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Application and assessment of a dipstick assay in the diagnosis of hydatidosis and trichinosis.

The aim of the present work was to apply and evaluate a dipstick assay for the serodiagnosis of human hydatidosis as well as human and experimental trichinosis using camel hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) and Trichinella spiralis muscle larval (TSML) antigens, respectively, and compare this to enzyme-linked immunoelectrotransfer blot (EITB) and Falcon assay screening test-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (FAST-ELISA). Sera samples were collected from patients with confirmed hydatidosis and trichinosis and with other parasitic diseases as well as from normal healthy individuals. Also, sera samples were collected from mice experimentally infected with T. spiralis which were sacrificed at different time points post-infection (PI). HCF and TSML antigens were used in EITB after separation and characterization of their antigenic components using 5-22.5% sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis under non-reducing condition. For the diagnosis of hydatidosis, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the dipstick assay and EITB were 100, 91.4 and 95.1% while those of FAST-ELISA were 96.2, 100 and 98.4%, respectively. For the diagnosis of human trichinosis, the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy of the dipstick assay and EITB were 100% while those of FAST-ELISA were 85.7%. FAST-ELISA proved to be more sensitive in the early diagnosis of experimental T. spiralis infection (100% sensitivity from the second week PI) than the dipstick and EITB (100% sensitivity from the third week PI). All tests retained their sensitivity till the 12th week PI. Since the dipstick assay is extremely easy to perform with a visually interpreted result within 15 min, in addition to being both sensitive and specific, the test could be an acceptable alternative for use in clinical laboratories lacking specialized equipment and the technological expertise needed for EITB and FAST-ELISA.

Adolescent↗

The use of ITS1 rDNA PCR in detecting pathogenic African trypanosomes.

There are 11 different pathogenic trypanosomes in trypanosomiasis endemic regions of Africa. Their detection and characterisation by molecular methods relies on species-specific primers; consequently several PCR tests have to be made on each sample. Primers ITS1 CF and ITS1 BR, previously designed to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of rDNA, have been evaluated for use in a universal diagnostic test for all pathogenic trypanosomes. Blood was collected from 373 cattle and 185 camels. The primers gave constant PCR products with the stocks of each taxon tested. Members of subgenus Trypanozoon (T. brucei brucei, T. evansi, T. b. rhodesiense and T. b. gambiense) gave a constant product of approximately 480 bp; T. congolense, savannah 700 bp, T. congolense kilifi 620 bp and T. congolense forest 710 bp: T. simiae 400 bp, T. simiae tsavo 370 bp, T. godfreyi 300 bp and T. vivax 250 bp. The sensitivity of the test ranged from 10 pg for Trypanozoon, T. congolense clade and T. vivax to 100 pg for T. simiae and T. godfreyi. The primers detected cases of multi-taxa samples, although the sensitivity was reduced with an increase in the combinations. A better detection rate of trypanosome DNA was recorded with buffy coats than from direct blood. With the field samples, the diagnostic sensitivity was close to the sensitivity obtained using single reactions with species-specific primers for Trypanozoon 38/40 (95%) and T. congolense savannah 30/33 (90.9%) but was lower with T. vivax 25/31 (77.4%). The primers offer promise as a routine diagnostic tool through the use of a single PCR; however, further evaluation is recommended.

Animals↗

Identification of Haemonchus species in domestic ruminants based on morphometrics of spicules.

An easy and rapid tool for the individual identification of Haemonchus species in domestic ruminants might be very useful in the study of natural populations, especially when two (or three) species are sympatric. Techniques based on cytology, cuticular-ridge patterns, sublateral hypodermic chords, or molecular biology allow species identification but are either expensive or time-consuming. Therefore, a discriminant function combining three measures of male spicules was established from experimental infections with H. contortus in both sheep and goats and with H. placei in zebu. The discriminant function was evaluated on individual worms and on average values obtained in natural and experimental populations throughout the world. It was compared with a previously established function. The use of our function permitted better species identification for all Haemonchus species of ruminants, including H. longistipes from camels and H. similis from cattle.

Analysis of Variance↗

Electron microscope observations on Onchocerca ochengi and O. fasciata (Nematoda:Filarioidea).

