Yosra Alam-Eldin | Ain Shams University (original) (raw)

Papers by Yosra Alam-Eldin

Parasitologists United Journal

It is worth noting that TBL is carried out in three stages. In Phase I, pre-class preparation giv... more It is worth noting that TBL is carried out in three stages. In Phase I, pre-class preparation gives students a basic knowledge and grasp of the subject matter to enable them to fully participate in class activities. In Phase II (readiness assurance phase), the

Archives of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, 2019

Trichomonas vaginalis could be seen in Pap smears where it is reported, but because main concerne... more Trichomonas vaginalis could be seen in Pap smears where it is reported, but because main concerned is placed on malignant cells in Pap smears, not much effort is done to search for this parasite in smears. In this study, 100 cervical and vaginal specimens were examined microscopically by the conventional Papanicolaou method and liquid base cytology (LBC) for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis (T.vaginalis). 16% were infected with T.vaginalis while 10% of diagnosis based on both perinuclear halo and T. vaginalis presence although the association between perinuclear halo and T, vaginalis is statistically insignifi cant it is recommended to increase the number of the cases to prove or disprove the association.

Journal of Parasitic Diseases, 2014

Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that is the aetiological agent of trichomoniasis, ... more Trichomonas vaginalis is a parasitic protozoan that is the aetiological agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Currently, the compound of choice for the treatment of T. vaginalis infections is metronidazole, however, it has many side effects and an increase in metronidazole-resistant trichomoniasis has been observed. Medicinal plants could be a source of new antiprotozoal drugs with high activity, low toxicity and lower price. The present work was carried out to investigate the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa alcoholic extract and oil, as well as Phaseolus vulgaris (kidney bean) lectin and their in vitro activity on the ultrastructure of T. vaginalis trophozoites in comparison to metronidazole, as detected by transmission electron microscope. Both N. sativa oil and P. vulgaris lectin showed high toxic effect as evidenced by severe cell damage with cytoplasmic and nuclear destruction, while the effect of N. sativa alcoholic extract was moderate. Therefore, these two extracts could offer an effective, cheaper and more safe alternative for metronidazole in treatment of trichomoniasis.

Parasitologists United Journal, 2014

Background Acanthamoeba spp. keratitis is a devastating disease that can potentially result in th... more Background Acanthamoeba spp. keratitis is a devastating disease that can potentially result in threatening the sight of the affected eye. Ineffective lens-disinfecting systems and contaminated contact lens storage cases have been recognized as the main risk factors for the infection. Objectives The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of nine different commercially available contact lens solutions in the Egyptian market against Acanthamoeba spp. trophozoites and 2-week-old cysts. Materials and methods Nine solutions were tested: eight multipurpose solutions (MPS) and one one-step hydrogen peroxide solution. Acanthamoeba spp. was isolated from a keratitic patient, cultivated on 1.5% non-nutrient agar (NNA), harvested, adjusted in two final concentrations of 5 × 10 3 and 5 × 10 5 trophozoites and cysts, and then incubated with the contact lens solution. The efficacy was tested at intervals of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 24 h. Experiments were performed in triplicate. The viability was confirmed by reinoculation onto NNA seeded with Escherichia coli (NNA-E. coli). Results Most of the tested solutions showed significant trophzoiticidal activity, whereas all of the tested solutions failed to eliminate the 2-week-old cysts completely. The one-step hydrogen peroxide system failed neutralization within the minimum manufacturer′s disinfecting time as it killed all the cysts of 5 × 10 3 concentration after 10 h of soaking instead of 6 h; if used for this prolonged time, it could be hazardous to the users′ eye. One of the MPS had high trophozoiticidal activity, but with an unknown recorded disinfectant, which could turn out to be of a toxic concentration or constitution. Conclusion Adjustment of the appropriate concentration of the disinfectant, the adequate exposure time, or even the development of new contact lens-disinfecting systems by manufacturers is needed to prevent Acanthamoeba spp. keratitis (AK). A MPS that fails to eradicate trophozoites or cysts within the minimum manufacturer′s disinfecting time or one with an unknown recorded disinfectant should be avoided.

