In vitro and in vivo anthelmintic activity of pumpkin seeds and pomegranate peels extracts against Ascaridia galli

Pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita pepo) and Pomegranate peel (Punica granatum) have anthelmintic properties. The aim of this study was to compare the anthelmintic efficacy of pumpkin seeds ethanolic extract and pomegranate peel aqueous extract against Ascaridia galli in vitro and in vivo in Baladi chicks. On adult worms, the extracts of the two herbs were compared in vitro at concentrations of 25, 50, and 75 mg/ml with fenbendazole at a concentration of 5 mg/ml. Chicks were infected with Ascaridia galli eggs containing second stage larva and treated with 2000 mg/kg of each of the extracts compared with 100 mg/kg fenbendazole. In vitro, all concentrations of pumpkin seed extract and the concentration of 75 mg/ml pomegranate peel extract exhibited a nearly similar effect to fenbendazole. In vivo, the mortality rate of the worms extracted from the 2000 mg/kg pumpkin seeds extract-treated chicken was non-significantly different from that of fenbendazole for 48 h. While pomegranate peels extract exhibited a lower lethal effect than fenbendazole. The anthelmintic efficacy was dependent on time and concentration. The study presented the anthelmintic efficacy of the pumpkin seeds and pomegranate peel extracts on Ascaridia galli. Pumpkin seed extract was more effective than pomegranate peel extract. Future studies to determine the optimal dose to maximize their effectiveness especially for pumpkin seeds as anthelmintic therapeutic are required. Keywords: Pomegranate peel, Pumpkin seeds, Anthelmintic, Ascaridia galli, In vitro, In viv

Prevalence, Molecular Characterization, and Economic Impact of Hydatid Cysts in the Slaughtered Animals in Abattoirs of Minoufyia Governorate, Egypt

The hydatid cyst is considered a hazardous obstacle for public health and the livestock industry. The present investigation sought to ascertain the prevalence of hydatid cysts, histopathology, and economic losses in slaughtered food animals in Egypt's Minoufyia governorate. Furthermore, the molecular characterization of the cysts was performed using an analysis of the NADH dehydrogenase 1 sequence. Visual meat inspection of 6417 slaughtered animal carcasses in Minoufyia Governorate abattoirs was conducted over two years, from March 2019 to February 2021. The prevalence of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals was 1.48%. The prevalence in different animal carcasses was 1.5% in sheep, 1.33% in cattle, 0.71% in buffaloes, and 9.5% in camels while cyst was not detected in goats. Females had a higher prevalence than males. Autumn had the highest prevalence of hydatid cysts at 0.44%, followed by winter at 0.40%, spring at 0.39%, and summer at 0.25%. The liver and lungs were the most infected organs, with infection rates of 57.9% and 42.1%, respectively. In addition, the histopathology of recovered hydatid cysts was recorded. The sequence analysis of NADH dehydrogenase revealed that the sequence of camel and cattle is E. canadensis and the buffalo sequence is E. ortleppi. The phylogenetic tree revealed that Echinococcus canadensis from Egyptian camels and cattle belonged to the same taxon as genotypes 6-10 of the E. granulosus complex. The E. ortleppi sequence from Egyptian buffalo was found in the same clade as genotype 5 of the E. granulosus complex. The economic costs of organ condemnation amounted to 47320 EGP. The results of this survey present the prevalence, economic impact, and molecular characterization of hydatid cysts from animals in Minoufyia governorate, Egypt.  Strict hygienic measures are needed to control this infection in food animals and humans. 

Prevalence of Hydatid Cysts in Slaughtered Animals from Elbehera Governorate, Egypt, with a Focus on Histopathology and Molecular Characterization of Camel Cysts

Cystic echinococcosis is a worldwide zoonotic infection that triggers significant economic losses in animals. The study’s goal was to reveal the infection with hydatid cysts in animals slaughtered in Elbehera Governorate, Egypt, as well as perform histopathology and molecular characterization of camel cysts using the cox-1 and G1Y162 genes. Elbehera governorate had a total prevalence of 0.35%. Kom-Hamada abattoir had the highest prevalence of 1.7%. Camels had the highest prevalence of 2.17% among the examined animals. Summer had the highest prevalence, at 0.55%. Females had a higher prevalence than males, except for camels. The older animals were infected at a higher rate than the younger ones, except for the buffalo. Location and season had a significant impact on the prevalence, while sex only impacted the prevalence in cattle and buffaloes. The lung had a higher infection than the liver. The cox-1 and G1Y162 genes PCR reactions provided specific DNA bands, and the sequences were for Echinococcus canadensis. The phylogenetic tree of cox-1 indicated that the Egyptian sequence of Elbehera governorate belongs to genotype 6 (G6) of the Echinococcus complex. The sequence shared an identity percentage of up to 99% with previous Egyptian sequences and other E. canadensis in camels from Iran, Mauritania, Algeria, and Sudan. The phylogenetic tree of the G1Y162 protein sequences confirmed that the Egyptian sequence is E. canadensis. Due to the presence of cysts of zoonotic Echinococcus species in slaughtered animals, stringent health regulations are required to prevent infection in animals and humans. &nbsp