Molecular evidence and morphological aspects of Transversotrema licinum, Phyllodistomum hoggettae, and re-description of Gyliauchen volubilis (Digenea) from the Red Sea.

During a recent survey on digenean parasites infecting marine fish captured from water located along the Red Sea off Gizan Coasts, Saudi Arabia, thirty-two (29.09%) out of 110 fish were naturally infected with three different species of digenean parasites. The taxonomical status of the recovered worms was confirmed by light microscopy and molecular analysis. Transversotrema licinum infecting the Haffara seabream Rhabdosargus haffara possessed a transversely elongated body with eyespots and the anterior body margin with delineated velum along with its entire breadth. Oral sucker was absent, and eyespots were paired anterior to or at the level of ventral sucker. Phyllodistomum hoggettae from the urinary bladder of the Arabian Nagil Plectropomus areolatus was differentiated by its elongated body, narrow anterior end widened as going posteriorly with prominent marginal undulations in the hindbody. Gyliauchen volubilis infecting the marbled spinefoot Siganus rivulatus, was with fleshy body, conical, tapered anteriorly, convex dorsally, and concave ventrally. Prepharynx was very long and convoluted and had occupied the greater part of the anterior half of the body. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogeny were based on maximum likelihood analysis for the ITS-2 and 28S rDNA for Transversotrema licinum and Phyllodistomum hoggettae were constructed, respectively. They were compared to species within their families and further deposited into the Genebank under accession numbers MG 722711 and MG722710, respectively.

Risk factors and molecular features of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing bacteria at southwest of Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the risk factors, the prevalence rate, and gene types of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria as the causative agents of infection at King Abdulaziz Specialist Hospital (KAASH), Taif, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a retrospective study conducted during the period between February 2017 and January 2018. All samples obtained from the KAASH were analyzed. The MicroScan Walkaway System, bacteriological examination and double disk synergy tests were used to detect ESBL-producing bacteria. To identify ESBL genes, the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used. Results: The ESBL phenotype was detected in 351 of 1151 isolates (30.5%); Escherichia coli (E. coli) (62.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) (23.6%) were the most prevalent. The highest proportion of ESBL specimens was found in urine (62%.5), and these organisms were mainly isolated from the female medical ward (20.2%). Based on the statistical analysis, lung diseases, renal diseases, diabetes and heart diseases contributed to the spread of ESBL infections. Amikacin, imipenem, meropenem and tigecycline were found to be effective in overcoming ESBL infections; however, these antibiotics may be inappropriate for new strains of K.pneumoniae. The distribution of the blaCTX-M gene was high (87%), compared with blaTEM (74.9%) and blaSHV (29.4%).   Conclusion: These data provide new epidemiological information about the prevalence of ESBL-producing organisms among patients in KAASH, Taif, Saudi Arabia. In addition, this study identified the clonal nature of isolated E.coli and K.pneumoniae.

Morphometeric criteria and partial sequence of the 18S rRNA gene of Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae in the Arabian Gulf, with a note on its seasonal prevalence.

This paper describes a new coelozoic myxosporean parasite named Ceratomyxa sultani n. sp. isolated from the gallbladder of Upeneus margarethae sourced from the Arabian Gulf off Saudi Arabia. Of 104 U. margarethae specimens examined, 27 (26%) were infected, with the highest prevalence in winter and lowest in autumn. The pseudoplasmodia were disporous and irregularly elliptical in shape, with an average size of 22 × 17 µm. Mature spores were mostly elliptical with symmetrical valves and equal spherical polar capsules. Spores were 9 µm in length and 25 µm in thickness, while polar capsules were 4 µm wide with four filament coils. The paper further provides a morphological comparison with closely related Ceratomyxa spp. together with phylogenetic analysis based on the partial 18S rRNA sequence, which revealed that C. sultani n. sp. clustered within a robust clade of Ceratomyxa species from the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea or nearby geographic regions.