The fine structure of the females and males of Onchocerca ochengi (parasitizing zebu and cattle) and of the females of O. fasciata from camels were described and compared to other filariae of the genus Onchocerca. It was shown that O. ochengi resembles O. volvulus of humans in its degree of development, while being more primitive than O. gibsoni. Besides other similarities O. ochengi attracts inflammatory cells in the way of O. volvulus and these could be a model for chemotherapeutic trials.

Animals↗

Ancient ecology of 15-million-year-old browsing mammals within C3 plant communities from Panama.

Middle Miocene mammals are known from approximately 15 million-year-old sediments exposed along the Panama Canal of Central America, a region that otherwise has an exceedingly poor terrestrial fossil record. These land mammals, which represent a part of the ancient terrestrial herbivore community, include an oreodont Merycochoerus matthewi, small camel-like protoceratid artiodactyl Paratoceras wardi, two horses Anchitherium clarencei and Archaeohippus sp., and two rhinos Menoceras barbouri and Floridaceras whitei. Bulk and serial carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of the tooth enamel carbonate allow reconstruction of the ancient climate and ecology of these fossil mammals. Ancient Panama had an equable climate with seasonal temperature and rainfall fluctuations less than those seen today. The middle Miocene terrestrial community consisted predominantly, or exclusively, of C3 plants, i.e., there is no evidence for C4 grasses. Statistically different mean carbon isotope values for the mammalian herbivores indicate niche partitioning of the C3 plant food resources. The range of individual carbon isotope analyses, i.e., delta13C from -15.9 to -10.1 per thousand, indicates herbivores feeding on diverse plants from different habitats with extrapolated delta13C values of -29.9 to -24.2 per thousand, possibly ranging from dense forest to more open country woodland. The ecological niches of individual mammalian herbivore species were differentiated either by diet or body size.

Animals↗

Evidence of the subcommissural organ in humans and its association with hydrocephalus.

A group of structures in the human central nervous system (CNS) represents a noteworthy dilemma for the neuroscientist, particularly to the neuroanatomist. In this paper an attempt is made by extensive review of the literature to give an account of the significance of the subcommissural organ (SCO) in humans and its possible relationship with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) disorders. The subcommissural organ is a gland located in the diencephalic plate caudal to the pineal organ that covers the anterior part of the posterior commissure. Histologically, it is a highly differentiated ependyma. After birth, the SCO undergoes regressive changes, and in the adult human only remnants of the specialized SCO cells can be found. The Reissner's fiber (RF) may be regarded as a pure secretory product of the SCO. Only a few vertebrate species have been reported to lack an RF, namely the bat, camel, chimpanzee, and man. Nonetheless, a successful immunoreaction against a proteinaceous compound of the fetal human SCO has been performed. Recently, new interest was elicited regarding SCO and its possible implication in the pathogenesis of hydrocephalus. The objective of this review is to bring into consideration the relevance of the SCO to the neurosurgical scenario.

Humans↗

Rickettsial agents in Egyptian ticks collected from domestic animals.

To assess the presence of rickettsial pathogens in ticks from Egypt, we collected ticks from domestic and peridomestic animals between June 2002 and July 2003. DNA extracts from 1019 ticks were tested, using PCR and sequencing, for Anaplasma spp., Bartonella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Ehrlichia spp., and Rickettsia spp. Ticks included: 29 Argas persicus, 10 Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, 55 Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, 174 Hyalomma dromedarii, 2 Hyalomma impeltatum, 3 Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, 55 unidentified nymphal Hyalomma, 625 Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, 49 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 17 Rhipicephalus turanicus. Ticks were collected predominantly (>80%) from buffalo, cattle, and camels, with smaller numbers from chicken and rabbit sheds, sheep, foxes, a domestic dog, a hedgehog, and a black rat. We detected Anaplasma marginale, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia aeschlimannii, and four novel genotypes similar to: "Anaplasma platys," Ehrlichia canis, Ehrlichia spp. reported from Asian ticks, and a Rickettsiales endosymbiont of Ixodes ricinus.

Animals↗

A simple and rapid method to initiate Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. brucei evansi bloodstream form cultures.

