Trichinella spiralis infection is a food-borne zoonotic disease caused by nematodes that dwell in the tissues, presenting a significant public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments including silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), myrrh biosynthesized AgNPs “AgNPs synthesized using plant-based green technologies”, myrrh extract, and myrrh essential oil, as alternative treatments against T. spiralis infection. Parasitological, histopathological, and cytotoxicity assessments were conducted to investigate the effects of various concentrations of these treatments in reducing the populations of adult worms and larvae during both the intestinal and muscular phases of T. spiralis-infected mice. The results showed that the highest antihelminthic efficacy against the intestinal phase of T. spiralis was achieved by myrrh extract (86.66%), followed closely by AgNPs (84.96%) and myrrh AgNPs (82.51%) at higher concentrations (800 mg/kg for myrrh extract, 40 μg/mL for AgNPs, and 40 μg/mL for myrrh AgNPs). While the group treated with myrrh essential oil showed the lowest percentage of adult reduction (78.14%). However, all treatments demonstrated comparable effects in reducing the larvae population in the muscle phase. Histopathological examination of the tissues revealed compelling evidence of the effectiveness of AgNPs, particularly when prepared with myrrh. Additionally, a comprehensive assessment of the cytotoxicity of AgNPs indicated low toxicity levels. This study supports that AgNPs synthesized using plant-based green technologies hold therapeutic potential for the treatment of T. spiralis infection.  These findings present a promising avenue for the development of novel antiparasitic drugs that are both effective and safe.

Bartonella species (Bartonella spp.) have gained recognition as a significant human pathogen, implicated in a wide range of diseases. Among these, Bartonella henselae infection has been extensively studied for its primary occurrence in cats and its role in the development of cat-scratch disease in humans. While light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have traditionally played crucial roles in identifying causative agents of infectious diseases, including Bartonella spp., the accuracy of these methods in identifying Bartonella spp. remains undefined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing both light microscopy and TEM to detect Bartonella in feline blood samples and to confirm B. henselae with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and toluidine blue semithin sections by using light microscopy revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic corpuscles, suggesting Bartonella infection in six out of 33 examined cat blood samples. TEM findings corroborated these observations, showcasing the engulfment of bacteria by the erythrocyte membrane, along with the presence of some Bartonella spp., adhering to the erythrocyte wall. PCR-based molecular detection confirmed the presence of B. henselae in these six samples. It is concluded that light microscopy and TEM are considered valuable in the screening of cats' blood for the potential presence of Bartonella. However, further molecular techniques are essential for precise identification and confirmation of specific Bartonella spp

Aeromonas hydrophila is a common fish pathogen and a significant foodborne pathogen of increasing public health concern. This study was conducted in Middle Upper Egypt to determine the prevalence of A. hydrophila among the diseased Oreochromis niloticus (n=100) and Clarias gariepinus (n=100) at Assiut and Sohag Governorates. A. hydrophila isolates (n=44) were assessed for antimicrobial susceptibility and biofilm production. Moreover, PCR was performed to analyze the incidence of some genes in 20 isolates of A. hydrophila. The results showed that 24% and 20% of the examined O. niloticus and C. gariepinus were infected with A. hydrophila respectively, with all (100%) showing a variety of clinical signs of septicemia. A. hydrophila isolates were all biofilm producers, with varied degrees of biofilm production. 79.5% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant and had a high multiple antimicrobial resistance index > 0.2. PCR analysis revealed that all isolates carried act and blaTEM genes but not carried int2 gene. Additionally, sul1, aer, tetA, int1, and qnrA genes were present in 75%, 60%, 55%, 55% and 45% of them, respectively. This study highlights the high incidence of multidrugresistant pathogenic A. hydrophila in the infected fishes, posing a serious risk to humans and fish

Introduction: Hymenolepiasis remains among the most common parasitic zoonoses in developing countries. Little information is available about hymenolepiasis in children in Upper Egypt and rodents’ contribution to maintaining the disease's epidemiology.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of Hymenolepis spp. in Rattus rattus and children in Asyut Governorate, Egypt. Rodents (n = 100) were randomly trapped from various localities in Asyut Governorate, and stool samples from 120 children were collected from the same localities. Laboratory examination of the collected samples involved investigation of the small intestine of R. rattus for adult worm detection by morphological examination, followed by examination of stool samples of children using direct smear, formol-ether sedimentation technique, and Sheather’s sugar flotation technique. Confirmation of Hymenolepis spp. positive samples were performed using polymerase chain reaction targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results: This study revealed the occurrence of Hymenolepis spp. in 45% of the examined R. rattus, comprising 43% positivity for H. diminuta and 2% for mixed infection by H. nana and H. diminuta. Hymenolepis nana was detected in 28.3% of the examined children. PCR–RFLP confirmed these findings, showing 100% sensitivity. Collectively, these findings reveal the potential contribution of R. rattus as an important reservoir for Hymenolepis infection in Upper Egypt.

