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Cats are the only definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) that shed millions of un-sporulated oocysts. The current study aimed at evaluating the serological and histopathological potential ratio of T. gondii oocysts shedding and re-shedding kittens. Blood and fecal samples collected from fifty-seven un-weaned kittens from various districts of Cairo Governorate, Egypt. All kittens serologically screened for T. gondii using the Latex agglutination test (LAT), and fecal materials inspected daily for oocysts. Only proven seronegative un-shedding kittens employed in the three experimental re-shedding studies using the three T. gondii strain types II, III, and I with the third trial focusing on the ability of re-shedding with corticosteroid therapy. One kitten corresponding to each type sacrificed for histo-pathological assay and IgM/IgG serum antibodies recorded along the trials course using ELISA. The overall sero-negative percentage was 59.7%, with 35.1 and 24.6% in shedding and un-shedding ones respectively. The shedding number of oocysts /100 mg/feces scored (7, 5 and 3); (30, 15 and 7); (20, 10 and 5) corresponding and sequence to the three T. gondii strain types I, II and III respectively. In addition, the average IgM/IgG ELISA titers recorded significance variations sequence to the three strain types. Corticosteroids therapy stimulates re-shedding ability for the third time. The findings concluded that kittens shed oocysts at a high rate; regard shedding and re-shedding qualities as a critical component in developing oocyst-borne human and animal toxoplasmosis effects. Strong protection against vaccinated cats are required, as is close interaction between cats and farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is a protozoan parasite of medical and veterinary importance that causes neonatal diarrhea in many vertebrate hosts. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of an affinity-purified antigen as a C. parvum vaccine candidate using ileal and liver tissues of experimentally infected neonatal mice by immunohistochemical profiling and immune scoring of CD4+, CD8+, Caspase-3, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). This vaccine was prepared from the C. parvum oocysts antigen using immune affinity chromatography with cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B beads. Methods: Thirty neonatal mice were divided into three groups (10 mice/group): (1) non-immunized non-infected, (2) non-immunized infected (using gastric tubes with a single dose of 1 × 105 of C. parvum oocysts in 250 µl PBS solution 1 h before a meal) and (3) immunized (twice with 40 µg/kg of purified C. parvum antigen at 2-week intervals and then infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts simultaneously with the second group). After euthanizing the animals on the 10th day, post-infection, their ileal and liver tissues were collected and prepared for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining to detect CD4+, CD8+, Caspase-3, and NF-κB levels, which are indicators for T helper cells, cytotoxic T cells, apoptosis, and inflammation, respectively. Results: The IHC results showed that CD4+, CD8+, Caspase-3, and NF-κB expression varied significantly (P < 0.001) in both organs in all the groups. We also recorded high CD4+ levels and low CD8+ expression in the non-immunized non-infected mice tissues, while the opposite was observed in the non-immunized infected mice tissues. In the immunized infected mice, the CD4+ level was higher than CD8 + in both organs. While the Caspase-3 levels were higher in the ileal tissue of non-immunized infected than immunized infected mice ileal tissues, the reverse was seen in the liver tissues of both groups. Furthermore, NF-κB expression was higher in the liver tissues of non-immunized infected mice than in immunized infected mice tissues. Therefore, the IHC results and immune-scoring program revealed a significant difference (P < 0.001) in the CD4+, CD8+, Caspase-3, and NF-κB expression levels in both ileal and liver tissues of all mice groups, which might be necessary for immunomodulation in these tissues. Conclusions: The improvement observed in the immunized infected mice suggests that this vaccine candidate might protect against cryptosporidiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays there is a general demand for green chemistry to keep our environment. Chlorophyllin is widely used as a promising natural pesticide instead of a chemical one, which raises the concern for studying its ecotoxicological effect on the surrounding environment. In this study, both silver and graphene oxide nano-materials were grafted by porphyrin-based chlorophyllin to produce four novel natural nano-pesticides (Mg-Chl/Ag, Mg- Chl/GO, Cu-Chl/Ag, and Cu-Chl/GO), their effects on the physicochemical properties of water and Clarias gariepinus (C. gariepinus) health were evaluated. Each nano-composite was used in three dilutions; 102, 10-3, and 10-4 ml/l. The obtained results indicated that such nano-composites maintain the ionic composition of the surrounding water within the international permissible limits, while high concentrations caused increased BOD, COD, NH4, and NO3 values. Using such nano-composites at High concentrations also alters the hematological and biochemical functions of C. gariepinus; they caused a decrease in RBCs count, Hb, Hct %, serum protein, and globulin concentrations. Also, there was an increase in total WBCs count, serum albumin, ALT, AST, glucose, cholesterol, creatinine, and uric acid concentrations. This study provides the environmental impact of some novel natural nano-pesticides and points to their possible [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most prevalent important neglected zoonotic diseases caused by the larval form of the tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus, and it represents a significant public health threat in many Mediterranean countries like Egypt. Human acts as the accidental intermediate host where the larval stage, hydatid cyst is formed. While liver and lung constitute the most commonly involved sites for primary cysts, other organs are occasionally affected. Primary hydatid cysts of the spleen are rarely present. Patients and methods: This study reported an uncommon case of multiple primary hydatid cysts of the spleen in a 55- year-old man presented with pain in the left hypochondrium. A history of close contact with dogs was reported. The initial diagnosis was based on the abdominal ultrasonography and confirmed by the computed tomography (CT) scan and the serological detection using indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT) in the clinic. Results: The ultrasonography and CT scan revealed subcapsular hydatid cyst in the spleen with peripheral small daughter cysts. Serologically, hydatid cyst positive patient serum was recorded at 1:1280 titer by IHAT. Total splenectomy was successfully done, and the patient was discharged and prescribed with a prophylactic albendazole. Conclusions: ultrasonography, computerized tomography and serology are useful diagnostic tools for hydatidosis and the disease is considered a public health challenge and needs accurate differential diagnosis from any cystic mass/s in the abdomen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]