Aminosidine sulphate in experimental cryptosporidiosis.

The present study aimed at investigating the efficiency of a recent antibiotic Aminosidine sulphate (Gabbroral) in experimental cryptosporidiosis. The course of infection was studied when the drug was given early before the infection, and late during the infection both parasitologically and histopathologically. When the drug was given early, the results were satisfactory, with a significant reduction of size, number and pathological changes of the parasites in the stool and in ileal sections of infected mice. However, the drug had no effect when given late during the infection.

Isolation and identification of free-living amoebae from some water sources in Alexandria.

Samples from different water sources of Alexandria, and from nasal passages of 500 healthy children inhabiting areas nearby these sources were examined for the presence of free-living amoebae. These samples were cultured on 1.5% non nutrient agar streaked with bacteria. Amoebae were isolated and identified by means of their morphological characters and ability to produce flagellated forms. Characteristics of the cystic stages and pattern of excystation also aided in the identification of the various species. Nine species, Naegleria gruberi, N. fowleri, Acanthamoeba rhysodes, A. glebae, A. culbertsoni, A. astronyxis, A. palestinensis, V. avara and V. inornata were isolated from the water of canals and drains. N. gruberi and A. rhysodes were found in the nasal passages of six healthy children living near the contaminated canals. No amoebae were encountered in the drinking water, swimming pools, sea and lake water included in this study.

Studies on T. spiralis and T pseudospiralis larvae recovered from mice immunized with heterologous Trichinella antigen.

In this study, S3 antigen of T. spiralis and T. pseudospiralis was given to the heterologous infection in albino mice. The recovered larvae were studied as regards: their number, length and steroscan examination. It was found that vaccination of mice with T. spiralis (S3) antigen induced reduction in T. pseudospiralis larval count by 66.43% and significant reduction in length. Using T. pseudospiralis (S3) antigen reduction of 74.77% in T. spiralis larval count was detected as well as significant reduction in length. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination revealed more or less similar finding in both species: loss of integrity of the cuticle, some of the larvae were attacked by granulocytes mainly eosinophils and few larvae appeared completely destructed with loss of normal architecture. A peculiar finding was noticed in case of T. pseudospiralis larvae in form of fine electron dense deposits giving the cuticular surface a motling appearance.

A study on experimental cryptosporidiosis.

Cryptosporidium oocysts were isolated from stools of infected patients diagnosed as cryptosporidiosis. Suckling Swiss albino mice were infected orally by these oocysts in a dose of 10(6) oocysts/mouse. Mice were divided into 9 groups according to the duration of infection 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 10, 15, 21 days postinfection, corresponding non infected control groups were included. Stools of infected mice were examined twice daily to determine; infection rate, prepatent period and intensity of infection. Mice were sacrificed according to the schedule and the whole intestine was isolated and processed for histopathological examination by H & E and modified Ziehl Nielsen stain, and histochemical examination for acid and alkaline phosphatase activity. The results revealed that the infection rate was 90% and prepatent period 3-5 days and the course of infection was 21 days. The maximum pathological changes were in the ileum. These changes were reversible.

An ultrastructural study of S. mansoni adult worms after administration of Trichinella spiralis antigen in vivo.

The ultrastructure of S. mansoni adult worms recovered from mice that received T. spiralis antigen prior to s. mansoni infection is described. Recorded changes in the tegument of the adult male S. mansoni; complex reticular network of surface pits, complete disruption in some parts, reduction in size of muscle blocks below the tegument, appearance of abundant electron dense lysosomes in the muscle layer. Recorded changes in the reproductive organs of the adult female S. mansoni; severe disorganization of the vitelline cells with coalescence of vitelline droplets, frequent glycogen deposition and appearance of large vacuoles, the oocytes showed an increase in electron density of the cytoplasm with peripheral cortical granules. Some oocytes exhibited degenerative features.

Cyclosporin A in experimental trichinosis; parasitological study.

During the last few years, antiparasitic effects has been related to the immunosuppressant cyclosporin A (CsA). This work was planned to study the effect of this drug against different aspects of experimental trichinosis. The work included three experiments. The first experiment was to study the effect of (CsA) on infection when administered to mice at different durations i.e. post infection as well as before and on the same day of infection. It proved to be most effective when given on the same day of infection as evidenced by the significant reduction in adult count, length of female, larval count and index of reproductive capacity (RCI). However, the effect though still significant, diminished when the drug was given pre- and post-infection. The second experiment was to study the effect of (CsA) on infectivity of the T. spiralis larvae treated either in vivo or in vitro. The results showed that the drug has marked effect in that part of the study as shown by the reduction in all parameters of assessment. The third experiment demonstrated the challenge that followed (CsA) treated primary compared to that of non treated one. Results showed significant reduction in all values. These results evoke ideas for further designs of other treatment and control strategies for the disease.

Effect of cyclosporin A on trichinosis. A histochemical study.

The aim of this work was to reveal the possible effect of the drug CSA treatment in experimental trichinosis on some important tissue enzymes; alklline and acid phosphatases, succinic dehydrogenase and alpha-esterase. This study revealed that the effect of the drug was apparently evident on succinic dehydrogenase enzyme which returns back to the control. The diminished acid phosphatase activity showed the effect of the drug on the T-cells.