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Background: Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a cosmopolitan intestinal protozoan that has been related to several gastrointestinal disturbances simulating irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, the underlying pathogenicity of blastocystosis in human studies remains indistinct. Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 167 stool samples from patients attending internal medicine department, Kafrelsheik university hospital were examined. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) -based identification using known sequenced-tagged site (STS) primers allowed the isolation of the positive samples and genotyping of the parasite. Reducing sugar and pH were investigated in patients’ stool samples. Results: Patients who participated in the study were from both sexes where blastocystosis infection was most prevalent in the age group 20 – 29. Of 167 cases, twenty-seven (16.1%) were molecularly confirmed blastocystosis infections. Genotype 3 was solely detected. Of these, 26 (19%) cases presented with diarrhea, and 27 (17.1%) cases suffered abdominal pain. Additionally, 20 (16.8%) cases had increased flatulence, and only two patients manifested vomiting. The seasonal cycle of the parasite was explored being higher in summer and spring. Our results highlight the consistent chemical association of carbohydrate intolerance and acidic fecal pH with genotype-3 of B. hominis that seemed to augment the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) -like manifestations of the parasitic infection. Specimens positive for B. hominis showed dominant growth of E. coli. Co-culture of B. hominis with E. coli and Candidashowed their eminent growth whereas the parasite was suppressed. B. hominiswith Giardia species co-infections showed a significant rise in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme in fecal samples compared with B. hominissolely. Conclusion: there is an association between Blastocystis hominis infections and carbohydrate intolerance and fecal acidity. B. hominis was observed to be closely related to IBS-like manifestations with the dominatingly isolated genotype-3. Also, B. hominis appeared to have an enhancing effect on the growth of E. coli and C. non-albicans. Blastocystosis seemed to heve damaging effects on the cells of the intestinal brush border especially when co-existing with Giardia sp. thus increasing levels of LDH.

Several studies demonstrated a high seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in schizophrenicpatients than healthy individuals. This case control study determined the serprevalence of T.gondii among schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals at Kafrelsheikh UniversityHospitals and to estimate its effect on serum dopamine level. T. gondii IgG was detected in52.2% &23.9% of schizophrenic patients and healthy individuals respectively with significance(P value = 0.005). Serum dopamine level was higher in schizophrenic patients thanhealthy individuals with statistical significance (P =

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 as a pandemic disease earlier in 2020, several publications reported the electron microscope images of SARS-CoV-2. This article reviews 73 articles from March 1956 till April 2021, focusing on the ultrastructure characteristics of the coronaviruses. We present the scientific debate and provide an opinion on the current controversy of electron microscopic images interpreted as SARS-CoV-2 particles in specimens from patients with COVID-19. Finally, we report our findings in a post-mortem lung specimen of a COVID-19 patient. With this we hope to facilitate accurate interpretation of TEM findings, and contribute to the building of a unified database in the face of COVID-19 (Tab. 2, Fig. 8, Ref. 81). Keywords.

Although the incidence of Giardia lamblia increased, data regarding its possible associatedrisk factors are scares. The study investigated the genetic diversity of humans G. lamblia positiveisolates in kafrelsheikh Governorate, and the impact of multiple risk factors on prevalence.A total of 300 fecal samples were collected from patients attended Kafrelsheikh Universityover a period of one year. Amplification and RFLP analysis of β-giardin gene were usedto identify the G. lamblia multiple assemblages.The results showed that, PCR amplification showed 63/300 (21%) positive samples, of them,12 assemblages A (19.1%) and 52 assemblages B (80.9%). On univariate analysis, there werestatistical significant correlation among giardiasis and age group, sex, hand-washing, milktype, flatulence, vomiting, and animal contact (p = 0.028, 0.006, 0.005, 0.02, 0.000, 0.002 &0.000, respectively). On Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that children from 2-6 years, adults (< 18 years), females, hand-washing, boiled milk, vomiting, flatulence and animalcontact were independent risk factors for giardiasis (p = 0.01, 0.02, 0.007, 0.05, 0.03,0.000, 0.002 & 0.000, respectively).

The zoonotic intestinal protozoan parasites and Helicobacter pylori) are worldwide distributedhuman pathogens. This study evaluated the co-infection between H. pylori and the commonestintestinal protozoan parasites. A total of 240 stool samples were collected over one yearfrom patients attending outpatients' clinics of Kafrelsheikh University Hospitals, after verbalconsent for participation. Samples were subjected to microscopic examination directly beforeand after formol ether concentration. Samples were examined using merthiolate iodine formalin(MIF) direct smears to detect G. intestinelis and permanent modified trichrome and modifiedacid-fast cold kinyoun's stained smears to detect E. histolytica/dispar and Cryptosporidium spp.respectively. Screening with immune-chromatographic test (ICT) detected H. pylori infection.The results showed that H. pylori were in 160/240 (66.7%). Univariate analysis showed significanceassociation between H. pylori and protozoan causing diarrhea (P = 0.015). These protozoanparasites were with G. intestinalis ((P=0.002), E. histolytica/dispar (P= 0.041), Cryptosporidiumparvum (P =0.018) and Blastocystis hominis (P= 0.040).

