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Boophilus microplus is a major cattle tick specie causing great economic loss to the dairy industry throughout the globe including Pakistan. Trichlorfon and Deltamethrin are used to control bovine ticks, and their sprays are also used in other pest control programs that exert pressure on ticks to gain resistance. This study is aimed to examine the resistance level of Rhipiciphalus microplus against trichlorfon and deltamethrin. The engorged ticks were collected from two ecological regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, KPK Pakistan i.e., Swat & Dir (zone-1), and Charsadda & Nowshera (zone-2). Four concentrations of acaricides in two-fold and ten-fold ppm with three replicates for each were used in both bioassays. Egg hatch assay and adult immersion tests were used to assess the resistance status. The probit analysis of egg hatch assay showed the highest hatching percentage in zone 1 on both dilutions (67-76% on two-fold and 68-88% on ten-fold dilution) while lethal concentration (LC95) was found to be 2.187 ppm and discriminating dose (DD) as 4.374 ppm for trichlorfon. In zone 2, hatching percentage was 73-84 on two-fold and 72-91% on ten-fold dilution while LC95 was recorded as 0.599 ppm and DD as 1.198 ppm. The same parameters were studied for deltamethrin and in zone 1 the hatching percentage was found as 38-56% on two-fold dilution and 37-80% on ten-fold dilution while LC95 was recorded as 0.001 ppm and DD as 0.002 ppm. In zone 2, the hatchability was recorded as 42-58% on two-fold and 43-85% on ten-fold dilution. The values for LC95 was recorded as 0.001 ppm and DD as 0.002 ppm. Further, analysis of adult immersion test against trichlorfon revealed the values of LC50 as 2.85 ppm and LC95 as 4.71 ppm in zone 1 and in zone 2 as 3.14 ppm and 5.28 ppm, respectively. Similarly, LC50 and LC95 against deltamethrin was recorded as 0.79 ppm & 1.71 ppm in zone 1 and 0.45 ppm & 4.325 ppm in zone 2, respectively. Based on the findings of this study, the isolated Rhipicephalus microplus was found to be more resistant to the widely used acaricides i.e., trichlorfon than deltamethrin. In order to maintain the efficacy of acaricides at country level, the study recommends continuous monitoring of resistance.

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Differentiating the Eimeria species causing cecal coccidiosis in turkeys is challenging. To obtain benchmark biological data for Eimeria gallopavonis Hawkins 1952 and Eimeria meleagridis Tyzzer 1929 and to support the stability of the species concept for each, genetically typed, single oocyst-derived lines of E. gallopavonis Weybridge strain and E. meleagridis USAR97-01 were used to redescribe the biological, pathological, and morphological features of these parasites. Oocysts of E. meleagridis and E. gallopavonis overlap in dimensions, but oocysts of the former have a single polar granule compared with multiple in the latter. Mature first-generation meronts of E. gallopavonis were observed histologically as early as 48 h post-inoculation alongside the villi in jejunum (before and after Meckel's diverticulum), ileum, cecal neck and rectum, but not cecal pouches. Three asexual cycles were observed suggesting that early workers apparently overlooked one asexual cycle. Examination of endogenous development of a culture labeled "Eimeria adenoeides Weybridge strain" suggested that this strain (found in a number of publications as a large oocyst strain of "Eimeria adenoeides") matched the species description of E. gallopavonis and so has been renamed herein. Macroscopic lesions induced by E. gallopavonis consisted of caseous material distally from posterior of the yolk stalk through the remaining intestinal tract, excluding the cecal pouches. For E. meleagridis, only the first asexual generation was observed outside of the cecal pouches within the jejunum around the yolk stalk. Second- and 3rd-generation asexual stages developed almost exclusively in the cecal pouches (but not cecal necks). Macroscopic lesions described for E. meleagridis were similar to those of E. adenoeides. Marked corrugation of the cecal serosal surface was observed. Cecal pouches contained creamy colored, caseous material varying from loose material to granular. Distinguishing features of the Eimeria species infecting the lower part of the small intestine are summarized in the present study, and new type specimens were designated for E. gallopavonis and E. meleagridis to provide a stable reference for future work with these parasites.

