Effect of Egyptian propolis on cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed rats with special emphasis on oocysts shedding, leukogram, protein profile and ileum histopathology.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the activity of Egyptian propolis extracts (ethanol and water) on cryptosporidiosis in experimentally infected dexamethasone-immunosuppressed rats. METHODS: A total of 180 male rats (190-220) g BWt were randomly divided into 9 equal groups (G1-G9). Groups of rats were kept as (G1): normal control, (G2-G9): immunosuppressed with dexamethasone and (G3-G9): infected with Cryptosporidium oocysts. Rats from (G4-G9) were given orally ethanol and water extract of propolis (at a dose of 50 mg/kg BWt) and nitazoxanide (standard anti-cryptosporidial drug at a dose of 100 mg/kg BWt) to infected rats with different regimes. Faecal pellets were collected from all groups to monitor oocysts shedding from the 2nd to the 15th day post infection. At the end of the experiment, blood was collected from all groups for determination of leukogram and serum proteins. Ileum specimens were also examined histopathologically. RESULTS: The highest reduction of oocysts shedding in faecal samples was 88% in rats prophylactically treated with propolis ethanol extract at the 4th dpi, and in rats prophylactically treated with water extract of propolis, was 91% at the 6th dpi. There was a marked increase in neutrophils count and α2- and ß-globulins levels in infected rats treated with both extracts, while a significant decrease was detected in lymphocytes compared to the infected non treated group. ß-Globulin level markedly increased in the rats administered nitazoxanide. Histopathological changes were observed in the ileum of rats infected with Cryptosporidium. CONCLUSIONS: Egyptian propolis extracts have an activity on cryptosporidiosis in rats. Moreover, propolis modulated the immunity in dexamethasone-immunosuppressed rats.

Efficacy of methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits on Toxocara vitulorum.

In this study, the effect of the methanolic extract of Balanites aegyptiaca fruits (BAE) on adult Toxocara vitulorum was evaluated after incubating the parasites in Ringer solution containing 10, 30, 60, 120 and 240 µg/ml of the methanolic extract, for 24h using light and scanning electron microscopic observations. Differences in response to BAE action were concentration dependent. These changes occurred in definite sequences in response to BAE concentration and were consisted of slightly swelling which became pronounced and so severe, with lips showed wrinkled cuticular surface and deformed sensory papillae on increasing the BAE concentration. The strongest effects were reached with the highest BAE concentration, where disorganization of the cuticle and body musculature was observed. Additionally, the ovicidal effect of BAE, at the previous concentrations, on the development of T. vitulorum eggs was examined after 12h exposure. The inhibitory activity of BAE on egg development was concentration dependent and the highest value reached to 100% with the concentration of 240 µg/ml. These results were compared with those observed in the worm cuticle and eggs following incubation in albendazole, as it was a broad-spectrum nematodicidal compound with well-known ovicidal activity.

Partial purification and characterization of Ascaridia galli diagnostic worm antigen.

Partial purification of Ascaridia galli whole worm extract was conducted by Cyanogen bromide Sepharose 4B immunoaffinity column chromatography. The resulted fraction was characterized by sodium dodecyle sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and isoelectric focusing. The fraction was found to be consisted of six bands of 207 KDa, 157 KDa. 110 KDa, 103 KDa, 76 KDa and 41 KDa. This profile was compared with that of whole worm and excretory-secretory antigens. Both antigens were resolved into multiple bands in both high and low molecular weight ranges. The isoelectric focusing of the fraction displayed 8 bands of isoelectric points 7.5, 7.0, 6.8, 6.5, 6.2, 5.8. 5.3 and 4.6. The potency of this fraction in the diagnosis of natural ascaridiosis in chickens was assessed by ELISA compared with that of whole worm and ES antigens. The affinity purified fraction showed higher potentials in the diagnosis of A. galli infection in chickens than whole worm antigen at any sera dilution and than ES antigen at high sera dilutions. While ES antigen of the worms revealed higher diagnostic capabilities than whole worm extract. The current research recommends utilization of the affinity isolated fraction in the diagnosis of natural ascaridiosis in chickens.