Trichuris Globulosa Von Linstow, 1901 from one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: prevalence, morphological and molecular study.

BACKGROUND: Trichuris spp. (whipworms) are soil-transmitted helminths distributed worldwide, parasitizing several mammalian hosts such as ruminants, primates, and rodents. Trichuris spp. is one of the most common intestinal parasites affecting both humans and animals, and it can spread directly through the fecal-oral route, resulting in severe illness and financial loss. So, this work aims to detect the frequency of Trichuris spp. in camels in Beheira Governorate, Egypt, and to identify Trichuris spp. through morphometrical studies, molecular analysis, and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: A total of 35 dromedaries out of 127 investigated had Trichuris spp. infection, meaning that the overall prevalence was 27.56%. The age of the camel affected the infection rate, older animals (> 5 years) having a higher prevalence of infection (24%) than animals of ages (< 3 years) (20%) than animals of ages (3-5 years) (19.14%). According to season: Trichuris spp. showed a unique pattern in camels in different seasons: summer (31.25%) > autumn (28.13%) > spring (25.8%) > winter (25%) indicating year-round infection. T. globulosa was identified morphometrically from camels in Beheira Governorate, Egypt. The BLAST analysis revealed the presence of T. globulosa isolate from camels using the Genbank database depending on nuclear small subunit ribosomal RNA (18s) and cytochrome b (Cytb) genes. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of T. globulosa was found in camels in Beheira Governorate, Egypt. This is the first report to confirm the identification of T. globulosa from camel based on morphometrical studies and molecular and phylogenetic analysis in Egypt. More thorough studies on the incidence, molecular, and genetic analysis of Trichuris spp. in Egypt are required in addition to camel control programs.

Toxocara cati larval migration in rats: experimental histopathological study.

Toxocara spp. (T. canis and T. cati in particular) are the major etiological nematodes that have contributed to visceral larval migrans (VLM). So to show the ability of T. cati to produce such migration in the rats as experimental model and detection through histopathological observations to detect larval migratory patterns. Adult females T. cati were collected from naturally infected feral cats. Eight rats, Rattus norvegicus had acted as a model for experimental infection, each receiving an infectious dose of about 1000 infective T. cati eggs, while 2 rats served as non-infected control group. Two infected rats were sacrificed and examined at 7, 14, 21, and 28 day post infection (dpi) and tissue samples were taken for digestioning order to recover migrated larvae and for histopathological examination. In vitro embryonation of T. cati eggs was successfully carried out, although the percentage of embryonation was 10%, prepared inoculums were also infective to rats. Larvae recovered from the lungs at 7 and 14 dpi and were also present at 21, and 28 dpi. The larvae of T. cati were present in the intestines at 14, and 21 dpi. There were no larvae or less than one larva per gram found in other studied tissues. Histopathological changes in different organs were observed. Generally speaking, a multi-tissue response can be defined as the histopathological response of T. cati larval migration. The migratory larvae of T. cati can cause severe histopathological alterations in various tissues and organs of infected animals, within the current study shows that the lungs are a favorable site of migration for these larvae. T. cati is a zoonotic parasite that is underestimated.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Toxocara cati Infection in Feral Cats in Alexandria City, Northern Egypt.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to determine the prevalence and to identify precisely Toxocara spp., which infects feral cats in Alexandria, Egypt based on morphological and molecular approaches. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 100 feral cats trapped from different areas of Alexandria during 2018. Adult male and female worms were recovered from small intestinal contents after euthanasia and dissection of cats. Distinct morphological features were initially determined using available keys, and then after amplification and sequencing of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (nad1) gene was carried out and phylogenetic trees were constructed. RESULTS: Forty out of 100 cats were infected with Toxocara spp. Intensity of infection ranged from 1 to 9 worms/cat, with a mean of 2.27±1.6. All isolates were confirmed as T. cati based on morphological features and the sequence of nad1 gene. Results of the current study clearly show that Egyptian T. cati isolate examined herein is genetically similar to those recorded in other countries. CONCLUSION: The current work revealed high prevalence of T. cati in feral cats in the study area. This is the first genetic study that confirms T. cati from feral cats in Egypt. In addition, it demonstrated the suitability and need of genetic markers such as nad1 for identification of Toxocara spp. Furthermore highlights the public health importance of T. cati in Egypt.

