A study on secretory IgA in malnourished children with chronic diarrhoea associated with parasitic infections

Fifty infants and children of both sexes (6-36 months) were divided into three groups (gp I) 20 malnutrition with chronic diarrhoea, (gp II) 20 malnutrition without diarrhoea and (gp III) cross matched control. In gp I, 75% showed parasitic infections with a significant increase in serum IgA (133.7 +/- 18.9) as compared to gp II (P < 0.001). Mean concentration of IgA was 4.87 +/- 1.24. In gp II, 20% showed parasitic infections with a non significant increase in serum IgA (115.8 +/- 14.2) as compared to gp III. The mean urinary secretory IgA was 4.87 +/- 1.24, 1.12 +/- 0.325, and 1.44 +/- 0.35 respectively. There was more or less, no significant correlation between urinary secretory IgA and serum IgA level in the three groups.

Studies on culicini larvae in Mansoura Center, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt

Culicini larvae were collected from different water bodies in Mansoura Center, mainly Awish El Hagar, Gedilah, Mansoura City, Meet Badr Khames and Sandoub. Ten species of culicini larvae were collected. They were Culex adairi, Cx. antennatus, Cx. deserticola, Cx. pusillus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. univittatus, Aedes caspius, Ae. detritus, Culiseta longiareolata and Uranotaenia uniguiculata. The most common larvae in descending order were those of Cx. univittatus, Cx. antennatus and Ae. caspius. The highly infected area was Meet Badr Khames and the least was Mansoura city. The highly infested water body was the canals and the least was the sewage wells. Rice fields were only infested with Cx. antennatus (P > 0.05). The whole results were discussed.

A study on the relation between proton pump inhibitor and gastric giardiasis

Thirty patients treated with proton pump inhibitor and still having symptoms related to gastritis or peptic ulcers were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and gastric biopsy for detection of giardiasis in these cases. Results showed presence of 3 (10%) cases of gastric giardiasis, intestinal metaplasia and presence of H. pylori in these cases. It is concluded that there may be a relation between the presence of gastric giardiasis and the intake of proton pump inhibitor. The endoscopists have to search for gastric giardiasis especially in the presence of H. pylori and/or intestinal metaplasia.

Mucosal leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in Saudi Arabia

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL.) which is called Espundia, and Uta is confined to South and Central America. In this form of leishmaniasis, the reticulo-endothelial system of the mucous membrane of the mouth, nose and throat is parasitized. It causes chronic ulceration of the mucous membranes with destruction of the bone and cartilage of the nose and mouth. In this study, two cases of mucosal leishmaniasis were recorded in two boys. In one patient, a primary lesion was identified on the patient's neck. In the second patient, no lesion or scar of old lesion or even history of leishmaniasis was reported. The causative agent was typed biochemically and proved to be Leishmania tropica.

Enhanced efficacy of praziquantel treatment in mice vaccinated with radiation attenuated cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni

Normal, and vaccinated mice four weeks previously with radiation attenuated cercariae of S. mansoni (500/mouse) were challenged with normal cercariae (150/mouse), then treated one week later with praziquantel (400 mg/kg body weight, orally). Worm burden was determined to calculate the % immunity in all groups under study. Histopathological examination of liver, small and large intestine, spleen and lung was done. Serum IgE level was estimated using the immunoradiometric assay. (IRMA). The % immunity was highest among vaccinated, infected and treated group with minimal pathological changes recorded and highest IgE level. From the data collected, it was found that, the efficacy of praziquantel treatment was enhanced in vaccinated mice and that there was synergistic effect between drug treatment and vaccination when praziquantel was given seven days post-infection (challenge).

Immunoglobulins in patients with atopic dermatitis due to mites infestation in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt

Atopic dermatitis (A.D.) is a hereditary and distinct form of eczema which may be associated with other atopic manifestations. The aetiopothogenesis of A.D. is unknown and it is widely accepted that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are involved. House dust mites (HDM) are of great medical importance in causing allergic manifestations in human being. In the present work, a total of 30 A.D. patients with different ages of both sexes were examined for the immunoglobulins level as compared to control group. The IgG, IgM, IgA & IgE were higher in the patients than in the controls. These differences were highly significant in the IgE. On the other hand, IgA showed no significant increase.