The light microscopy and ultrastructural characteristics of Myxobolus naffari (Myxosporea, Myxobolidae) infecting the Nile carp Labeo niloticus (Cyprinidae) and its histological impact

During a survey of myxosporean parasites infecting freshwater fishes from the River Nile at Giza Governorates, Egypt between March and September 2016, nine out of 30 specimens of the Nile carp Labeo niloticus (Cyprinidae) were found to be naturally infected with Myxobolus naffari (Myxobolidae). Small macroscopic plasmodia appeared embedded in the host gill tissue accompanied with fusion of the gill epithelia, and atrophy was observed at the site of infection. The host reaction was manifested by the encapsulation of the plasmodia with a thick layer of connective tissue. The plasmodia appeared as white, elongated rods between gill filaments with an intensity ranging from three to eight cysts/fish. The average dimensions of plasmodia were 1.2­2.0 (1.8 ± 0.2) mm long × 0.4­0.7 (0.6 ± 0.2) mm wide. The spores were oval, reaching 9.56­11.2 (10.2 ± 0.2) µm long and 6.5­7.7 (7.0 ± 0.4) µm wide with two equal-sized polar capsules regularly arranged at the anterior pole of each spore. They were 4.51­5.5 (5.1 ± 0.4) µm in length and 1.5­2.0 (1.7 ± 0.2) µm in width. Histological, semi-thin sections were taken through parasite plasmodia and transmission electron microscopic examination of ultrathin sections was performed to describe the developmental stages of the recorded parasite within the host fish.

First record of three African trichodinids (Ciliophora: Peritrichida) in cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Saudi Arabia with re-evaluation of their host specificity.

Saudi Arabia has a developing aquaculture industry that farms primarily tilapia. Although trichodinids are presumably the most usually encountered protozoan parasites in these cultured fish, they have rarely been studied in this context, and there is no data on the species that might infect cultured tilapia in Saudi Arabia. The present study was therefore carried out as a general survey to investigate the occurrence and identify the species of trichodinids that can infect cultured tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Saudi Arabia. A total of 500 tilapia fish were collected from fish farms in Riyadh city and examined in order to determine the species of trichodinids present in the positive specimens. Three species of trichodinids (Trichodina maritinkae, T. centrostrigeata and T. frenata) were isolated and described as new records in Saudi Arabia. These trichodinids were found simultaneously in the same fish with overall prevalence of 20% (100/500). The identification and characterization of these three species are documented based on Riyadh specimens, for the first time. Additionally, the present paper confirms the existence of T. frenata for the second time globally and establishes this trichodinid as a new parasite for O. niloticus. T. maritinkae is highly specific to clariids, and previously, it has not been reported from any fish species other than clariids. The present work also confirmed that T. centrostrigeata can also infest cichlid fish. The list of host records of these species is expanded and their host specificity re-evaluated based on the results of this study in addition to the previously published data. We conclude that there is a need for further study of the impacts of these Trichodina spp. on Saudi Arabian fishery sector.

Diabetic retinopathy and its risk factors in a society with a type 2 diabetes epidemic: a Saudi National Diabetes Registry-based study.

PURPOSE: To assess diabetic retinopathy prevalence and its risk factors in a society with type 2 diabetes epidemic using the Saudi National Diabetes Registry (SNDR). METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study using patient's clinical data found in SNDR data base. A cohort of 50,464 Saudi patients with type 2 diabetes aged ≥25 years were selected to assess for the prevalence and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 19.7%, where 9.1% have non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), 10.6% have proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and 5.7% have macular oedema (ME). Duration of diabetes and age are the most significant risk factors for diabetic retinopathy with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 8.88 (8.30-9.50) and 5.76 (5.10-6.55), respectively. Nephropathy, neuropathy, insulin use, poor glycemic control, hypertension and male gender significantly increased the risk for diabetic retinopathy. Smoking, hyperlipidemia and obesity significantly reduced the risk for diabetic retinopathy among type 2 Saudi diabetic cohort. CONCLUSION: vThe low prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in our registry may be a result of the shortage or absence of well-structured screening programmes. Therefore, many patients with NPDR might have been missed. A prevention programme is needed to reduce the effect of diabetic retinopathy risk factors in this society.

Intracoronary Reopro during Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Acute and Stable Patient can Influence Stent Thrombosis Formation (IRPASST) Study.

