14th ICID - Poster Abstracts - International Society for Infectious ...

When citing these abstracts please use the following reference:
Author(s) of abstract. Title of abstract [abstract]. Int J Infect Dis 2010;14S1: Abstract number.
Please note that the official publication of the International Journal of Infectious Diseases 2010, Volume 14, Supplement 1
is available electronically on http://www.sciencedirect.com
Final Abstract Number: 82.002
Session: Trypanosomiasis, Leishmaniasis & Schistosomiasis
Date: Friday, March 12, 2010
Time: 12:30-13:30
Room: Poster & Exhibition Area/Ground Level
Type: Poster Presentation
A diagnostic approach to detect murine Shistosoma mansoni infection using a polymerase chain
reaction
A. Hassan
Faculty of Health Sciences, Gizan University, Gizan, Gizan, Saudi Arabia
Background: Traditional diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni infection involves direct microscopic
detection of eggs in feces. The use of some stool concentration techniques may increase the
diagnostic yield. However, it seems that the sensitivity of parasitological methods diminishes
when prevalence and intensity of infection are low, making these methods less appropriate for
low-endemic areas and in post treatment situations.
In 2001, a new antischistosomal drug, Mirazid® was introduced into the Egyptian market by
Pharco Pharmaceutical Company (Alexandria, Egypt). Extensive advertising efforts have
encouraged physicians in private clinics to use Mirazid. The chemistry of myrrh is not fully
studied. Reports on its anti-schistosomal effect in human or experimental animals seem to be
controversial.
Methods: Our present study is a laboratory trial aimed at using conventional PCR technique for
studying the schistosomicidal effect of Mirazid® in the murine model, and comparing the results
with the parasitological results (ova and worm count).
Results: Microscopic results showed that there was no eggs passing till the 41st day of
infection by examining fecal samples of all infected mice by Kato-Katz technique. Only on the
42nd day, the first batch of eggs appeared in stool samples. Comparable results were found in
the number of S. mansoni worms recovered from sacrificed mice of infected groups.
By using PCR for detection of S. mansoni specific DNA sequences in murine fecal samples of
infected control group, all fecal samples showed positive results by using feces from the 45th day
after infection. On the other hand, all fecal samples of uninfected control group showed negative
results.
Regarding results of the Mirazid® treated group, six fecal samples (60%) showed positive results
for feces from the 77th day after infection. Interestingly, the four mice diagnosed negative by PCR
were among the eight mice that diagnosed negative by the microscopic technique.
Conclusion: The used PCR technique was more sensitive than the Kato-Katz thick smears.
Mirazid® showed some schistosomicidal effects against murine S. mansoni. However, it was not
efficient enough to cure any of the mice. Thus, re-evaluation of myrrh as a schistosomicidal drug
must be considered because of its recommendation by some Egyptian physicians motivated by
its natural origin.