Giardiasis is a gastrointestinal infection of wide distribution that is more prevalent in childhood. Easy and rapid diagnosis of giardiasis is essential for reduction of this infection. This cross-sectional study included 62 children in which collection of saliva, stool and serum samples was performed. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was evaluated to detect IgA and IgG responses in both saliva and serum samples. Twenty-two children were positive for Giardia duodenalis infection by direct examination of faecal specimens, 20 non-infected and 20 infected with other parasites. Salivary and serum IgA and IgG responses against G. duodenalis infection were significantly higher in Giardia parasitized than non-Giardia parasitized children (p < 0.001). This concludes that specific salivary IgA may serve as a diagnostic tool and specific salivary IgG as a screening tool in monitoring the exposure of various populations to Giardia duodenalis. The advantage of salivary assays over serum immunoglobulin assay is being easy and non-invasive in sampling technique which is important especially for young children.

Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation is an important public health problem in Egypt. Inadequate application of topical pediculicides and the increasing resistance to the commonly used pediculicides made the urgent need for the development of new agents able to induce irreversible changes in the exposed lice leading to their mortality. The aim of the present work is to evaluate pediculicidal efficacy of some natural products such as olive oil, tea tree oil, lemon juice, and ivermectin separately in comparison with tetramethrin-piperonyl butoxide (licid), as a standard pediculicide commonly used in Egypt. The effects of these products were evaluated by direct observation using dissecting and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Results showed that after 1 hr exposure time in vitro, absolute (100%) mortalities were recorded after exposure to 1% ivermectin and fresh concentrate lemon juice. The mortalities were decreased to 96.7% after exposure to tea tree oil. Very low percentage of mortality (23.3%) was recorded after 1 hr of exposure to extra virgin olive oil. On the other hand, the reference pediculicide (licid) revealed only mortality rate of 93.3%. On the contrary, no mortalities were recorded in the control group exposed to distilled water. By SEM examination, control lice preserved outer smooth architecture, eyes, antenna, respiratory spiracles, sensory hairs, and legs with hook-like claws. In contrast, dead lice which had been exposed to pediculicidal products showed damage of outer smooth architecture, sensory hairs, respiratory spiracles and/or clinching claws according to pediculicidal products used.

The aim of this study was to investigate post-immunization apoptotic changes in experimental hydatidosis, using Caspase 3 and p53 immunohistochemical markers. Two groups of rabbits were immunized with a crude antigen (group 1) or a partially purified antigen (group 2) and were compared to an infected non-immunized control group. More effective immune responses were obtained in group 2 than group 1, signified by fewer and smaller cystic lesions and more severe destructive changes. Normal growth of cysts was attained in the control group, with no expression of apoptotic markers. Significantly higher expression of Caspase 3 and p53 were observed in group 1 compared to group 2, as indicated by OD and area percentage, respectively (Group 1 Caspase 3: 0.89±0.21, 93.5%±6.2; Group 1 p53: 0.46±0.18, 53.26%±11.6; Group 2 Caspase 3: 0.52±0.15, 49.23%±11.7; Group 2 p53: 0.19±0.4, 18.17%±7.3). Vaccine-induced immune responses and cellular damage may underlie the expression of apoptotic markers that appeared to result in a degenerative and atrophic course of action upon immunization. The results of the current study emphasize the importance of immunization for the stimulation of protective immune responses and in preventing mechanisms of evasion to ensure normal cell growth. A cost/benefit control program that implements proper vaccine preparations should be further assessed for complete elimination of severe infections in endemic areas.Keywords: Experimental hydatidosis, Caspase 3, p53, apoptosis. ResumoO objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar mudanças de apoptose pós-imunização em hidatidose experimental, usando os marcadores imuno-histoquímicos Caspase 3 e p53. Dois grupos de coelhos foram imunizados com antígeno bruto (grupo 1) e com antígeno parcialmente purificado (grupo 2). Estes grupos foram comparados a um grupo controle infectado e não-imunizado. Respostas imunes mais eficientes foram obtidas do grupo 2, que apresentou lesões císticas menores e menos frequentes, e mudanças destrutivas mais graves. Cistos cresceram normalmente no grupo controle, sem expressão dos marcadores de apoptose. Expressões significativamente mais altas de Caspase 3 e p53 foram observadas no grupo 1 quando comparado ao grupo 2, como indicado por DO e área de percentagem, respectivamente (Grupo 1 Caspase 3: 0,89±0,21, 93,5%±6,2; Grupo 1 p53: 0, 46±0,18, 53,26%±11,6; Grupo 2 Caspase 3: 0,52±0,15, 49,23%±11,7; Grupo 2 p53: 0,19±0,4, 18,17%±7,3). Respostas imunológicas induzidas por vacinas e danos celulares podem ser a base para a expressão dos marcadores de apoptose cujos desfechos demonstraram ação degenerativa e atrófica durante imunização. Os resultados do presente estudo enfatizam a importância da imunização para o estímulo de respostas imunes de proteção e para mecanismos de prevenção de evasão para garantir crescimento celular normal. Um programa de controle de custo/benefício que implemente preparações de vacinas adequadas deve ser analisado em mais detalhe para a completa eliminação de infecções graves em áreas endêmicas.Pal...