BACKGROUND: In patients with acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina undergoing coronary angioplasty, abciximab reduces major adverse cardiac events (MACE). Most clinical trials have studied mainly intravenous administration. Intracoronary (IC) bolus application of abciximab causes very high local drug concentrations and may be more effective in reducing acute and sub-acute stent thrombosis (ST). We studied whether IC bolus administration of abciximab is associated with a reduced ST and target vessels revascularization (TVR); therefore, less MACE rate compared with the standard intravenous IV bolus and infusion application. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-center observational study conducted between June 2007 and 2009. We studied a total of 447 patients admitted with either acute coronary intervention (PCI) and stenting. Patients with bleeding disorder, recent major surgery and high blood pressure were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 199) patient received IC bolus of abciximab (reopro) 0.25 µg/kg during the PCI in cath lab. Group II (n = 248) received the standard dose of reopro-a bolus intravenous 0.25 µg/kg and maintenance dose of 0.125 µg/kg over 12 h. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups with regard to diabetes mellitus, group I (56%) vs. group II (58%), P = 0.613; ACS, group I (38%) vs. group II (44%), P = 0.175; Dietthylstilbestrol Drug eluted stent (DES) in group I (66.5%) vs. (57.6%) group II, P = 0.056; Bare Metal Stent (BMS) in group I (33%) vs. (40.7%) group II, P=0.093; target vessel revascularization (TRV) was seen in 9 patients (4%) in group I vs. 16 patients (6%) in group II. ST elevation was seen in 4 patients (2%) in group I vs. 7 patients (2.8%) in group II, all presented with STEMI. CONCLUSION: In this study, there was a trend toward less ST and TVR in patients who received IC reopro vs. intravenous route both in ACS and stable CAD. The percentage of DM was high in both groups (56%), especially in Saudi patients. In-stent restenosis (ISR) was less in group I than in group II, this was mainly associated with BMS usage. The percentage of BMS was more than 30% in both groups, either due to STEMI cases or large vessel size. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to further assess IC application of abciximab in reducing ST.

Description of Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus (Acanthocephala: Rhadinor-hynchidae) from the red spot emperor Lethrinus lentjan with new host and locality records in Saudi Arabia.

Adult worms of Rhadinorhynchus dorsoventrospinosus (Acanthocephala: Rhadinor-hynchidae) were collected from the small intestine of the red spot emperor Lethrinus lentjan (family Lethrinidae) from locations along the Red Sea at Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia. Twenty three out of 70 fish specimens (32.9%) were found to be naturally infected. The parasite was described using photo research Zeiss microscopy and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Light microscopic studies revealed that the adult worm possessed a proboscis which was long, cylindrical with a uniform width measured 0.44 +/- 0.02 (0.38-0.46) mm in length and 0.1 +/- 10.02 (0.09-0.15) mm in width. Proboscis hooks observed by scanning electron microscopy were large, uniform in size (14-16 rows of 26 hooks each) with a row of longer hooks at the base. Comparison between the present described species and four species of the same genus was done, it was observed that there was only one comparable species, R dorsoventrospinosus resembled the present parasite in the general morphology and differed from others, so the present studied species is classified as R. dorsoventrospinosus with new host and locality records.

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov., a parasite of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes and the mosquito Culex pipiens from Egypt.

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) comb. nov. are described from the tissues of the corned viper Cerastes cerastes, and from the vector Culex pipiens. The parasite described in the present study is firstly recorded as Haemogregarina seurati (Laveran and Pettit 1911) in the same host. After demonstration of the sporogonous development in the mosquito vector (C. pipiens) which showed all characteristics of the genus Hepatozoon (large oocysts containing many sporocysts producing numerous sporozoites), the parasite should be transferred into the genus Hepatozoon. The infected erythrocytes measured 20 ± 0.95 × 7.3 ± 0.85 µm; while uninfected cells measured 13.3 ± 1.04 × 7.5 ± 0.16 µm. Hypertrophy and faintly stained cytoplasm are mostly occurred in infected erythrocytes. Blood stages of the parasite were found exclusively in the erythrocytes in two forms: (1) small trophozoites (10.0 ± 0.52 × 3.0 ± 0.4 µm) and (2) long (mature) sausage-shaped (16.5 ± 1.5 × 3.5 ± 0.4 µm). Merogony occurred in the endothelial cells of the blood capillaries of lung, liver, and spleen. Mature meronts was 27.6 ± 0.7 × 17.5 ± 0.5 µm in diameter and contained 20-35 merozoites (averaged in 26). These merozoites measured 16.5 ± 1.5 × 3.5 ± 0.4 µm. Syzygy and gamogony occurred in the mosquito myxocoel till the 5th day post-infection (p.i.) while sporogony took place after 15 days p.i. On the third day p.i., a large spherical macrogamete of 29.0 ± 0.8 × 20.5 ± 0.6 µm containing a distinct nucleus in association with a single microgamete were observed. The microgamete was pyriform measured 8 ± 02 µm in length. It had a prominent nucleus and a long flagellum of at least 20.4 ± 1.3 µm in length. Fertilization occurred on the 3rd to the 4th days p.i. and the formed zygote developed into an oocyst in which repeated mitotic divisions with centripetal invaginations occurred producing sporoblasts. After sporulation, each sporoblast termed as sporocyst, and contained 18 banana-shaped sporozoites measured 14.0 ± 1.6 × 3.2 ± 0.6 µm. Experimental transmission was successful by intraperitoneal inoculation of the infective stages (sporozoites) to uninfected vipers and led to the appearance of blood stages after 5-6 weeks.

