Trichinellosis is a zoonosis results from eating raw or semi-cooked meat of infected animals. Medicinal plants have been used lately as alternatives and/or combined therapies to resolve some drawbacks of the current regimens. This work analyzed the effect of albendazole monotherapy on Trichinella spiralis experimental infection (group A), in comparison to P. granatum and amygdalin extracts +cobalamin (group B), plus its combination with albendazole (group C). The study revealed that the extracts alone or combined with albendazole had an inferior effect to albendazole monotherapy regarding number of adult worms (40.83 ±3.82, 18.67 ±1.86 and 16.83 ±2.32, respectively). However, their effect was more obvious in muscle phase combined with albendazole, achieving the lower number of larvae/mL tissue homogenate (22.33 ±3.27 in comparison to 39.67 ±2.58 achieved by albendazole monotherapy). The extracts exerted a significant immunomodulatory effect by reducing the local CD4+ expression in the intestine as well as in muscle phase (1.15 ±0.25 and 3.80 ±0.65 in comparison to 4.97 ±0.37 and 12.20 ±0.87 with albendazole monotherapy, respectively). So, these extracts improved the therapeutic efficacy of albendazole, specifically in muscle phase and counteracted the inflammatory reaction caused by albendazole monotherapy, thus extensively alleviating the resulting myositis.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. and Helicobacter pylori are widespread gastrointestinal infections that appear to resist treatment in many cases. Cryptosporidiosis results in increased intestinal permeability while H. pylori causes atrophic changes in stomach, and both are opportunistic pathogens. The outcome of infection depends largely on the degree of the host immune status. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a growing health problem in Egypt, with detrimental consequences that can affect the immune system, the gastrointestinal tract, and virtually all body systems, exposing diabetic patients to higher susceptibility to infections and intensified morbidity. Objective: The present study was designed to determine the burden of Cryptosporidium spp. and H. pylori among diabetic patients compared to non-diabetic patients attending Kasr Al Ainy hospitals. Materials and Methods: Stool samples, demographic and clinical data were collected from 80 patients, 40 diabetics and 40 non-diabetics with gastrointestinal manifestations. Microscopic stool examination and copro-immunoassays for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and H. Pylori were performed for all samples. Results: Cryptosporidium infection was detected in 15% of diabetics; with a frequency of 7.4% and 30.8% in patients with controlled DM and uncontrolled DM, respectively, and in 5% of non-diabetics. While H. pylori was equally detected at a rate of 60% in non-diabetic and diabetic patients (51.9% and 76.9% in controlled DM and uncontrolled DM, respectively). Microscopic examination of stools revealed Blastocystis in 25% of diabetics (22.2% in controlled DM versus 30.7% in uncontrolled DM) and in 5% of non-diabetic patients. Co-infection with Cryptosporidium and H. pylori occurred in 10% of diabetic cases (3.7% in controlled DM versus 23.1% in uncontrolled DM), and in and in 5% of non-diabetic patients. Conclusions: Diabetic patients had higher infection rate of Cryptosporidium as well as Blastocystis in comparison to non-diabetics. Screening for intestinal parasites is needed to control the infection and reduce morbidity in diabetics

Background:The immune response against Trichinella spiralis results in a mixed cytokine state and nitric oxide (NO) production. Albendazole (ALB) influences the oxidative status and cytokine profile of the host, in addition to its direct action on the parasite beta-tubulin Objective: The current study was designed to assess the effect of the NO donor, L-arginine, on the muscular phase of experimental trichinosis in mice with and without ALB administration. Material and Methods: The study included five groups (G); negative non-infected control group (G1); positive infected non-treated control group (G2); ALB-treated group (G3); L-arginine-treated group (G4); and combined ALB and L-arginine regimen group (G5). Study parameters included larval count, histopathological changes, and NO synthase (iNOS) immunohistochemical expression in skeletal muscle and heart during the muscular phase. Gene expression levels of TNF and IFN, and NO production were also evaluated by quantitative RT-qPCR. Results: L-arginine resulted in a significant increase in tissue iNOS expression and serum NO levels, in addition to the increase in TNF and INF gene expression. Albendazole, on the other hand, was found to decrease local tissue expression of iNOS and serum NO in infected mice, whereas gene expression levels of TNF and IFN were elevated. Conclusion: Nitric oxide homeostasis is vital to the infection outcome and regeneration during muscular trichinellosis. Albendazole exerts immunomodulatory effects in addition to its direct anti-parasitic action on T. spiralis.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection that occurs worldwide, particularly in endemic areas in the Middle East, including Egypt. Echinococcusgranulosus (E. granulosus) eggs can be accidentally ingested by human in contaminated food or drinks and reach primarily the liver forming hydatid cysts with reported predilection for the right lobe. However, the segmental orientation of hepatic echinococcosis in the light of the clinical presentation and serological findings needs further investigation as such correlation may carry additional clues to guide the therapeutic management and prognostic outcomes. Objective:The present study was designed to determine the relation of anatomical location of intrahepatic hydatid cyst to its development, activity, and host immune response; as well as its potential extrahepatic spread. Material and Methods: A total of 46 patients having liver hydatid cysts were evaluated. Intrahepatic cysts were categorized according to Couinaud’s segments by ultrasound examination; and analysis was done regarding cyst size, cyst staging and activity, and extrahepatic spread, in addition to clinical features and patterns of IgG level using two sero-diagnostic tests IHA and ELISA. Results: Hydatid cysts were found in all segments with the exception of segment I. Active cysts were mostly found in segment VII (no. = 11; 47.8%), recording a large diameter size with a mean of 6.55 cm. Inactive cysts recorded statistically significant smaller diameters with a mean of 5.55 cm denoting cyst evolution and degeneration. Serum antibody level correlated significantly with radiological profile of cysts activity in the studied population. Finally, extrahepatic spread was observed in hydatid cysts involving all liver segments with the exception of segment V. Conclusion:Hydatid cysts were found in liver segments II through to VIII. While cysts in segment VII demonstrated large sized active cysts with extrahepatic spread, cysts confined to segment V could pose minimal risk for extrahepatic spread

Background: Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that plagues many individuals and reflects on their quality of life. The pathogenesis of acne is multifactorial and is subject to continuous investigation and research. Infection, inflammation and oxidative stress are among the numerous theories explaining the pathogenesis of acne. In the current study, we shed light on the potential role of a protozoal infection, namely toxoplasmosis, in the development of acne. Since the etiological factors of acne vulgaris share common grounds with immune alterations occurring during toxoplasmosis, a possible association between this protozoal infection and the pathogenesis of acne should be investigated.Objective: Investigation of a possible association between Toxoplasma infection and the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris.Subjects and Methods: Serum anti-Toxoplasma IgG and glutathione (GSH) were measured in 43 acne patients and 40 healthy control subjects. Serological detection of anti-Toxoplasma IgG was performed using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and Glutathione level in serum was detected using colorimetry. In addition, clinical evaluation of the acne lesions was performed.Results: GSH was significantly lower in seropositive acne patients as compared to seronegative ones. No difference in seroprevalence and anti-Toxoplasma IgG titre was observed between cases and controls. Clinical evaluation of cases revealed that patients with severe acne showed a higher Cardiff acne disability index (CADI) score .Conclusion: In conclusion, the reduction of GSH in seropositive cases suggests a contributing role of toxoplasmosis to the development of acne by altering the oxidative balance. The involvement of toxoplasmosis in the pathogenesis of multi-factorial clinical conditions such as acne Vulgaris should be focused upon, since latent infection is widely present among the population.