Evaluation of the effect of a plant alkaloid (berberine derived from Berberis aristata) on Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro.

Berberine is a quaternary alkaloid derived from the plant Berberis aristata having antibacterial, antiamoebic, antifungal, antihelminthic, leishmanicidal and tuberculostatic properties. The effect of berberine sulphate salt on the growth of Trichomonas vaginalis in vitro was compared to the efficacy of metronidazole as a reference drug. Results showed that berberine sulphate was comparable to metronidazole as regards potency with the advantage of being more safe and possible replacement in metronidazole resistant cases.

Effect of immunomodulation on the course of experimental toxocariasis in mice.

Immunosuppressed groups treated with cortisone showed fulmination of Toxocara canis infection in terms of significant increase in brain parasitism, total larval count and significant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count. Suppression of the host inflammatory responses was detected in the liver, lungs, brain and muscles. Accelerated transit of larvae through the liver was observed when cortisone was given before infection. Whether BCG was given before or after infection, it showed no significant changes regarding all criteria compared to the control group. Induction of diabetes, whether before or after infection, led to persistence of larvae in the liver, insignificant increase in brain and total larval parasitism and insignificant decrease in the percentage reduction of the total count.

Effect of immunomodulation on experimental hymenolepiasis nana in mice.

Oral infection of cortisone treated and diabetes induced groups of mice (immunosuppressed) with H. nana eggs, whether before or after infection, showed persistent hyperinfection of the gut with H. nana worms and cysticercoids, dissemination of cysticercoids to the liver and marked degenerative changes in the intestinal mucosa and liver. BCG treated groups (immunostimulated) whether before or after infection, showed no significant changes compared to the control group. Subcutaneous infection of mice resulted in severe localized cellular reaction around and infiltrating the injected H. nana eggs in BCG treated and control groups. BCG did not inhibit larval development, as cysticercoids were found in the injected sites. In cortisone treated and diabetic groups, mild cellular reaction was observed.

The immune defensive mechanism in parasitic infection with eosinophilia.

This study was attempted to assess the extent of stimulation of the immune system in some patients suffering from parasitic infection with eosinophilia. Eighty-eight cases were selected, they included 10 apparently healthy, 10 suffering from different atopic disorders associated with eosinophilia and free from parasitic infections and 68 patients suffering from different parasitic infections associated with marked eosinophilia. The results showed a highly significant increase in the absolute eosinophil count in the atopic group while the parasitized group showed a moderate increase. The IgE serum level was increased in both atopic and parasitized groups. The cellular immunity expressed by phagocytic power of neutrophils was more depressed in parasitized than atopic group.

Circulating immune complex in bilharzial arthropathy.

Using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the immune complex (IC) level was estimated in sera of 100 individuals grouped as follows; Group 1: 40 cases with bilharzial arthropathy. Group II: 20 cases with bilharziasis. Group III: 20 cases with rheumatoid arthritis. Group IV: 20 apparently healthy individuals. IC level was also estimated in synovial fluid of 4 cases with knee joint effusion. A significant increase in IC level in cases with bilharzial infection (with or without arthropathy) was noticed. This was higher in intestinal than in urinary bilharziasis. Further more IC level was significantly higher in cases of bilharzial arthropathy than in cases with bilharziasis alone. The IC level in synovial fluid was higher than in serum with a positive correlation. The role of IC as a causative agent in the pathogenesis of bilharzial arthropathy is clearly discussed.

Evaluation of the antiparasitic effect of aqueous garlic (Allium sativum) extract in hymenolepiasis nana and giardiasis.

The effect of serial dilutions of crude garlic (Allium sativum) extract on adult Hymenolepis nana was studied to detect the minimal lethal concentration which was found to be 1/20. A. sativum was tried in the treatment of 10 children infected with H. nana and 26 infected with G. lamblia as 5 ml crude extract in 100 ml water in 2 doses per day, or commercial preparation (0.6 mg capsules) 2 capsules twice/day for 3 days. A sativum was found to be efficient, safe and shortens the duration of treatment. The possible mode of action of A. sativum and the correlation between the clinical and parasitological findings were discussed.

Evaluation of some direct diagnostic methods in intestinal parasitic infections.

Stool specimens of 100 cases attending the outpatient clinic of Cairo Medical Center Hospital suffering from gastro-intestinal disturbances were examined for intestinal parasites by direct smear, trichrome stained smear and formol ethyl acetate concentration methods. Although formol ethyl acetate concentration method gave the best results (45%), followed by trichrome stain (37%) then direct smear (32%) yet, for a reliable diagnosis a combination of several techniques is required.

Pattern of eosinophilia and muscle larval burdens in experimental trichinosis.

Absolute eosinophilic counts to different developmental stages of Trichinella spiralis in experimental trichinosis were studied to identify the stage responsible for eosinophilia. Two peaks of eosinophilia were noticed, the first (545 +/- 172.3) was attributed to the adult stage while the migrating larvae were accused to be responsible for the more pronounced second peak (1265 +/- 331.7). With encapsulation a steady raised level was demonstrated. Chromatographic studies to determine the nature of eosinophilogens produced by the different stages are recommended. The role of eosinophils in damaging the parasite is discussed in details. No correlation could be determined between muscle larval burden and eosinophilic count.

A study of adhesive organelles of Giardia intestinalis.

This study revealed that the adhesive disc of Giardia lamblia trophozoite has different forms. The anterior limitation of the ventrolateral flange to the adhesive disc and its flexibility suggests its participation in the mechanism of attachment of the trophozoite. Normal intestinal crypts promote attachment of Giardia trophozoite by providing a passive mechanical barrier against the main peristaltic flow. The mechanism of attachment is described in details.

Ultrastructure of penetrating Giardia trophozoite and the possible mechanism of invasion.

The ultrastructure of penetrating Giardia lamblia trophozoites in immunosuppressed albino rats is described for the first time. Recorded changes in the general contour of the parasite; loss of flagellae, and suction disc, disappearance of the endoplasmic reticulum, appearance of abundant electron dense coarse granules as well as large sized vacuoles opening to outside, are probably modifications associated with penetration and accommodation to the new environment. Penetration appears to be due to activity of the trophozoite rather than passive transfer by tissue macrophages.