First identification of four trypanorhynchid cestodes: Callitetrarhynchus speciouses, Pseudogrillotia sp. (Lacistorhynchidae), Kotorella pronosoma and Nybelinia bisulcata (Tentaculariidae) from Sparidae and Mullidae fish.

Four previously unrecognized trypanorhynchids are described based on fish specimens from Sparidae and Mullidae host fish of the Red Sea. From September 2010 to June 2011, 66 specimens of the sea bream Pagrus pagrus (F: Sparidae) and 43 of the red mullet Mullus barbatus (F: Mullidae) were purchased from markets in the Suez and Hurghada cities of the Red Sea. The fishes were measured, and their organs investigated for helminth infections. Forty-one (37.6 %) out of the 109 fish specimens investigated were parasitized with Trypanorhyncha metacestodes, identified as Callitetrarhynchus speciouses Linton 1897, Pseudogrillotia sp. Dollfus 1969, Kotorella pronosoma Stossich 1901 from P. pagrus, and Nybelinia bisulcata Linton 1889 from M. barbatus in the mesentery and peritoneal cavity, with prevalences of 16.5, 11.0, 6.0, and 12.0 %. All of these larval stages were encapsulated larvae in blastocysts. C. speciouses is characterized by an elongated scolex, two bothria, a long postbulbosa, and four elongated bulbs. Pseudogrillotia sp. possesses a scolex with two lateral patelliform bothridia; posterior margins are free, not notched. A long sheath was observed, which was irregularly coiled when tentacles invaginated. N. bisulcata possesses an acraspedote scolex with four bothridia, which are broad, bean-shaped. The tentacles are spirally coiled, supplied with hooks with abruptly turned points. The four tentacles sheaths rose from scolex as two anterior (front) and two posterior (back) which overlap at the apices of bulbs. K. pronosoma is characterized by a short body with a craspedote scolex and four bothridia. The tentacles are short and emerge pairwise. The presence of Trypanorhyncha metacestodes in the muscles does not represent a risk of infection for humans. They have a negative effect on fish esthetics. The repugnant aspect and the prohibition for commercial use by sanitary inspectors, however, cause consumer rejection. Parasites of the order Trypanorhyncha have been recorded in these host fishes for the first time.

Development and validation of an Arabic version of the Visual Functioning Index VF-14 for cataract patients.

PURPOSE: To develop and validate an Arabic version of the Visual Functioning Index (VF-14) for patients with cataracts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The VF-14 was translated into Arabic by an epidemiologist and an ophthalmologist, both fluent in Arabic and English. The VF-14 was administered to patients diagnosed with cataract at two hospitals in Egypt and two hospitals in Saudi Arabia. Patients were also administered three other forms; the cataract symptoms score (CSS); global measure of vision; and cataract medical form. Internal reliability and external validity were measured. Index sensitivity to visual acuity was detected and potential effective factors were investigated. Correlation analyses were performed. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The translated VF-14 was consistent and reliable (σ = 0.763, p < 0.0001). It was also statistically significantly sensitive to vision (p < 0.0001). The mean calculated index was 62.18 ± 19.34, and was highly correlated with; CSS and other scores (p < 0.0001, all cases). Factors that may affect the index are; age, sex, vision, wearing glasses, type, position, and severity of cataract. CONCLUSION: The Arabic VF 14 is a reliable and valid tool for evaluation of both visual functioning and quality of visual life among cataract patients. It is also sensitive to changes in visual acuity, demographic, and clinical characteristics.

