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Enterospora nucleophila is an intranuclear microsporidian responsible for emaciative microsporidiosis of gilthead sea bream (GSB). Its minute size and cryptic nature make it easily misdiagnosed. An in situ hybridization (ISH) technique based on antisense oligonucleotide probes specific for the parasite was developed and used in clinically infected GSB in combination with calcofluor white stain (CW) and other histopathological techniques. The ISH method was found to label very conspicuously the cells containing parasite stages, with the signal concentrating in merogonial and sporogonial plasmodia within the infected cell nuclei. Comparison with CW demonstrated limited ISH signal in cells containing mature spores, which was attributed mostly to the scarcity of probe targets present in these stages. Although spores were detected in other organs of the digestive system as well as in the peripheral blood, proliferative stages or parasite reservoirs were not found in this work outside the intestines. The study demonstrated a frequent disassociation between the presence of abundant spores and the intensity of the infections as determined by the parasite activity. The ISH allows confirmatory diagnosis of GSB microsporidiosis and estimation of infection intensity and will be a valuable tool for a more precise determination of parasite dissemination pathways and pathogeny mechanisms., This work has been carried out with financial support from the Spanish MINECO under project AGL2013‐48560‐C2‐2‐R. Additional funding was provided by the European Union, through the Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant agreement 634429 (ParaFishControl).

Fasciolosis is an important food and water-borne parasitic infection caused by the two trematode species, Fasciola hepatica, and F. gigantica. The present study aimed to identify the phenotypic features and genetic characterization of adult fasciolid that infecting buffaloes were studied in Aswan, Egypt. The genetic identity of Fasciola species was investigated by the analysis of forward and reverse sequences of the ITS-2 of the rDNA gene. The Fasciola isolates were obtained from sheep, buffaloes, and cows in the regions of Aswan. The sequence of ITS2 gene isolates obtained from the present investigation were compared with GenBank reference sequences of F. hepatica, F. gigantica, and intermediate Fasciola. The obtained results were based on morphometric and genetic data which revealed the existence of F. gigantica, F. hepatica, and an intermediate form of Fasciola. Several variable sites were encountered among the investigated isolates in the Aswan, that were compared with the Fasciola species acquiesced in Gene Bank. Furthermore, the relationships between Egyptian Fasciola and Fasciola spp. from various other nations were discussed in the study.

To eliminate schistosomiasis, appropriate diagnostic tests are required to monitor its prevalence and transmission, especially in the settings with low endemicity resulting from the consecutive mass drug administration. Antibodies that react with either crude soluble schistosome egg antigens or soluble worm antigen preparations have been used to monitor infection in low-prevalence regions. However, these detection methods cannot discriminate current and past infections and are cross-reactive with other parasites because both antigens contain numerous proteins and glycans from schistosomes, and standard preparations need maintenance of the life cycle of the schistosome. To evaluate the potential utility of nine recombinant Schistosoma mansoni proteins as single defined antigens for serological diagnosis, we monitored the kinetics of antibodies to each antigen during S. mansoni infection in mice before and after the treatment with praziquantel. C57BL/6 mice were infected with 50 cercariae. The levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) raised against five recombinant antigens (RP26, sm31, sm32, GST, and LAP1) significantly increased as early as 2–4 weeks after infection and rapidly declined by 2 weeks after the treatment, whereas those raised against crude S. mansoni egg antigens or other antigens remained elevated long after the treatment. The IgG1 raised against RP26, sm31, and serpin decreased after the treatment with praziquantel, whereas the IgE raised against serpin declined strikingly after the treatment. This study clarifies the dynamics of the serological responses to recombinant S. mansoni proteins during infection and after the treatment with praziquantel and identifies several candidate antigens with potential utility in the monitoring and surveillance of schistosomiasis toward the elimination of schistosomiasis., Author summary Schistosomiasis is the second most important human parasitic disease in tropical and subtropical areas: estimates show that at least 218 million people required treatment in 2015 and remains a major Neglected Tropical Disease impacting the health of the poorest populations. The global strategy for schistosomiasis control is focused on eliminating disease through periodic, large-scale population treatment with praziquantel (PZQ). With the progress towards the control and the elimination of schistosomiasis by mass drug administration (MDA) with PZQ, more sensitive diagnostics that can monitor the dynamics of schistosomiasis transmission are required to instruct MDA programs and assess reinfection. Detecting antibodies react with either crude soluble schistosome egg antigens or soluble worm antigen preparations have been used to monitor infection in low-prevalence settings. However, these detection methods cannot discriminate current and past infections and are cross-reactive with other parasites because it contains numerous proteins and glycans from schistosomes, and standard preparations need maintenance of the life cycle of the schistosome. This study clarified that the dynamics of the serological responses to defined recombinant proteins during S. mansoni infection in mice before and after the treatment with PZQ and identifies several candidate antigens with potential utility in the monitoring and surveillance of schistosomiasis toward the elimination of schistosomiasis.

