Evaluation of Traditional and Contemporary Methods for Detecting Syphacia obvelata and Aspiculuris tetraptera in Laboratory Mice.

There is no consensus regarding the best practice for detecting murine pinworm infections. Initially, we evaluated 7 fecal concentration methods by using feces containing Aspiculuris tetraptera (AT) eggs (n = 20 samples per method). Sodium nitrate flotation, sodium nitrate centrifugation, Sheather sugar centrifugation, and zinc sulfate centrifugation detected eggs in 100% of samples; zinc sulfate flotation and water sedimentation detected eggs in 90%. All had better detection rates than Sheather sugar flotation (50%). To determine optimal detection methods, Swiss Webster mice were exposed to Syphacia obvelata (SO; n = 60) or AT (n = 60). We compared the following methods at days 0, 30, and 90, beginning 21 or 28 d after SO and AT exposure, respectively: fecal concentration (AT only), anal tape test (SO only), direct examination of intestinal contents (cecum and colon), Swiss roll histology (cecum and colon), and PCR analysis (pooled fur swab and feces). Detection rates for SO-exposed mice were: PCR analysis, 45%; Swiss roll histology, 30%; intestinal content exam, 27%; and tape test, 27%. The SO detection rate for PCR analysis was significantly greater than that for the tape test. Detection rates for AT-exposed mice were: intestinal content exam, 53%; PCR analysis, 33%; fecal flotation, 22%; and Swiss roll histology, 17%. The AT detection rate of PCR analysis combined with intestinal content examination was greater than for PCR analysis only and the AT detection rate of intestinal content examination was greater than for Swiss roll histology. Combining PCR analysis with intestinal content examination detected 100% of infected animals. No single test detected all positive animals. We recommend combining PCR analysis with intestinal content examination for optimal pinworm detection.

[Malondialdehyde, glutathione and nitric oxide levels in patients with Enterobius vermicularis infection]. / Enterobius vermicularis ile enfekte hastalarda malondialdehid, glutatyon ve nitrik oksit düzeyleri.

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) which are indicators of oxidative stress and also the level of glutathione (GSH) which is an antioxidant molecule, in patients with Enterobius vermicularis infection. A total of 41 patients (mean age: 36.4 years; 31 were male) and 40 healthy controls (mean age: 40.2 years; 28 were male) were included to the study. None of the patients and controls have had history of hormone/steroid drug use, smoking and alcoholism. The mean level of GSH in patient and control groups were found 1.17 +/- 0.02 micromol/l and 2.49 +/- 0.10 micromol/l; MDA 26.97 +/- 2.06 micromol/l and 19.47 +/- 2.25 micromol/l; NO 20.74 +/- 0.60 micromol/dl and 17.83 +/- 0.50 micromol/dl, respectively. The mean GSH level in patient group was statistically significantly lower (p < 0.05) than controls, while the mean MDA and NO levels were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05). These results indicated that the consumption of GSH was increased due to the severity of oxidative stress in patients infected with E. vermicularis. Detailed experimental and clinical studies are required to enlighten the relation of GSH in the pathogenesis of E. vermicularis infection. Since oxidative stress is increased during enterobiosis, the use of antioxidant agents (e.g. vitamins C and E) for the supportive treatment deserves evaluation.