Development of square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric method for determination of acebutolol in pharmaceutical formulations and biological fluids.

A validated simple, rapid, sensitive and specific square-wave voltammetric technique is described for the determination of acebutolol (AC) following its accumulation onto a hanging mercury drop electrode in a Britton-Robinson universal buffer of pH 7.5. The optimal procedural conditions were: accumulation potential Eacc = - 0.8 V versus Ag/AgCl/KCl, accumulation duration tacc = 30 s, pulse-amplitude = 70 mV, scan rate = 100 mV/s, frequency = 30 Hz, surface area of the working electrode = 0.6 mm2 and the convection rate = 2000 rpm. Under these optimized conditions, the adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) peak current was proportional over the concentration range 5 × 10-7 - 6 × 10-6 M (r = 0.999). Recoveries for acebutolol from human plasma and urine were in the range 97-103% and 96-104% respectively. The method proved to be precise (intra-day precision expressed as %RSD in human plasma ranged from 2.9 - 3.2% and inter-day precision expressed as %RSD ranged from 3.4 - 3.8%) and accurate (intra-day accuracies expressed as % error in human urine ranged from -3.3 - 2.8% and inter-day accuracies ranged from -3.3 - 1.7%). The limit of quantitation (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) for acebutolol were 1.7 × 10-7 and 5 × 10-7 M, respectively. Possible interferences by substances usually present in the pharmaceutical formulations were investigated with a mean recovery of 101.6 ± 0.64%. Results of the developed square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetry (SW-AdSV) method were comparable with those obtained by reference analytical method.

First record of anisakid juveniles (Nematoda) in the European seabass Dicentrarchus labrax (family: Moronidae), and their role as bio-indicators of heavy metal pollution.

This study assessed the anisakid nematode distribution pattern in the fish collected from coasts of Mediterranean Sea, Egypt, during the period September 2010-April 2011. Two hundred thirty out of 300 (76.7%) Dicentrarchus labrax (European seabass) marine fishes belonging to family Moronidae were dissected and found to be infected with larva three nematodes. The larvae had been studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. The present work represents the first record of the presence of the parasite in this fish in the Mediterranean Sea. The concentrations of some heavy metals (Pb, Zn, Fe, Cd, Cu, Mn, Ni) in parasites as well as in tissues of fish were measured. The presented results showed that the nematode parasites are able to accumulate heavy metals in their tissues and in some cases that they are able to accumulate large amounts of heavy metals in a higher amount than host tissues. This demonstrated their sustainability as bioindicators of environmental pollution by removing heavy metals and help in the survival of fish.

Sarcocystis acanthocolubri sp. n. infecting three lizard species of the genus Acanthodactylus and the problem of host specificity. Light and electron microscopic study.

In the present investigation, macroscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis acanthocolubri were observed in muscles of 42 (4.3%) out of 975 Acanthodactylus sp. lizards collected from different geographical areas in Egypt. The infection rate was 6.4% in Acanthodactylus boskianus, 2.1% in Acanthodactylus sculentus, and 5% in Acanthodactylus paradalis. The highest infection rate was recorded in the lizards captured from Baltem (10% in A. boskianus and 8% in A. paradalis). The infection rate was usually higher in females (7.4%) than in males (3.8%). Moreover, the highest infection rate was recorded in summer (7.53%), autumn (3.57%), and spring (3.11%), and the lowest was recorded in winter (0.91%). Also, old animals had higher infection rates (10.8%) than young ones (0-2.7%). Macrocysts measured 0.95 × 10.12 mm. Both macroscopic and microscopic sarcocysts were enclosed only by a primary cyst wall, which had many finger-like, stalkless, and non-branched protrusions giving it a striated appearance. The primary cyst wall measured 3.9 µm. A dark granulated ground substance was found directly underneath the protrusions and is extended interiorly dividing the cyst cavity into many compartments containing the parasites (metrocytes and merozoites). Metrocytes were found directly under the ground substance and usually multiply asexually by endodyogeny producing two merozoites from each metrocyte. Both metrocytes and merozoites had the apical complex structures characteristic to the genus Sarcocystis. Transmission experiments with three snake species indicated that the snake Spalerosophis diadema is the proper final host belonging to the family Colubridae. The prepatent period was 16 days, while the patent period was 35 days. The results obtained from the present investigation revealed that this is a new species which was named Sarcocystis acanthocolubri.

