Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, is a global zoonotic infection of economic importance constituting a threat to public health in many countries. E. granulosus exists as a complex of different strains that have an impact on the epidemiology and control of CE, the most important of which are G1 and G6 strains. In Egypt, some studies confirm the predominance of G1 strain while others demonstrated the involvement of camel G6 strain in causing human infection. Objective: To study the diagnostic potential of purified antigenic yields of hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) from Egyptian CE patients and DNA corresponding to different recorded genotypes, in addition to the characterization of E. granulosus genotype in human and animal isolates in Egypt. Subjects and Methods: Crude HCF antigens from 30 patients were extracted and fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and probed by enzyme immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) against sera from CE patients and 50 controls. HCF from human and animal isolates was obtained and prepared for DNA extraction and the amplification of the predominant genotype bands at 254 bp. Results: PCR applied to HCF protoscolices of human and camels showed a typical 254 bp band of 12S fragment of mitochondrial gene belonging to G6 genotype (camel strain). SDS-PAGE fractionation of crude HCF antigen gave a protein profile composed of 11 bands. Immunoblotting assay showed that anti-E. granulosus IgG of patients' sera recognized 9 antigenic bands, varying in molecular weight from 12-110 kDa. The 48 and 12 kDa bands detected in all patients' sera disappeared after treatment. Conclusion: This study confirmed the predominance of G6 genotype (camel strain) of cystic echinococcosis in Egypt. PCR using the amplification primers of G6 genotype is a promising tool in the diagnosis of CE using either patients' HCF or sera. The use of EITB in the diagnosis and post-treatment follow up of G6 genotype CE patients proved of high sensitivity and specificity. The recognition of 48 and 12 kDa antigenic proteins in 100% of CE cases' sera and their disappearance after treatment marks their usefulness in diagnosis and follow up of CE cases.
Background: Giardia lamblia is a flagellated unicellular eukaryotic microorganism that commonly causes diarrheal disease worldwide. Although giardiasis is usually self-limited, it can develop into chronic and life-threatening disease. Most waterborne outbreaks (74.8%) were associated with drinking water as Giardia cysts are known to be resistant to chlorine at concentrations typically applied for water treatment. Objective: To evaluate the effect of radioactive cobalt-60 and 254 nm ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on infectivity of Giardia cysts to mice. Material and Methods: The study was conducted using 60 BALB/c mice divided into 6 groups with 10 mice in each. Group 1 received Giardia cysts treated with cobalt-60 (dose 0.25 KGy). Group 2 received cysts exposed to UV irradiation (wave length 254 nm). Groups 3-6 served as controls. Techniques used for evaluation of the infectivity of Giardia cysts included direct stool examination, duodenal aspiration with examination of the aspirate for the presence of Giardia cysts or trophozoites and histopathological examination of the small intestine of each mouse. Results: Infectivity of Giardia cysts was reduced to 50% by experimental irradiation with cobalt-60 and 20% by UV, as shown by histopathological examination. Conclusion: Low dose radioactive cobalt-60 and 254 nm UV radiations may be used as a control measure to prevent giardiasis, and as a mean of water treatment; but further studies are recommended for employment of both methods together or using smaller doses of each, thus benefitting from them both with less side effects.
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