Parasitological Stool Examination Research Articles

Intestinal helminth coinfection is associated with mucosal lesions and poor response to therapy in American tegumentary leishmaniasis

The most severe clinical form of American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) due to Leishmania braziliensis is mucosal leishmaniasis (ML), characterized by destructive lesions in the facial mucosa. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 109 ATL patients from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, where ATL is caused by L. braziliensis, to evaluate the influence of intestinal parasite coinfections in the clinical course of ATL. Parasitological stool examination (PSE) was performed with samples from all patients by the sedimentation, Kato-Katz and Baermann-Moraes methods. The diagnosis of ATL was made from lesion biopsies by direct observation of amastigotes in Giemsa-stained imprints, isolation of Leishmania promastigotes or histopathological examination. All patients were treated with meglumine antimoniate. Patients with positive PSE had a frequency of mucosal lesions significantly higher than those with negative PSE (p<0.005). The same was observed for infections with helminths in general (p<0.05), with nematodes (p<0.05) and with Ascaris lumbricoides (p<0.05), but not for protozoan infections. Patients with intestinal parasites had poor response to therapy (therapeutic failure or relapse) significantly more frequently than the patients with negative stool examination (p<0.005). A similar difference (p<0.005) was observed between patients with positive and negative results for intestinal helminths, but not for intestinal protozoa. Patients with positive PSE took significantly longer to heal than those with negative PSE (p<0.005). A similar difference was observed for intestinal helminth infections (p<0.005), but not for protozoan infections. Our results indicate a deleterious influence of intestinal helminth infections in the clinical course of ATL and evidence for the first time an association between ML and these coinfections, particularly with nematodes and A. lumbricoides.

The clinical and epidemiological profile of neuroschistosomiasis

This study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of the neuroschistosomiasis (NS), evaluate the possible resistance of black people to NS, identify the cause of major prevalence of male sex and the parasitological stool exam as a proof of contact with NS. It is a cross-sectional study evaluating patients treated in neurological referential centers in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, from 1993 to 2013. This study included patients diagnosed with schistosomal myeloradiculopathy by means of positive epidemiology, evidence of medullar lesion by image exam and clinical exam and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. There were 140 patients, 53% between 20 and 40 years old (mean=36; SD=13), 64% males. Among these patients, 79.3% received less than 05 minimum wages and only 5.7% attended higher education. They were 50% brown, 27% white, 18% black, and 5.2% denied previous contact with water in endemic localities. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were weakness in the lower limbs (94%), back pain (84%), bladder dysfunction (75%) and impotence (80%). The most common site of injury was the thoracolumbar junction (65%) and 73% of parasitological stool examinations were negative. It was concluded that male predominance does not seem to occur because of specific physiopathological issues; possible resistance of Blacks to severe forms of schistosomiasis does not seem to occur in NS; the low economic and educational levels makes this problem invisible to the nation; the absence of water contact patterns does not completely rule out the diagnosis; the parasitological stool examination is a bad predictor of contact with NS. This study aimed to describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of the neuroschistosomiasis (NS), evaluate the possible resistance of black people to NS, identify the cause of major prevalence of male sex and the parasitological stool exam as a proof of contact with NS. It is a cross-sectional study evaluating patients treated in neurological referential centers in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, from 1993 to 2013. This study included patients diagnosed with schistosomal myeloradiculopathy by means of positive epidemiology, evidence of medullar lesion by image exam and clinical exam and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. There were 140 patients, 53% between 20 and 40 years old (mean=36; SD=13), 64% males. Among these patients, 79.3% received less than 05 minimum wages and only 5.7% attended higher education. They were 50% brown, 27% white, 18% black, and 5.2% denied previous contact with water in endemic localities. The most prevalent clinical manifestations were weakness in the lower limbs (94%), back pain (84%), bladder dysfunction (75%) and impotence (80%). The most common site of injury was the thoracolumbar junction (65%) and 73% of parasitological stool examinations were negative. It was concluded that male predominance does not seem to occur because of specific physiopathological issues; possible resistance of Blacks to severe forms of schistosomiasis does not seem to occur in NS; the low economic and educational levels makes this problem invisible to the nation; the absence of water contact patterns does not completely rule out the diagnosis; the parasitological stool examination is a bad predictor of contact with NS.