Coccidiosis, caused by species of the apicomplexan parasite Eimeria, is a major disease of pigeons and to quails. Therefore, the present study was conducted to detect the prevalence and identify the species of Eimeria causing coccidiosis in both pigeons and quails in Qena province, Southern Egypt. In the current study, three hundred and sixty fecal samples of each species were collected and screened for Eimeria infection by floatation technique from November 2017 to October 2018.The results of the current study revealed an overall prevalence of 56%, with a higher infection rate in pigeon (58.3%) in comparison to quails (53.9%). Additionally, squabs had the highest prevalence (72.8%) as compared to adults (37.3), whereas the higher prevalence of Eimeria was observed in male birds in both species. Peak prevalence was observed in Autumn and Winter for pigeon and quails respectively. The results also, showed that more than one Eimeria species existed in most fecal samples, and the infection rate of identified Eimeria spp. in these samples was Eimeria labbeana (37.2%), E. columbae (30.8%), E. columbarum (27.9%) and E. gourai (4%) respectively.On the other hand, common Eimeria spp. found in quails were E. tsunoda (51.3%), E. uzura (28%)and E. bateri (20.5%).This indicates that Eimeriatsunoda are the predominant species in Qena Province. Histopathology also revealed a developmental stage of the parasite in the intestinal tract and desquamation of the epithelial lining with areas of necrosis. In conclusion, this study provides basic information on the first detection of coccidiosis of pigeons and quails in Qena Province, Egypt, which has an implication on the sustainable birds’ production for human protein requirement.

Parasites of fish are of concern since they often produce a weakening of the host`s immune system thereby increasing their susceptibility to the secondary infections, resulting in the nutritive devaluation of fish ,compete for food, depriving fish of essential nutrients, inhibiting growth leading to morbidity and mortality and subsequent economic losses. Few data has been reported to identify major parasite of fish in Qena Governorate, Egypt. Accordingly,the study aimed to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasite infecting fish. Afield study was conducted during the period from the beginning of January 2015 to the end of December 2016.A total of 144 Clarias gariepinus (Carmoot) fish samples were collected either alive from fishermen or fresh as possible from fish markets at Qena Governorate for parasitological studies. Parasite collected and prepared then identified under the microscope. Out of 144 examined fish 84 (58.3%) samples were infected with different gastrointestinal parasites. The obtained results found that the most frequent parasitic infection among examined fish was cstodes with an infection rate of (35.4%) ,followed by trematodes infection (27%), while the lowest infection rate, were recorded in nematodes infection(16.7%),Regarding to the seasonal prevalence of the recovered parasites, we concluded that the highest rate of parasite infection was observed during Spring season (83.3%), followed by Winter (66.7%), Summer recorded (50%) and Autumn season which represented the lowest rate of infection (33.3%). The most common species of cestodes were Monobothrium sp which recorded the highest infection rate (27.8%) and Polyonchobothrium clarias (5.6%), followed by trematode species Orientocreadium batrachoides (24.3%) and nematode species Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (10.4%) and Procamallanus laevionchus (5.6%).

