Mitigation of endogenous oxidative stress and improving growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, and reproductive performance of Zaraibi goat bucks by dietary supplementation with Chlorella vulgaris or/and vitamin C.

This study was conducted to explore the effects of dietary inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris (CV) or/and vitamin C (VC) on growth, hemato-biochemical parameters, oxidative and antioxidant status, reproductive hormones, and semen quality variables, and scrotal-testicular dimensions of Zaraibi goat bucks. Twenty sexually mature bucks (41.49 ± 0.91 kg BW) were randomly divided into 4 groups (5 bucks/group). The control group was fed the control diet, while the other three groups received a diet supplemented with VC (2 g/animal /day), CV (5 g/animal/day), and CV plus VC (the same levels), respectively, for 8 weeks (treatment period), and then semen was collected for 8 weeks. Results showed that dietary supplementation with CV-VC combination significantly increased the final body weight, weight gain, packed cell volume, hemoglobin, red blood cells, white blood cells, and lymphocytes; elevated serum total protein, globulin, testosterone, estradiol, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase with a significant reduction in Malondialdehyde in serum and seminal plasma. Also, the CV-VC combination significantly improved the ejaculate volume, total sperm output, sperm concentration, and live sperm, and reduced reaction time and sperm abnormality of bucks. Either CV or VC given separately or in combination, at the chosen levels, had no detrimental effects on animal physiological responses with normal hepatic and renal functions. Therefore, the CV-VC combination could be safely utilized as a dietary supplement in buck's diets to improve antioxidant defenses, scavenge free radicals, and potentiate buck's reproductive activities under normal conditions.

Identification of factors and groups at risk of infection with Schistosoma mansoni in urban Sharkia Governorate.

The main objective is to determine the relationship between biological, socioeconomic and behavioral factors and the prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni in urban areas. Sharkia Governorate was stratified according to the population size into large and small sized cities. A questionnaire was used to collect information on each individual included in the study and specimens of stool were also collected and examined parasitologically for the detection of S. mansoni eggs. Those found infected were treated with praziquantal. The overall prevalence was 6.8% ranging from 2.8% in large sized cities to 10.3% in small sized ones. The geometric mean egg count was almost similar in both types of cities (45.8 eggs per gm stool). Univariate and multivariate analysis identified several variables that were associated with the occurrence of S. mansoni infection in both large and small sized cities. groups at risk of being infected were identified. The data of the present study are valuable in finding some of the risk factors responsible for the occurrence of schistosomiasis in urban areas as well as for finding the high risk groups, all of which are important for planning the needed control strategies.

Schistosomiasis status in urban Sharkia Governorate, Egypt: prevalence and intensity of infection.

The study was implemented in Sharkia Governorate, to determine the magnitude of schistosomiasis in urban areas. A multistage sampling technique was the method chosen to carry out the study. According to the population size, the urban areas of Sharkia Governorate were classified into two strata: small sized cities and large sized cities. Two cities were selected randomly from each stratum. Among the 5012 individuals selected from the four cities, 3524 and 3457 individuals gave urine and stool specimens respectively. An overall prevalence of 6.8% was observed for Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) infection with a geometric mean egg count (GMEC) of 45.8 eggs per gram stool. Only three cases of Schistosoma haematobium were detected. Results of the survey suggest that small sized cities had a significantly higher level of infection than large sized cities. Age and sex related prevalence and intensities showed that the highest rates were noticed among adult males.

Treatment of schistosomiasis with praziquantel among school children.

This study, as a part of the drug resistance project, one of the activities of the schistosomiasis research project, was carried out in 3 villages in lower Egypt. Its main objective is to assess the praziquantel cure rate and to identify infected persons not responding to praziquantel treatment. Among the studied population, the prevalence of S. mansoni among school children (age 6 to 18 years) was 21.8%, 32.7% and 32.4% in the 3 villages respectively. Those who were found infected were treated with praziquantel (40 mg/kg body weight). The cure rate after six weeks was 75.8%, 83.9% and 72.7% among school children respectively. This cure rate among school children was less than that of adults by 5-10%. Compared with that of preschool age, it showed variable results. A second dose after 6-8 weeks was given to those who were still infected. Those who remained infected even after this second treatment, received a third dose of 60 mg/kg body weight. After the third treatment, only 5 patients of school age remained infected compared to one among adults and one among preschool age. The failure rate was found to be 50%, 18.5% and 12.5% among preschool, school children and adults respectively after the third treatment regimen.

Assessment of praziquantel therapy in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni infection.

The present study is the first report of the epidemiological survey carried out as a part of the Praziquantel resistance project which is one of the projects of Schistosomiasis Research Project (SRP) in Egypt. The results of the study, which has been carried out in 3 villages, revealed that praziquantel is effective as an antischistosomal drugs and reduced egg count significantly. However at the end of the study some cases remained infected in spite of the three treatment regimens. Several factors can be responsible, among them is the presence of resistance strains, which will only be elucidated in the subsequent steps of the project, when identification of resistant strains in experimental animals will be carried out.