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Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) are a public health problem worldwide. This study included300 children of both sexes, from 4-16 years old. All were subjected to a structuredquestionnaire sheet, stool examination using: Direct smear and con- centration technique aswell as perianal swab. The IPIs prevalence was 12.7%, with 7.9% double infections. The protozoaninfections 47.4% was higher than the helminthic ones 44.7%. Giardia duodenalis wasthe commonest protozoan, and Entrobius vermicularis was the commonest worm. The childrensuffered from abdominal pain (11.1%), diarrhea (3.8%), perianal itching (71.4%) andthrive failure (17.4%). Male positivity was 11.9% and female positivity was 13.2%. Intestinalparasites were detected in 25.5% of population drinking tap water, followed by 6.1% amongthose drinking filtrated water. Moreover, IPIs prevalence was 8.1% in children having a familysize equal or less than 5 members, whereas 18.9% of children having a family size more than5 members. Moreover the frequency was higher among rural 15.3% compared to urban inhabitants7.3%, also in farming family was 16.5% followed by 7.7% among other job holders andamong children to illiterate mothers 13% followed by children to educated mothers 12.3%.

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic protozoan that causes a devastating disease in immunocompromisedindividuals and congenitally infected neonates or children. This study evaluated theefficacy of early Azithromycin treatment of Toxoplasma gondii infected mice with cystogenic Me49 non-virulent strain. Fifty laboratory-bred female Swiss albino mice were divided into 5 groups:G1: Non-Infected, G2: Infected non-treated, G3: Infected and treated by Azithromycin 200mg/kg at 4th day post-infection for 3 days, G4: Infected and treated by Azithromycin 200mg/kg at4th day post-infection for 10 days & G5: Infected and treated by Spiramycin 200mgkg at 4th daypost-infection for 2 weeks, brain cysts’ number, size and histopaholoical changes were assessedafter 3 months. Treatment with Azithromycin for 10 days decreased number and size of braincysts by 70% & 40% respectively without significant difference with Spiramycin treated micethat caused reduction by 74% & 50% respectively. Azithromycin treatment for 3 days caused theleast reduction by 51% & 21% respectively and Azithromycin treatment for 10 days decreasedthe histo-pathological changes in cerebral toxoplasmosis. Azithromycin treatment started at 4thday post-infection was effective than Spiramycin against T. gondii infection with a significant effecton cysts count and size and brain pathological changes. Azithromycin treatment for 10 daysgave better effect than 3 days.

The chemical drugs are safe and effective being the main tool in controlling schistosomiasis. Referring to the possibility of appearance of drug resistant parasites especially with retreatment regimens in endemic areas, search for new schistosomicidal is essential. Nigella sativa has been extensively studied for its biological activities and therapeutic potentials and shown to possess wide spectrum of activities including antihelminthic and antiprotozoal activities. The present report aimed to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of Nigella sativa oil in treatment of Schistosoma mansoni. Nigella sativa oil was administrated orally to S. mansoni infected mice in two different doses, a prophylactic dose (1.14g/kg) every day for 2 weeks before infection and a therapeutic dose (1.14g/kg) daily for 4 weeks starting from 2nd day post infection aiming to investigate its potential therapeutic role. Therapeutic treatment with Nigella sativa oil had a high significant effect on mature worm burden, as the reduction percentage was (57.5%). Nigella sativa oil in prophylactic and therapeutic doses significantly increased the mean number of dead ova (14.75±6.5) and (21.43±3.64) respectively in comparison to control (5.25±1.71). Nigella sativa oil therapeutic dose had a high reduction effect on ova count in intestinal tissue (81.45%) and a moderate reduction on ova count in hepatic tissue (57.86%). Prophylactic dose gave a high reduction effect (78.76%) on ova count in intestinal tissue. As regard the size of hepatic granuloma, Nigella sativa oil treated group had the highest significant reduction on mean granuloma diameter; the reduction was 26.69% with marked improvement of hepatic pathology. N. sativa oil treated group showed obvious improvement of liver pathology with mild hydrobic degeneration and small sized fibrocellular granuloma accompanied by multiple malformations in both S. mansoni adult worms. These results showed that N. sativa oil has remarkable effect on mature S. mansoni which could be helpful for potentiating Praziquantel effect and thus reducing development of resistance.

Background Nigella sativa oil is one of the promising drugs of a plant origin that have an antischistosomal effect. Aim The aim of the present work was to explore the role of N. sativa oil either alone or in combination with praziquantel on immature worms of Schistosoma mansoni. Materials and methods N. sativa oil capsules dissolved in corn oil were administered to S. mansoni-infected mice aiming to study the therapeutic and prophylactic effects. The study included six groups of mice: (a) noninfected and nontreated, (b) infected and nontreated, (c) prophylactic N. sativa oil group, (d) praziquantel group, (e) therapeutic N. sativa oil group, and (d) combined group. All mice were killed 4 weeks after infection and treatment. The antischistosomal effect of N. sativa oil was assessed by worm burden, histopathology, and scanning electron microscopy. Results Therapeutic N. sativa oil group showed the highest significant decrease in the mean number of immature worm burden (R% was 57%) when given after infection followed by the combined group (R%=55.67%), whereas prophylactic N. sativa oil group showed nonsignificant decrease (R%=37%). The least changes were observed in praziquantel group (R%=0%). Conclusion N. sativa oil has a potent effect on immature S. mansoni which could be helpful for potentiating praziquantel effect and thus reducing development of resistance.