Double bucket handle tear of the superior labrum in a young patient presented with shoulder instability treated with arthroscopic debridement: A case report.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: The two major etiologies of shoulder superior labral tears anterior to posterior (SLAP) are traumatic and degenerative processes. Bucket handle tears of the superior labrum represent one-third of labral lesions. However, in this article, we present a double bucket handle tear which has been reported once in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: A 25-year-old male presented with complaint of chronic pain in his right shoulder with a remote history of traumatic dislocation. Physical examination revealed a positive apprehension test. Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a superior labral tear with a Hill-Sach lesion. Arthroscopy showed a double bucket handle tear of superior labrum and mild biceps tendonitis along with Bankart lesion. The tear was resected and the Bankart lesion was repaired followed by supervised physical therapy. Good clinical outcomes in form of resolution of pain and shoulder instability at six months were obtained. DISCUSSION: SLAP tears are common shoulder lesion that is reported differently in the literature. Arthroscopic studies had reported the incidence between 3.9%-11.8. The diagnosis of such lesion relies on the clinical presentation and imaging. Knesek et al. classified SLAP lesions based on the integrity of the biceps anchor and the type of labral tear (Knesek et al., 2013). The standard treatment of symptomatic SLAP lesions is Arthroscopic debridement. However, non-operative management was described in the literature. CONCLUSION: Double bucket handle injuries of the superior labrum are reported in literature once. These lesions can be treated with arthroscopic debridement and Bankart repair and followed by supervised physical therapy.

Prevalence of heterophyid infection in tilapia fish "Orechromas niloticus" with emphasize of cats role as neglected reservoir for zoonotic Heterophyes heterophyes in Egypt.

The current survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of heterophyids infection in tilapia fish "Orechromaus niloticus", and the role of cats "Felis catus" as a reservoir for the zoonotic digenetic trematodes "Heterophyid"-particularly Heterophyes hetrophyes-in Egypt. All over a year, 100 tilapia fish "Orechromas niloticus" were collected randomly from local markets at Alexandria city. Fish specimens were examined for the presence of encysted metacercariae (EMC). Furthermore, specimens of infected fish were experimentally fed to cats as well as rats to detect the adult species and infection ratio, and resulted clinical signs. Results showed that 65% (CI: 55.7-74.3%) of examined fish was infected by one or more of flukes EMC. The highest infection was recorded in summer and spring, followed by autumn then winter. Regarding the identified EMC; Heterophyes spp. was the most common adults (50%). Experimental feeding of EMC to cats and rats resulted in identification of 8 adult flukes namely; H. heterophyes, H. dispar, Haplorchis pumilio, Haplorchis taichiue, Pygidiopsis geneta, Centrocestus cuspidatus, Procerum varium and Prohistomum vivax. Experimentally infected cats were more susceptible to infection compared with rats; also showed more severe clinical and pathological signs than rats. In conclusion, the current work clarifies and highlights a high infection rate of EMC in edible tilapia fish in the study area, also the possible role of cats as a reservoir of the digenetic trematodes particularly the zoonotic H. heterophyes, that necessities planning and application of suitable control measures; and continuous monitoring of fish zoonotic parasites as well as cats and its parasites.

Ultrastructural and Molecular Identification of the sarcocysts of Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis Infecting Domestic Sheep (Ovis aries) from Egypt.

