Parasitol’s scientific contributions

Aims: The aim was to determine prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis among school age children in Igbedor, Igbokenyi and Nzam: Riverine communities of Anambra State, Nigeria. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional, prospective, school based study in which three communities situated along Omambala River were selected after which a public primary school in each of the selected communities were selected for the study. A simple open-ended questionnaire Methodology: A total of 320 urine samples were collected from primary school children in three randomly selected primary schools from Igbedor, Igbokenyi and Nzam. Urine samples collected were examined for visible haematuria (macrohaematuria), tested for microhaematuria using reagent strips and examined for S. haematobium ova using microscopy. Structured pretested questionnaires were administered to parent/guardians to determine their level of knowledge, attitudes and management practices of urogenital schistosomiasis in the study area. The data generated from questionnaires and laboratory analysis was collated, analyzed and presented using SPSS version 22.0 Results: Out of 320 school children examined microscopically, 45(14.1%) were found positive with S. haematobium egg, 2(0.9%) were positive for macrohaematuria and 13(6.1%) were positive for microhaematuria. The overall prevalence was higher in females 24(14.1%) than males 21(14.0%) though the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.05). school children between 9-12 years old had the highest prevalence of the infection 8(6.9%) followed by those in age group 13-15 years old (5.1%). Children between 4-8 years old had no infection 0(0.0%). When prevalence was assessed using microscopy, pupils whose parents were farmers had the highest prevalence of the infection 37(16.8%), followed by those whose parents were fishermen 8(9.7%). Pupils whose parents had no form of formal education had significantly highest prevalence 41 (23.0%). With regard to source of water for the household those who source their water from the stream statistically had the highest prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis 44(16.5%). Similarly, those who defecate in the bush had the highest prevalence of the infection 44(15.0%). Most inhabitants were not aware of the infection. There was a high level of ignorance on the causation, signs and symptoms of urogenital schistosomiasis. 57.5% do not consider it a serious disease while 76.7% would do nothing when they are infected with the disease.

In humans and other mammals, urinary myiasis can be rarely caused by Eristalis tenax, which belongs to the order Diptera. In this case, we report a 21-year-old woman with this myiasis. She was complaining of dysuria and bilateral Costo-lumbar pain. The larva in her urine sample was identified as E. tenax associated with its typical morphology.

Background: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by compilation protozoan agent Toxoplasma gondii, leading to significant financial and quality-adjusted life-year losses. Overcooked or raw meat consumption has been a considerable transmission route. The present study was conducted to determine the seropositivity rate of T. gondii in sheep and goats by serological and molecular tests and genotyping of obtained isolates in northeast Iran.

Abstract Background: We aimed to determine the cellular recruitment (leukocyte rolling and adhesion) by which the Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, L. (Leishmania) amazonensis, and L. (Leishmania) major species in the mesenteric microcirculation of BALB/c mice. Methods: Five experimental groups were considered: group 1 (L. braziliensis); group 2 (L. amazonensis); group 3 (L. major); group 4 (control group with PBS); group 5 (negative control group), analyzed 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after parasite inoculation. Results: Infections by the different Leishmania species caused an increase in the number of rolling leukocytes: L. braziliensis a peak at 6 h; L. amazonensis and L. major a peak at 3 h. The Leishmania infections induced leukocyte adhesion: L. major and L. amazonensis showed an increase after 3 and 6 h, respectively. Conclusion: The kinetics of cellular recruitment in Leishmania infections, leading to infection susceptibility or resistance, indicates that distinct mechanisms regulate the initial response to Leishmania infection and determine its course.

Background: Giardiasis is one of the commonest intestinal parasitic diseases that

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is a dangerous intestinal pathogen due to its devastating effect on immunocompromised individuals. Considering low efficacy, high toxicity in addition to the development of resistance for the drugs used, this study aimed to find a new alternative treatment having the advantage of lower doses and minimal toxicity. We used a novel combination between artesunate loaded polymeric nanofiber (ALPN) and nanazoxide that had not been tried yet. Methods: Sixty Swiss Albino mice aged 6-7 wk, weighting 20-24 gm were used in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) Cairo, Egypt in 2017. C. parvum oo-cysts collected from patients were identified by polymerase chain reaction to be used for infecting animals. The effect of combination between ALPN and nana-zoxide were assessed by oocyst count in stool of experimental animals using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain and histopathological changes in intestinal tissue. Anti-oxidant activity of nanofiber-loaded artesunate was estimated in serum, renal, he-patic and intestinal tissues by demonstrating the reactive oxygen species and the total antioxidant capacity. It was confirmed by detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) antibody. Results: The novel combination between ALPN and nanazoxidehas a harmonizing effect in reducing oocyst shedding (94.4%), the mean value of the antioxidant levels in liver, intestine, kidney, and serum were the highest level (10.15, 22.4, 6.22, 14.08 respectively) resulting in the decrease of oxidative stress in tissues. Marked improvement of histopathological features was obtained. Conclusion: This combination has a promising therapeutic effect against cryp-tosporidiosis particularly in immunocompromised individuals considering minor toxicity.

Background: The present study aimed to assess the therapeutic effect of chitosan nanoparticles and metronidazole against Giardia lamblia as well as evaluate the efficacy of loading metronidazole on chitosan nanoparticles. Methods: This study was carried out at medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University and Theodor Bilharz Research institute (TBRI) from February 2019 to February 2020 on 45 hamsters. They were divided into 5 groups 9 hamsters each: Group A non-infected hamsters, Group B infected control group, Group C, D and E infected with G. lamblia and treated with Chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs), metronidazole (MTZ) and metronidazole-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (MTZ-CsNPs) respectively. Results: The highest percentage of reduction in the Giardia cyst and trophozoite counts were in group that received MTZ-CsNPs (94.69%, 94.29%). Lower percentages of reduction were recorded for MTZ treated group (90.15%, 89.52%) and CsNPs treated group (63.64%, 75.24%). Histopathological examination showed marked healing of intestinal mucosa after treatment with MTZ-CsNPs. Conclusion: CsNPs showed a therapeutic effect against Giardia infection in hamsters. Loading of metronidazole on chitosan nanoparticles enhanced therapeutic effect of both CsNPs as well as metronidazole.

Background: Strongyloidiasis is a public health concern in northern regions of Iran, caused by Strongyloides stercoralis. Auto-infection cycle can be resulted in high parasitic load, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Because of low sensitivity of stool culture and stool-based microscopy techniques, detection of antibodies in patient's sera can be an alternative diagnostic technique for detection of the nematode. In the present study, as the first step of the development of an ELISA kit for the detection of antibodies against the nematode, IgG4 immunoreactive protein (NIE) was expressed in Escherichia coli expression system, purified and verified. Methods: The NIE gene sequence was retrieved from the GenBank. This sequence was codon-optimized for the expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3). The sequence was inserted into the expression vector pET-30b (+). The recombinant vector was then transferred into competent E. coli BL21 (DE3). Transformed colonies were selected and verified by colony PCR. NIE gene expression was induced with IPTG induction. The protein production was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and verified using Western blotting. Results: The codon-optimized NIE gene had required parameters for expression in E. coli. NIE protein was proved and verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Conclusion: NIE recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli expression system in appropriate amounts. The recombinant protein can be used for developing ELISA kit in diagnosis of S. stercoralis.