Semra Özçelik

In vitro evaluation of the amoebicidal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on Acanthamoeba castellanii and its cytotoxic potential on corneal cells.

Free-living protozoa of the genus Acanthamoeba can cause one of the most severe, potentially sight-threatening infections of the eye, the so-called A. keratitis. A. keratitis is difficult to treat because, under adverse conditions, the amoeba encyst and medical therapy is often less effective against cysts than against trophozoites. The aim of this study was to investigate evaluate the in vitro effect of the nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extract of garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts and also its cytotoxicity on corneal cells in vitro. Extract was evaluated for its amoebicidal activity, using an inverted light microscope. The effect of the nonpolar extract with the concentrations, ranging from 0.78 to 62.5 mg/mL on the proliferation of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts, were examined in vitro. For the determination of cytotoxicity of the extract on corneal cells, agar diffusion tests were performed. The present study demonstrates the in vitro effectiveness of the garlic against the A. castellanii growth curve. Evaluations revealed that garlic inhibits trophozoite growth in dose- and time-dependent ways. In the case of the cyctotoxic acitivities, it showed no cytotoxicity for the cornea cells in the concentration of 3.90 mg/mL. These findings indicate that nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extracts of garlic has amoebicidal, as well as its cysticidal, properties on Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. Garlic alone, and in combination with other amoebicidal agents, may be used in clinical practices after further investigations.

The retrospective annual surgical incidence of cystic echinococcosis in Sivas, Turkey.

Cystic echinococcosis is an important public health problem in our region. The aim of this study was to assess the surgical incidence of cystic echinococcosis in Sivas, Turkey. A retrospective follow‐up study was carried out between 1997 and 2004. The mean age of 124 men (39.2%) and 192 women was 36.4 years. The liver was the primary site of cyst development (76.6%), followed by the lungs (19.9%), the spleen (5.4%), the kidneys (3.5%) and the peritoneal cavity (3.2%). Mean annual surgical incidence was 6.4 per 100 000 inhabitants for a 7‐year period. The most common site of recurrence was the liver. Hepatic cysts were more frequently infected than pulmonary cysts (P < 0.05). In those patients with an infected cyst, the mean circulating eosinophil level was significantly lower than in those without. Rupture and infection were more common in men (P < 0.01). In conclusion, serious structural, legislative, surveillance, prevention and control measures for echinooccus should be undertaken in our region.

The role of Casoni's skin test and indirect haemagglutination test in the diagnosis of hydatid disease.

Casoni’s skin test and indirect haemagglutination test (IHA) are still used in Turkey. The preoperative IHA test or Casoni’s skin test results of 120 patients with surgically confirmed hydatidosis were retrospectively studied during 1997–2004. At the same period, 306 patients with non-hydatid disease had serologic results for echinococcosis. The sensitivity of immediate intradermal reaction, delayed intradermal reaction, and IHA were 70, 62, and 56%, respectively. Casoni’s skin test components had higher sensitivity than IHA (P<0.01). The specificity of immediate intradermal reaction, delayed intradermal reaction, and IHA were 87, 85, and 84%, respectively. Cystic lesions in non-hydatid patients were localised commonly in the lungs. The occurrence of hydatid disease for pulmonary, hepatic, and renal cysts was 19, 54, and 5%, respectively. An immediate skin reaction to crude hydatid antigens is more useful than IHA.

Dermanyssus gallinae infestation: an unusual cause of scalp pruritus treated with permethrin shampoo.

Abstract Dermanyssus gallinae is a blood parasite of wild birds, but it is also a pest in the poultry industry. It occasionally bites mammals and thus rarely creates skin problems such as itching, papules, vesicles, and dermatitis. A 92-year-old man presented with severe itch on his head, particularly at night. He had been misdiagnosed with senile pruritus and treated with antihistamines and topical corticosteroids with temporary relief of the symptoms. On the basis of clinical and parasitological findings, D. gallinae dermatitis was diagnosed. Decontamination of the patients immediate environment was not helpful. The patient was successfully treated using a 1% permethrin shampoo once a week for 2 weeks. During 3 months of follow-up he was free of symptoms. The case is of significance because most dermatologists have difficulty identifying ectoparasitoses, such as those that arise within new or atypical conditions.

The Investigation of Entamoeba histolytica Prevalence in Some Villages of Sivas by ELISA Method

OBJECTIVE Humans may be infected with three morphologically identical Entamoeba species; pathogenic E. histolytica, commensal E. moshkowskii and E. dispar. The aim of the present study was to determine the true prevalence of the E. histolytica using native lugol, trichrome staining and a monoclonal antigen detection kit (ELISA kit E. histolytica-II; Techlab, Inc., Blacksburg, VA) among primary school children living in the rural areas around Sivas. METHODS A total of 1449 stool samples were examined by native lugol and Trichrome staining, and 312 (22%) samples were positive for one or more parasite species. Additionally, 22 (1.5%) stool samples were found to be positive for the presence of E. histolytica/dispar cysts, and these samples were further examined by E. histolytica specific antigen based ELISA. RESULTS As a result, ELISA test gave negative reactions for all the samples. Also, there was no cross reaction with other luminal protozoa such as E. coli, G. intestinalis, B. hominis and I. butschlii. CONCLUSION The data reveals that E. histolytica prevalence may be lower than estimated.

The Prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and the Coexistence of Intestinal Parasites in Young Children in Boarding Schools in Sivas, Turkey

Abstract:  The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Pediculus humanus capitis and the coexistence of intestinal parasites in boarding primary schools in Sivas, Turkey. Seven hundred seventy‐two students (350 [45.3%] girls, 422 [54.7%] boys) were evaluated with combing for the presence of head lice, collection of fecal samples, and examination of the perianal region for intestinal parasites using the cellophane tape method. The overall infestation rate for head lice was 6% (n = 46). Nine children had evidence of nits only (1.2%), whereas living lice and nits or eggs were found in 37 children (4.8%). Girls were significantly more commonly infested (12.9%) than boys (0.2%). Of the parameters evaluated, socioeconomic level, number of rooms per family, and size and weight of the children were statistically significantly different between the children with and without lice. Although the infestation rate of children with intestinal parasites was higher in the head louse‐infested group (23.9%) than in the group of children without lice (17.6%), the differences were not statistically significant.

Amoebicidal Effect of Poly (Maleic Anhydride-Co-Vinyl Acetate) Copolymer on Entamoeba Histolytica Trophozoites

Poly (maleic anhydride-co-vinyl acetate) (MAVA) copolymer was synthesized by free-radical copolymerization in methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) at 80oC, using benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as the initiator. The radical chain copolymerization was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR) spectra. Copolymer surface morphology was visualized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). After these characterization studies, the amoebicidal effect of MAVA was investigated on E.histolytica trophozoites using differing copolymer concentrations and periods of time. Results indicated that MAVA killed all the trophozoites at 32 mg/mL concentration in 3 h.

Investigation of the relationship between oral and dental health and presence of Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax

OBJECTIVE Entamoeba gingivalis and Trichomonas tenax can cause gingivitis and scale. In this study, the prevalence of E. gingivalis and T. tenax were investigated among patients who were admitted to the Cumhuriyet University, Faculty of Dentistry. METHODS Two scraping samples were taken from 220 patients (ages varying from 12 to 75 years) and a questionnaire including fifteen parameters was applied to all patients. The samples were diluted in Physiological Saline and examined immediately by Tech Lab Entamoeba Kit and Robinson Medium. RESULTS Oral protozoa were detected in 58 (26.4%) of 220 scraping samples. In 48 (21.8%) of the positive 58 specimens, E. gingivalis was detected alone whereas T. tenax was present in only two (1%) specimens. In 8 (3.6%) specimens, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were identified together. Gender, age groups, dental caries and the number, shape disorders, systemic diseases, tooth pain, joint problems and wisdom teeth were not found to be significant with the presence of oral protozoa. However, gum problems, presence of tartar, smoking habits, brushing habits and control habits were found to be statistically significantly related with the presence of oral protozoa. CONCLUSION In the present study, E. gingivalis and T. tenax were found to be common. These parasites, with additional parameters, may lead to gingivitis and scale.

The cytopathic effects of Trichomonas vaginalis on fibroblast cell culture alone and with C. albicans and E. coli.

OBJECTIVE In this study, the cytopathic effects of Trichomonas vaginalis were investigated in L929 mouse fibroblast cell cultures (FCC) under different conditions: only parasite, or coexistence with Candida albicans and Escherichia coli. METHODS The parasite was isolated from a symptomatic patient and cultured in Cysteine-Peptone-Liver infusion Maltose medium (CPLM). C. albicans strain 10235 and E. coli strain 25922 were used in the experiments. Five groups were created and inoculated on FCC. The groups were as follows; only T. vaginalis, C. albicans, E. coli, T. vaginalis+C. albicans and T. vaginalis+E. coli. The plates were incubated for 24 hours and cell viability was examined under an inverted microscope. Each experiment was repeated 11 times. RESULTS The fibroblast death rate was 19.1%, 21%, 40.9%, 96.5% and 89.6% in the five groups, respectively. CONCLUSION All fibroblasts were alive in the control group. T. vaginalis showed almost 100% cytopathic effects on FCC with C. albicans and parasites were very motile in this coexistence.

Isolation of Blastocystis spp. from human hosts and in vitro determination of different morphological forms

OBJECTIVE Blastocystis is a highly common parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of many different organisms. Morphology and the appropriate classification of Blastocystis spp. has only recently been resolved with molecular biological studies. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. among humans and to isolate the parasite from clinical specimens. METHODS Blastocystis spp. was detected in 0.48% of the stool samples and the positive samples were cultivated in Locke-Egg Serum (LES). During passages inoculums were investigated by direct microscopy and stained with trichrome and iron hematoxylene. RESULTS Vacuolar and granular forms were the most common in cultures and also the amoeboid form was observed. CONCLUSION LES medium may be a suitable selection for studies aiming to determine the frequency of Blastocystis spp. and for the diagnosis in routine laboratories.