Fascioliasis is an important disease caused by Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica. The distributions of both species overlap in many areas of Asia and Africa including Egypt. Fifty adult Fasciola worms were collected from livers of cattle and sheep slaughtered in abattoirs, Cairo, Egypt. They were subjected to morphological and metric assessment of external features of fresh adults, morphological and metric assessment of internal anatomy of stained mounted worms, determination of electrophorezed bands of crude adult homogenates using SDS-PAGE, and molecular characterization of species-specific DNA segments using RFLP-PCR. It was found that the correlation between conventional morphology and its morphotype was statistically significant (P value = 0.00). Using SDS-PAGE, 13 bands were detected among both genotypes of Fasciola (35.7, 33.6, 32.4, 29.3, 27.5, 26, 24.4, 23, 21.45, 19, 16.75, 12.5, and 9.1 kDa).The most prevalent bands were that with a molecular weight of 29.3, 26, and 19 kDa. Bands detected were common for both species, but protein bands could not distinguish between F. hepatica and F. gigantica. The result of PCR for the amplification of the selected 28S rDNA fragment with the designed primer set yielded 618 bp long PCR products for F. hepatica and F. gigantica. Different band patterns generated after digestion of the 618 bp segment by the enzyme AvaII obtained with F. hepatica showed segments of the length 529, 62, 27 bp, while with F. gigantica 322, 269, 27 bp bands were obtained. Genotyping revealed no equivocal results. The conventional morphological parameters for species determination of Fasciola spp. endemic in Egypt were evaluated versus protein bands characterization and genotyping. It was concluded that conventional morphological and metric assessments were not useful for differentiation between F. gigantica and F. hepatica due to extensive overlap in the relative ranges. Similar conclusion was reached concerning protein band characterization where the patterns of protein banding were mostly similar. In contrast, genotyping using RFLP-PCR gave consistent results and clear differentiation between the two species. Considering the implications of proper speciation of endemic parasites on clinical evaluation, therapy, epidemiology, and control measures, speciation of parasites is currently revised on molecular basis. The presently used molecular tool is therefore recommended for further study to help draw a proper map for geographical distribution of Fasciola species.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common causes of latent infections in humans and animals. Its important clinical aspect is the probable danger of congenital transmission and its severe effects on the fetus. Infection is typically asymptomatic at birth, or is associated with serious neurological or ocular sequelae later in life with a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. Serologic screening detects acute infection in pregnant women which if unrecognized may be transmitted to the unborn. Objective: To investigate serologically the prevalence of toxoplasmosis as a hidden cause of mental retardation (MR) in a sample of children from urban and surrounding rural areas attending the New Children Hospital of Cairo University (Abu Reesh Hospital), Cairo. Material and Methods: The present study was conducted on 200 children diagnosed as MR attending neurology outpatient clinics as a case group; and 200 samples as a control group from non-MR children attending other outpatient clinics with minor complaints such as skin manifestations in dermatology clinic, upper respiratory infections and minor gastrointestinal complaints. Venous blood samples from the two groups of children were serologically tested for specific IgG by indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). Relevant sociodemographic and clinical data related to the children and their mothers was collected using a designed sheet. Results: Our results showed that the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the MR children was significantly positive in 84/200 (42.0%) of the case group (P <0.001). The number of positive sera was 35/200 (17.5%) among control group. Associated clinical manifestations in the case group (MR) included convulsions in 53.5%, eye problems in 22.5%, splenomegaly in 16.5% and hepatomegaly in 9.5% of cases. There was no significant difference between urban and rural residences; and relevant risk factors in mothers included history of previous toxoplasmosis (13.5%), history of abortion and still birth (each 36.5%) and premature deliveries (19.5%). History of contact with cats and consumption of undercooked meat rated 58% and 77.7% respectively. Conclusion: Screening females who are at risk for acquired toxoplasmosis is essential, before and during pregnancy to detect Toxoplasma seroconversion. Conversion from negative to positive testing would indicate exposure to infection, requiring the implementation of early treatment of infection to protect the unborn fetuses from transplacental transmission.

Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular and opportunistic parasite, is one of the most widely spread infections all over the globe, affecting about 30% of the world population [1]. Unlike many other parasitic disorders, its distribution is not merely restricted to developing countries, but it also afflicts developed nations such as France, which is known for having a high incidence of toxoplasmosis [2]. The wide range of this infection is attributed to the multiplicity of its modes of infection. Besides, being a zoonosis, T. gondii oocysts shed by the feline definitive host can be acquired by the mammalian intermediate host through the ingestion of contaminated food and water. Also, improperly cooked meat containing tissue cysts constitute a potential source of infection. Additional modes of infection include organ transplantation, blood transfusion and congenital transmission from mother to fetus [3]. The clinical range includes acute toxoplasmosis presenting with a variety of nonspecific symptoms such as sore throat and lymphadenitis, opportunistic

Cryptosporidium is an obligatory intracellular protozoan that parasitizes gastrointestinal epithelial cells. The parasites develop principally in the jejunum and ileum under the brush border of the epithelial cells [13] . Globally, the number of reported cases of