Prevalence of intestinal opportunistic parasites infections in the University hospital of Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

BackgroundGastrointestinal parasites infections are widespread in Africa and their prevalence infections vary from country to country. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of opportunistic intestinal parasites infection and other gastrointestinal parasites infection among patients attending the laboratory of Parasitology and Mycology of the University Hospital Souro Sanou of Bobo-Dioulasso.MethodsA hospital cross-sectional based study was conducted from April to August, 2012. Participants were persons whom parasitological examination of stools has been prescribed by a clinician. The stools examination methods included direct wet saline examination, lugol’s iodine staining technique, formol-ether concentration and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining. We recorded age and sex information for each patient.ResultsThe overall prevalence of intestinal parasite infections was 65.3 % (190/291). Majority of the parasitic infections was waterborne (64.3 %) consisting of high prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. (26.5 %) and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (23.4 %). The prevalence of opportunistic parasites was 28.9 % and Cryptosporidium sp. was the most prevalent species followed by Blastocystis sp. (1.0 %), Cyclospora sp. (0.7 %) and Isospora belli (0.7 %). The prevalence of intestinal helminthes was 1.7 %.ConclusionsThe prevalence of intestinal parasitism in general remains high in Bobo-Dioulasso requiring the establishment of adequate diagnostic techniques, treatment and prevention.

Prevalência de Parasitoses em Idosos residentes e trabalhadores de Instituições de Longa Permanência na Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre e na Região Serrana do Rio Grande do Sul

Despite enteroparasites compromise the nutritional status of the elderly and health care quality in general, studies addressing the occurrence and prevention of intestinal parasites in this population segment are scarce. The scope of this study is to analyze the enteroparasites profile in the elderly and employees working in long-term institutions, correlating them to sociodemographic and economic variables, hygiene habits and symptoms. It is a cross-sectional study in long-term institutions in the Metropolitan Area of Porto Alegre and in the Mountain Region of Rio Grande do Sul. Through the use of questionnaires and collection of stool samples, 12 long-term institutions were searched and 200 stool samples of feces, with an average of 79.4 ± 9.5 years old, were analyzed by Parasitological Examination of Stools. In addition, we collect 26 samples from employees (aged between 19-60 years old). It was found a prevalence of 4.0% of intestinal parasites in relation to the elderly, the higher positivity found in women 4.8% (n=7), while in men 1.8% (n= 1). Of which 75.0% (n=6) corresponded to Endolimax nana and 25.0% (n=2) Entamoeba coli. It was identified in employees, prevalence of 19.2%, of which 60.0% (n=3) accounted for E. nana, 20.0% (n=1) E. coli and 20.0% (n=1) of hyperparasitism. Both regions show peculiar conditions, aging brings some challenges to society, demanding the implementation and effectiveness of social policies of public health congruent to the current reality to improve the life quality for elderly and workers regarding their sociodemographic variables, economic, hygienic habits and symptomatology.

Effect of enteric parasitic infection on serum trace elements and nutritional status in upper Egyptian children.

Introduction:Enteric parasitic infections still the cause of major health problems among Egyptian children as they have great morbid effect on their physical and cognitive development. Malnutrition makes children more prone to micronutrient deficiency and subsequently more vulnerable to parasitic infection. The present study aimed to identify the effect of intestinal parasitism on micronutrient serum level and children nutritional status.Materials and Methods:A case control study was carried out on children from 1 to 6 years old who were attending the Assiut University Children Hospital outpatient clinic, after parasitological stool examination they were divided into Group 1 (G1, n: 60) positive with enteric parasite and Group 2 (G2, n: 60) age and sex matched and free of parasites. Anthropometric measurements were expressed as weight for age (WFA), height for age (HFA), and weight for height (WFH) parameters. Serum zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.Results:Intestinal parasitic infection rate was 55.7%; more commonly detected parasites were Giardia lamblia 28%, Cryptosporidium sp. 20%, and polyparasitism 18%. All children (G1 and G2) were underweight (WFA) while 63% of G1 were malnourished, either in the form of wasting (WFH) or stunting (HFA) or both aspects. Stunting and wasting were more dominant among children infected with G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. and most of them were below 2 years old.Conclusions:Coincident decrease in serum Zn level and an increase of serum Cu was more prominent among G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. patients. G. lamblia and Cryptosporidium sp. were found to be more associated with nonstandard children nutritional status beside to an altered micronutrient level.