Acta Tropica, 2012

With the aim of genotyping Echinococcus granulosus cysts found in Iranian dromedaries (Camelus dr... more With the aim of genotyping Echinococcus granulosus cysts found in Iranian dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius), 50 cysts of E. granulosus were collected from five geographical regions in Iran. Cysts were characterized using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) gene and sequencing fragments of the genes coding for mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1). Morphological criteria using rostellar hook dimensions were also undertaken. The present results have shown that 27 out of 50 E. granulosus cysts (54%) were determined as the G1 strain, and the other (46%) were determined as the G6 strain. The molecular analysis of the ITS1 region of ribosomal DNA corresponded with the morphological findings. Because of its recognized infectivity in humans, the G1 genotype is a direct threat to human health and its presence in Iranian dromedaries is of urgent public health importance.

Parasitology Research, 2015

Current options for treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE), including chemotherapeutics and surg... more Current options for treatment of cystic echinococcosis (CE), including chemotherapeutics and surgical approaches, are not satisfactory in certain cases of resistant cysts in vulnerable or inaccessible organs. Therefore, potential means of therapy are needed. The present work evaluated the effect of gamma irradiation on mestacestode causing CE. Metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus were exposed to 15, 30, and 60 Gy irradiation and examined after 24 h for viability, morphologic, and ultrastuctural alterations by light and electron microscopy. Apoptosis was determined by caspase-3 activity by colorimetric assay and immunohistochemistry. The irradiated metacestodes showed loss of viability, damage of protoscolices, formation of lipid droplets and vacuoles, and separation of the germinal layer. Apoptosis was prominent after irradiation. Our results suggested that gamma irradiation have therapeutic potential in CE. Moreover, understanding the destructive effect of irradiation may help in developing prophylactic measures against CE. Further studies are needed to test the efficacy of ionizing radiation in long-term animal models.

Background: Schistosomiasis is a public health problem of social and economic importance in the d... more Background: Schistosomiasis is a public health problem of social and economic importance in the developing world. Schistosomiasis haematobium is still endemic in many foci along the Nile valley, especially in El Fayoum and Beni-Suef governorates. Chemotherapy and snail eradication are the most important control measures with few studies that dealt with its snail intermediate host, Bulinus truncatus. Because of drug resistance and recurrence of exposure to infection, snail control becomes a better method for control, keeping in mind that chemical molluscicides may have toxic effects on non-target organisms. Objectives: The aim of the study is to search for biologically derived molluscicides such as plant extracts, that are less expensive, available, biodegradable, non-toxic and easily applicable than synthetic ones. Material and Methods: The effect of oil extracts of three natural plants; Nigella sativa, Pelargonium graveolens and Azadirachta indica were investigated as molluscicidal...

Parasitology research, 2015

Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis (BPL) is an emerging disease of potential importance. BPL is prese... more Bronchopulmonary lophomoniasis (BPL) is an emerging disease of potential importance. BPL is presented by non-specific clinical picture and is usually accompanied by immunosuppression. Culture of Lophomonas blattarum is difficult and its molecular diagnosis has not yet been developed. Therefore, microscopic examination of respiratory samples, e.g., bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or sputum, is the mainstay of BPL diagnosis. Creola bodies and ciliocytophthoria are two forms of bronchial cells which occur in chest diseases with non-specific clinical picture like that of BPL. Both forms could be misrecognized as multi-flagellates because of their motile cilia in the wet mounts and due to shape variability of L. blattarum in stained smears. The aim of the study is to compare different staining techniques for visualizing L. blattarum to improve the recognition and diagnosis of BPL, to distinguish respiratory epithelial cells from L. blattarum and to decide which stain is recommended in suspe...