Our work aimed to evaluate the possible effect of Annona muricata (Graviola) leaf extract on Trichinella spiralis in in vitro and in vivo studies. Trichinella spiralis worms were isolated from infected mice and transferred to three culture media - group I (with no drugs), group II (contained Graviola) and group III (contained albendazole) - then they were examined using the electron microscope. In the in vivo study, mice were divided into five groups: GI (infected untreated), GII (prophylactically treated with Graviola for seven days before infection), GIII (infected and treated with Graviola), GIV (infected and treated with albendazole) and GV (infected and treated with a combination of Graviola plus albendazole in half doses). Drug effects were assessed by adults and larvae load beside the histopathological small intestinal and muscular changes. A significant reduction of adult and larval counts occurred in treated groups in comparison to the control group. Histopathologically, marked improvement in the small intestinal and muscular changes was observed in treated groups. Also, massive destruction of the cultured adults' cuticle was detected in both drugs. This study revealed that Graviola leaves have potential activity against trichinellosis, especially in combination with albendazole, and could serve as an adjuvant to anti-trichinellosis drug therapy.

Cryptosporidiosis is a recognized child infectious killer and the second cause of diarrheal disease and death in infants. Assessing Cryptosporidium spp. genetic diversity is a real goal to elucidate its transmission dynamics and to design preventive measures in absence of effective treatment. Cryptosporidium isolates in stool of Egyptian children were detected using Acid Fast (AF) staining, copro-nPCR/RFLP assay and real time PCR high-resolution melting (HRM) curve analysis assay. Stool samples were collected from 335 children complaining of diarrhea and other GIT symptoms, attending the outpatient clinic of Abu El Reesh hospital, Kasr Al-Ainy School of Medicine, Cairo University. Two genotypes C. hominis and C. parvum were identified in 43 isolates from Egyptian children by copro-nPCR targeting COWP gene and HRM assay. Real time PCR HRM curve analysis, a closed-tube genotyping method, targeting ITS-2 gene confirmed the results of copro-nPCR/RFLP. It is simple, rapid, has more sample throughput, analysis capacities and data storage with less carry-over contamination and cost.

Background. Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) infection has been long considered among the sexually transmitted diseases that possesses a clear effect on women’s health especially in the childbearing period. Methods. A 234 females of age range 18-45 years old attending the Gynecology and Obstetrics Outpatient Clinic of Kasr El Aini Hospitals were enrolled in a cross-sectional study. The taken vaginal swabs were subjected to wet mount microscopy, Giemsa stain, modified Diamond’s culture, and nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) amplification. Multiattribute and analytical hierarchy processes were conducted to detect laboratory utility. Univariate and multivariate analyses were done to detect the multiple risk factors that may be associated with Trichomonas infection. Results. Based on nPCR, the prevalence of trichomoniasis was 26.9%. Wet mount, Giemsa stain, and culture showed 100% specificity but of low sensitivity (28.57%, 28.57%, and 57.14%, respectively). On the multivariate analysis, nPCR showed the highest rank for diagnostic performance and culture had the lowest rank. For univariate analysis, there was a significant correlation between T. vaginalis infection and vaginal discharge, burning sensation, dyspareunia, and the use of intrauterine device (IUD) (Pvalue < 0.05). Conclusion. The routine screening of trichomoniasis using nPCR was reliable, sensitive, and specific. Also, it could financially be considered a more suitable option in batch screening. Significant higher rates of infection were reported among IUD users compared to condom or hormonal-based methods.