Relationship between oxidative stress and pathological findings in abomasum of infected lambs by Haemonchus contortus

The aim of this study was to evaluate the nitric oxide (NO) levels, and oxidative and antioxidant markers of lambs experimentally and naturally infected by Haemonchus contortus, and its relation to lesions in the abomasum. For experimental study, a total of 14 healthy lambs were divided into two groups with seven animals each. Group A represented the uninfected animals (control), and Group B was formed by infected animals with 15,000 larvae of H. contortus. Blood was collected on days 15, 45, and 75 post-infection (PI) to obtain serum for biochemical analysis: lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitrite/nitrate (NOx), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Parasitological stool examination (eggs per gram of feces – EPG) was performed on days 15, 45, and 75 PI to verify the evolution of the infection. On day 15 PI EPG was negative, but on days 45 and 75 PI the EPG was positive for animals from Group B. In the three periods evaluated it was observed an increase of LDH levels in serum of lambs infected with gastrointestinal nematodes, but on the other hand NOx levels were reduced on the same periods in infected animals. The AOPP and FRAP levels did not differ between groups on days 15 and 45 PI, but increased significantly on day 75 PI in infected lambs. The same variables were studied in 10 lambs naturally infected with helminths, where more than 97% corresponded to H. contortus (hematocrit and EPG values were 18.8±2.5% and 7120±2940, respectively). Similar to the experimental study, the levels of NOx reduced, and the levels of LDH, FRAP, and AOPP increased in serum of this animal associated inflammatory infiltrate in the mucosa of the abomasum. Therefore, during the infection by H. contortus it was observed alterations in oxidative markers, indicators of cell lesion confirmed by histological examination of the abomasum, and consequently there were changes in antioxidant levels, with the purpose of cell protection. We also conclude that helminth infection interferes with the nitric oxide metabolism.

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Objetivos: Determinar el nivel de parasitosis intestinal infantil según la zona de procedencia en estudiantes del nivel primario del distrito de El Tambo, Huancayo. Métodos: Investigación de alcance descriptivo correlacional. Para la recolección de datos sobre la parasitosis se empleó el examen parasitológico seriado de deposiciones (EPSD) y el test de Graham, con observación de tres muestras diferentes por estudiante, correspondientes a los escolares que cursaron el primer, segundo y tercer grado de educación primaria durante el año 2013 en las instituciones educativas 31509 Ricardo Menéndez Menéndez y 30219 de Paccha, distrito de El Tambo, Huancayo. Resultados: Se observó que presentaron parásitos patógenos el 46,20% de estudiantes procedentes de la zona rural y el 38,6% de zona urbana. Luego del proceso de prueba de hipótesis se observó que no existían diferencias significativas en relación con la parasitosis según la zona de procedencia (chi cuadrado de Pearson = 0,634 GL = 1. Valor P = 0,426). Se empleó la prueba chi cuadrado, al 0,05 de significancia y 95% de confianza estadística. Conclusiones: No existe diferencia significativa entre el nivel de parasitosis de acuerdo con la zona de procedencia.

Community awareness of intestinal parasites and the prevalence of infection among community members of rural Abaye Deneba area, Ethiopia

To assess the knowledge of Abaye Deneba community members regarding intestinal parasites and prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. Knowledge about intestinal parasites was assessed by administering a questionnaire to 345 randomly selected household heads. Parasitological stool examination of 491 randomly selected individuals was done using the formol ether concentration technique. Knowledge of the Abaye Deneba community about parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, amoebiasis, ascariasis and taeniasis was very low. However, 204 (59.3%) members correctly responded that the cause of giardiasis is related to contaminated water and 176 (51.2%) knew how to prevent it. In some cases, respondents did correctly identify causes, symptoms of intestinal parasite infection and ways to prevent it, but they did not accurately link it to the appropriate disease caused by the different intestinal parasite species. Among the 491 stool samples examined, 50.2% of study participants showed infection with at least one intestinal parasite. Schistosoma mansoni was the most prevalent (41.3%) followed by Trichuris trichiura(9.4%), Ascaris lumbricoides (8.4%), Taenia saginata (2.4%), Enterobius vermicularis (2.0%) and hookworm (0.4%). Prevalence of schistosomiasis was highest in men aged 15-24 years. Intestinal parasitic infection is highly prevalent in communities of the Abaye Deneba area. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the community members about the parasite is less. Implementation of preventive chemotherapy, supplemented with health education, provision and use of sanitary facilities would be recommended to reduce morbidity and control transmission of intestinal parasites in this area.

