Background: Parasitosis are one of the most widespread and destructive infections all over the world, which lead to millions of annual morbidities and mortalities. Delay in diagnosis and treatment may lead to fatality. So, rapid and accurate diagnosis plays a critical role in patient's management.Aim: Evaluation of immunochromatographic test (ICT) combi, for copro-antigen detection of amebiasis, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis compared with microscopy and ELISA.Methodology: A total of 95 stool samples. Group 1: Included 70 stool samples from symptomatic children complaining of gastrointestinal symptoms suggestive of intestinal amebiasis, giardiasis, and cryptosporidiosis. Group 2: Included 25 stool samples from healthy asymptomatic children. Samples examined by direct wet saline smear or stained with iodine, formol-ether sed. concentration technique, staining with modified Ziehl-Neelsen and antigen detection using ICT and ELISA. Microscopic examination was taken as standard reference and the sensitivity and specificity of the ICT (combi) was measured in comparison with copro-ELLISA.Results: Our study revealed non-significant difference in age, sex, and residence between symptomatic children and controls p>0.5. Of 70 stool specimens, 25 were confirmed as true positives for Entameba histolytica/dispar, 30 for Giardia, and 11 for Cryptosporidium by wet mount microscopy directly or after using formol-ether concentration method and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for the detection of C. parvum. The sensitivities and specificities of ICT (combi) for, Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum were 80.0%, 76.7%, 81.8%, and 88 % , 84%, 96% respectively. The sensitivities and specificities of Techlab copro-ELISA for Entamoeba, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium were 64.3%, 70%, 90.9%, and 100 % , 88%, 92% respectively. Conclusion:ICTs (combi) are simple, fast, highly sensitive and specific can be used for rapid screening and diagnosis of amebiasis, giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis and able to recognize species in different parasite genera as Cryptosporidium, and Entamoeba. Also, differentiate pathogenic E. histolytica from nonpathogenic E. dispar. It can be used in combination with microscopy in symptomatic children having repeated negative results.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a prevailing disease, reported globally in many countries. The classical treatment, although effective, had many disadvantages. Thus, there is a recent interest in nanoparticles [NPs] as a vehicle to increase drug effectiveness and reduce side effects. Aim of the work: The current study was designed to evaluate the in vivo antischistosomal effects of praziquantel-loaded PLGA NPs compared to praziquantel [PZQ] in treatment of experimental murine Schistosomiasis mansoni as regards of worm burden, oogram pattern, tissue egg load, liver enzymes status [AST and ALT], cytokines changes [Interleukin 4(IL-4), Interleukin 10 (IL-10) and Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)], Interleukin 4 [IL-4] and Interleukin 10 IFN-γ], and histopathological studies [granulomas number and diameter]. Materials and Methods: Eighty mice were classified into eight groups [10 mice each]: normal control, S.mansoni infected untreated mice [infected control], infected mice treated with unloaded PLGA NPs on the 14 th day post infection [PI], infected mice treated with unloaded PLGA NPs on the 42 nd day PI, infected mice treated with PZQ on the 14 th day PI, infected mice treated with PZQ on the 42 nd day PI, infected mice treated with PZQ-loaded PLGA NPs on the 14 th day PI and infected mice treated with PZQ-loaded PLGA NPs on the 42 nd day PI. All mice were sacrificed ten weeks PI. Results: Treated group with PZQ alone on the 42 nd day PI showed a significant reduction in total worm burden, reduction in tissue egg count, increase in serum IL-10 level, decrease in serum AST, ALT, IL-4 and IFN-γ levels and reduction in mean hepatic granulomas diameter and number when compared to infected control group. These results were improved when PZQ loaded on PLGA NPs was gevin on the 42 nd day PI showed by no detection of immature ova, a highly significant reduction in the total worm burden in comparison to infected control group. The reduction in mean hepatic granulomas diameter and number and tissue egg count in late PZQ-loaded PLGA NPs group was higher than late PZQ group. While the treated groups with PZQ alone, or loaded on PLGA NPs on the 14 th day PI and group treated with unloaded PLGA NPs on the 14 th day PI showed non-significant difference regarding total worm burden, tissue egg count, mean hepatic granulomas diameter and number and serum levels of ALT, AST, IL-4, and IL-10 compared to infected control group. Conclusion: PLGA NPs improved the anti-schistosomal effects of PZQ regarding all assessed parameters, especially a highly significant reduction in mean hepatic granulomas diameter and number by its actions through upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines.

Background: Schistosoma mansoni liver fibrosis is a complicated multicellular process involving numerous cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors. TGF-b1 and IL-13 have been identified as critical pro-fibrotic mediators in many studies. IL-17A was linked to enhanced TGF-b1 and IL-13-induced pathologies.  Objective: This case-control study aimed to explore the effect of IL-17A on TGF-b1 and IL-13-induced liver fibrosis during experimentally schistosomiasis mansoni infection. Material and Methods: A total of forty laboratory-bred female C57BL/6 mice were divided into four equal groups, G1 non-infected, G2 infected wild type (WT), G3 infected/anti-IL-17 mAb and G4 treated mice. Mice were infected percutaneously with 40±5 cercariae per mouse. Neutralizing IL-17 mAb was administered to G3 intraperitoneally 3 weeks after infection and then every third day until 2 days before sacrification; mice of G4 were treated with a single dose of praziquantel. Serum levels of TGF-b1, IL-13, IL-17A and proinflammatory cytokines were measured by ELISA. Liver granulomas were identified by hematoxylin-eosin stain and measured by an ocular micrometer. Results: There was a significantly increased serum concentration of TGF-b1, IL-13, and IL-17A in infected WT mice, but praziquantel treatment reduced cytokine levels.

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