Correlation between serum electrolytes and fasting glucose and Hb1Ac in Saudi diabetic patients.

In subjects with impaired insulin action, alterations of the serum sodium and potassium concentrations have been reported. The resulting cationic imbalance, along with the osmotic effect of the elevated sugar levels, could influence the course of diabetes mellitus management. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels with those of the serum electrolytes. Blood samples were collected for assessment of HbA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBS), and electrolytes using different automated methods. A significant association between the serum sodium and FBS levels among types 1 and 2 insulin-treated patients, and type 2 oral agent patients was observed. A total of 138 diabetic subjects were randomly selected from any gender aged between 25 and 65 years at the University Diabetes Center, King Saud University, Riyadh KSA. The subjects were classified into types 1 or 2 DM using ADA criteria. Blood samples were collected for assessment of HbA1c, FBS, and electrolytes using different automated methods. It showed a significant association between serum sodium, FBS among type 1, type 2 insulin treated, and type 2 oral agent groups. However, the association of sodium and HbA1c was insignificant when analyzed individually. A statistically significant association (P < 0.001) was observed between the levels of serum sodium and the fasting blood glucose levels. This study demonstrated significant reduction in serum sodium level among types 1 or 2 diabetic patients especially among insulin-treated patients. No significant association was demonstrated by serum potassium with FBS and degree of diabetes control.

Prevalence pattern and biology of Sarcocystis capracanis infection in the Egyptian goats: a light and ultrastructural study.

Cysts of Sarcocystis capracanis obtained from infected goats were examined to clarify the effect of the parasite on the host. Muscle tissues from fresh oesophagus, tongue, diaphragm and skeletal muscles of 680 goats were slaughtered in the main abattoir of Cairo, Egypt and they were examined microscopically for Sarcocystis infection for the first time in Egypt. 540 out of 680 (79.4%) of examined goats were found to be infected with Sarcocystis sp. The infection was recorded firstly by light microscopy as spindle shaped cysts embedded in the muscle tissues. The validity of this species as S. capracanis was confirmed by means of ultrastructural characteristics of the primary cyst wall which revealed the presence of thick-radially striated wall with finger like projections, underlined by a thick layer of ground substance enclosing the developing metrocytes and merozoites that usually contain nearly all the structures of the apical complex and fill the interior cavity of the cyst. The cyst cavity is divided by many septa extending from the ground substance and producing large number of chambers. An experimental infection using the highly infected muscles was carried out to determine the final host, which is dog. Smears of intestinal epithelium were taken to examine the endogenous stages (gamogony and sporogony) by means of light microscopy. These stages were mainly observed as to infect the lamina propria of the posterior third of the small intestine. Gamogony and zygote formation (fertilization) occurred 2-8 days post infection, while sporulation took place within the final host 13-15 days and sporocysts were passed within faeces of the infected puppies at that time. The prepatent period of S. capracanis was 12-15 days, while the patent period was extended to 37 days. In goats, infection with S. capracanis led to the loss of weight, anaemia, abortion and even death in cases of heavy infection. While bleeding, watery faeces filled with mucous on 5th and 8th day p.i. as well as intestinal lesions are the pathogenic effects occurred in puppies after experimental infection.

Developmental stages of Hepatozoon hemprichii sp. nov. infecting the skink Scincus hemprichii and the tick Hyalomma impeltatum from Saudi Arabia.

The life cycle of Hepatozoon hemprichi n. sp. is described; the vertebrate host is Scincus hemprichii and it is vectored by Hyalomma impeltatum. Erythrocytic stages of 18 ± 1.8 × 4 ± 0.8 µm developed in the hemocoel of ticks to sporozoites within 16-18 days. Schizogony occurred in the liver parenchyma and the endothelial cells of blood capillaries in lung and spleen. Mature schizonts measuring 27 ± 3.11 × 20.13 ± 3.0 µm produced 28 merozoites (on average). The merozoites were 13 ± 1.21 × 1.21 ± 0.72 µm with nuclei 5 ± 0.65 × 2.1 ± 0.51 µm. Syzygy and differentiation of gamonts took place in tick's hemocoel up to the third day post-infection (PI). The microgamont (16 ± 0.31 × 18 ± 0.42 µm) produced 4, uniflagellated microgametes at 4-5 days PI. The microgamete measured 15.2 ± 0.31 µm while the flagellum was always at least 26 µm. The macrogamete was very large in size (31 ± 3.11 µm) with a central nucleus. After fertilization, (5-6 days PI) zygotes developed into oocysts (55 ± 3.41 × 52 ± 4.11 µm) in which repeated mitotic divisions with centripetal invaginations occurred; each contained 18 banana-shaped sporozoites, 13.61 ± 0.8 × 1.2 ± 0.31 µm in size. Experimental transmission was successfully carried out by oral administration or by intra-peritoneal inoculation of the infective stages (sporozoites) to uninfected skinks and led to the appearance of blood stages after 5 wk and 4 wk, respectively.

