T HE EFFICIENCY of the excited-state interaction between Eu 3+ doped in sol-gel matrix and the industrial product ciprofloxacin of (CFX) has been studied in different solvents and pHs. A high luminescence intensity peak at 617 nm of europium-ciprofloxacin complex at λ ex =365 nm in acetonitrile was obtained. The photophysical properties of the red emissive Eu 3+ complex doped in sol-gel matrix have been elucidated, the europium was used as optical sensor for the assessment of ciprofloxacin in the pharmaceutical tablets and serum samples at pH 8.0 and λ ex = 365 nm with a concentration range of 5.0 ×10 −9-1.0 ×10 −6 mol L −1 for ciprofloxacin, correlation coefficient of 0.987 and detection limit of 1.65 ×10 −9 mol L −1 .

In the present study, A cestode parasite was recovered from the intestine of the domestic sheep, Ovis aries (Bovidae) from the main slaughterhouse of Cairo, Egypt during the year of 2015. The parasite was observed attached to the wall of the host intestine by unarmed scolex with suckers only. Five out of 10 gastrointestinal tracts (50%) were found to be infected. Light microscopic examination showed that the adult worm of this species was whitish in color measured 421-492 (470±0.4) cm in length and 4.2-6.99 (5.6±0.7) mm in width. The scolex was with prominent four suckers measured 0.38-0.42mm in diameter. The scolex led into a long neck followed by segments. The mature segment was broader than longer, each proglottid measured 3.23-5.29 (4.6± 0.2) mm in width and 1.0-1.64 (1.4±0.02) mm in width and showed a two set of genital organs. The ovaries and the vitelline glands formed a ring on either side, median to the longitudinal excretory canals, while the testes were distributed throughout the central field or they may be concentrated toward the sides. Each ovary was of ovoid shape, measured about 0.16-0.19 (0.14±0.01) × 0.12-0.15 (0.13±0.02) mm and was located 0.8± 0.1 mm apart from the lateral side. The testes were concentrated on both sides. At the posterior border of each proglottid, a row of interproglotidal glands was arranged around small pits. Gravid segments measured 0.022-0.076 (0.048±0.2) mm in length and 2.10-5.02 (3.05±0.02) mm in width. The present parasite was compared with the previous species of the same host which showed that the parasite isolated is Monezia expansa.

In the present study, the morphology and morphometric characterization of Heterobothrium lineatus, a monogenean gill parasite infecting the gills and wall of the bronchial cavity of the tiger pufferfish Tetraodon lineatus, were described by means of light and scanning electron microscopy for the first time from the River Nile at Qena Governorate, South Valley, Egypt. In wet mount preparation, the adult worms exhibited an elongated body with anterior pointed and posterior broad ends. The adult worm measured 1.15-1.76 mm (1.53 ± 0.2) in length and 0.30-0.42 mm (0.35 ± 0.02) in width. Light and scanning electron microscopic observations showed the presence of two buccal organs situated anteriorly around the mouth opening. The opisthohaptor was subdivided into four pairs of clamps but had no isthmus separating it from the body proper. The present Heterobothrium species differs from all other described species in the genus, by its lower dimensions of the worm measurements and the presence of a copulatory organ armed with 12-15 genital hooks. Furthermore, it is easily distinguished from Heterobothrium tetrodonis and Heterobothrium okamotoi by the absence of a distinct isthmus, and resembles Heterobothrium lamothei described from the gills of Sphoeroides testodineus in Mexico in its general appearance and the presence of rectangular haptor with the fourth pair of clamps smaller than the previous ones.

Species of Astiotrema Looss, 1900 (sensu lato) infect a wide range of fishes, amphibians and reptilians. They also possess a considerably wide spectrum of morphological features. Several species were recognized for variable, confusing, overlapping and unspecialized morphological characters rather than for unique distinguishing features, causing continuing dispute around the validity of several species. Following comprehensive review, a revised restricted concept of Astiotrema is proposed including a morphologically strict definition. Both Tremiorchis Mehra & Negi, 1926 and Astioglossimetra Bilqees, Khatoon & Khan, 2002 are synonymized with Astiotrema (sensu stricto). Several nominal species are synonymized, others are excluded and characters for each recognized species are presented and explained. Only eight species are recognized: Astiotrema cyclemysi Siddiqi, 1965, Astiotrema emydis Ejsmont, 1930, Astiotrema fotedari Dhar, 1977, Astiotrema impletum (Looss, 1899) Looss, 1900, Astiotrema karachiensis (Bilqees, Khatoon & Khan, 2002) n. comb., Astiotrema odhneri Bhalerao, 1936, Astiotrema ranarum (Mehra & Negi, 1926) Fotedar, 1971 and Astiotrema reniferum (Looss, 1898) Looss, 1900. A key to the species of Astiotrema (sensu stricto) is presented, a comprehensive list of all host-locality records is included and host-parasite specificity is elucidated.

Members of the order Trypanorhyncha are cestode parasites that are frequently found infecting the muscles of several marine fish species, affecting fish health and resulting in consumers’ rejection. Seventy–five specimens of marine fish were freshly caught from boat landing sites at the Alexandria coast along the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt, including two Carangids, the greater amberjack Seriola dumerili and the gulley jack Pseudocarans dentex; two Serranids, the Haifa grouper Epinephelus haifensis and the mottled grouper Mycteroperca rubra. Forty-five fish were infected; the infection was recorded as blastocysts embedded in fish flesh. Blastocysts were isolated and ruptured; the generated plerocerci were described morphologically, where, four different species were recovered; Callitetrarhynchus gracilis, Callitetrarhynchus speciosus, Protogrillotia zerbiae, and Grillotia brayi. The taxonomic position of these parasites was justified by multiple-sequence alignment and a phylogenetic tree was constructed following maximum likelihood analysis of the 18s rRNA sequences of the recovered worms. The accession numbers MN625168, MN625169, MN611431and MN611432 were respectively assigned to the recovered parasites. The results obtained from the molecular analyses confirmed the morphological records of the recovered parasites. Since metacestodes are found in the musculature of infected fish specimens, it is necessary to remove these areas in the commercialization of fish.