Conclusions: This study concluded that personal education, periodical deworming of children, rodent control, and hygienic measures should be implemented by governmental and nongovernmental organizations to reduce the incidence of infection.

Bartonella species (Bartonella spp.) have gained recognition as a significant human pathogen, implicated in a wide range of diseases. Among these, Bartonella henselae infection has been extensively studied for its primary occurrence in cats and its role in the development of cat-scratch disease in humans. While light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have traditionally played crucial roles in identifying causative agents of infectious diseases, including Bartonella spp., the accuracy of these methods in identifying Bartonella spp. remains undefined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing both light microscopy and TEM to detect Bartonella in feline blood samples and to confirm B. henselae with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and toluidine blue semithin sections by using light microscopy revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic corpuscles, suggesting Bartonella infection in six out of 33 examined cat blood samples. TEM findings corroborated these observations, showcasing the engulfment of bacteria by the erythrocyte membrane, along with the presence of some Bartonella spp., adhering to the erythrocyte wall. PCR-based molecular detection confirmed the presence of B. henselae in these six samples. It is concluded that light microscopy and TEM are considered valuable in the screening of cats' blood for the potential presence of Bartonella. However, further molecular techniques are essential for precise identification and confirmation of specific Bartonella spp

Bartonella species (Bartonella spp.) have gained recognition as a significant human pathogen, implicated in a wide range of diseases. Among these, Bartonella henselae infection has been extensively studied for its primary occurrence in cats and its role in the development of cat-scratch disease in humans. While light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have traditionally played crucial roles in identifying causative agents of infectious diseases, including Bartonella spp., the accuracy of these methods in identifying Bartonella spp. remains undefined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing both light microscopy and TEM to detect Bartonella in feline blood samples and to confirm B. henselae with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and toluidine blue semithin sections by using light microscopy revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic corpuscles, suggesting Bartonella infection in six out of 33 examined cat blood samples. TEM findings corroborated these observations, showcasing the engulfment of bacteria by the erythrocyte membrane, along with the presence of some Bartonella spp., adhering to the erythrocyte wall. PCR-based molecular detection confirmed the presence of B. henselae in these six samples. It is concluded that light microscopy and TEM are considered valuable in the screening of cats' blood for the potential presence of Bartonella. However, further molecular techniques are essential for precise identification and confirmation of specific Bartonella spp.

Bartonella species (Bartonella spp.) have gained recognition as a significant human pathogen, implicated in a wide range of diseases. Among these, Bartonella henselae infection has been extensively studied for its primary occurrence in cats and its role in the development of cat-scratch disease in humans. While light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have traditionally played crucial roles in identifying causative agents of infectious diseases, including Bartonella spp., the accuracy of these methods in identifying Bartonella spp. remains undefined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing both light microscopy and TEM to detect Bartonella in feline blood samples and to confirm B. henselae with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and toluidine blue semithin sections by using light microscopy revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic corpuscles, suggesting Bartonella infection in six out of 33 examined cat blood samples. TEM findings corroborated these observations, showcasing the engulfment of bacteria by the erythrocyte membrane, along with the presence of some Bartonella spp., adhering to the erythrocyte wall. PCR-based molecular detection confirmed the presence of B. henselae in these six samples. It is concluded that light microscopy and TEM are considered valuable in the screening of cats' blood for the potential presence of Bartonella. However, further molecular techniques are essential for precise identification and confirmation of specific Bartonella spp.