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The Briston strain of Eimeria dispersa Tyzzer, 1929 was isolated originally from a commercial turkey flock from Briston, Norfolk, UK. A single oocyst-derived line of E. dispersa was propagated and used to re-describe biological and morphological features of E. dispersa in the turkey. Oocysts of the Briston strain measured 26 ± 1.1 µm (24-28) by 21 ± 1 µm (19-23); these were larger than oocysts described originally by Tyzzer in 1929 (22.75 by 18.84 µm) but within dimensions (26.07 by 21.04 µm) reported by Hawkins (1952) in his description of E. dispersa isolated from turkeys. In the present study, endogenous development started mainly in duodenum and upper jejunum and then spread down toward the lower jejunum. A few parasites were detected in the ileum beginning 96 h post-infection; only few gamonts were observed in the cecal neck area at 120 h, and no parasites were detected in cecal pouches or rectum. Four asexual generations were observed before the start of gametogony, and only one large type of first generation meront was detected in duodenum and upper jejunum at 32 h. This strain has a prepatent period of 120 h. The Briston strain of E. dispersa is a mildly pathogenic coccidium. Duodenum and jejunum of infected birds were slightly dilated and paler in color than of uninfected controls. There was whitish green mucoid material in the lumen of the duodenum and jejunum. The mucosa looked slightly congested and edematous with a few scattered petechial hemorrhages.

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The course of natural Eimeria infections in 6 successive broiler flocks at a commercial farm comprising 4 houses, where different anticoccidial drug programs were employed, was studied by counting the number of oocysts in the litter at weekly intervals. The course of infection in all flocks followed a bell shaped curve in which oocyst numbers, initially low, increased to a peak ranging from 36 × 10(3) to 74 × 10(3) oocysts/g (OPG) of litter around 3 to 4 wk of age. Numbers subsequently declined to 3 × 10(3) to 15 × 10(3) OPG. Oocysts could be detected between flocks when birds were not present. Species of Eimeria identified included E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella Despite the presence of large numbers of oocysts in the litter, coccidial lesions were not observed in the intestines of the birds. The performance of broilers at the study site was comparable to that of other farms in the area where birds from the same settlement were reared to a similar age using the same drug programs. The results indicate the ubiquitous nature of Eimeria spp. infections in commercial broilers despite prophylactic medication.

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Unlike with Eimeria species infecting chickens, specific identification and nomenclature of Eimeria species infecting turkeys is complicated, and in the absence of molecular data, imprecise. In an attempt to reconcile contradictory data reported on oocyst morphometrics and biological descriptions of various Eimeria species infecting turkey, we established single oocyst derived lines of 5 important Eimeria species infecting turkeys, Eimeria meleagrimitis (USMN08-01 strain), Eimeria adenoeides (Guelph strain), Eimeria gallopavonis (Weybridge strain), Eimeria meleagridis (USAR97-01 strain), and Eimeria dispersa (Briston strain). Short portions (514 bp) of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (mt COI) from each were amplified and sequenced. Comparison of these sequences showed sufficient species-specific sequence variation to recommend these short mt COI sequences as species-specific markers. Uniformity of oocyst features (dimensions and oocyst structure) of each pure line was observed. Additional morphological features of the oocysts of these species are described as useful for the microscopic differentiation of these Eimeria species. Combined molecular and morphometric data on these single species lines compared with the original species descriptions and more recent data have helped to clarify some confusing, and sometimes conflicting, features associated with these Eimeria spp. For example, these new data suggest that the KCH and KR strains of E. adenoeides reported previously represent 2 distinct species, E. adenoeides and E. meleagridis, respectively. Likewise, analysis of the Weybridge strain of E. adenoeides, which has long been used as a reference strain in various studies conducted on the pathogenicity of E. adenoeides, indicates that this coccidium is actually a strain of E. gallopavonis. We highly recommend mt COI sequence-based genotyping be incorporated into all studies using Eimeria spp. of turkeys to confirm species identifications and so that any resulting data can be associated correctly with a single named Eimeria species.

