In the present study, the incidence and prevalence of coccidian infection among domestic rabbits in Egypt were investigated. Severe overall prevalence reaching 70% (70/100) was recorded. Eight species of Eimeria were detected. Mixed infection with three different species occurred most frequently. Eimeria intestinalis and Eimeria coecicola were generally the most predominant species. The complete life cycle of E. intestinalis was investigated. This study is the first to report coccidia in domestic rabbits in Egypt. Six species of Eimeria were reported for the first time.

Hymenolepis nana is the most commonly known intestinal cestode infecting mainly human. This study aimed to investigate the potential effect of chitosan particles (CSP) to enhance the immune system against H. nana infection. Determination of worm burden, egg output, histopathological changes, oxidative stress markers (lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione), goblet (GCs) and mucosal mast cells (MMCs) counts in intestinal ileum was performed. In addition, levels of intestinal mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-9, stem cell factor (SCF), type I and II interferons (IFN)-α/ γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, mucin 2 (MUC2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) were investigated using real-time PCR. The results indicated induced reductions in adult worm and egg counts in infected mice after CSP treatment. This was associated with improvement in tissue morphometric measurements and oxidative stress which were altered after infection. Expression levels of iNOs, IFN-α, IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-9 were decreased by CSP. Conversely, expression levels of MUC2, IL-4 and SCF increased compared to infected untreated group. In addition, GCs and MMCs counts were normalized by CSP. In conclusion, this study could indicate the immunoprotective effect of CSP against H. nana infection. This was characterized with Th2 anti-inflammatory responses.

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The potential therapeutic value of Moringa oleifera extract (MOE), due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects, has been reported previously. In this study, Hymenolepis nana antigen (HNA) in combination with MOE was used in immunization against H. nana infection. Adult worm and egg counts were taken, while histological changes in the intestine were observed. Mucosal mast (MMCs) and goblet cells (GCs) were stained with specific stains, while serum and intestinal IgA were assayed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS) were assayed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of mRNA expression in ileum tissue. The results demonstrated an improvement in the architecture of intestinal villi, decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOs) and TBARS, and increased GSH in HNA, MOE and MOE + HNA groups. In the same groups, an increase in GCs, mucin 2 (MUC2), interleukins (IL)-4, -5 and -9, and stem cell factor (SCF) versus a decrease in both interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor (TGF-β) expression appeared. HNA and MOE + HNA increased serum and intestinal IgA, respectively. MOE decreased MMCs and achieved the highest reductions in both adult worms and eggs. In conclusion, MOE could achieve protection against H. nana infections through decreased TGF-β, IFN-γ and MMC counts versus increased GC counts, T-helper cell type 2 (Th2) cytokines and IgA level.

Diethylcarbamazine citrate (DEC) has been known for its efficacy to eradicate bancroftian filariasis in Egypt and other countries in the world. One of the known effects was to decrease the level of circulating filarial antigen in the patient's serum. The target of this study was to examine the effect of DEC, excretory-secretory (ES) material from the filarial parasite Setaria equina or a combination of both on the status of oxidative stress and pathogenesis of rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) induced by diethylnitrosamine and 2-acetylaminofluorene. This could be tested in vitro using nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test for measuring the level of superoxide anion (O₂(•-)) released from rat peritoneal macrophages. For in vivo test, a single dose before induction of carcinogenesis or continually repeated doses with DEC, ES or DEC + ES was used. Exposure of macrophages to ES could lead to a significant decrease (p < 0.01) in O₂(•-) release, while DEC (200 μM) could modulate such effect with significant increase (p < 0.05). Pathogenesis of liver cancer and treatment were evaluated using histological investigation, level of antioxidant and liver function enzymes. Repeated ES doses could increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes, especially the catalase enzyme and show a protective effect on liver architecture. DEC could modulate the later effects when combined with ES. No significant effect on the liver function enzymes after treatment was observed. Nuclear factor κB was found to be localized only in the cytoplasm after single and repeated treatments with ES. This study could indicate the effect of S. equina ES as antioxidant against rat HCC, while DEC could modulate such effect when combined with it.

Sixty specimens of African sharptooth catfish Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) were collected during the period of March 2014-February 2015 from boat landing sites and fishermen of the River Nile at Beni Suef Governorate, Egypt, and examined for the presence of digenean parasites. The morphology of these parasites was studied by using light microscopy to describe morphological and morphometrically measurements for different body parts. Three digenean species belonging to three different genera were collected from various organs within the examined fish species. A certain degree of site specificity was also observed, with Thaparotrema botswanensis being found only in the gall bladder of C. gariepinus, while both Pseudoholorchis clarii and Glossidium pedatum were found only in the intestine and thus seem to occupy a certain niche within their host. This study represent as the first record of T. botswanensis and G. pedatum from C. gariepinus, as well as the first report of the genera from the River Nile in Egypt. In addition, re-description of P. clarii clarifies measurements for some body parts.