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Little is known about the risk factors of human brucellosis in Jordan. A case–control study was conducted involving 56 Jordanians who had been treated for brucellosis and at least 3 matched controls for each case (n = 247). Matching was for sex, age, locality (the same village) and socioeconomic standard. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used. In all, 17 risk factors were examined related to: contact with various livestock, milk and milk product consumption, drinking-water treatment and disease awareness. Most variables were associated with brucellosis in the univariate analysis but the final logistic model included only 4: milking sheep and goats (OR 3.5), consumption of raw feta cheese made from sheep and goat milk (OR 2.8) and consumption of cows’ milk (OR 0.4) and boiled feta cheese (OR 0.4). Small ruminant farmers need to be trained in safer milking practices and feta cheese making procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Results differ as to whether Brucella infection during pregnancy increases a woman's risk of miscarriage. We determined the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. among a sample of women with miscarriage and women with no history of miscarriage in Jordan during January-July 2003. Serum samples were collected from 445 women with miscarriage and a similar number of women with no history of miscarriage, matched on age, socioeconomic status and residence. Sera were tested using the Rose Bengal plate test and complement fixation test. The true seroprevalence among women with miscarriage was 1.8% (95% CI: 0.6-3.0), while the true seroprevalence among women with no history of miscarriage was 1.0% (95% CI: 0.08-1.9). There was no significant difference between seroprevalences of Brucella spp. among women with miscarriage and those with no history of miscarriage (P = 0.6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Brucellosis is considered the most important zoonosis in Jordan with high prevalence among man and livestock.Methods: This study was carried out on high risk people in 1992 in order to assess the seroprevalence of brucellosis in northern Jordan. The sera of 1236 individuals (636 at high risk and 600 controls) were evaluated using the Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBPT) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-IgG) tests.Results: A significantly (P < 0.05) higher seroprevalence of brucellosis among high risk people (8.2 percent) compared to the control sample (0.5 percent) was found. The overall seroprevalence was significantly higher among sheep farmers and meat handlers than in other occupations tested. The seroprevalence increased with age and years at work, but was not influenced by sex or locality. The results indicated a higher seroprevalence among veterinarians in northern Jordan, compared to central Jordan but the difference was not significant. Seroprevalence was present only among veterinarians working in clinics especially in the working age group (34-43 years).Conclusion: The results of this study emphasized the importance of contact infections, namely contact with infected animals and their products, as a method of transmission of brucellosis compared to ingestion of contaminated animal products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abuharfeil N (Department of Allied Health Sciences, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid—Jordan) Abo-Shehada M N, EI-Sukhon S N and Atmeh R. Immune status of young adults to mumps virus infection in northern Jordan. 1989, : 690–692. Eight hundred and seventy-five sera, collected randomly from university students aged 18–24 years, were tested for mumps virus antibodies. The prevalence of seropositivity was 85.3% for males and 87.1% for females using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method (ELISA) and 83.4% for males and 77.6% for females using the micro-complement fixation test (CFT). The remaining 14.7%–16.7% of males and 12.9%–22.3% of females, who had non-reactive sera in ELISA and CFT tests respectively indicated the presence of a sizeable population with a high risk of contracting the infection and this recommends the implementation of routine vaccination against mumps in Jordan. The two techniques correlated well, though ELISA exhibited a higher sensitivity than CFT. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We conducted a cross-sectional study from December 2004 to February 2005 and from June 2005 to August 2005. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal and tracheal helminthes among local chickens in northern Jordan. A total of 208 male and female local scavenging chickens were selected randomly. We examined the trachea and gastrointestinal tract of each bird for the presence of helminthes. We recovered three nematode and eight cestode species. No trematodes were found. One hundred and fifty-two birds (73.1%) (95% CI: 67, 79) were infected. The prevalences of different species were as follows: Ascaridia galli female 28%, male 43%; Capillaria obsignata 0.5%; Heterakis gallinarum 33%; Amoebotaenia cuneata 4.3%; Choanotaenia infundibulum female 23%, male 13%; Davainea proglottina 1.4%; Hymenolepsis cantaniana 11%; Hymenolepsis carioca female 35%, male 24%; Raillietina cesticillius female 5%, male 11%; Raillietina echinobothrida 16%; and Raillietina tetragona 18%. The prevalences of A. galli and R. cesticillus were higher in male than female hosts while those of C. infundibulum and H. carioca were higher in females. The median worm burden was 7 (range 0-168) worms per chicken.