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The Guelph strain of Eimeria adenoeides was obtained from a commercial turkey flock in Ontario, Canada, in 1985. Single oocyst derived lines of E. adenoeides were propagated, and one of them used to re-describe biological and morphological features of E. adenoeides in the turkey. Oocysts of this strain are within the lower size ranges in the original species description reported by Moore and Brown (1951); oocysts of the Guelph strain averaged 18.7 ± 1.4 µm (16.7-22.5) by 14.3 ± 0.9 µm (13-16.2, n = 30) with a shape index (SI) of 1.3 ± 0.1. It is possible that the original species description was based, at least in part, on a mixed culture of two or more Eimeria species. Immature first-generation meronts of E. adenoeides Guelph strain were observed histologically at 32 h post-infection in the ileum and cecal neck. Early studies reported only two asexual generations suggested that first asexual cycle observed at 32 h post-infection was overlooked. In the present study, three asexual generations were observed before the start of gametogony. The Guelph strain is also characterized by a prepatent period of 112 h. The Guelph strain of E. adenoeides is a highly pathogenic coccidium that forms classic cecal lesions, including prominent caseous cecal cores, during moderate to severe infections. The maximum output of oocysts (1.77 × 10(7) per bird) was obtained from birds inoculated with 1 × 10(3) oocysts; maximum fecundity (1.55 × 10(5) oocyst shed per oocyst inoculated) was obtained with an inoculation of 1 × 10(2) oocysts, but fecundity dropped dramatically as the inoculation dose increased. To promote stability of the E. adenoeides species concept, neotype specimens (a parahapantotype slides series and phototype) have been designated and deposited for future reference.

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For the purpose of re-describing the Eimeria species that infect the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and to establish benchmark biological information linked to genetic markers for each species, a strain of Eimeria meleagrimitis Tyzzer 1929 was obtained from a litter sample from a turkey farm in Minnesota, USA in 2008. Multiple pure lines were derived by infecting turkey poults with a single oocyst; one of these lines was then used to re-describe biological and morphological features of E. meleagrimitis in the turkey and to designate a neotype of E. meleagrimitis in the turkey. Oocyst morphometrics of this line matched those of this species as originally described by Tyzzer (Am J Hyg 10:269-383, 1929). Three asexual generations of merogony (the first generation of meronts large in size and the second and third generations small) were detected in the intestines before the onset of gametogony; no developmental stages were detected in the cecal pouches. No mortality was induced by this line of E. meleagrimitis even when turkey poults were infected with high doses of oocysts (up to 5 × 10(5) oocysts/bird) and despite the ability of E. meleagrimitis to induce severe mucosal damage in the upper and middle duodenum. Macroscopic lesions were characterized to provide a graded lesion scoring guide that should assist assessment of the severity of infections with this species in infected turkeys. The pathogenicity of the strain was investigated, and a significant reduction in weight gain and feed conversion ratio was observed with doses of 10(4) oocysts/bird or more. The maximum yield of oocysts in the feces was obtained when birds were inoculated with 5 × 10(3) oocysts.

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Four complete mitochondrial (mt) sequences from a single-oocyst-derived line of Eimeria mitis USDA 50 were obtained (three from cloned whole-genome PCR products, one from directly sequenced whole-genome PCR product). The mt genome is 6,408 bp long with three genes (CytB, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit III (COIII)) and many rDNA fragments (large subunit rDNA 13, small subunit rDNA 10); organisation was identical to other Eimeria sp. mt genomes. Conserved start codon positions for both COI and COIII are suggested for all Eimeria mt genomes; these start codon positions exist and may also be conserved, in related apicomplexan parasites. Within the three separate cloned PCR products of near-complete mt genomes, there were 26 nucleotide differences (collectively) compared to the directly sequenced mt genome. These changes appear to be base misincorporations during PCR. Direct sequencing of long PCR amplification products may be more likely to generate accurate mt genomic sequences than cloning and subsequent sequencing.