Effect of praziquantel on sex hormone levels in murine schistosomiasis mansoni

Changes in sex hormonal levels were studied in Schistosoma mansoni infected and praziquantel treated mice (400 x 2 mg/Kg), drug control and in normal control groups. It was observed that schistosomiasis lead to increase in the level of testosterone, progesterone and 17B-esteradiol, 60 and 70 days postinfection in male and female mice, respectively. In praziquantel treated group the level of testosterone was lowered 10, 20 & 30 days post treatment, progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol fell 30 days post treatment after primary rise. The mechanism of recorded changes will be discussed in details.

Congenital toxoplasmosis among premature infants with different clinical pictures in Saudi Arabia

No doubt, toxoplasmosis is a prevalent infection in all the Arab countries. However, the incidence differs from one country to another and even within the same country. Congenital toxoplasmosis is the most important form of the infection. In the present study, some 78 premature infants with different clinical pictures were examined for Toxoplasma IgG (by IHAT and ELISA) and Toxoplasma IgM (by ELISA). The results showed Toxoplasma IgG ranging between 32.1% (IHAT) and 46.2% (ELISA) while IgM (ELISA) was 23.1%. The highest positivity rate was among those suffering jaundice and the lowest was among those suffering fever of unknown origin. Protection of women particularly pregnant ones, from Toxoplasma infection is a must.

Isolation of three species of mites from house dust of atopic dermatitis patients in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt

Dermatitis or inflammation of the skin caused by an outside agent, is a condition with many causes. It may result from direct irritation of the skin by a substances (chemical or insecticide) or it may be an allergic reaction to a particular substance that has been in contact with the skin as soap or detergent or insect urticating hairs; injected as insect saliva or faeces or sting or taken by mouth as food or drug. In general, treatment of dermatitis depends mainly upon the cause. In the present study, three species of mites were isolated from the dust collected from houses of atopic dermatitis patients. These mites were Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Ornithonyssus bacoti and Haemogamasus pontiger. The former species was the predominant one which is known to produce the most potent allergen. It was concluded that house dust mites are one of the aetiological factors of atopic dermatitis and that genera of mites other than Dermatophagoides may be considered as allergen in house dust mites.

Treatment of human scabies by sulfur and permethrin

Scabies is one of the most important prevalent contagious disease caused by itch mite "Sarcoptes scabiei." Many effective scabiecides have been suggested and tried. They differ in their side effects since they are applied on diseased skin sometimes all over the body. In this paper, sixteen parasitologically proved human scabies were successfully treated by 5% sulfur precipitate and 2.5% permethrin. Application of sulfur for one week or 2 applications of permethrin followed by a third one a week later proved to be safe and effective. The one week course of sulfur and the third application of permethrin acts against any emerging immature stages of the mite.

The effect of praziquantel treatment on the liver functions, worm burden, and granuloma size using two drug regimen in murine Schistosoma mansoni infection

The effect of single dose of praziquantel (400 mg/kg) or two doses on two consecutive days was studied in mice infected with S. mansoni. With the single dose there was improvement in the serum protein pattern towards pre-infection values & a transient rise in serum transaminases which soon declined to normal. Improvement was more evident after using two doses of praziquantel (P < 0.001). Worms were eradicated by 70%. 77% and 80% after the single dose and by 88%, 92% and 95% after two doses. Granuloma size was reduced by 50%, 54% and 60% after single dose and by 58% and 73% respectively after 10, 20, and 30 days from treatment.

Serum immunoglobulin and complement values in scabietic patients

Immunity entails all the forces concerned with recognition, specific reaction and removal of foreign bodies after they again access into the body of the host. The immune system interacts with genetics and infectious agents as well as with metabolic, endocrine and environmental factors. The serum immunoglobulins (G.M.A. & E.) and complement (C3 and C4) were estimated in sixteen parasitologically proven patients with scabies. The causative agent was Sarcoptes scabiei. The results showed a high significant increase in the mean average of IgG., IgM. and in particular IgE pretreatment than in patients three months after treatment and in patients after treatment than in controls. On the other hand, there was a significant decrease in the mean average in the mean average of IgA after treatment was insignificant compared with controls. The C3 and C4 showed no significant changes in the mean average in the patients before or after treatment compared with controls. The changes in the IgG., IgM. and in particular IgE. may be specific reaction to the parasite or a non specific one to the dead parasite or its faeces or even to a secondary infection developed. On the other hand, the decrease in the IgA. may be due to the mite or its products which interfere with its synthesis. It is concluded that scabies is associated with a humoral immunological response against the mite infestation.