One hundred and thirty donkeys (Equus asinus), aged between 5 months and 14 years of age, from the Irbid Governorate in northern Jordan were necropsied between November 1997-May 1999. Of these animals, 16.9% had hydatid cysts in either their lungs and/or livers. No donkeys of 3 years of age or less were infected, where as 33.3% (22 of 66) aged 4 years or greater were infected. Intensity of infection increased with age in a linear fashion. The prevalence also increased with age approaching an asymptotic prevalence of 1 in the oldest animals. This implied there was minimal regulation of the parasite population by intermediate host immunity. The numbers of cysts in the donkeys were increasing at a rate of 0.48 cysts per year from 0.054 infections. The frequency distribution was highly aggregated, consistent with a negative binomial distribution indicating infection of donkeys was not random.

During the years 1990-1991 17 cases of ophthalmomyiasis externa due to the sheep nasal botfly, Oestrus ovis, were reported from the Ajloun area in northern Jordan. Symptoms included mild to severe conjunctivitis, cellulitis, lacrimation and conjunctival hyperaemia. All cases were among males, and they occurred either from April to July or from September to November.

The fecal analysis routine adopted by 21 diagnostic medical laboratories in Jordan was surveyed by the means of a questionnaire filled in by the senior year medical technology students who spent 16 weeks in these laboratories as trainees. The recommended routine fecal analysis was not completed satisfactorily by any of the laboratories surveyed. The wet mount microscopic examination was the sole technical test done for the examination of parasite and ova by the majority of the laboratories, 90% (19 of 21). None of the surveyed laboratories adopted the routine use of a concentration technique. One hundred and eight known positive stool specimens were examined by four qualified medical technologists. The wet mount technique revealed positivity in 53% of specimens only, while the formol-ether sedimentation technique yielded 98-100% positivity. This indicates the value of the formol-ether sedimentation technique over the practiced wet mount technique in the routine fecal analysis.

The prevalence of bacterial and parasitic diarrhoeagenic agents in 200 patients suffering from acute diarrhoea and reporting to hospitals and health centres in northern Jordan, and in controls was determined. One or more bacterial or parasitic enteropathogens was isolated from 79 patients (39.5%). Prevalence rates for these pathogens was as follows: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli, 9%; enteropathogenic E. coli, 9%; Salmonella spp. 7%; Campylobacter spp, 5.5%; Yersinia enterocolitica, 4.5%; Shigella spp, 4%; Aeromonas spp, 3.5%; enterotoxigenic Clostridium perfringens, 2%; Vibrio spp, 2%; and Plesiomonas shigelloides, 0.5%. Both Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histolytica were detected in 2% of the stool samples examined. Although the determination of the aetiologic role of the identified enteropathogens was complicated by more than one factor, the data collected will serve as a baseline for future studies of the subject.

A Western blot method is described utilizing 5-dimethylaminonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl (dansyl chloride)-conjugated antibodies to detect proteins transferred onto nitrocellulose. Four proteins of different molecular weight, including human albumin, gamma heavy chain, kappa and lambda light chains of immunoglobulins, were tested. Labeling with the fluorochrome was compared with the method of enzyme-conjugated antibodies and was found to have similar sensitivity, specificity, and safety. Moreover, this method is less expensive, and the labeled antibodies can be prepared fresh in a short time and are free from the disadvantages of enzyme label whose activity is affected by the presence of activators or inhibitors in the tested specimens.