BACKGROUND: In spite of the global economic significance of sheep production, little is known about the prevalence of various Sarcocystis spp. infecting the domestic sheep (Ovis aries) in Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Muscle samples were collected from 175 sheep (> 2 years) slaughtered at El-Mahalla El-Kubra abattoir, Gharbia governorate, Egypt. Samples were initially examined by naked eye for the existence of macrosarcocysts. The microscopic sarcocysts were detected and identified using the light microscopy and the Transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Different microscopic species of ovine Sarcocystis were molecularly confirmed by PCR, sequence analyses and phylogeny. RESULTS: Preliminary light microscopic inspection of the muscle specimens revealed the existence of only the microscopic sarcocysts of Sarcocystis tenella and Sarcocystis arieticanis in 152 (86.8%) out of the175 examined animals. Sarcoysts of S.tenella had striated thick cyst wall that amounted from 3.5-5.5 µm in thickness whereas, S.arieticanis sarcocysts had a thin cyst wall that ranged from 1-3 µm in thickness. S.tenella sarcocysts were detected in 115 sheep (65.7%), and were more prevalent than those of S.arieticanis, observed only in 68 sheep (38.8%). No macroscopic sarcocysts were observed in any of the examined carcasses. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the cyst wall of S.tenella revealed the existence of the short stubby villar protrusions (VP) with the characteristic disk-like structures at the tips of the (VP). While, TEM of S.arieticanis showed that the cyst wall had elongated tubular protrusions that measured approximately 5-7 µm in length. Each (VP) consisted of a dome-shaped base (0.3-0.9 µm in diameter), a relatively thick middle portion (0.1-0.3 µm) in width, and a thin hair-like distal portion that measured about (0.03 x 1-4.5 µm). CONCLUSION: Comparative analyses of the sequences of the four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, mitochondrial cox1 and ITS-1) for S.tenella and S.arieticanis isolates detected herein, revealed genetic variations of 95% and 95- 96% among the different isolates on the level of the 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA, respectively. Whereas, the cox1 and ITS-1 shared sequence identities of 76-78% and 70-73%, respectively. S.tenella was strongly related to S.capracanis infecting goats (Capra hircus). Sequence identity of 98% on the level of 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA genes was observed between the currently identified isolates of S.tenella and the formerly GenBank deposited isolates of S.capracanis. While, cox1 sequences shared identities of 92-93%. Furthermore, S.arieticanis isolates identified here were closely related to the formerly published sequences of S.hircicanis. The 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA sequences of S.arieticanis shared 98% and 94-95% identities with those of S.hircicanis, respectively. However, 87-88% homologies were observed between the cox1 sequences of S.arieticanis and S.hircicanis. Consequently, cox1 and ITS-1 gene sequences act as better genetic markers than 18S rRNA and 28S rRNA sequences for the characterization of ovine Sarcocystis spp. Maximum parsimony analyses based on the sequences of three genetic markers, (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA and mitochondrial cox1), yielded the same placement of the currently identified isolates of the two taxa (S.tenella and S.arieticanis) within a clade of Sarcocystis species with carnivorous animals as known, or assumed, final hosts.

Gastrointestinal helminths of stray cats in Alexandria, Egypt: A fecal examination survey study.

This study investigates the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) helminths among stray cats in Alexandria city, Egypt. Between May 2013 and April 2015, a total of 170 fecal samples were randomly collected from cats and examined parasitologically. GI helminths were found in 58.23% of the samples, comprising cestodes (23.52%), nematodes (20%), and trematodes (14.70%). The prevalent cestodes found were Dipylidium caninum (18.82%), Hymenolepis spp. (3.52%), and Taenia taeniaeformis (1.17%). The prevalent nematodes were Toxocara cati (8.23%), Toxascaris leonina (8.32%), hook worms (1.76%), and lastly Trichuris sp., Physaloptera sp., and Strongyloides cati (0.58% for each). The trem\atodes eggs comprised Heterophyids (11.76%), Alaria spp. (1.76%) and Mesostepahnus spp. (1.17%). The current study highlights the high prevalence of GI helminths in stray cats in Alexandria, Egypt and provides new and updated results that may help in the effort to control these parasites. Further investigations of GI parasites detected in cats in Egypt, particularly of those that play a role in public health, are recommended.

Molecular and phylogenetic study on Toxocara vitulorum from cattle in the mid-Delta of Egypt.

Toxocara vitulorum is an important intestinal nematode that commonly infects ruminants world-wide, notably in tropical and sub-tropical regions. In Egypt, T. vitulorum has a high prevalence rate in cattle and buffaloes calves. The current work aims to identify and verify T. vitulorum collected from cattle in El-Mahlla El-Kubra city in the mid-Delta of Egypt, using molecular and phylogenetic tools. The first internal transcribed spacer (ITS-1) and 18S genes of ribosomal DNA were amplified, sequenced, and compared with nucleotide sequences deposited in data bases, and also used to construct the phylogenetic trees. Our results confirm that T. vitulorum isolated from cattle in Egypt is genetically identical to those recorded in other countries. Moreover, the phylogenetic trees show a close relationship among different species of Toxocara, including the zoonotic species. Our results show that ITS genes can be targeted as genetic markers to diagnose and discriminate among different Toxocara spp. The data presented here may be helpful in the pursuit of further molecular and genetic studies of Toxocara species.

An epidemiological survey of bovine Babesia and Theileria parasites in cattle, buffaloes, and sheep in Egypt.

