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Levamisole is an anthelmintic drug that acts by activating nicotinic acetylcholine receptors at the nematode neuromuscular junction and causing paralysis. We measured the in vitro effects of levamisole on the motility of Brugia malayi microfilariae; after 2 h incubation the apparent IC50 was 2.68 mM. Lower drug concentrations, such as 1 mM, caused an immediate total paralysis that lasted for up to 1 h, but was completely reversed by 2 h of incubation. The 'recovered' parasites were still completely susceptible to application of a second nicotinic agonist, pyrantel.

In the twenty-first century, the occurrence of allergic diseases has increased. Prevention and control of house dust mites (HDMs) are required as they play a major role in allergic conditions. The present work aimed to detect HDM allergy ( and ) among allergic patients attending the Allergy and Immunology Unit, Zagazig University. Ninety-six patients with a history of allergic diseases were included in this study. They were examined for allergy to and using different diagnostic tools: the skin prick test (SPT) and measurement of specific IgE antibodies to HDM allergen extracts. Ninety-six allergic patients were recruited in this study [60 females (62.5%) and 36 males (37.5%) aged between 5-60 years]. SPT (81.2 and 79.2%) and IgE (70.9 and 75%) gave positive results for both and , respectively. The common risk factors were use of cotton bedding> 10 years old, older homes > 20 years, crowded homes, family history, home dampness and homes at the ground floor. It was concluded that allergies to contribute to allergic diseases in Zagazig City. Use of the SPT and IgE level is a promising diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of and .

No abstract

Background: Amoebiasis is a parasitic disease caused by the intestinal protozoon Entamoeba histolytica. Microscopic examination fails to differentiate E. histolytica from the morphologically identical nonpathogenic Entamoeba dispar. To avoid unnecessary treatment of individuals infected with nonpathogenic E. dispar, it is essential to differentially diagnose infections caused by pathogenic from nonpathogenic Entamoeba spp. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of nested multiplex PCR (NM PCR) technique as a diagnostic method for differentiating infections caused by E. histolytica and E. dispar. Materials and methods: Stool samples collected from patients with and without symptoms of amoebiasis were screened for E. histolytica/E. dispar trophozoites/cysts by microscopic examination. NM PCR was performed on a total of 52 samples targeting the genus-specific 16S-like ribosomal RNA gene for simultaneous, differential detection of E. histolytica and E. dispar. Results: NM PCR detected E. histolytica at 439 bp and E. dispar at 174 bp, and it was positive in 31 out of 32 cases with a sensitivity of 96.85%. From those, 17 (32.7%) samples were positive for E. histolytica, 12 (23.1%) for E. dispar, and three (5.7%) for both species. In addition, NM PCR diagnosed E. dispar in one of the negative controls with a specificity of 95%. Conclusions: NM PCR is useful for the specific detection of E. histolytica and E. dispar in stool samples. Additional methods for species differentiation have been used to avoid unnecessary treatment of individuals infected with the nonpathogenic species [12]. PCR demonstrated excellent sensitivity and specificity