Clinical and parasitological aspects on human scabies in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt

In the last decade, human scabies caused by Sarcoptes scabiei and other non human strains is one of the most common contagious parasitic disease. Over a period of one year (June 1991--May 1992), a total of 200 scabietic patients were diagnosed in the outpatients' clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, Benha University Hospitals. They were 120 females and 80 males (sex ratio = 1.5:1). Their ages ranged between three months up to 70 years old. Most of the patients were parasitologically positive (160 or 80%). The most common signs and symptoms were itching, skin burrows, scratch markings, papules and pustules. Regional lymphadenitis was sometimes present as well as fever in patients with secondary bacterial infection. The most affected sites were the abdomen (100%), followed by the buttocks (81.3%), the thigh (50%), legs (50%) and the arms and web spaces (62.5%). The male external genitalia was infested in 60% and the female breast was infested in 72.7%. The sex and site distribution of the infestations were attributed to the risk factor of exposure to infestation. The patients were successfully treated with 5% sulfur precipitate and 2-5% permethrin. The whole results were discussed on the light of the previous work.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in outpatients of dermatology and venereology clinic, Benha Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a disease of an ancient history and more or less encountered in several Egyptian Governorates. However, no data is available concerning CL. in Qualyobia Governorate. In the present study, a number of 10920 patients who attended the outpatient's clinic of Dermatology and Venereology, during the year 1991, were clinically examined for any manifestations suggesting CL. Lesion when present was examined by Giemsa stained smear and N.N.N. medium culture. Serum samples were separated from blood of suspected CL. cases for detection of antileishmanial antibodies by the indirect haemagglutination tests. The results showed that six patients had parasitologically proven lesions and that IHAT was less specific in diagnosing CL. It was concluded that CL exists as endogenous cases in Qualyobia Governorate and that the presence of CL and VL within nearly the same focus is a point of medical importance.

Tonsilar toxoplasmosis

One hundred cases were suffering from chronic tonsillitis, aged between 4-12 years, of both sexes (60 males and 40 females), from outpatient clinic of E.N.T. unit at Benha Faculty of Medicine. They were examined serologically by indirect haemagglutination--antibody technique (IHAT) for toxoplasmosis. After tonsillectomy, histopathological and electronmicroscopical studies were done. Ten percent of cases were positive serologically, among males (11.71%) and females (7.5%). The positivity rate was high among age group 10-12 years than others. Two cases showed histopathological and ultrastructural changes indicating toxoplasmosis.

The clinical picture of six Egyptian cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a skin disease encountered in the East Mediterranean Region including Egypt. In this paper, it was intended to throw some light on the clinical picture of six parasitologically proven human CL. Also, the results of treating three cases of them with Pontostam or Cryosurgery. The whole results were discussed.

Two indigenous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt

This paper reports two indigenous cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis for the first time in Kafr Shokr, Qualyobia Governorate. One of the two cases was misdiagnosed as cutaneous tuberculosis (primary complex) and was kept on TB treatment, but with no clinical improvement. The two patients were successfully treated with sodium stibogluconate (pentostam).

Animals as reservoir hosts for Leishmania in Qualyobia Governorate, Egypt

A total of 239 rodents were collected from El-Khanka, Shebin El-Kanater, El-Kanater, Shoubra El Khima, Qualiob, Tokh, Benha and Kafr-Shokr and identified as Mus musculus (30), Rattus rattus (78), Rattus norvegicus (35), Arvicanthus niloticus (62) and Acomys cahirinus (34). Examination of these rodents showed the presence of cutaneous lesions in two R. rattus, three R. norvegicus and one A. cahirinus which showed no Leishmania parasites neither by smear nor by culture. On examination of the liver, spleen and bone marrow parasitologically, the spleen of two R. norvegicus grew promastigotes, one was lost and the other was typed. Serological examination of rodents revealed antileishmanial antibodies in one A. niloticus and in two R. norvegicus by IHAT and in one R. rattus by Dot-ELISA. A total of 33 stray dogs trapped from El-Khanka Shebin El-Kanater and Qualiob were free from natural Leishmania infection as indicated clinically, parasitologically and serologically.