Initiation of cultures of bloodstream forms of trypanosomes from the Trypanozoon subgenus is an established laboratory procedure. The trypanosomes are usually separated from the blood cells of the donor animal by centrifugation on a density gradient (Hirumi et al., 1977) or by differential centrifugation (Hill et al., 1978; Brun et al., 1981; Zweygarth et al., 1982; Baltz et al., 1985). Isolation on an anion exchange column (Lanham and Godfrey, 1970) has been little used for this purpose. We describe a simple and rapid method for the initiation of trypanosome bloodstream form cultures from infected host blood, avoiding centrifugation and anion exchange column procedures. Two T.b. brucei stocks, CP 271 and CP 547, and two T.b. evansi stocks, CP 1134 and CP 2087, were used. Stock CP 271 was isolated in 1980 from a goat in Matuga/Kenya, stock CP 547 was isolated in 1985 from a naturally infected bovine in Jilib/Somalia. The two T.b. evansi stocks were both isolated from camels, stock CP 1134 in 1979 in Kulal/Kenya, stock CP 2087 in 1980 in the Sudan.

Animals↗

The erythrocyte membrane site for the effect of temperature on osmotic fragility.

The osmotic fragility of human erythrocytes is well known to decrease as the temperature is elevated. The cellular site for the temperature effect was studied by assessing possible roles of hemoglobin and of membrane lipids and by taking advantage of the unique response of camel erythrocytes to temperature. It is concluded that the erythrocyte membrane is the site for the temperature effect on osmotic fragility. The human erythrocyte is likely to rupture in protein--lipid boundary regions in the membrane, from which cholesterol is apparently excluded.

Animals↗

Analysis of the camelpox virus thymidine kinase gene.

The thymidine kinase (TK) gene from camelpox virus has been cloned using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The oligonucleotides used in the PCR amplification were based on residues conserved amongst the orthopoxviruses on the 5' and 3' sides of the TK gene. The oligonucleotides were also designed to contain HindIII cleavage sites to facilitate subsequent cloning. A fragment of approximately 700 base pairs was amplified from camelpox virus infected tissue culture cells. This fragment was then cleaved with HindIII and cloned into the M13mp19 sequencing vector which had also been cut with HindIII. The nucleotide sequence of the TK gene was then determined and compared to other poxvirus TK sequences. The possibilities of producing TK- camelpox virus vaccines and of using camelpox virus as a vaccine vector for the expression of genes from other camel pathogens are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

'Camelising' human antibody fragments: NMR studies on VH domains.

A human heavy chain variable domain (VH) was expressed in bacteria for structural analysis by NMR spectroscopy. NMR analysis was initially impossible due to the short transverse proton relaxation time of the VH, probably caused by aggregation through the exposed interface naturally in contact with the light chain. The relaxation time was improved to normal values when this interface was mutated to mimic heavy chains of camel antibodies naturally devoid of light chains and through the use of the detergent CHAPS. Assignment of NMR signals will now be possible after isotopic labeling. Implications for the design of VH domains as minimum size immunoreagents are outlined.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Morphology of Blastocystis sp. isolated from circus animals.

Blastocystis sp. is reported for the first time from faecal samples collected from a camel, a llama, a highland bull and a lion in a travelling circus. Fresh faecal specimens were examined by light and electron microscopy, and vacuolar and cyst forms of similar morphology were present in all three ungulates. These cells were smaller than cultured vacuolar cells of Blastocystis hominis isolated from humans and contained only a single vacuole in comparison to the multivacuolar cell found in fresh human faeces. The taxonomic relationship of Blastocystis isolated from humans and ungulates remains to be determined. The number of parasites present in the lion sample was too small to make valid comparisons.

Animals↗

Influence of some factors on the fit of cemented crowns.

In the study, cast gold crowns were cemented similar to methods used for patients. Conclusions were that: 1. Fresh cement painted with a camel brush in the part of the crown to be cemented promotes a better fit than when the crown is completely filled with cement. 2. Mechanical vibration of the crown at cementation promotes a better fit. 3. Venting the crown, an internal relief by acid etching, or a combination of both these procedures improve the seating of the crown during cementation. 4. The association of one or numerous variables used in this study considerably improves the fit of the cemented crown.

Acid Etching, Dental↗

Diterpene glycosides from Iphiona aucheri.

Iphiona aucheri is responsible for poisoning racing camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates U. A. E. Terpenoids, a non-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloid and two diterpene glycosides, atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside, were isolated and their structures determined by spectroscopic methods. Atractyloside and carboxyatractyloside were identified as the toxic principle of the plant.

