Mahmoud Abdelhamid

Background: Limited research was conducted on coccidiosis in slaughtered camels in Aswan, Egypt. Accurate screening for camel coccidiosis is critical for an efficient strategic control process. Objective: To determine the infection rate and histopathological alterations of naturally occurring coccidiosis in slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Material and Methods: A total of 118 slaughtered camels were included in the study. Specimens from the small intestines were stained with H&E for histopathological examination. Results: The infection rate of coccidiosis in slaughtered camels was 27.1%. Coccidiosis was more evident in female and adult camels (41.7%, and 42.2%, respectively). Histopathological examination revealed the existence of several stages of Eimeria spp. associated with enteritis and accompanied by hyperplasia of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Conclusion: Our results confirmed the high infection rate of coccidiosis in slaughtered camels in Aswan. Several developmental phases of coccidia were detected alongside histopathological lesions within the intestinal tissue.

Sheep and goats are significant livestock in Egypt economy; however, there is still a lack of published data investigating piroplasm infections, particularly in goats. Blood samples were collected from 182 apparently healthy goats from herds in Aswan (n = 100) and Assiut (n = 82) governorates in Upper Egypt. Microscopic examination of thin blood smears stained with Giemsa revealed 33 positives for piroplasm infection (18.13%). The logistic regression analysis revealed that the location, Assiut compared to Aswan governorate (P ≤ 0.001), was the significant risk factor for infection. Additionally, tick infestations were also identified as a risk factor for infection (p < 0.05) according to the multivariate logistic regression model. Twenty microscopic positive samples were shown to be positive for T. ovis using 18S rRNA-PCR assay, but none of them tested positive for B. ovis and T. lestoquardi. Nucleotide sequencing of five isolates out of the twenty confirmed T. ovis infection. Currently, there is no available information on the level of genetic diversity among T. ovis populations, and all isolates have been sequenced using the 18S rRNA gene. A total of 445 GenBank published T. ovis 18S rRNA nucleotide sequences were collected including this study isolate and subjected to various genetic analyses. The isolates were clustered into 37 haplotypes with low haplotype and nucleotide diversity, and high sequence conservation. A major haplotype was identified, and dominated across all sampled hosts and countries. Additionally, comparisons of T. ovis populations across different hosts and geographical regions showed limited genetic differentiation and strong gene flow. This data suggests that the analysed region of the 18S rRNA gene is highly conserved. Identification and sequence analysis of polymorphic markers could be useful for understanding the infection dynamics and evolutionary relationships among Theileria spp. infecting small ruminants.

Background: Fascioliasis represents one of the most significant parasitic and foodborne zoonotic diseases in the world. Resistance to currently deployed human and veterinary flukicides is a growing health problem. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO‐NPs) have developed enormous importance in nanomedicine. The current study aims to evaluate the flukicide activity of ZnO‐NPs on the adult stages of Fasciola hepatica, in vitro assay.Methods: Mature flukes of F. hepatica were collected from the biliary tracts of cattle liver from the main slaughterhouses in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. The co‐precipitation process was utilized to create ZnO‐NPs. The adult active flukes of F. hepatica (n = 6) were transferred in Petri dishes (triplicates) containing different concentrations of ZnO‐NPs (0.05, 0.10 and 0.12 mg/mL), with simultaneous maintenance of control in only PBS. The treated and control groups of flukes were maintained inside an incubator at 37°C ± 1°C. Mortality and paralysis of the flukes were observed. The adult flukes were picked up for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination from the control medium, and those exposed to the highest effective concentration of ZnO‐NPs. ZnO‐NPs showed dose‐dependent flukicide efficacy against the adult flukes.Results: At 0.12 mg/mL concentration of ZnO‐NPs, the mortality of flukes was attained early in 4.05 ± 0.033 h. The photomicrographs obtained by SEM of the flukes revealed that ZnO‐NPs (0.12 mg/mL) had a potent effect on the integument surface and genital system of F. hepatica. Most of the tegument was damaged with complete erosion and loss of the spines and papillae. Furthermore, a severe rupture in the genital system causes the uterus to burst and releases eggs through the genital pore.Conclusions: Hence, it could be concluded that ZnO‐NPs performed effective anthelmintic activity against the adult stages of F. hepatica, in vitro. The results of the present study recommend the use of ZnO‐NPs as new preparations with anthelmintic activity.

