A gill-associated Perkinsus sp. isolated from the softshell clam [Mya arenaria) is described as a new species, P. chesapeaki sp. nov. Examination of the parasite in seawater cultures revealed life cycle stages and zoosporulation processes similar to those described for other species of the genus Perkinsus. Prezoosporangia developed thickened cell walls upon contraction of the cytoplasm and development of a distinctive clear area between the cell wall and the protoplast. Successive bipartition of the protoplast led to the formation of hundred's of zoospores within mature sporangia. Zoospores were released into seawater through one or more discharge tubes. Ultrastructural studies revealed an oblong zoospore possessing two flagella that arose from a concave side located in the upper third of the zoospore body. The anterior flagellum possessed a unilateral array of hair-like structures. A large anterior vacuole and basolateral nucleus dominated the cytoplasm of the zoospore body. The presence of a rudimentary apical complex including on open-sided conoid, rhoptries, micronemes, and subpellicular microtubules were also discerned. Differences in zoospore morphology, and sequence analyses of two genes previously reported, support the designation of the gillassociated Perkinsus from the softshell clam as a new species. KEYWORDS :

The present study aimed to isolate and identify of Aphanomyces invadans from naturally infected African Catfish" Clarias gariepinus". A total number of 105 cultured Clarias gariepinus collected from private fish farms in Kafr Al-Sheikh & Behera Governorates. Result revealed that the prevalence of infection among the examined fish was 8.6 % and the disease mostly recorded during winter and spring. The infected fish developed characteristic ulcerative lesions and fin rot. Fungus-like oomycetes Aphanomyces invadans grow on glucose peptone yeast (GPY) agar as opaque colonies with uneven white transparent velvets surface at room temperature. Microscopically, lactophenol cotton blue stained fungal growth appeared as non-septated thin long branched hyphae with tapered end containing cytoplasmic organelles. On sporulating media, the rectangular shaped spores appeared inside the hyphae connected together by thin filament. In conclusions, EUS is an invasive disease of Clarias gariepinus and care should be taken with low temperature in managing fish pond.

Background: Children with congenital heart disease (CHD) have been reported to show significant growth retardation both prenataly and postnatally. Cyanotic CHDs in children commonly cause more pronounced growth retardation in comparison with acyanotic CHDs. Chronic hypoxemia has been suggested as the cause of poor growth in these patients. Interruption of GH / IGF-1 axis decreased appetite due to hypoxemia leading to insufficient food intake and increased energy consumption may be a cause of the increased growth failure in patients with cyanotic CHDs. The relationship between cyanotic CHDs, malnutrition and growth retardation is well documented. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of cyanosis and chronic hypoxia on plasma level of insulin-like growth factor-1 and to examine the prevalence of elevated TSH in the patients with cyanotic congenital heart diseases. Methods: This study had two groups; Cases group: included 30 patients with cyanotic CHD, who admitted to the Pediatric Cardiology Outpatient Clinic of benha university hospital, Another 35 patients, who admitted to the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic with several complaints, including headache or abdominal discomfort or for scheduled vaccination visits were included in the control group. Results: The mean age in the studied cases was 24.1±13.8 months, ranged from 3-60 months, and consists of 18 males and 12 females, the mean age in the control group was 21.8±12.6 months, ranged from 3-60 months, and consists of 18 males and 17 females. There was no statistical difference between cases and control groups regarding age, or sex. The most frequent diagnosis in our study, was TOF (46.7%), then TGA (40%), All the studied cases had history of previous hospital admission, and 40% of cases had history of previous PICU admission.There was statistical significant difference between studied groups regarding anthropometric measures, as weight, height and BMI centiles were statistically lower in cases group, while there was no significant difference between groups regarding head circumference. There was Hb and WBCs were statistically higher in cases group, while platelets were statistically lower in cases group, compared to control group (p<0.001). Serum urea and creatinine were significantly higher in cases group compared to control group (p<0.001, and p=0.42, respectively). While there was no significant difference between groups regarding random blood sugar, serum Ca , serum K, serum Na and serum phosphorus. Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF-1) was statistically higher in cases group (60.4±24.3 ng/mL), compared to control group (141.2±45.6 ng/mL), p<0.001.There was no significant difference between groups regarding thyroid function tests. Seven children (23.3%) in cases group had subclinical hypothyroidism, while 4 children (11.4%) of control group had subclinical hypothyroidism, but no significant difference were found.There was a significant difference between IGF-1 regarding sex as it was significantly lower in males (48±12.95 ng/mL) compared to females ...