Echinococcosis granulosus in stray dogs and Echino-IHAT in the hunters in Cairo, Egypt.

A total of fifty stray dogs of both sex and of different ages were examined for natural infection with Echinococcus granulosus after post-mortem. Three main intestinal helminthes were recovered. These were in descending order of abundance Dipylidium caninum, Toxocara canis and E. granulosus. The latter worm was demonstrated in eight of them (16%). The sera of three out of 21 dog-hunters (14.3%) showed positive Echino-IHAT. Two of the hunters suffered Enterobius vermicularis and one of them had Taenia saginata as well. But, the abdominal X-ray of the two hunters was more or less normal and did not show any hydatid cyst.

The surface ultrastructure of the Egyptian liver fluke Fasciola gigantica.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of adult Fasciola gigantica, a known liver fluke in Egypt, shows the presence of tegumental spines and folds giving the appearance of a rough surface. The spines are small and closely-spaced anteriorly, increasing in size and number on the in the mid-lateral aspect of the ventral surface. Towards the posterior end the spines progressively decrease in both size and number. Tegumental transverse folds or invaginations are interspaced between the spines. There are two types of sensory papillae on the tegumental surface. The dorsal surface exhibits similar features but the spines and papillae are less numerous with less extensive surface folds than on the ventral surface of the body. The oral and ventral suckers, together with the excretory pore, appear spineless, bearing ciliate sensory papillae. Further studies should be directed at deciphering the genetic codes and the synthesis of some of these antigens by recombinant DNA technology to be used in serodiagnosis, vaccination and for drug receptors.

Electron miscroscopy and histochemical studies on four Egyptian helminthes eggs of medical importance.

By SEM the Fasciola gigantica egg is ovoid with a small knob like operculum, while the egg of Heterophyes heterophytes is broad oval with the operculum more tapering. The egg shell of fertilized Ascaris lumbricoides has interconnected ridges and peak-like projections, while the egg of Enterobius vermicularis is flattened with a thicker margin at the curved side. By TEM, Fasciola egg shell consists of fine reticulum fibrils of three layers. The outer lipoprotein of perivitelline membrane beneath which 2 membranes separated by inclusions, middle of protein globules and inner lipoprotein layer with minute electron-dense granules of melanin or polymer origin, in some parts of the shell giving the egg its brown coloration. The Heterophyes egg shell is more or less similar to that of Fasciola but lacking the minute electron-dense granules. The egg shell of Ascaris has outer ulterine layer with three consecutive layers, basal lipoprotein layer and the inner lipid or ascaroside layer which is the most resistant layer. The Enterobius egg shell consists of five layers, external uterine, internal uterine, vitelline, chitinous and lipid layer. Histochemically, Fasciola egg shell consists of nine amino-acids, and that of Heterophyes consists of ten amino acids. In Ascaris, the lipid layer characteristically consists 25% protein and 75% lipid. The histochemical examination of Enterobius as a detailed example, showed different degrees of reactions with mercuric bromophenol blue, diazotization coupling, Sakaguchi reaction, Sudan black and Mallory's triple stain. Temperature showed marked effect on eggs survival. Eggs of Fasciola and Heterophyes withstand more low temperatures but those of Ascaris and Enterobius withstand more high ones. There are marked correlations between the egg shell constitution, histochemical compositions on one hand and water permeability and egg dryness on the other hand. The results were photographed and discussed.

Treatment of experimental heterophyiasis with two plant extracts, areca nut and pumpkin seed.

The effect of water extracts of areca nut and pumpkin seeds in the treatment of puppies experimental infected with heterophyiasis gave promising results. Puppies were infected through feeding on the muscles of Mugil sp. fish containing the encysted metacercariae of H. heterophyes. Decoctions of pumpkin seeds and areca nut were administered orally 2 weeks after the start of infection as indicated by positive stool examinations. The effect was evaluated by stool examination for eggs, and by autopsy for worms in the intestines. A combined extracts of areca nut and pumpkin seeds gave an excellent result than when given either extract alone.

A histochemical study on the hydatid cyst and electron microscopy of the hydatid sand of Echinococcus granulosus.

The histochemistry of the hydatid cyst wall of E. granulosus from goat and sheep were studied. The cyst wall contains a carbohydrate-protein substrate complex, collagen and possibly calcium. Calcium is also reported in protoscolices of hydatid sand. Tegumental projections on free brood capsules and protoscolices were viewed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the tegument of protoscolices was revealed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Anthelminthic efficacy of traditional herbs on Ascaris lumbricoides.

The ascaricidal efficacy of six commonly used traditional herbs. Artemesia santonica, Inula helenium, Cassia abutnsifolla, Albizzia lebbek, Acacia auriculoformis and oil of Apium graveolens, was tested in vitro against the eggs and larvae of Ascaris lumbricoides. Aqueous extracts of 1% Artemesia and 5% of Albizzia and Inula were effective in killing both the infective larvae ill less than 40 days and eggs in 20 days. The results showed that Artemesia, Albizzia and to less extent Inula were promising antihelmintics against Ascaris lumbricoides. Extracts of the other tested herbs were less or no value.

A scanning electron microscopy study of Musca domestica larvae.

The micro-morphology of the house fly, Musca domestica larvae was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The ultra-structure of the mouth-hooks, oral ridges, spinulation of body segments and posterior spiracles, was photographed and described.