Acquired immunity develops against Toxocara canis infection in mice, and NIH mice are more immunoresponsive than CD1 mice. Twice infected NIH female mice showed 27% reduction in the total larval recoveries compared with non-sensitized controls. Twice-infected NIH male, and CD1 (both sexes) mice showed a negligible reduction in the total recoveries, though a significant (P less than 0.05) number of larvae were retained in the liver compared with the non-sensitized controls. All twice-infected mice showed a significant reduction in the number of larvae recovered from the brain compared with once-infected mice. Vaccination using ultraviolet irradiated embryonated eggs gave the best protection against reinfection. Excretory/secretory antigen afforded less protection, whilst whole adult worm vaccine and whole L2 culture vaccine gave no protection. Vaccinated mice had a higher 'free:penetrating ratio' of larvae in their intestine than similarly challenged but non-vaccinated mice. When the ileum was examined histologically 9 h post-infection, an inflammatory reaction was seen around the penetrating larvae in the sensitized and vaccinated mice but not in untreated controls, suggesting a role played by the intestine in the resistance against T. canis infection in mice.

A method for elution of micrograms of macromolecules from polyacrylamide and agarose gels is described. The recoveries were greater than 90% with three different macromolecules tested (28 to 360 kDa). An amount as small as 1 microgram of human serum albumin was eluted from polyacrylamide gel with 90% recovery. The eluted material is collected into a small chamber the size of which can be changed as required. Elution and concentration are achieved simultaneously and in one step under mild conditions. Sterile eluates can be obtained, if the apparatus is constructed under sterile conditions.

A case of traumatic pericarditis in a 4-month-old Awassi lamb is reported. A 6 cm long metallic wire was found penetrating the pericardium and the left ventricle through to the other side of the ventricle wall. Fibrinous pericarditis, thickening of the pericardium, fusion of the pericardium and epicardium, and epicarditis were evident. The heart was enlarged with oedematous myocarditis and focal necrotic endocarditis involving the two ventricles. The liver and spleen were also enlarged with scattered 3 mm diameter granulomas.

The relative efficiency of depot (Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and saponin), and non-depot (Corynebacterium parvum strain P. acnes I, C. parvum strain IMI585, and levamisole) immunoadjuvants were compared in raising agglutinating and precipitating antibodies against the metacestode fluid of Taenia multiceps of sheep origin (TMCF). Haemagglutinating but not precipitating antibodies were detectable during the period of primary immunisation. Precipitating antibodies of higher titre were produced for longer when TMCF was injected with immunoadjuvant than when the same volume of TMCF was injected alone. Significantly (P less than 0.05) higher indirect haemagglutination (IHA) titres were produced during the primary response following C. parvum treatment than after FCA treatment. FCA treated rabbits showed significantly (P less than 0.05) higher IHA titres than those receiving C. parvum treatment on day 42 only, during the anamnestic response. Ulcers formed at the sites of injection of depot immunoadjuvants. Significantly (P less than 0.05) higher IHA titres were produced when FCA with TMCF was injected intradermally into 10-12 sites than when the same volume was injected into 4 sites. C. parvum strain IM1585 was a better immunoadjuvant in this system than the strain P. acnes I. The intravenous route of administration yielded better titres than the intraperitoneal route when C. parvum strain P. acnes I was used.

Strain-, sex- and age-based resistance of mice to Toxocara canis infection was demonstrated. Infection doses of similar numbers resulted in significantly (P less than 0.05) greater worm establishment in CD1 mice than in NIH mice, as well as a greater heterogeneity of responses between individuals. Male mice had significantly (P less than 0.05) fewer larvae in the brain and more larvae in the liver than female mice, when mice of greater than or equal to 3 months old were used. Appreciably more larvae were retained in the liver of male CD1 mice than in NIH mice. Orchidectomized mice had higher levels of brain infestation and a lower larval recovery from the liver compared with intact male mice. Infections in young mice of both strains showed more diversity in establishment and migration pattern between individuals than in older mice. Despite these differences in distribution of larvae and in the numbers recovered from experimental infections, the acute and chronic clinical signs observed in the two strains were very similar.