The present study was carried out to make a spot light on nematode parasites infecting Freshwater fish at Qena Governorate; including prevalence, seasonal dynamics of infection; intensity and morphology of the recovered parasite species. It was found that the infection rate of different nematode among fresh-water fish in Qena Governorate was (13%). Lates niloticus has highest infection rate (27.8%) followed by Carias gariepinus (8.3%) the Oreochromis niloticus (2.3%). Concerning the seasonal prevalence Winter has highest infection rate followed by Autumn then Summer and Spring. Four nematodes were recovered and identified as Paracamallanus cyathopharynx (2.8%) in Clarias lazera; Procamallanus laevionchus (2.8%) in Clarias lazera; Contracaecum sp. (2.8%) in Oreochromis niloticus and Clarias lazera and (26.4%) in Lates niloticus and Dichelyne niloticus (4.2%) in Lates niloticus. The mean intensity of infection of Contracaecum sp. among Oreochromis niloticus., Clarias gariepinus and Lates niloticus was 2%, 22% and 20% respectively.

The present study describes the occurrence of various gastrointestinal helminths and liver flukes in goats from post mortem examinations performed between 2010 and 2011. Forty five adult goats were euthanized necropsy examination and for identification of adult gastrointestinal helminths and liver flukes. Eleven animals (24.44 %) were found to be infected with one or more species of gastrointestinal helminth. Haemonchus contortus emerged as the most prevalent species (15.5 %), with Moniezia expansa and Fasciola gigantica also being common (11.11 % and 4.4 %, respectively). Additionally, Haemonchus longistipes, Cysticercus tenuicollis, and Paramphistomum microbothrium were present at low infection rates (2.2 %). Mixed infections were similarly most prevalent. Haemonchus longistipes; the most pathogenic Strongyle nematode of camels was reported for the first time infecting goats in Egypt. The present study indicates that abattoir surveys would reveal the prevalence of various species of problematic helminths, and thus appropriate measures can be adopted to control the respective worms.

Three species of fish (Oreochromis niloticus, Clarias lazera and Lates niloticus) were collected from Qena, Upper Egypt during the period from April, 2012 to the end of March, 2013. Upon their inspection, of 6 of ectoparasites species were recovered 3 monogeneans (Cichlidogyrus arthracanthus, Euryhaliotrema lovejoyi and Dactylogyrus spp.), two crustaceans (Lamproglena monody and Ergasilus sarsi) and one protozoan (Henneguya assuiti). The overall prevalence of infection was 12.03% and the highest peak was observed in O. niloticus with 19.4% (14/72) and the lowest percent was recorded in L. niloticus with 5.6% (4/72). Also, seasonal dynamics among the examined fish were recorded.The study revealed the occurrence of one monogenean trematode; Euryhaliotrema lovejoyi for the first time in Upper Egypt.

The species of liver fluke of the genus Fasciola (phylum platyhelminthes, order Digenea, Family Fasciolidae) are obligatory parasites that inhabit the large biliary ducts of herbivore animals as well as man. Reports on the species of Fasciola present in the Nile Delta, Egypt, appear controversial. In the current study a precise identification of Fasciola isolates from cattle in Qena province, Upper Egypt was done based on examination of the second Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS2) and the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). Amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic examination revealed that the collected Fasciola isolates represent only one species which is Fasciola hepatica.

This study was performed for the purpose of investigating the prevalence and the species composition of Sarcocystis spp. in buffaloes in Assiut province, Egypt. Macroscopically we reported the infection of buffaloes with Sarcocystis fusiformis, while microscopically three Sarcocystis species (Sarcocystis cruzi, Sarcocystis levinei and Sarcocystis hominis) cysts were recognized, and were differentiated by their morphological features using both histopathological sections and electron microscope scanning. Regarding the prevalence of Sarcocystis species among buffaloes in Assiut province, we reported that, using gross examination of 90 buffaloes’ esophagus, only 23 samples out of 90 (25.5 %) were found to be infected; on the other hand, by using microscopical examination, the prevalence was 27.7 % (25 samples out of 90 samples were found to be infected). Using ELISA, 85 samples out of 90 (94.4 %) were found positive, an overall prevalence of 94.4 %. In this work we concluded that customary meat inspection methods in abattoirs in Egypt are insufficient for detecting Sarcocystis infection. Due to the presence of hidden or microscopic cysts, we strongly recommend the use of combined microscopical examination and ELISA for Sarcocystis diagnosis, to avoid human infection of such zoonotic parasite and to control the consequent disease. In addition, this study introduced the first report of S. cruzi in buffaloes in Egypt, and proved the hypothesis that S. cruzi is able to use animals such as water buffalo as intermediate hosts.