Cryptosporidium is one of the most common, worldwide diarrheal diseases caused by parasites. Due to absence of an effective treatment, determining the prevailing species of Cryptosporidium is a key in identifying its transmission dynamics and a necessary precursor required for the planning and implementation of effective preventive and control strategies. This PCR-RFLP study was done to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in the stool of a cohort of Egyptian children and evaluate/assess associated risk factors for susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis, due to the lack of existent studies addressing Cryptosporidium transmission dynamics in humans and assessed risk factors in Egypt. Stool samples were collected from 431 children; 331 diarrheic and 100 apparently healthy non-diarrheic children; their data were recorded. Samples were processed for Copro-nPCR targeting Hsp90 gene and PCR-RFLP analysis for species identification. Variables which showed statistical significance for Cryptosporidium were included in a logistic regression analysis to identify the estimated risk. Out of 84 (19.5%) Cryptosporidium-positive samples (78 diarrheic and 6 non-diarreic), 75 (89.3%) were Cryptosporidium hominis, 6 (7.1%) were Cryptosporidium parvum, and 3 (3.6%) were non-typed. There was a significant association between Cryptosporidium detection in stool and the estimated risk factors: diarrhea, soft stool, and drinking from tap water. Cryptosporidium is an indigenous, prevailing intestinal parasite among children in Cairo that physicians must consider, especially in diarrheic, preschool-aged children, who drink from tap water. The finding of a predominance of C. hominis indicates anthroponotic rather than zoonotic transmission.

Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of diarrhea worldwide especially in children. Infection may end fatally in immunocompromised patients. Multi-attribute analysis was used to determine the lab utility of 4 diagnostics; coproscopy of AF stained fecal smear, fecal immunoassays by ICT and ELISA and copro-nPCR assay targeting Hsp90 gene, for detection of Cryptosporidium in stool of 250 Egyptian children (150 diarrheic and 100 non-diarrhaeic children). Also, to determine Cryptosporidium molecular prevalence. Cryptosporidium was an important enteric pathogen among both diarrheic and non-diarrheic study children with a clearly high prevalence of 16.4 % (n = 41). Conventional methods had perfect specificity (100 %) but couldn`t be used as a consistent single detection method due to their lowered sensitivities. Multi-attribute analysis ranked nPCR the highest test for lab use. Being the test with the best diagnostic yield, nPCR is a reliable diagnostic test and is going to replace conventional methods for reliable detection of Cryptosporidium.

This study was carried out during 2012 and 2013 seasons in the Horticultural Research Station at Kanater El- Khairiya, Qualiobeya Governorate to throw light on the effect of different types and rates of fertilizer treatments on the rates of infestation of the cowpea plants, Vigna unguiculata L. by different pests Tetranychus urticae, T. cucurbitacearum (eggs and motile stages), Bemisia tabaci (eggs, nymphs, pupae & adults), Thrips tabaci (nymphs & adults) and green Jassids and on the resultant crop yield. Data revealed that treatment with NPK mixture recorded the highest infestation rate by T. urticae Koch, T.cucurbitacearum (Sayed) and T. tabaci in the two seasons, while the K2O fertilizer revealed the lowest infestation rates. Moreover, the N2 fertilizer recorded the highest infestation with whitefly and Jassids. The brown scale insects, Coccus hesperidium Linnaeus were firstly recorded in Egypt on cowpea plants but throughout the first season only. The mixture treatments resulted highest yield (2428.3 &2675 Kg./fed.) followed by Micro-element treatments (1500 &1658.3 Kg./fed.) then K2O fertilizer treatment (1416.7 & 1553.3 Kg. /fed.) in 2012 and 2013, respectively; being significantly higher than control which recorded (756.0 & 845.0 Kg. / fed.) for the two seasons. However, the results showed a significant improvement in the uptake of NPK over the control, so it increased the production.

Harmonic resonances may damage equipments and interrupt electric power customers services. Shutdowns may affect seriously harmonic resonant frequencies and may initiate new resonances in power systems. Series and shunt capacitors are used as compensators to improve system operational conditions. Controlled static Var compensators are also used for the same purposes. Influences of these devices on harmonic resonance conditions in presence of other harmonic sources are studied in this paper. New harmonic resonances are detected in presence of those devices. Evaluation of the excursions of harmonic orders leading to harmonic resonances are performed in presence of variable series or shunt capacitor capacitances and static Var compensators. Influence of system resonances on resonant frequencies are studied in all those cases.

Summarizes recent trends and projections through the year 2000 of population size, population growth, fertility, mortality, and age structure in Africa. Fertility is very high, mortality is fairly high but gradually declining, the age distribution is heavily weighted toward children, and the population growth rate has been increasing--it is at 2.77% and may rise yet more. All of these characteristics vary from region to region. It is estimated that fertility will not decline much if at all in the next 20 years due to a number of sociological factors, and the population may increase from 132 million in 1980 to 246 million or more in 2000. Several graphs and data tables are appended.

The intense excavations in Nubia have been briefly described in ch. la. The sequence of cultural development in lower Egypt is attempted now. The Palaeolithic phase there is known only from a limited number of sites, due to the large deposition of sediments by the river northwards. Further levelling of the land by intense wind action has destroyed many early river and lacustrine terraces bordering the Nile.