Introduction: Hymenolepiasis remains among the most common parasitic zoonoses in developing countries. Little information is available about hymenolepiasis in children in Upper Egypt and rodents’ contribution to maintaining the disease's epidemiology.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of Hymenolepis spp. in Rattus rattus and children in Asyut Governorate, Egypt. Rodents (n = 100) were randomly trapped from various localities in Asyut Governorate, and stool samples from 120 children were collected from the same localities. Laboratory examination of the collected samples involved investigation of the small intestine of R. rattus for adult worm detection by morphological examination, followed by examination of stool samples of children using direct smear, formol-ether sedimentation technique, and Sheather’s sugar flotation technique. Confirmation of Hymenolepis spp. positive samples were performed using polymerase chain reaction targeting the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS-1) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP).

Results: This study revealed the occurrence of Hymenolepis spp. in 45% of the examined R. rattus, comprising 43% positivity for H. diminuta and 2% for mixed infection by H. nana and H. diminuta. Hymenolepis nana was detected in 28.3% of the examined children. PCR–RFLP confirmed these findings, showing 100% sensitivity. Collectively, these findings reveal the potential contribution of R. rattus as an important reservoir for Hymenolepis infection in Upper Egypt.

Conclusions: This study concluded that personal education, periodical deworming of children, rodent control, and hygienic measures should be implemented by governmental and nongovernmental organizations to reduce the incidence of infection.

Bartonella species (Bartonella spp.) have gained recognition as a significant human pathogen, implicated in a wide range of diseases. Among these, Bartonella henselae infection has been extensively studied for its primary occurrence in cats and its role in the development of cat-scratch disease in humans. While light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) have traditionally played crucial roles in identifying causative agents of infectious diseases, including Bartonella spp., the accuracy of these methods in identifying Bartonella spp. remains undefined. Therefore, this study aims to bridge this gap by employing both light microscopy and TEM to detect Bartonella in feline blood samples and to confirm B. henselae with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Examination of blood smears stained with Giemsa and toluidine blue semithin sections by using light microscopy revealed the presence of intraerythrocytic corpuscles, suggesting Bartonella infection in six out of 33 examined cat blood samples. TEM findings corroborated these observations, showcasing the engulfment of bacteria by the erythrocyte membrane, along with the presence of some Bartonella spp., adhering to the erythrocyte wall. PCR-based molecular detection confirmed the presence of B. henselae in these six samples. It is concluded that light microscopy and TEM are considered valuable in the screening of cats' blood for the potential presence of Bartonella. However, further molecular techniques are essential for precise identification and confirmation of specific Bartonella spp.

Skin plays a vital role in maintaining various physiological functions, including barrier protection, temperature regulation, and sensory perception. Effective wound healing is crucial for restoring tissue integrity after injury, involving a complex interplay of cellular and molecular mechanisms. Hydatid cyst fluid (HCF), derived from Echinococcus granulosus, contains bioactive components that may enhance wound healing. This study evaluates the potential of lyophilized HCF to promote skin wound repair using an in vitro assay and an in vivo rat wound model.

Lyophilized HCF was prepared from hydatid cyst fluid obtained from the lungs of infected camels and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) on endothelial and fibroblast cell lines. An in vivo full-thickness skin defect model was created in rats, and wounds were treated with either lyophilized HCF or saline (control). Wound closure rates were measured on days 7 and 21, and histological evaluations were conducted using standard techniques.

GC-MS analysis revealed that lyophilized HCF contains bioactive compounds, including antimicrobial agents, fatty acids, and molecules that promote angiogenesis. In vitro MTT assay confirmed that lyophilized HCF exhibited no cytotoxicity and supported cell viability. In vivo results revealed significantly improved wound closure in the HCF-treated group compared to control groups. Specifically, in the control group, the wound closure was 23.52% ± 4.23 on day 7 and 86.02% ± 1.08 on day 21. In the lyophilized HCF group, the closure was significantly higher, with 48.99% ± 6.12 on day 7 and 91.13% ± 1.9 on day 21. Histological analysis revealed that the HCF-treated wounds exhibited significantly improved epithelialization (p = 0.0211 on day 7; p = 0.0003 on day 21), reduced inflammatory cell infiltration (p = 0.0277 on day 7; p = 0.0179 on day 21), enhanced collagen deposition (p = 0.0082 on day 7; p = 0.0127 on day 21), and increased angiogenesis (p = 0.0001 on day 7; p < 0.0001 on day 21), compared to the control group.

In conclusion, lyophilized HCF promotes effective wound healing through its bioactive components, supporting cell proliferation, reducing inflammation, and enhancing collagen deposition and angiogenesis. These findings suggest that HCF could serve as a promising therapeutic agent for wound repair. Further studies are warranted to explore its clinical applications.