Sample stacking microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography induced by reverse migrating pseudostationary phase for the quantification of phenobarbital and its p-hydroxyphenobarbital metabolite in rat urine.

For the first time, a capillary electrophoretic (CE) method with sample stacking induced by a reverse migrating pseudostationary phase (SRMP) technique has been developed and validated for sensitive determination of phenobarbital (PB) and its p-hydroxyphenobarbital (PHPB) metabolite in rat urine samples. Separation and determination were optimized on a fused-silica capillary with a total length of 50 cm (effective length 40 cm) and 75 µm ID. The microemulsion background electrolyte consisted of 0.8% (v/v) ethyl acetate, 6.6% (v/v) butan-2-ol, 1.0% (v/v) acetonitrile, 2.0% (w/v) sodium n-dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 89.6% (v/v) of 7.5 mM ammonium formate at pH 8. When this preconcentration technique was used, the sample stacking and the separation processes took place successively with changing the voltage with an intermediate polarity switching step. For practical application, a solid-phase extraction (SPE), C(18) sorbent with n-hexane/ethyl acetate (1 : 1%, v/v) as the elution solvent was used for sample purification and concentration. The SPE method gave good extraction yields for all the analytes, with absolute recovery values of 96.9% and 99.1% for PB and PHPB, respectively. The regression equations for PB and PHPB showed excellent linearity over a concentration range of 55-1386 ng mL(-1) for PB and PHPB (r = 0.998). The developed microemulsion electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MEEKC) method for separation of the studied compounds with SRMP as the electrophoretic preconcentration technique allowed detection limits in urine samples at 16.8 ng mL(-1) for PB and PHPB which are 15-fold lower than the reported CE method in the literature. The precision results, expressed by the intra-day and inter-day relative standard deviation (RSD) values range from 3.6 to 7.1% (repeatability) and from 3.2 to 7.2% (intermediate precision) for PB and PHPB, respectively, which were in line with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria.

Epidemiological analysis of notified measles cases and review of surveillance system during an outbreak in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

PURPOSE: In response to a measles outbreak occurred in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, we conducted a case-based active-surveillance, and analyzed all surveillance data to identify the epidemiology of notified measles cases and to review the surveillance system. METHODS: Suspected and confirmed measles cases were defined according to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Household-based investigation was conducted for all suspected cases using standard measles notification form. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was carried out on serum samples collected from all suspected cases to detect measles specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies. Surveillance system was assessed by preselected performance indicators consistent with WHO guidelines. Logistic regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios from the surveillance data. RESULTS: Of 242 suspected measles cases notified between 3rd and 48th calendar weeks of the study-year, laboratory result was IgM-positive for 46% cases, IgM-negative for 49% cases, and unknown for 5% cases. Suspected and confirmed cases separately showed urban-predominance (>77%), male-majority (>51%), and high-proportion among Saudis (>92%). The highest proportion (93%) of suspected cases that received "at least one dose" of measles-containing vaccine (MCV) was found among those aged 12-17 years, whereas the lowest proportion (17%) was observed among the adult individuals (> or =18 years). Elderly (> or =18 years) individuals were significantly less likely to be vaccinated than younger (1-5 years) children (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 15.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 4.82-52.56). The vaccine failure rate for "at least one dose" of MCV was 35%. The individuals vaccinated with "at least one-dose" of MCV were at 3.6 times lower risk of contracting measles than the nonvaccinated group (adjusted OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.55-8.38). Of five surveillance performance indicators, three were found as per WHO target. CONCLUSIONS: More efforts are essential to prevent future outbreaks and to reach the goal of measles elimination in the country.