Experimental parasitology, 2017

Metronidazole is administered in an inactive form then activated to its cytotoxic form within the... more Metronidazole is administered in an inactive form then activated to its cytotoxic form within the hydrogenosome of trichomonads. Two hydrogenosomal proteins, pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) and ferredoxin, play a critical role in the reductive activation of metronidazole. The expression of these proteins and other hydrogenosomal proteins are likewise positively regulated by iron. In the present study, the effect of iron on minimal lethal concentration (MLC) of metronidazole on in vitro cultured Trichomonas vaginalis(T. vaginalis) isolates was investigated. Interestingly, Addition of Ferrous ammonium sulphate (FAS) to T. vaginalis culture led to decrease in the MLC of metronidazole. On using aerobic assay, MLC of metronidazole on untreated T. vaginalis of both isolates was 12.5 μg/ml that decreased to 0.38 μg/ml on FAS treated trichomonads. Also anaerobic assay revealed that MLC on untreated parasites was 3.12 μg/ml that decreased to 0.097 μg/ml and 0.19 μg/ml for isolate 1...

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2015

This retrospective study determined the intestinal parasites discovered in 2490 new employees in ... more This retrospective study determined the intestinal parasites discovered in 2490 new employees in a tertiary health care center in Makah as regards nationalities, age groups and sex over the period from January 2010 to January 2014 to decrease introduction of communicable diseases. All the data were provided through the electronic hospital information system. The overall positive cases were 16%, significantly higher in females 57.4% than males 42.6%. Differences in distribution of positive records among different geographical areas were highly significant being highest in East Asia 59.8 %. Blastocystis hominis was the most common parasite. It occurred in 78,9% of positive cases followed by Entamoeba coli 9.3%, Giardia lamblia 5.8% and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar 5.3%. These findings should motivate any other country importing expatriate employees to have effective screening programs for intestinal parasites.

Acta parasitologica / Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Warszawa, Poland, 2015

Few molecular studies have identified the current status of cystic echinococcosis in Egypt. The p... more Few molecular studies have identified the current status of cystic echinococcosis in Egypt. The present study aimed to ascertain the genotype(s) of Echinococcus granulosus responsible for human hydatidosis in different Egyptian governorates (regions). Animal isolates were collected from 40 camels, 5 pigs and 44 sheep. 27 human isolates were included in the present study. Specific PCR was performed and followed by DNA sequencing for mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA gene and BLAST analysis.The sheep cysts were not hydatid cysts. G6 genotype (camel starin) predominates in human, camel and pig isolates. G7 genotype (pig strain) was detected in two human isolates and one pig isolate. G1 genotype (sheep strain) was detected in one human isolate from Yemen and in no animal isolates. This is the first record of G7 in Egypt and G1 in Yemen.

Acta Parasitologica, 2015

Journal of Parasitology, 2015

Cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for a wide range of liver dise... more Cell-based therapy is emerging as a promising therapeutic approach for a wide range of liver diseases. This study aimed to investigate the regenerative and antifibrotic therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in an early and late experimental hepatic schistosomiasis model. BM-MSCs were isolated from 6-wk-old BALB/c donor male mice, then grown and propagated in culture until cell count was 5-8 × 10(6)/ml. MSCs were then separated and injected into Schistosoma mansoni -infected female BALB/c mice on their 6, 10, 14, and 18 wk post-infection. Mice were sacrificed on the fourth and eighth week after BM-MSCs transplantation in each group. Homing of BM-MSCs was confirmed by PCR detection of male Y-chromosome gene (sry) in the liver tissue of the recipient female mice. The regenerative and antifibrotic potential of BM-MSCs was assessed by histopathological examination, morphometric analysis, electron microscopy, and liver function tests. Schistosoma-infected mice, which were treated with BM-MSCs, showed a decrease in the granuloma size, percentage and density of the fibrotic area, formation of new hepatocytes, and improvement of the liver function tests. Immunohistochemical examination of alpha-smooth muscle actin revealed a significant decrease in the immunoreactive hepatic stellate cells in mice treated with MSCs. Early granulomas (acute infection) showed better response to MSC injection than did later granulomas (chronic infection). Dosing and timing of MSCs transplantation should undergo more investigations in long-term experiments before application to the clinical field. This study is the first to assess and compare the effect of MSCs treatment on early and late granulomas.