Vasculitis secundaria a infección por Fasciola hepática

There is a case of a 38 year-old male patient coming from an area where hepatic fascioliasis is endemic in Peru. He was hospitalized because he showed 4 weeks of symptoms like fever, intense myalgias, erythematous and painful injuries on limb extensions. The electromyography and nerve conduction velocity showed a global inflammatory myopathy. A skin biopsy showed polyarteritis nodosa-type vasculitis. During the evaluation process prior to the immunosuppressive therapy, hepatic Fasciola eggs were found in the parasitological examination of stools. The fascioliasis diagnosis was confirmed by fas2-ELISA: 0.46 (VN &lt;0.20). Clinical symptoms started to subside after treatment with ticlabendazol. Contact with the patient was maintained for a year and there was no evidence of disease recurrence, and he was asymptomatic.

Simultaneous detection of gastrointestinal pathogens with a multiplex Luminex-based molecular assay in stool samples from diarrhoeic patients

AbstractWe have evaluated the multiplex molecular method xTAG® Gastrointestinal Panel (GPP) for detecting pathogens in stool samples of diarrhoeic patients. We collected 440 samples from 329 patients (male:female ratio of 1.2:1), including 102 immunosuppressed adults, 50 immunosuppressed children, 56 children attending the neonatal unit and 121 children attending the emergency unit. Of these, 176 samples from 162 patients were xTAG® GPP positive (102 viruses, 61 bacteria and 13 parasites) and the assay was more sensitive than the conventional test for detecting rotavirus (p <0.01), noroviruses (p <0.0001), Salmonella spp. (p <0.001), Campylobacter spp. (p <0.001) and toxigenic Clostridium difficile (p 0.005). The predominant pathogens were viruses (23.2%), with rotavirus (15.9%) being the most common. Bacterial agents were detected in 13.9%; the most common was Salmonella spp. (4.8%). Parasites were detected in 2.9%; Cryptosporidium spp. (2%) was the most common. There were 31 co-infections (7% of samples), involving two pathogens in 23 (5.2%) and three pathogens in eight (1.8%) samples. There were 113 (92.6%) positive samples from the children attending the emergency unit, 25 (17%) positive samples from immunosuppressed adults, 22 (25.3%) positive samples from immunosuppressed children and 16 (19%) positive samples from children attending the neonatal unit. The low turnaround time and technical hands-on time make this multiplex technique convenient for routine use. Nevertheless, conventional bacterial culture and parasitological stool examination are still required to detect other pathogens in specific cases and to determine susceptibility to antibiotics.

Incidence of Intestinal Parasites Detected in the Department of Parasitology in Celal Bayar University Hospital between 2006 and 2010

Results of 17.711 patien admitted to the Department of Parasitology in Celal Bayar University Hospital for parasitological stool examination between January 2006 and December 2010 were evaluated. All stool samples were examined with wet mounts, formalin ethyl acetate concentration and trichrome staining methods. In addition, cellophane tape preparations from 5952 patients were evaluated. Intestinal parasites were detected in 2337 (13.12%) of 17.711 patients who were admitted during a five year period. The highest parasite infected individual ratio (16.69%) was found in 2008. The most frequently identified intestinal parasites were Blastocystis spp. 1353 (7.64%) and Giardia intestinalis 348 (1.96%) in stool samples, with Enterobius vermicularis 253 (4.25%) in cellophane tape preparations. Two or more parasites were detected in 158 (6.76%) of the positive cases. The mean age of persons identified as having a parasite was 21.9. Parasite incidence was 10.7% in females, and 13.6% in males (p < 0.001). The highest ratio was 23.8% in patients who lived in rural areas when all positive cases were evaluated in terms of settlement areas. While Blastocystis spp., E. vermicularis and G. intestinalis were the most frequently detected intestinal parasites in our province, intestinal parasites still remain important despite advances in infrastructure in recent years.

Vasculitis secundaria a infección por Fasciola hepática

There is a case of a 38 year-old male patient coming from an area where hepatic fascioliasis is endemic in Peru. He was hospitalized because he showed 4 weeks of symptoms like fever, intense myalgias, erythematous and painful injuries on limb extensions. The electromyography and nerve conduction velocity showed a global inflammatory myopathy. A skin biopsy showed polyarteritis nodosa-type vasculitis. During the evaluation process prior to the immunosuppressive therapy, hepatic Fasciola eggs were found in the parasitological examination of stools. The fascioliasis diagnosis was confirmed by fas2-ELISA: 0.46 (VN <0.20). Clinical symptoms started to subside after treatment with ticlabendazol. Contact with the patient was maintained for a year and there was no evidence of disease recurrence, and he was asymptomatic.