Background: Clupea harengus, Linnaeus, 1758 is a nutritious pelagic fatty herring, rich in omega-3 fattyacids. Its consumption is associated with human anisakiasis as an intermediate host of Anisakis spp.Objective: To identify the anisakid larval detection rate in smoked C. harengus in Assiut Governorate,Egypt and characterize the morphological and molecular features of Anisakis spp. 3rd stage larvae.Material and Methods: The collected anisakid larvae from marketed herring were examined by light andscanning electron microscope (SEM). Characterization of anisakid larvae was performed by PCR as well assequencing analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of ribosomal DNA (rDNA).Results: The detection rate of Anisakis spp. 3rd stage larvae among the smoked herring was 72% withlarval load varying from 2-63 larvae per fish. Macroscopically, they appeared as coiled spiral buttons,yoyo-like, tangled, and free shapes. Larvae were found on the surface of fish gonads, livers, intestinaltracts, mesenteries, and abdominal cavities. The larval body was covered with a cuticular layer and had amarked boring tooth, and mucron. The molecular and phylogenetic analysis, using ITS gene, identified thecollected larvae as A. simplex and was registered in the GenBank under the accession number OR660093.1.Conclusion: Detection of Anisakis 3rd stage larvae was marked in smoked herring sold in Assiut Governorate,Egypt. Further studies are recommended to investigate the endemicity of Anisakis larvae in imported fish.

Chronic helminth infections (CHIs) can induce immunological tolerance through the upregulation of regulatory T cells. In coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), abnormal adaptive immune response and exaggerated immune response may cause immune-mediated tissue damage. Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and CHIs establish complicated immune interactions due to SARS-CoV-2-induced immunological stimulation and CHIs-induced immunological tolerance. However, COVID-19 severity in patients with CHIs is mild, as immune-suppressive anti-inflammatory cytokines counterbalance the risk of cytokine storm. Since CHIs have immunomodulatory effects, therefore, this narrative review aimed to clarify how CHIs modulate the immunoinflammatory response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. CHIs, through helminth-derived molecules, may suppress SARS-CoV-2 entry and associated hyperinflammation through attenuation of the inflammatory signaling pathway. In addition, CHIs may reduce the COVID-19 severity by reducing the SARS-CoV-2 entry points in the initial phase and immunomodulation in the late phase of the disease by suppressing the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, CHIs may reduce the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing hyperinflammation and exaggerated immune response. Thus, retrospective and prospective studies are recommended in this regard.

Background: Sarcocystis spp. are one of the most common food-borne tissue cyst-forming coccidia with public health and veterinary concern. Objective: The presented study aimed to assess the epidemiological profile of Sarcocystis spp. infection in goats slaughtered for human consumption in Aswan, Egypt. Material and Methods: A total of 180 goats were included in the study. Specimens from the cardiac and skeletal muscles collected from slaughtered goats, were subjected to histological examination of sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Results: The results showed that 35 % of goats contained tissue cysts histologically compatible with Sarcocystis spp. Microscopic sarcocysts were more prevalent in female goats (43.3%) than in males (30.8%). The detection rate of Sarcocystis spp. was 47.3% and 21.8% in adult and young, respectively. The results demonstrated that the most affected muscles with Sarcocystis spp. were the cardiac (8.3%), and skeletal (26.7%) ones. Conclusion: The obtained results confirmed the high detection rate and tissue distribution pattern of sarcocystosis in the examined goats. Therefore, efficient cooking of goat meat is highly recommended before serving for human consumption.

Background: Buxtonellosis is a disease caused by the ciliated protozoan Buxtonella sulcata. Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the seasonal and age dynamics of the prevalence and intensity of buxtonellosis in cattle in Kaluga region of central Russia. Material and Methods: A total of 476 fecal samples were collected from cattle of different age groups. Data for various seasons, obtained from different regions, varied within the temperature range from 20±5ºС in summer to -12±5ºС in winter. Buxtonella cysts were isolated by sedimentation technique and counted by the McMaster method. Results: The highest prevalence rate of cattle buxtonellosis was observed in winter and the infection rate decreased in the warm season. Infection up to 545 cysts/g stools was recorded in a group of young animals up to one year old, coinciding with a peak of prevalence rate up to 95% in autumn. Conclusion: The results showed seasonal and age dynamics of cattle buxtonellosis in Kaluga region in the Russian Federation. The highest prevalence rate was observed in adult calves during winter. This finding contributes to the existing knowledge about the etiopathogenesis of cattle buxtonellosis in this area.

It is clear that the chemical structure of a drug and its process, which are the determinants of the degree of activity an anthelmintic have on the organs and tissues of trematodes, as well as their hosts. This study demonstrates changes in the microstructure of the small intestine of sheep with impulsive Paramphistomiasis after treatment with Antitrem. Seven days after giving “Antitrem (contain oxyclosanide and pyrantela pamoate, OLKAR Release, Russia)” at a dose of 200 mg/kg once perorally, fixed in 70% alcohol and administered according to generally accepted histological methods, the small intestine of the sheep which it was administered to was impulsively attacked by Paramphistomum cervi. Partial atrophy of intestinal mucosa, common dystrophic changes in the epithelium, and destruction of individual goblet cells represented the microstructural changes in the small intestine of infected sheep with Paramphistomum cervi after treatment with Antitrem. Microstructural changes in the small intestine of the sheep are composed of proliferative procedures, a reduction in the content of carbohydrate compounds, and a change in the protein component in the tissues of the organ and stagnation of the secretory product in the cells.