Cattle, buffaloes, and sheep are the main sources of meat and milk in Egypt, but their productivity is thought to be greatly reduced by hemoprotozoan parasitic diseases. In this study, we analyzed the infection rates of Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, Theileria annulata, and Theileria orientalis, using parasite-specific PCR assays in blood-DNA samples sourced from cattle (n=439), buffaloes (n=50), and sheep (n=105) reared in Menoufia, Behera, Giza, and Sohag provinces of Egypt. In cattle, the positive rates of B. bovis, B. bigemina, T. annulata, and T. orientalis were 3.18%, 7.97%, 9.56%, and 0.68%, respectively. On the other hand, B. bovis and T. orientalis were the only parasites detected in buffaloes and each of these parasites was only found in two individual DNA samples (both 2%), while one (0.95%) and two (1.90%) of the sheep samples were positive for B. bovis and B. bigemina, respectively. Sequence analysis showed that the B. bovis Rhoptry Associated Protein-1 and the B. bigemina Apical Membrane Antigen-1 genes were highly conserved among the samples, with 99.3-100% and 95.3-100% sequence identity values, respectively. In contrast, the Egyptian T. annulata merozoite surface antigen-1 gene sequences were relatively diverse (87.8-100% identity values), dispersing themselves across several clades in the phylogenetic tree containing sequences from other countries. Additionally, the T. orientalis Major Piroplasm Surface Protein (MPSP) gene sequences were classified as types 1 and 2. This is the first report of T. orientalis in Egypt, and of type 2 MPSP in buffaloes. Detection of MPSP type 2, which is considered a relatively virulent genotype, suggests that T. orientalis infection may have veterinary and economic significance in Egypt. In conclusion, the present study, which analyzed multiple species of Babesia and Theileria parasites in different livestock animals, may shed an additional light on the epidemiology of hemoprotozoan parasites in Egypt.

Histopathological findings of the kidney Trematoda Paratanaisia spp. (Digenea: Eucotylidae) in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis).

Paratanaisia spp. was recorded from the right kidney of a cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in Kafr Elsheikh governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt. The bird showed marked emaciation and dissipation. Necropsy findings revealed marked enlargement and brownish discoloration of the kidney. Microscopic examination demonstrated marked dilatation of renal tubules with hyperplasia of lining epithelium due to presence of a trematode consistent with Paratanaisia spp. Eggs of this parasite were also noticed deeply within the interstitial tissue, surrounded with mononuclear cell infiltration, thus indicating their pathogenic potential. This result is the first report of trematodes of this genus parasitizing the kidneys of cattle egrets.

Histopathological findings of the kidney Trematoda Paratanaisia spp. (Digenea: Eucotylidae) in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) / Achados histopatológicos do Trematoda renal Paratanaisia spp. (Digenea: Eucotylidae) em garça-vaqueira (Bubulcus ibis)

Paratanaisia spp. was recorded from the right kidney of a cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) in Kafr Elsheikh governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt. The bird showed marked emaciation and dissipation. Necropsy findings revealed marked enlargement and brownish discoloration of the kidney. Microscopic examination demonstrated marked dilatation of renal tubules with hyperplasia of lining epithelium due to presence of a trematode consistent with Paratanaisia spp. Eggs of this parasite were also noticed deeply within the interstitial tissue, surrounded with mononuclear cell infiltration, thus indicating their pathogenic potential. This result is the first report of trematodes of this genus parasitizing the kidneys of cattle egrets.

Paratanaisia spp. foi registrada no rim direito de um garça-vaqueira (Bubulcus ibis) na região de Kafr Elsheikh, Delta do Nilo, Egito. O pássaro se mostrava bastante emaciado com características consumptivas. Achados de necropsia revelaram acentuado aumento do rim, que estava com descoloração amarronzada. O exame microscópico mostrou importante dilatação dos túbulos renais com hiperplasia epitelial devida á presença de um trematódeo consistente com Paratanaisia spp. Ovos deste parasita foram também encontrados na profundidade do tecido intersticial, com infiltração de células mononucleares, indicando assim potencial patogênico. Este resultado é o primeiro relato deste gênero de trematódeo parasitando rins de garça-vaqueiras.

Molecular and phylogenetic status of Fasciola sp., of cattle in Qena, Upper Egypt.

The species of liver fluke of the genus Fasciola (phylum platyhelminthes, order Digenea, Family Fasciolidae) are obligatory parasites that inhabit the large biliary ducts of herbivore animals as well as man. Reports on the species of Fasciola present in the Nile Delta, Egypt, appear controversial. In the current study a precise identification of Fasciola isolates from cattle in Qena province, Upper Egypt was done based on examination of the second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic examination revealed that the collected Fasciola isolates represent only one species which is Fasciola hepatica.