The Sensitivity of Schistosoma japonicum to Praziquantel: A Field Evaluation in Areas with Low Endemicity of China

The purpose of the current study was to investigate the susceptibility of Schistosoma japonicum to praziquantel in low endemic foci of China. During the non-transmission period of schistosomiasis, a total of 43 of 1,242 subjects were identified as being infected with the parasite using parasitological stool examinations in two low-endemicity areas of China, with a prevalence rate of 3.46%. All stool-egg-positive subjects were treated with praziquantel in a single oral dose of 40 mg/kg or 30 mg/kg for two successive days. Six weeks post-treatment, no S. japonicum eggs were detected in the 43 treated villagers. The results indicate that the current efficacy of praziquantel against S. japonicum seems satisfactory and has not changed over the past three decades in the low endemic areas of China. It is also suggested that no evidence of tolerance or resistance to praziquantel in S. japonicum is detected in areas with low endemicity in China.

PARASITOSES INTESTINAIS EM CRIANÇAS RESIDENTES NA COMUNIDADE RIBEIRINHA SÃO FRANCISCO DO LARANJAL, MUNICÍPIO DE COARI, ESTADO DO AMAZONAS, BRASIL

Sixty-five children aged between one and twelve years old underwent parasitological stool examination using the spontaneous sedimentation technique. The examinations showed that 83.1% of the children (57.4% boys and 42.6% girls) were positive for intestinal parasites. The parasite species found were: Ascaris lumbricoides (53.7%), Trichuris trichiura (16.6%), ancylostomidea (15%), Entamoeba coli (9.2%) and Giardia duodenalis (5.5%). Among the positive individuals, 55.5% presented infection by A. lumbricoides, 37.1% were infected with two parasites and 7.4% presented polyparasitism. Regarding the associated parasitism, 68.5% of the infections were caused by helminths, 7.4% only by protozoa and 24.1% by both helminths and protozoa.

Intestinal parasitic infections in HIV/AIDS patients: epidemiological, nutritional and immunological aspects

This study applied a socioeconomic questionnaire designed to evaluate the frequency of intestinal parasites and characterize epidemiological, nutritional, and immunological variables in 105 HIV/AIDS patients - with and without parasitic infections, attending the Day Hospital in Botucatu, UNESP, from 2007 to 2008. Body mass index was calculated and the following tests performed: parasitological stool examinations; eosinophil, IgE, CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocyte cell counts; albumin test; viral load measure; and TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-5 and IL-10 cytokine levels. Results were positive for parasitic intestinal infections in 12.4% of individuals. Most patients had good socioeconomic conditions with basic sanitation, urban dwellings, treated water supply and sewage, good nutritional and immunological status and were undergoing HAART. Parasites were found at the following frequencies: Entamoeba - five patients (38.5%), Giardia lamblia - four (30.7%), Blastocystis hominis - three (23.0%), Endolimax nana - two (15.4%), and Ascaris lumbricoides - one (7.7%). There were no significant differences between the two groups for eosinophils, albumin, IgE, CD4+ T and CD8+ T lymphocytes, INF-γ, IL-2, or IL-10. Most patients also showed undetectable viral load levels. Significant differences were found for TNF-α and IL-5. These results show the importance of new studies on immunodeficient individuals to increase understanding of such variables.

BeRtIelose HUMaNa: seGUNdo Relato eM MINas GeRaIs, BRasIl

A new case of human bertiellosis is reported in an eight year-old male child, who lived in the rural area of the Caete municipality, in Minas Gerais State. The child presented with a history of periumbilical abdominal pain, hyporexia, vomiting, diarrhoea, and holocranial headache. White flat structures were found in the child’s stool. In the parasitological stool examination, hookworms, Rodentolepis (=Hymenolepis) nana, and Bertiella sp. eggs were identified. Proglottides found in the stool specimen were identified as being of Bertiella sp.

Toxocara canis infection is associated with eosinophilia and total IgE in blood donors from a large Brazilian centre

To investigate the association between Toxocara canis infection and total IgE levels and eosinophilia in blood donors from a large Brazilian city. Two hundred and sixty-eight blood donors from a government blood bank were tested. No helminth infection was diagnosed by parasitological stool examination. Total IgE levels and T. canis infection status were determined by ELISA. Eosinophil levels were determined using an automatic blood cell counter. Toxocara canis IgG antibodies were found in 124 (46.3%); 102 (38.0%) had eosinophilia ≥4% and 29 (10.8%) had eosinophilia ≥10%, respectively; 140 (52.2%) individuals had total IgE antibodies above the cut-off levels. Both total IgE and eosinophil levels ≥10% were positively associated with the infection. This study revealed a high prevalence of T. canis infection in blood donors, highlighting the need for screening for this infection. It also demonstrated that this population otherwise healthy has higher levels of blood eosinophils and total IgE and that both parameters are associated with T. canis infection.

