Echoguided pair technique in diagnosis and treatment of abdominal hydatid cystic disease in Egyptian patients: clnical and ultrasonographic follow up

The introduction of the percutaneous puncture, aspiration, injection of scolecidal agent and reaspiration [PAIR] technique is gaining an increasing acceptance in diagnosis and treatment of abdominal cystic hydatid disease [CHD]. Thirty-three patients [12 male and 21 female with age between 15 and 70 years] had 46 cysts in liver, spleen and kidneys [75.7%, 18.2% and 6.1% respectively]. Puncture, aspiration, injection of 95% sterile alcohol for 20 minutes and reaspitation [PAIR] was used for treatment of hydatid cysts of different types and sizes. Follow up both clinically and ultrasonographically was done over a period of 2 years. The commonest ultrasound picture was type la [overall echofree] in 80.4%, commonly in the liver [75.7%] mainly in the right lobe [88%]. Improvement of symptoms had occurred its 85% within 3 weeks. As regards ultrasound follow up of 41 non-complicated cysts within the 1[st] six months, was disappearance of 5 cysts, 34 reduced in size and 36 showed different grades of solidification. After 1.5 year 10 more cysts disappeared while the pseudotumour appearance was shown in remaining 26 cysts. Ultrasound follow up of the 5 infected cysts revealed complete cure within a period of 8-16 weeks in 4 of them. The last patient discontinued drainage therapy and was referred to surgery. This makes ultrasound cure reaching 97%. Minor complications were skin reaction only in 2 patients [6%]. No fatal anaphylaxis cyst recurrence or rupture into the peritoneal cavity or bleeding from renal or splenic puncturing. PAIR technique under ultrasonographic guidance is the first choice method for treatment of abdominal CHD especially in the developing countries and inoperable hydatid cysts

Reduction of hepatitis C virus load during low flux renal haemodialysis in patients with end stage renal disease infected with HCV

HCV infection remains a common problem in patients with end stage renal disease [ESRD] undergoing maintenance dialysis especially Haemodialysis [HD]. Inspite that dialysis patients usually are not immunologically competent due to uraemia, hepatitis C virus infection runs usually indolent course. A number of studies support the notion that this dynamics of HCV viral load may be related to lowering of HCV RNA titres during the HD procedure that could be related to the dialyser immaterial used. This work aimed mainly to study the change in HCV RNA titre before and after HD session using low flux dialyser. 18 HCV positive, end stage renal disease [ESRD] patients on regular HD with detectable viral RNA using qualitative polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique were included. All patients had quantitative PCR just before and at the end of a single 4 hours HD session. Standard low flux [Cuprophan or Polysulphon] dialysis filters 1.2m[2] surface area were used for all patients included. Mean HCV RNA for all patients pre dialysis was 135, 143 +/- 16,993 copies/ml. Mean post dialysis HCV RNA was 78, 786 +/- 48,651 copies/ml. Observed reduction in HCV title post/pre dialysis ratio 13.8%-82.l% with median value of +/- 40%. There was a significant reduction in the level of HCV RNA after dialysis [p<0.001, 95% Confidence Interval 125, 332-144, 954]. Low flux haemodialysis session has a significant effect on hepatitis C viral load with marked reduction in HCV RNA that can have a positive impact on the prognosis of hepatitis C in ESRD on regular HD

Transfer of immune response to schistosoma mansoni infections between mice by means of parabiosis

Attempts to transfer the Immune response to Schistosoma mansoni infection between two mice by means of parabiosis were tried. Three groups of mice were parabiosed one week, 6 weeks and 8 weeks following infection of one partner. The healthy partners were seperated one week later and infected with cercariae 3 days after separation. Thereafter, they were examined to investigate the affect of induced immunity during the period of parabiosis on the number and morphology of adult worms and number of eggs and pathological lesions in the liver, Evidence of immunity could be detected in animals parabiosed 6 and 8 weeks after infection

Intra-uterine ototoxicity of gentamycin in guinea pigs

Twenty five female pregnant guinea pigs were used to study the effect of administration of gentamycin to the pregnant animal on the hearing apparatus of the developing embryo. Various concentrations of the drug were administered daily over a variable duration in both early and late stages of gestation. The inner ear, spiral ganglion, cochlear nerve and cochlear nuclei of the newly born animals were histologically examined. The extent of damage was largely dependant on the overall total dose of gentamycin received rather than on the daily dose. The sensory elements of the inner ear were more susceptible than the neural and nuclear elements. The various pathological changes are described and important clinical implications are stated

Intra-uterine ototoxicity of kanamycin: an experimental histopathological study

Kanamycin, in various concentrations was administered to25 adult female pregnant guinea pigs, over a variable duration in both early and late stages of gestation. The inner ear spiral ganglion, cochlear nerve and cochlear nuclei of the offspring born to the animals under test were histologically examined. The sensory cells of the inner ear were the elements to be primarily damaged, while the retrocochlear structures were invariably saved. The damage was largely dependent on the total dose of kanamycin, and was more pronounced when given in late pregnancy than in its early stages. The various pathological changes are described and important clinical implications are stated

Rectal scaping as a diagnostic tool in schistosomiasis

Scraping of the rectal mucosa was found to be a valuable method in diagnosis of schistosoma infection. Statistically significant higher positive results than stool examination were detected in Schistosoma mansoni infection. Moreover, it is useful in diagnosis of Schistosoma haematobium Infection with rectal involvement and cases of mixed infection. Results of rectal scraping were also comparable to those obtained by snip biopsy from the rectum; however, the former is easier, does not interrupt the continuity of mucosa and needs no special equipments. It may be of value in field studies

Evaluation of some acute phase reactants, antistreptolysin-o-titre and surface swab culture in diagnosing the tonsils with positive core culture for group A beta hemolytic streptococci

Persistence of group A beta hemolytic streptococci [GABHS] in the core of the tonsil as a result of fibrosis and or presence of B-lactamase producing bacteria, is believed to be an important cause of recurrence of rheumatic fever in rheumatic subjects who are under penicillin prophylaxis. The aim of the present work was to correlate certain laboratory tests [ESR. CRP and ASOT] together with surface swab culture of the tonsils with the results of core culture for group A beta hemolytic streptococci [GABHS] for possible application in selecting cases of rheumatic children for tonsillectomies. The study was carried out on 50 children aged from 5 to 15 years with chronic tonsillitis who were admitted to hospital for tonsillectomy. The results of the tests showed that in cases: [1] With high ASOT [400 Todd units or more], the core culture for group ABHS was positive in 85.75%. [2][With surface swab culture positive for group ABHS, the core culture was positive in 82.75%. [3] With high ASOT and surface culture positive, the core culture was positive in 100%. [4] With high ASOT and high ESR, the core culture was positive in 100%. [5] With high ESR and surface culture positive, the core culture was positive in 95%. We concluded that in all the previous conditions, the tonsils can be considered harbouring group ABHS in their core, besides B-lactamase producing bacteria in nearly half the cases; and tonsillectomy is indicated

Changes in the microbial flora of the external auditory canal in hospitalised patients treated with systemic antibiotics

This work was carried out on 150 subjects divided into three groups: Group A [100 hospitalized patients receiving antibiotic therapy for more than 10 days], group B [25 hospitalized patients who did not receive antibiotics for the past 30 days] and group C [25 non hospitalized persons receiving no antibiotics for at least the past 30 days]. Groups B and C act as controls. Cultures from both external auditory canals were collected, cultured and examined. Results revealed that antibiotic is the major factor determining the colonization of group A with Gram-negative bacilli and fungi. The isolated Gram-negative bacilli may play a role in suppurative ear disease