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Total IgG ELISA was assessed comparing soluble adult worm (SWA), cercarial (SCA), and egg antigens (SEA) using sera of chronic schistosomiasis patients in two different concentrations (1/50 and 1/100). This response showed reactivity against all antigens. Concerning 1/100 serum concentration the SWA gave the best sensitivity (100%) followed by SCA (86.6%) and SEA (80%). The best specificity was obtained from SCA (94.11%) with an equivalent result from the SWA and SEA (76.47%). Concerning the 1/50 serum concentration, the SWA gave the best sensitivity (100%) with an equivalent result from the SCA and SEA (80%). The best specificity was obtained from SEA (82.35%) followed by SCA (76.47%) then SWA (64.7%). The best AUC value (0.992) was that for SWA indicating its high ability to predict the disease in comparison to (0.914) for SCA and 0.871 for SEA in serum dilution 1/100. The highest AUC value (0.955) was that for SWA in comparison to (0.914) for SEA and (0.88) for SCA in serum dilution 1/50. Comparison between the AUCs from the three mentioned antigens revealed highly significant differences when the data were analyzed by ROC. Each antigen showed a highly statistically significant correlation within its optical density values at both concentrations; 1/100 and 1/50. Comparing the two concentrations in each antigen revealed a non significant correlation obtained from the SWA which signifies a near outcome from both concentrations while the SCA and SEA showed a highly significant difference between the two concentrations. In conclusion, for the diagnosis of chronic schistosomiasis mansoni, total IgG reactivity revealed the best sensitivity by SWA. There was a difference in the type of antigen showing best specificity results between SCA and SEA according to serum concentration used.

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Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that is the aetiological agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Currently, the compound of choice for the treatment of T. vaginalis infections is metronidazole, however, it has many side effects and an increase in metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis has been observed. Medicinal plants could be a source of new antiprotozoal drugs with high activity, low toxicity and lower price. The present work was carried out to investigate the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa alcoholic extract and oil, as well as Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney bean) lectin and their in vitro activity on the ultrastructure of T. vaginalis trophozoites in comparison to metronidazole, as detected by transmission electron microscope. Both N. sativa oil and P. vulgaris lectin showed high toxic effect as evidenced by severe cell damage with cytoplasmic and nuclear destruction, while the effect of N. sativa alcoholic extract was moderate. Therefore, these two extracts could offer an effective, cheaper and more safe alternative for metronidazole in treatment of trichomoniasis.

Trichomoniasis, the disease caused by the flagellate protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis is the sexually transmitted infection with the largest annual incidence. Metronidazole is the drug of choice recommended for the treatment of human trichomoniasis but it can lead to drug resistance and many other adverse effects. So, it is necessary for new alternatives for the treatment of this infection. Medicinal plants or herbs could be good alternative regimens to be inexpensive, effective and safe to use. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa aqueous and alcoholic extracts as well as seeds oil was examined. Different concentrations of these plant preparations were incubated in vitro with cultivated T. vaginalis trophozoites and its effect on growth was compared with metronidazole under the same conditions. Both the alcoholic extract and oil proved to be valuable agents as efficient as metronidazole in treating T. vaginalis infection. The remarkable effect of N. sativa oil may be attributed to the fact that the active principles extracted from N. sativa seeds are mostly from its essential oil (omega 3, 6, 9 as well as 7 fatty acids). However, further experimental and clinical investigations are needed to evaluate and standardize the doses of these natural products to be safe and efficient.

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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.