Animals↗

Dead space and tidal volume of the giraffe compared with some other mammals.

The ventilation, tidal volume and anatomical dead-space were measured in a living giraffe and compared with similar measurements in a camel, red deer, llama and man. The giraffe had a resting tidal volume of about 3.3 litres with a dead-space/tidal-volume ratio of 0.34. The giraffe breathes slowly, apparently because of the unusually small diameter of its trachea relative to its length, compared with known measurement in other mammals.

Animals↗

Micro-counterimmunoelectrophoresis: a rapid screening technique for trypanosomiasis.

A rapid and economical micro-counterimmunoelectrophoresis (MCIE) test, for antibody to trypanosome antigens, has been developed which may prove useful in trypanosomiasis surveillance. MCIE was more sensitive and more rapid than immunodiffusion (ID). Serum samples from trypanosome-infected rabbits and cattle (Nigerian and Gambian), from Kuwaiti dogs and camels, from Ivory Coast sleeping sickness patients, from Brazilian patients with Chagas's disease, plus mouse-anti-malaria sera have been tested by MCIE with Trypanosoma brucei, T. vivax, T. congolense and T. cruzi antigens. A few of the rabbit and the mice sera were also tested against Trichomonas vaginalis, Entamoeba histolytica, Plasmodium berghei or P. chabaudi antigens. Whenever possible the MCIE results were compared with parasitological or other serological tests (ID; indirect fluorescent antibody test, IFAT; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, ELISA; complement fixation test, CFT or indirect haemagglutination test, IHAT). The MCIE test was not species specific but the homologous species reactions were more often positive than heterologous ones. Homologous species reactions, with rabbit sera, detected antibodies as early as 10 days after infection and developed more precipitin lines as the infection progressed. Trypanosomal antigens and antisera cross-reacted with those of other protozoa (E. histolytica, Tr. vaginalis, P. chabaudi, P. berghei, and Babesia sp. and Leishmania sp.) but such reactions required an antigen concentration 4 to 16 times greater than that required for homologous trypanosome reactions (a factor which might be exploited for identification of different species of trypanosome).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Hydatid disease: research and control in Turkana, Kenya. 1. Epidemiological observations.

A brief account is given of the geographical features of the Turkana area and of the events which led to the discovery that this part of Kenya had the highest incidence of clinically recognized hydatid disease in man anywhere in the world. Observations were made on the distribution of the disease following an aerial survey designed to determine the distribution of the people. It was found that the highest incidence of 198 surgical cases per 100,000 people per annum was in the north-western area bordering on the Sudan, Ethiopia and Uganda and this area was selected for the pilot control programme. By the development and assessment of better serodiagnostic methods combined with the use of a mobile ultrasound machine it has been shown that the true prevalence of hydatid disease in Turkana is between 5 and 10%. Studies on the parasite and its transmission have revealed that the species in Turkana is Echinococcus granulosus and that dogs and jackals are the main definitive hosts. Although goats, sheep, cattle and camels are all infected with hydatid cysts, dogs and jackals are also thought to be infected by scavenging on human corpses. In contrast to Masailand where wild carnivores and wild herbivores are infected, there is no wild life cycle in Turkana. The unusually high prevalence in man is thought to be due to the close intimacy of the Turkana with their dogs and to customs relating to the handling of dog faeces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Risk factors in transmission of brucellosis from animals to humans in Saudi Arabia.

A case-control study was undertaken to determine for the first time the specific aetiology of animal to human transmission of brucellosis in Saudi Arabia. Cases consisted of all patients with brucellosis attending the primary care clinic of the Riyadh Al-Kharj Hospital programme in central Saudi Arabia. A sample of individually matched controls was selected concurrently from patients attending the same clinic for unrelated problems. Cases and controls responded to a 48 item questionnaire on exposure to established risk factors for brucellosis. Greatest risk was found to be associated with indirect contact with animals (the consumption of unpasteurized dairy products), as opposed to direct contact with animals. When specific animal products were considered, greatest risk was associated with the consumption of milk and laban (buttermilk), as opposed to cheese or uncooked liver. When specific animal species were considered, greatest risk was associated with products derived from sheep and goats as opposed to camels and cattle. When direct contact with animals was considered, the study found a very high risk associated with assisting in animal parturition, but no significant risk associated with other direct (unspecified) animal contact.

Animals↗