascioliasis, before and after bithionol treatment were studied by immunoalkaline phosphatase technique for relative distribution of T cells and their subpopulations. T cell and its subsets are defined for OKT3+ (pan T), OKT4+ (helper/inducer) and OKT8+ (suppressor/cytotoxic) cells by using mouse monoclonal antibodies. Before bithionol treatment, lymphocytic infiltration in all hepatic lesions were predominantly of OKT3+ (pan T) lymphocytes. The distribution of OKT8+ cells was moderate to severe in comparison to the few OKT4+ cells presentation. After bithionol a noticeable regression of the OKT3 lymphocytic in all liver sections. The majority of the lymphocytic infiltration was of the OKT8+ cells, in comparison to the absence of the OKT4+ ones. This may indicate that suppressor/cytotoxic lymphocytes may have a role in the immune regulation of the disease and the mode of action of bithionol is by the accentuation of this immunoregulatory effect.
Subject(s)
Bithionol/therapeutic use , Fascioliasis/pathology , Liver/pathology , T-Lymphocytes , Fascioliasis/drug therapy , Humans , Immunoenzyme Techniques , ImmunohistochemistryABSTRACT
The pathology of human fascioliasis was studied before and after bithionol treatment using light and transmission electron microscopy. Fine needle biopsies were taken from five patients, with established fascioliasis, before and after drug administration. By light microscope the pathology of human fascioliasis was similar to that reported in experimental fascioliasis. The ultrastructural picture revealed bile ductular hyperplasia, fibrosis of portal tracts, widening of the interhepatic spaces by many microvilli and dilated Disse space with collagen fibres. Bile ductular hyperplasia may be the initial factor to fibrinogenesis, which subsequently enhance the development of the microvilli on the surface of the hepatocytes. Both light and electron microscopic studies revealed regression of the picture of fascioliasis to normal after bithionol treatment with no sign of toxicity on the liver.
Subject(s)
Bithionol/therapeutic use , Fascioliasis/pathology , Liver/ultrastructure , Biopsy, Needle , Fascioliasis/drug therapy , Humans , Microscopy, ElectronABSTRACT
Fascioliasis is becoming more frequently discovered among citizens of Alexandria. The main presenting clinical manifestations including hepatic pain, colics, fever, anorexia, discomfort with meals and hepatomegaly. We select here 4 cases with unusual presentation from patient's record of the last year: one case developed liver abscess due to F. hepatica infection. Two cases were encountered during cholecystectomy in patients suffering from cholecystitis with cholelithiasis; in one of them the gall bladder had ruptured and the patient developed an abscess in the liver related to the gall bladder bed. In both cases F. hepatica worms were found in the bile duct. The fourth case presented with acalcular cholecystitis with empyema of the gall bladder.
Subject(s)
Cholecystitis/etiology , Cholelithiasis/etiology , Fascioliasis/complications , Liver Abscess/etiology , Adult , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
The present experimental work studied the ultrastructural changes occurring in the intestines of mice infected with S. mansoni and treated with praziquantel. Mild degenerative changes of the intestinal cells together with degranulation of the APUD cells were observed. The enterochromaffin cells in the intestines secrete serotonin which is a vaso constrictor and a strong stimulator of the smooth muscles. A possible explanation of the side effects of praziquantel is thus offered.