Is there reduced susceptibility to praziquantel in Schistosoma japonicum? Evidence from China

Praziquantel is widely used for the treatment of human schistosomiasis. However, in recent years, there has been increasing concern about the resistance of Schistosoma species to praziquantel. The study described here was designed to evaluate the current susceptibility to praziquantel in S. japonicum in China. During the non-transmission period of schistosomiasis, a random sample of 4760 subjects from the main endemic foci of China were examined using parasitological stool examination. In total, 584 subjects were identified as being infected with S. japonicum, with a prevalence rate of 12.27%. Among them, 565 stool-egg-positive subjects were treated with praziquantel in a single oral dose of 40 mg/kg. Six weeks post-treatment, among the 505 villagers re-examined, 480 (95.05%) had no detectable S. japonicum eggs. Twenty-one subjects still excreting eggs after the first treatment were treated with praziquantel for the second time. All stool samples, including those from those participants with second treatment were re-examined 6 weeks after the second treatment, and no stool-egg-positives were found. The results indicate that the current efficacy of praziquantel against S. japonicum is still high and has not changed after more than 2 decades of repeated, expanded chemotherapy in the main endemic areas of China. It is suggested that no evidence of tolerance or resistance to praziquantel in S. japonicum was detected in China.

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy in a low-prevalence area: 27 cases (14 autochthonous) in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil

Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy (SMR) is a form of schistosomiasis that is not linked with a high worm burden but rather is found in patients who have been sporadically exposed to Schistosoma mansoni. This paper aims to determine the occurrence of SMR in a low-endemic area with urban transmission in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. A retrospective study was performed, identifying confirmed cases in the two largest public hospitals on the region. Patients were diagnosed with SMR using standardised criteria, common clinical parameters, evidence of schistosomal infection and exclusion of other causes of myelopathy. A total of 27 patients were identified; 19 (85.2%) were men and four (14.8%) were women, ranging from 13-57 years of age (mean = 31.2; standard deviation = 12.8). Patients were classified as autochthonous (n = 14; 51.9%) or allochthonous (n = 11; 40.7%) and epidemiological data could not be obtained for two patients (7.4%). The clinical parameters of these patients were not different from previous studies. The sensitivity of serum immune reactions, cerebrospinal fluid immune reactions and parasitological stool examinations in identifying infected individuals was 87.5%, 93.8% and 40%, respectively. The epidemiological importance of these findings and their relationship with the control policies of schistosomiasis are discussed.

PP-198 Comparison between different immunological techniques for detection of circulating Fasciola antigen in sheep

The detection of Fasciola antigen in serum or stool could be more valuable in diagnosis, hence early treatment before irreparable damage. In this study, fresh adult Fasciola gigantica worms were collected, then incubation in culture medium and collected medium was used to extract crude excretory-secretory (E/S) antigen. E/S was used to immunize rabbits to raise specific antibodies against Fasciola spp. Purified antibodies are further used as primary capture to coat ELISA plates. The secondary capture of antibodies was by conjugation with horse reddish peroxidase. Sandwich ELISA and DOT-ELISA were performed to detect Fasciola antigens in both serum and stool samples collected from a total of 152 sheep. After slaughtering, gross inspection of liver and parasitological stool examination, sheep were divided into Fasciola positive group (97 sheep), other helminthic infection group (30 sheep) and healthy control group (30 sheep). Fasciola antigen detected in serum of sheep by ELISA showed 94.8 % sensitivity and 95 % specificity. Copro-antigen detected by ELISA showed 96.9% sensitivity and 96.7% specificity. The sensitivity and specificity of coproantigen by ELISA in stool sample were higher than that recorded by Sandwich ELISA for serum. Dot ELISA sensitivity was found to be 98.9% and specificity 98.3%. In conclusion the Dot ELISA gives better sensitivity and specificity than sandwich ELISA for serum and coproantigen in stool by ELISA. (New York Science Journal 2010;3(7):34-39). (ISSN: 1554-0200).