Molecular detection of Capillaria philippinensis: An emerging zoonosis in Egypt.

Human infection with Capillaria philippinensis is accidental; however, it may end fatally if not diagnosed and treated in the proper time. The first case was detected in the Philippines in 1963, but later reported in other countries around the world, including Egypt. In this report, molecular diagnosis using a specific nested PCR for detection of C. philippinensis in faeces is described based on the amplification of small ribosomal subunit. The test showed sensitivity and specificity, as it detected all the positive cases and gave no cross-reaction with human DNA and DNA of other tested parasites. This method can be very useful not only for improvement of diagnosis, but also to understand the different environmental routes of transmission by detection of C. philippinensis DNA-stages in the possible fish intermediate hosts and reservoir animal host, helping to improve strategies for surveillance and prevention of human disease.

Disseminated coccidioidomycosis in a 5-year-old Sudanese boy.

A 5-year-old Sudanese boy not known to be immunodeficient and with no history of travelling developed septic shock from a disseminating coccidial infection. The diagnosis was delayed, as the eosinophilic hepatic abscess was initially thought to be secondary to schistosomiasis, which is endemic in Egypt and Sudan. A further survey about the existence of coccidial infection around the climatic area of the river Nile is warranted.

Evaluation of Capillaria philippinensis coproantigen in the diagnosis of infection.

In order to overcome the false negative diagnosis of infection with C. philippinesis at time of absence of eggs in stool, coproantigen prepared from stools of infected patients was evaluated serologically. This antigen was able to detect anti-Capillaria antibodies in the sera of infected cases at the same OD level produced with Capillaria crude worm antigen using indirect ELISA technique C. philippenensis coproantigen did not cross-react with sera from patients with schistosomiasis mansoni, fascioliasis or strongyloidiasis at 1:00 serum dilution. Laboratory-prepared hyperimmune sera versus crude worm antigen of C. philippinensis succeeded in capturing Capillaria antigen prepared from the stools of infected patients and did not cross react with coproantigens prepared from stool samples of cases infected with S. mansoni or Fasciola using sandwich ELISA technique.

Intestinal capillariass in Egypt epideiologigal background.

Intestinal capillariasis has been reported in Egypt in 1989. Since that time, 44 cases have been diagnosed. Most of the detected cases were females (37), while males were only 7. Their ages ranged from 10 to 65 years, however most of them were between 20 to 40 years. Twenty-six cases were from the northern part of Upper Egypt, particularly Bani-Suif and El-Menia Governorates. Patients presented with borborygmi, chronic diarrhea, vomiting, loss of weight, lower limb edema and electrolyte imbalance for durations ranging from one month to two years. Morbidity and mortality of the disease in Egyptian cases are described. Some patients gave history of eating raw whole fish, while others gave history of eating raw parts of fish or half-cooked fish. Diagnosis was based on the clinical picture, and confirmed stool analysis. Differential diagnosis was discussed and the cost paid by patients to reach the correct diagnosis was estimated. Suggestions about the way with which the parasite was introduced and maintained in Egypt were mentioned.