SEM and molecular approaches to identify Calicophoron clavula in Saudi Arabia.

In the present study, Calicophoron clavula (Paramphistomidae), a parasite of rumina of sheep and cows, was collected from Taif region, KSA, to investigate its identity and the prevalence of infection in livestock. Specific identification was mainly achieved by ITS molecular technique and surface ultrastructure was studied by SEM. Adult C. clavula is described for the first time from Saudi Arabia. The infection rate is 1% in sheep and 10% in cows. Results indicated that this species isolate was genetically identical with other C. clavula isolates where matching reach 100%. The primary sequence of the rDNA ITS2+ region of the fluke produces amplicon of 647 bp. SEM results show that no observed papillae around its genital opening. Besides, it has very few scattered small papillae around its oral region with few randomly distributed acetabular papillae. These findings were compared with the same corresponding species in other previous works of literatures.

Tegumental alterations of Fasciola gigantica due to in vitro treatment with Ro-354.

Triclabendazole is the drug of choice against Fasciola infections in humans and animals. However, parasite resistance against triclabendazole is spreading in veterinary field, and there are no drugs of comparable activity currently available for the treatment and control of fascioliasis. The efficacy of a new rhodanine derivative Ro-354 against adult Fasciola gigantica in vitro was investigated. One hour post incubation, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination revealed an evident disruption of the tegument of F. gigantica as blebbing, swelling and furrowing. Moreover, an increase in severity of tegumental damage as sloughing and absence of spines was observed. In conclusion, Ro-354 shows potent activity against F. gigantica in vitro, and, the authors recommend carrying out more studies to detect its efficacy in vivo.

Tegumental alterations of Fasciola gigantica due to in vitro treatment with Ro-354

Triclabendazole is the drug of choice against Fasciola infections in humans and animals. However, parasite resistance against triclabendazole is spreading in veterinary field, and there are no drugs of comparable activity currently available for the treatment and control of fascioliasis. The efficacy of a new rhodanine derivative Ro-354 against adult Fasciola gigantica in vitro was investigated. One hour post incubation, scanning and transmission electron microscopic examination revealed an evident disruption of the tegument of F. gigantica as blebbing, swelling and furrowing. Moreover, an increase in severity of tegumental damage as sloughing and absence of spines was observed. In conclusion, Ro-354 shows potent activity against F. gigantica in vitro, and, the authors recommend carrying out more studies to detect its efficacy in vivo.

Prevalence of dipterous flies associated with human and animal diseases in Matruh and South Sinai Governorates, Egypt.

The present study identified the dipterous flies associated with human and animal diseases in Matruh and South Sinai Governorates. The results indicated that 49817 belonging to 13 families, 24 genera and 33 species were trapped from Matruh Governorate and 3708 flies belonging to 9 families, 13 genera and 16 species were trapped from South Sinai Governorate from January to December 2009. M. domestica was the most abundant in both Governorates. Statistical analysis showed that species of all families were significantly higher in Matruh Governorate than South Sinai Governorate due to spread of garbage, fermented fruits and human & animal excreta.

Efficiency of three anti-coagulant rodenticides on commensal rodents.

Susceptibiliy level to bromadilone, difencoum and coumtertraly anticoagulants were studied in different species of Norway rat Rattus norvegicus and roof rat Rattus rattus trapped from El-Qualyobia Governorate in which the anticoagulant rodenticides were used to control rodents for long periods in some rural regions at Qualyobia. Complete mortality was showed for both species and sex within a standard feeding period (6 days) indicated to be susceptible to the three anticoagulant rodenticides. The bait eaten and corresponding active ingredient showed a noticeable more intake for R. rattus than R. norvegicus for the three compounds. The time to death showed highest mean values for R. rattus comparison to R. norvegicus. Difencoum recorded highest values of time to death compare with bromadilone and coumatetralyl.

Ultrastructure of sperm and spermatogenesis of Cichlidogyrus thurstonae (Platyhelminthes, Monogenea, Monopisthocotylea).

The present work is the first ultrastructural description of mature spermatozoon of the monogenetic trematode Cichlidogyrus thurstonae recovered from the gills of the Nile fish Oreochromis niloticus. The mature spermatozoon of C. thurstonae is long and filiform with a nucleus, mitochondrion and a single axoneme, pressed tightly together for most of their length. As most other platyhelminthes, a solid central unit in the complex central element of the sperm axoneme is present. There are no peripheral microtubules in the sperm and the arrangement conforms to the sperm pattern 4 in the scheme of Justine et al. (1985).

Scanning electron microscopy of Boreostrongylus seurati (Nematoda: Heligmosomidae) from the Egyptian desert gerbil Gerbillus gerbillus with notes on its phylogeny.

A heligmosomid nematode Boreostrongylus seurati, belonging to the subfamily Nippostrongylinae, is described and figured based on specimens collected from duodenum of Egyptian gerbil Gerbillus gerbillus (Olivier) collected in Giza and Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. Both light and scanning electron microscopy were used to describe adult worms and their bursa and the synlophe. The ultrastructural morphology of some features of the worms is also described including mouth opening, cuticular surface, spicules, cephalic and bursal papillae.

Effect of ivermectin on survival and fecundity of Culex pipiens the vector of Wuchereria bancrofti in Egypt.

The effect of two different doses of ivermectin on the survival and fecundity of Culex pipiens was evaluated. Female mosquitoes (50 in each group), same age and generation, were fed once on blood from ivermectin-treated rabbits. Comparative treatments consisted of two different doses of ivermectin (0.1 mg or 0.4 mg/kg of body weight), and mosquito groups were fed on the rabbits at 3 days and 10 days post-treatment respectively. Mosquitoes were maintained with 10% sucrose solution, at 25 degrees C and 70% relative humidity. Observations were made at 7, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 days post-feeding. Mosquitoes fed on rabbits treated with the small dose at three days post-injection showed reduced survival of 94%, 62%, 44%, 8% and 0%, while the 0.4 while the 0.4 mg/kg of body weight (bw) dose reduced survival to 88%, 60%, 6% and 0%. Survival of the control groups were 100%, 90%, 88%, 68% and 52% respectively. Survival of adult females fed at the lower dose, 10 days post injection were reduced to 92%, 90%, 84% 60% and 44%; while the higher dose reduced survival to 86%, 58%, 34% 22% and 0%. Survival of control groups were 96%, 92%, 84%, 78% and 72% respectively. Fecundity resulting from blood meals at 3 and 10 days post injection were 61% and 85% for the lower dose, and 0% and 42% for the higher dose respectively. Hatching of eggs was 82% and 88% for the 0.1 mg/kg bw dose, and no hatching was observed at the higher dose. Larval survival rates resulting from blood meals taken 3 days and 10 days post-injection of the lower dose were 24% and 25% respectively. However, no larvae survived from the high dose groups. Larval survival rates in control groups were 42% and 40%, respectively. These results provide new information about the effect of ivermectin on the vector of lymphatic filariasis, and add a new dimension to the use of ivermectin in filariasis control.