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A total of 60 patients with schistosomiasis (40), fascialiosis (15) and heterophyiasis (5) were selected Beni-Sweif and Mansoura Districts and subjected to history taking, clinical examination, Kato thick smear, sedimentation and hatching test (for schistosomiasis cases) at the beginning of the study, 2 & 3 months after treatment with Oleo-resin of Myrrh (Mirazid) in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day for 6 consecutive days an hour before breakfast. The results showed a significant improvement in symptoms with minimal negligible or no side effects. The cure rates, 2 & 3 months after treatment were 80.7%% & 11.8%% for schistosomiasis, 93.3% & 6.6% for fascioliasis, and 100% for heterophyiasis. The clinical picture of schistosomiasis before treatments were easy fatigability, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastria pain, abdominal distention, right upper guardant pain, colicky abdominal pain, left upper and/or lower guardant pain, abdominal rumbling, dysentery, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, constipation, and alternating bowel habit. Those of fascioliasis were abdominal distention, dripping of saliva, right upper guardant, colicky abdominal pain, weight loss, easy fatigability, intermittent jaundice, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, epigastria, left upper and/or lower quadrant pain, right layer quadrant pain, loin pain, abdominal rumbling, diarrhea, constipation, and alternating bowel habit. The safety and efficacy of C. molmol extract in treating heterophyiasis (100%), fascioliasis (100%) and schistosomiasis (92.5%) were documented.

The anthelmintic activity of the ethanolic extracts of stems and leaves of Meryta denhamii Seem. against adult liver flukes "Fasciola gigantica" was studied in vitro. Although leaves extract was inactive, stems extract exhibited anthelmintic activity and recorded LC50 and LC90 values, 16 and 26 gm/l respectively. The mode of action of the ethanolic extract of the stems on the adult flukes was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Tegumental sloughing, loss of spines and deformity of suckers were observed. These damages are responsible for the vermicidal effect of the ethanolic extract of the stems. The saponin contents of the stems (4.25%) and leaves (2.45%) were determined using haemolytic index. The plant was identified based on the macro and micromorphological features of the stem and leaf.

Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is an efficient fasciolicide that affects both juvenile and adult worms. After oral administration it is rapidly metabolized to TCBZ sulphoxide and sulphone that were found responsible for its fasciolicidal activity. Parasite defense mechanisms include detoxifying and anti-oxidant enzymes that would suppress its oxidative killing. The present work aimed at evaluating these enzymes under TCBZ-SX. Thirty juvenile and 30 adult F. gigantica worms collected from the liver parenchyma and bile ducts formed the subject of the study. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione (GSH) were measured in juvenile and adult worms incubated, without and with 15 and 50 microg/ml TCBZ-SX for 18 hours at 37 degrees C. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in SOD activity and an increase in GST level in both juvenile and adult worms after incubation in the two concentrations. The remaining enzymes and GSH revealed variable levels.

The efficacy of treating encysted metacercariae (EMC) of Fasciola gigantica with different concentrations (conc.) of acetic acid, citric acid, cetrimide, potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide, for 15 & 30 minutes was evaluated. The efficacy of these chemicals on the vitality and infectivity of the EMC was evaluated by the development of fascioliasis infection, and the histopathological changes in the livers of experimentally infected Albino rabbits. The results showed that 1% sodium hydroxide had a lethal effect on EMC, 10% to 40% potassium permanganate destroyed the infectivity power of EMC, and acetic acid gave an adverse effect on the EMC in conc. more than 2.5%. But, neither citric acid nor cetrimide affected the vitality or infectivity of EMC and all rabbits acquired fascioliasis.

This study evaluated the effect of temperature, molluscicides (Copper sulphate and Niclosamide), fertilizers (Superphosphate and Ammonium sulphate) on the hatchability of Fasciola gigantica eggs. The results showed that hatchability decreased to 4% when eggs were incubated in bile secretion at 37 degrees C for 5 days and to 1.4% for 10 days, but few eggs incubated in water at 37 degrees C hatched. Bile secretion at 37 degrees C was a poor medium for in-vitro egg preservation. But, hatching occurred only when eggs were transferred to water at 26 degrees C. Temperature fluctuation from 26-4 degrees C or from 32-4 degrees C had an inhibitory effect on embryos development (35.2% & 32.3%, respectively) as compared to controls (60% & 63.9%, respectively). The incubation period (19 & 17 days) was higher than controls (14 & 12 days, respectively). The LC50 & LC90 of Copper sulphate and Niclosamide against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Lymnaea natalenesis had no toxic effect on Fasciola eggs. The higher concentrations of Copper sulphate (30 ppm) and Niclosamide (1 ppm) slightly lower eggs hatchability rate than controls. The rate decreased by increasing the exposure time from 3 to 6 hours with both molluscicides. Ammonium sulphate had a lethal effect on eggs, but Superphosphate had some inhibitory effect on egg development, which increased by increasing Superphosphate concentration or with the prolongation of the exposure time.

Batches of encysted metacercariae of F. gigantica, adhered to transparent polyethylene sheets, were treated with KMnO4, while others were treated with NaDCC at specific concentrations and exposure times. Assessment of the effects was carried out by the detached percentage and viable metacercariae and by scanning electron microscope (SEM) ultrastructure changes. In addition, their effects on leaves of green vegetables were reported. The results showed that all metacercariae were detached and were dead by exposure to KMnO4 (96%) and NaDCC (100%) were detached from the polyethylene sheets. SEM showed that the deformities in the metacercariae soaked in NaDCC were more severe than those dipped in KMnO4. However, neither KMnO4 nor NaDCC affected the consistency, color, taste or flavor of the vegetables' leaves. The two disinfectants particularly NaDCC, proved to be safe, effective against the encysted metacercariae with no side-effects.

Prevention of human fascioliasis could depend on clearing of the leafy salads from the metacercariae. The present work evaluated the role of some chemicals in detaching and killing this infective stage. It was observed that washing in running water for 10 minutes detached only 50% of the metacercariae. Citric acid in the concentration of (10 ml/L) commercial vinegar (120 ml/L), liquid soap (12 ml/L) and KMnO4 (24 mg/L) detached all metacercariae after 10 minutes exposure. The use of vinegar and KMnO4 is recommended: the first is lethal to other parasites in the vegetables, the second destroyed the metacercariae. Vegetable leaves were not softened and remained fresh.

Rabbits were infected with 30 metacercariae each. They were then divided into four batches each of two groups. One batch served as controls and the others were treated each with a drug. The first group from each batch was treated when worms were still immature, the other group was treated after maturity. The effect of the drugs was monitored by: (1) Stool examination for eggs and studying the percent of egg reduction. (2) Worm recovery at autopsy and calculating the percent of the drug efficacy. (3) Culturing some eggs and following their embryonation and hatching. Results pointed out that Triclabendazole was the best fasciolicide followed by Bithionol. Praziquantel had a negligible effect.