Biomphalaria alexandrina snails as immunogens against Schistosoma mansoni infection in mice

Despite effective chemotherapy, schistosomiasis remains the second largest public health problem in the developing world. Currently, vaccination is the new strategy for schistosomiasis control. The presence of common antigenic fractions between Schistosoma mansoni and its intermediate host provides a source for the preparation of a proper vaccine. The objective of this paper is to evaluate the nucleoprotein extracted from either susceptible or resistant snails to protect against schistosomiasis. The vaccination schedule consisted of a subcutaneous injection of 50 µg protein of each antigen followed by another inoculation 15 days later. Analyses of marker enzymes for different cell organelles [succinate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glucose-6-phosphatase, acid phosphatase and 5'-nucleotidase] were carried out. Energetic parameters (ATP, ADP, AMP, phosphate potentials, inorganic phosphate, amino acids and LDH isoenzymes) were also investigated. The work was extended to record worm and ova counts, oogram determination in the liver and intestine and the histopathological pattern of the liver. The nucleoprotein of susceptible snails showed reduction in worm and ova counts by 70.96% and 51.31%, respectively, whereas the nucleoprotein of resistant snails showed reductions of 9.67% and 16.77%, respectively. In conclusion, we found that the nucleoprotein of susceptible snails was more effective in protecting against schistosomiasis

Effect of equation pro and kema zed fungicides on cellulase and pectinase enzymes produced by some phytopathogenic fungi of broad bean

Two fungicides (equation pro and kema zed) were added to the medium in five doses (50,100, 200, 300 and 400 ppm active ingredient) to investigate the chemical control of cellulase and pectinase enzymes produced by some plant pathogens of broad bean. Alternaria alternata, Alternaria citri, Alternaria and Cochliobolus spicifer were isolated from diseased leaves of broad bean. The incorporation of these fungicides into the media for cellulase and pectinase enzymes exhibited an inhibitive effect on both cellulase and pectinase enzymes by all doses used except in few cases; the production of exo- and endo-β-1, 4-glucanase enzymes were slightly increased compared to the control at 50 and 100 ppm doses. The inhibitive effect of equation pro on endo- and exo-β-1,4-glucanase production ranged between 5.9 to 70.4% by A. alternata, A. citri and C. spicifer. However, kema zed exhibited an inhibitive effect on cellulases which ranged between 1.9 to 51.9%. On the other hand, the inhibitive effect of Equation pro on pectinase enzyme ranged between 20.1 to 75.6% by A. citri and A. raphani while kema zed exhibited an inhibitive effect ranged between 13.5 to 62.8%. The inhibitive effect of these fungicides on the mycelial growth of tested fungi was nearly similar to those for the enzyme production.  Keywords: Fungicides, cellulase and pectinase enzymes, broad bean fungi.African Journal of Biotechnology, Vol 13(46) 4330-433