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The study evaluated the efficacy of fasting in Ramadan on the clinical, laboratory and ultrasonographic parameters of chronic liver disease patients. A total of 202 patients were selected from the departments of Tropical medicine and outpatient clinics of Al-Azhar University hospitals, Cairo, Egypt from the 26th of July till the 30th of September 2010. Patients submitted to complete clinical, laboratory, ultrasonographic and endoscopic evaluation pre, during, and post Ramadan. The fasting group was 103 (51%) and the non-fasting group was 99 (49%) patients. The non-fasting group showed significantly a good adherence to therapy (43.4%) compared to (27.2%) the fasting group (p=0.016). Dyspeptic symptoms was higher in the fasting (53.4%) compared to (38.4%) the non-fasting group (p=0.032). G.I. bleeding during Ramadan was higher in the fasting group (17.5%) compared to non-fasting (14.1%), but the bleeding due to o.v. was significantly higher in the non-fasting group (9.1%) compared to (1%) in the fasting group (p=0.004). Chronic hepatitis in the fasting group showed non significant changes pre, during and post-Ramadan regarding liver function. Fasting cirrhotic group patients child class C was developed to (13%) during and (32.6%) after Ramadan compared to (0%) before (p=0.001).

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Toxoplasmosis, an infection caused by Toxoplasma (T.) gondii Apicomplexa protozoan, is widespread in humans and other animal species, having already been reported in many countries and different climates. In Pakistan, no data is available on this aspect among food animals. This study was undertaken to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and goats. A total of 200 serum samples from sheep and goats, were collected from urban area of Rahim Yar Khan (Punjab), Pakistan and tested for Toxoplasmosis with a commercial latex agglutination kit (Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. Japan). The overall seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis was 19%. Goats had a significantly higher (p < 0.01) prevalence (25.4%) as compared to the sheep (11.2%); and higher (p < 0.01) in the female (24%) than in the males (19%) for both species. In the present study the male (both in sheep and goat) are found less seropositive T. gondii (OR = 0.23; 99% C.I. = 0.01, 1.81) as compared to female sheep and goat. The prevalence was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in adult sheep than younger animals. Among both the sheep and goats the group from 1-1.5 years are highly seropositive (OR = 1.75; 99% C.I. = 0.47, 6.51) as compared to the group less than one year of age followed by the 2-2.5 years age group (OR = 1.63; 99% C.I. = 0.50, 5.74) whereas group with more than 3 years of age least seropositive.

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The study describes the pattern of childhood neuromuscular disorders seen in a decade (1982-1992) at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Similar data are scanty outside Europe and North America, and lacking in Saudi Arabia. Eighty-four children (< or = 16 years) were assigned to an entity of neuromuscular disease following review of the clinical, biochemical and neurophysiological data, and after re-examination of the histological and histochemical features of the muscle biopsies. Of the 84 ascertained cases, 40 (48%) had different forms of muscular dystrophy (MD), 26 (31%) had one of the various types of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and two (2.4%) hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I. The rest were miscellaneous cases including one (1.2%) with dermatomyositis. Of the dystrophies, severe childhood autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy (SCARMD) was more prevalent (30%) than Duchenne type (25%), conforming with observations from North African countries known to have a high incidence of consanguineous marriages. Family history of other cases of SCARMD included three males and three females, one of whom died at 15 years, and consanguinity was evident in 63%. Congenital MD, inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, was also common (30%). A history of consanguinity was present in 55%. Of the 26 cases of SMA, type I (Werdnig-Hoffman disease) was the most prevalent (69%). Consanguinity was ascertained in 65% of SMA families and histories revealed another 14 affected siblings. Autosomal recessive forms seem to constitute the bulk of neuromuscular disorders in Saudi Arabia.

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Cardiac tamponade was manifested in a 30-year-old male with a 6-month history of fever and weight loss prior to admission. Cross-sectional echocardiography demonstrated huge pericardial effusion with a large mass in the posterior pericardial space. Pericardiocentesis revealed exudative fluid with no malignant cells. Surgery performed to determine the nature of the mass disclosed the mass originating from the posterior pericardium, invading the posterior pleural sac and adjacent structures. Histopathology identified spindle cell sarcoma. The preoperative diagnosis of the mass and its presenting features and nature are discussed. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 13, May 1996)

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Biochemical effects of acute and subacute treatments with ambrein were investigated in rats by measuring the total proteins, cholesterol, triglycerides, GOT, GPT and alkaline phosphatase in the blood plasma. Also, determinations of prothrombin time (PT), partial thrombin time (PTT), thrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen level were performed. Furthermore, changes in plasma electrolyte concentration were studied. Ambrein administered i.p. did not cause any toxic symptoms in the liver as revealed by the histology of the liver tissue both in acute and subacute treatments. Ambrein itself did not significantly affect the plasma protein, cholesterol, GOT and GPT profiles, but lowered alkaline phosphatase at high doses (50 and 250 mg/kg) after subacute treatment. Thus far, no specific pattern of action of ambrein in electrolyte control has been found. However, it increased PT, PTT and TT and decreased fibrinogen levels in both the acute and subacute studies, pointing towards its potential as an anticoagulant and antifibrinogenic agent.