Toxocara canis second stage larvae (L2) hatched in the stomach of mice and within 2 h reached all parts of the small intestine, the posterior half being the preferred site for larval penetration. Following penetration at the base of crypts of leiberkuhn they followed tortuous routes in the lamina propria, and entered the tunica muscularis obliquely. Larvae only appeared to be arrested in their migration in the submucosa and lamina propria by an inflammatory reaction composed mainly of lymphocytes and eosinophils. Larvae were seen entering and within lymphatic vessels as well as the peritoneal cavity and invasion of the vascular system followed though actual penetration of intestinal blood vessels was not seen. Proteolytic enzyme activity was detected in culture media in which L2 larvae were maintained.

Faecal samples from three groups of yearling Awassi sheep fed three different nutritional planes were taken at 2-week intervals over a period of 3 months. Eimerian oocysts were found in 252 (80%) of the 315 samples collected. The species of Eimeria were identified and 30.2% of the samples contained three or four species, 27.3% had two species and 22.2% had one species. The prevalences in decreasing order were: E. pallida (37.1%); E. parva (28.9%); E. crandallis (17.8%); E. marsica (15.6%); E. bakuensis (syn. E. ovina) (13.7%); E. ovinoidalis (11.4%); E. intricata (11.1%); E. ahsata (9.2%); E. faurei (7.0%); E. granulosa (4.4%). The prevalence of E. bakuensis was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher in sheep fed the high and moderate planes of nutrition, while the prevalence of E. faurei was significantly (P less than 0.05) lower in sheep fed on the moderate plane. The numbers of E. marsica were also significantly higher (P less than 0.05) than other Eimeria species in the moderate plane group.

One hundred and twenty-two donkeys from central Jordan were necropsied during the months of June, July and August 1985 and 21 (17.2%) showed evidence of hydatidosis. No donkeys less than 3 years of age were infected, whereas 36.8% (21/57) aged greater than or equal to 3 years were infected. Among the infected donkeys 57.1% (12/21) were hepatic infections, 33.3% (7/21) were hepatopulmonary and 9.5% were pulmonary. Fertile cysts were observed in 47.6% (10/21) of cases. The majority of cysts observed, 67.7% (132/195), were non-fertile immature miliary cysts, and 10.8% (21/195) were necrotic and calcified. The number of miliary cysts on the liver surfaces varied between 5 and 22 (mean = 15 +/- 0.82 s.e.m.). The number of fertile liver cysts varied from 1 to 15 (mean = 3.36 +/- 0.37 s.e.m.). Variable volumes of cyst fluid were found ranging from 0.1 to 132 ml.

The anthelmintic effects of levamisole (100-50 mg kg-1 live bodyweight), ivermectin (2 mg kg-1 bodyweight), albendazole and fenbendazole (both 100 mg kg-1 bodyweight), were tested against second stage Toxocara canis larvae in mice. Anthelmintic treatment on days 2 to 7 after infection inclusive resulted in significant (P less than 0.05) retention of larvae in the liver, and fewer larvae migrated subsequently to the brain and the musculature of treated mice compared to untreated controls. Most of the larvae retained in the liver subsequently died there and were not recoverable by day 35 after infection, causing significant (P less than 0.05) reduction in the total larval recoveries compared to the controls. The oral route of drug administration caused higher larval retention in the liver than the subcutaneous route. All infected levamisole treated mice survived for four months, whereas half the similarly infected but untreated mice died within the same period. Treatment on days 8 to 13 inclusive after infection had no effect on second stage T canis larvae suggesting that once the larvae have reached the brain and musculature they are not susceptible to anthelmintic agents.

Following oral infection of NIH mice with Toxocara canis embryonated eggs the L2 pass the visceral phase of migration during te first week of infection. Larvae reach the liver and lungs and peak in number in these organs 2 and 3 days after infection, respectively. Larvae are then dispersed throughout the body and enter the myotropic--neurotropic phase by the 7th day of infection. Larvae injected directly into the brain are capable of migrating into the viscera and musculature. Considerable pathology occurs due to larval migrations, especially through the liver and lungs, and both acute and chronic disease are recorded. Studies of infections extending over a year show that the number of recoverable larvae declines gradually with periods of stable populations. On Days 3, 4 and 5 after infection, larvae were demonstrable in the faeces of infected mice. Prenatal infection was observed in a third of the offspring of mice infected the same day as conception.