Polymerase chain reaction versus conventional methods in the diagnosis of vaginal trichomoniasis.

A total of 200 females of whom 120 had manifestations of vaginal trichomoniasis and 80 asymptomatic ones were studied. In 54/120 symptomatic female (45%) and in 28/80 asymptomatic ones (35%), T. vaginalis was diagnosed by wet mount of bedside vaginal swab samples. Of 120 samples from symptomatic females, T. vaginalis was detected in 93 (77.5%) when cultured onto InPouch & 95 (79.16%) in modified thioglycolate media. Culturing 80 samples of asymptomatic females showed T. vaginalis in 35 (43.75%) onto either media. T. vaginalis genomic DNAs was amplified by PCR from 130 (65%) by using TVA5-TVA6 primer pair in 95 (79.16%) samples of 120 symptomatic females, and in 35 (43.75%) samples of 80 asymptomatic ones. Difference between groups was statistically significant. The motile trichomonads was detected by wet mount in 82/130 positive cultures giving 63.07% sensitivity & 100% positive predictive value (PPV). Flagellates were not detected by wet mount in any negative culture, giving 100% specificity & 59.32% negative predictive value (NPV). The wet mount diagnostic accuracy (DA) was 76%, without false-positive, but false negative was 48/130 (36.93%). DNA was amplified from 129/130 positive culture by TVA5-TVA6 primer pair, giving 99.23% sensitivity. No amplification was detected from one positive culture. DNA was not amplified from 69/70 negative culture using TVA5-TVA6 primer pair, giving 98.57% specificity, 99.23% PPV, 98.57% NPV and 99% DA.

Intestinal opportunistic parasites among different groups of immunocompromised hosts.

The present study was designed to find out the prevalence of different intestinal opportunistic parasites in different groups of immunocompromised hosts; patients suffering from malignancy with or without immuno-suppressive drugs, or with chronic renal failure, or diabetes mellitus, or subjects under cortisone therapy. Examination of stool samples collected from 427 immunocompromised hosts revealed the detection of intestinal opportunistic parasites in 98 samples, with a prevalence of 23%. Infection with opportunistic parasites was higher in males than in females (32.6% versus 12.9%). There was statistically significant association of infection with G. lamblia and Cryptosoporidium in the mixed infection detected. The highest group affected with the opportunistic parasites was the group of patients under corticosteroid therapy (31.7%), followed by patients suffering from renal failure (28.8%) and malignancy (25.7%), while the least group affected were the diabetic patients (8%). The highest prevalence rate was 10.3% for G. lamblia, being followed by E. histolytica (7%), C. parvum (6.3%), Microsporidia (2.3%) and the least one was for Strongyloides (0.7%). No cases of Isospora belli infection was detected. Relation between presence of opportunistic parasites and risk factors was discussed and evaluated.

Identification of low-molecular-mass coproantigens of Cryptosporidium parvum.

Cryptosporidium parvum coproantigens (CCAg) of 18 and 20 kDa were identified in the stool eluates of calves and humans infected with Cryptosporidium species. Monospecific antibodies raised against the 20-kDa antigen recognized both 18- and 20-kDa CCAg in all positive but no negative control samples. These antibodies reacted with C. parvum sporozoites in an immunofluorescence assay. Human immune sera recognized the 20-kDa antigen in infected calf stool eluates. Both 18- and 20-kDa CCAg remained intact in commonly used preservatives and at various temperatures. These CCAg may be useful in designing sensitive, reliable methods for diagnosing cryptosporidiosis.

Serum zinc and copper levels in bilharzial patients.

Serum zinc and copper levels were determined for fifty cases with positive infestation of Schistosoma mansoni at Ismailia General Hospital. In the early infected cases, serum zinc and copper concentrations showed small alteration to lower and higher values, respectively, compared to the reference. Those with a long history of infection, serum zinc showed a big decrease in its concentration but serum copper showed a great extent of increasement in its level comparing to the reference values. The study recommended the administration of zinc dietary to counter balance the trace metals redistribution.

A microfilaria in a stray cat from Assiut, Egypt.

During a survey for helminth parasites among stray cats in Assiut area, microfilariae were detected. The morphology of the microfilarias was described.