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Seven symptomatic patients with Wilson's disease have so far been diagnosed at King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH), Riyadh, over the last six years. On family screening, another three asymptomatic patients were found to be affected. Five of the symptomatic patients had clinical features of liver disease on initial presentation and was preceded by renal dysfunction in another patient. The remaining patient presented with neurological features. Six patients had Kayser-Fleisher ring. Abnormal liver function tests were found in half of the patients. Ceruloplasmin was reduced in 7 of 10 patients. Serum copper and urinary copper estimations were most useful diagnostic laboratory tests. Morphological alteration was found in all 9 patients who had a percutaneous liver biopsy. All patients were treated initially with D-penicillamine and clinical response was noted in seven, of whom one developed neurological manifestations while receiving the treatment. D-penicillamine was replaced by zinc sulfate in 3 patients who developed thrombocytopenia. The data suggest that Wilson's disease may not be rare in Saudi Arabia. For early detection and prompt treatment, the disease should be suspected under appropriate clinical circumstances especially in young patients with liver diseases. Close relatives of such index patients should be routinely screened.

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Traumatic haemorrhage in a previously occult intradiploic haemangioma in an elderly lady resulted in clinical and computer tomographic (CT) appearances mimicking an extradural haematoma. Literature relevant to this rare situation is briefly discussed.

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The clinical picture and laboratory data of five symptomatic and two asymptomatic cases of Wilson's disease in four unrelated Saudi families are reported. More than one member was affected in two families. The oldest and youngest patients were twenty and eight years respectively. The two oldest patients were siblings and presented with neurological disturbance only while the youngest two were unrelated and had predominantly hepatic involvement. A mixture of hepatic cirrhosis and extrapyramidal syndrome was encountered in one patient only and Kayser-Fleischer rings in three. The initial presentation of one patient who subsequently developed cirrhosis closely simulated subacute glomerular nephritis. Although only three patients showed clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease either initially or in later stages, liver biopsy demonstrated a spectrum of morphological changes in all the seven cases. These findings indicate that a positive family history, Kayser-Fleischer rings and simultaneous hepatic and brain involvement need not be present and that subclinical hepatic involvement may be commoner than is generally realised in Wilson's disease. That seven cases were seen at one centre, which takes a largely unselected patient population, in a four-year period only, suggests that this preventable and treatable disease may be frequent in Saudi Arabia.

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Lacertilian species display a remarkable diversity in the organization of the neural apparatus of their pineal organ (epiphysis cerebri). The occurrence of immunoreactive S-antigen and opsin was investigated in the retina and pineal organ of adult lizards, Uromastix hardwicki. In this species, numerous retinal photoreceptors displayed S-antigen-like immunoreactivity, whereas only very few pinealocytes were labeled. Immunoreactive opsin was found neither in retinal photoreceptors nor in pinealocytes. Electron microscopy showed that all pinealocytes of Uromastix hardwicki resemble modified pineal photoreceptors. A peculiar observation is the existence of a previously undescribed membrane system in the inner segments of these cells. It is evidently derived from the rough endoplasmic reticulum but consists of smooth membranes. The modified pineal photoreceptor cells of Uromastix hardwicki were never seen to establish synaptic contacts with somata or dendrites of intrapineal neurons, which are extremely rare. Vesicle-crowned ribbons are prominent in the basal processes of the receptor cells, facing the basal lamina or establishing receptor-receptor and receptor-interstitial type synaptoid contacts. Dense-core granules (60-250 nm in diameter) speak in favor of a secretory activity of the pinealocytes. Attention is drawn to the existence of receptor-receptor and receptor-interstitial cell contacts indicating intramural cellular relationships that deserve further study.

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