Random amplification polymorphic DNA is a good epidemiologic screening method of pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial isolates from menoufyia university hospital burn unit

Burned patients are at increased risk for hospital-acquired infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most common bacterial pathogen involved in these infections. Epidemiologic typing is needed to discover the source of infection. Phenotypic characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa could be used for this purpose. However, the genomic fingerprinting methods are now regarded as more accurate typing methods. Random amplified polymorphic DNA is thought to be an efficient genetic typing method. In the Burn Unit of Menoufyia University Hospital this study was carried out in order to overview the problem of hospital acquired infections in this unit, to identify the most common pathogen and to find out probable sources of infections. Fifty-three cases of nosocomial burn wound infections, ten medical personnels and thirty-one environmental samples were screened, bacterial isolates were identified. Epidemiologic study for the most common isolate [Pseudomonas aeruginosa] was done using antibiogram and pyocin production in addition to some genetic studies as plasmid profile and random amplification polymorphic DNA [RAPD] typing. Total number of Pseudomonas aeurginosa strains isolated from burn wound infections, medical staff and Burn Unit environment and equipments was 36. These P. aeurginosa strains were mostly sensitive to imipinem [69.5%] followed by amikin [61.2%]. Antibiogram typing classified these isolates into 9 groups. beta lactamase prduction was proved in 58% of strains. Pyocin typing revealed 5 types. Sixteen strains had plasmids with 7 different profiles. According to RAPD 24 different patterns were distinguished. Identical clones of Pseudomonas aeurginosa were identified: two clones were related to environmental sources [Hydrotherapy tub and stretcher of hydrotherapy]. Horizontal acquisition through health care worker [finger tips] was proved.Endogenous colonization was also found in two cases. The RAPD method is simple, fast and has high discriminatory power suitable for application in epidemiologic studies. Stringent infection control policies and education campaign are urgently needed

Growth and development in school age children - relation to blood lead level

This study was performed on 100 children from primary school in Dokki [as nonindustrial area] and 100 children from Shobra El-Khema [as an industrial area]. The sociodemographic data as well as the actual measurement of weight, height and mid upper arm circumference were taken. Weight/age and height/age values were analyzed. Cognitive and intellectual functioning were assessed. Verbal performance and total intelligent quotient [IQ] were obtained. Blood lead level [BLL], free erythrocyte protoporphyrin [FEP] and urinary delta-amino levulinic acid [6-ALA] were determined. It was found that 46% of children in the industrial area had blood lead levels [BLL] between 10-20 mug/dl and 41% had BLL more than 20 mug/dl. The mean BLL of children in the industrial area was 17.5 +/- 7.8 mug/dl. While, mean BLL in the nonindustrial area was 8.8 +/- 1.5 mug/dl. Mean delta-ALA in the industrial area was 2.6 +/- 1.35 mug/dl, while mean delta-ALA in the nonindustrial area was 0.85 +/- 0.29 mug/dl.66% of children from the industrial area were anemic with BLL >/10 mug/dl and FEP level > 35 mug/dl. Children in the industrial area had lower mean IQ scores than those in the nonindustrial area. The correlation values for IQ with lead in the industrial area were high. There was a statistically significant negative correlation of IQ with BLL in patients in the industrial area; while in those living in the industrial area, social status was the main predictor of children IQ

Ultrastructural study of the body surface and the flame cell of oochoristica sp [cestoda: anoplocephalidae]

Ultrastructural studies on the body surface of the adult tapeworm Oochoristica sp. revealed that all the strobilar surface including the scolex and the adhesive surfaces of the suckers are covered with long filamentous microtriches. Using scanning and transmission electron microscopes, the basic morphology of the microtriches was studied and found to be similar to those described in other cestodes, but differs in having a relatively long basal regions. The flame cell was also described

survey of gregarines associated with tenebrio molitor and opatriodes vicinus in the central region of Saudi Arabia

The present work recorded five species of Septate gregarines in the intestine of two species of insects, they were: Gregarina polymorpha [Hamm.], in the gut of Tenebrio molitor [L.], percentage of infection 100%, with a density of 2-6 and G. cuneata [Stein], in the gut of T. molitor [L.], percentage of infection 100% with a density of 15-17; Hirmocystis harpali [Watson], in the mid gut of Opatriodes vicinus [Fairmaire], percentage of infection 34%, with a density of 19-28 and Leidyana sp. in the mid gut of O. vicinus percentage of infection 17%, with a density of 2-11 and Spharorynchus chabaudi percentage of infection 33% with a density of 100-180 in an infected insect. Members of genus Gregarina are considered to be coccidian and malarial organisms, however, till now gregarines cause little or no damage to their hosts

Effect of xiphidiocercarial infection on the blood volume of the fresh water snail lanistes carinatus oliver

The blood volume of uninfected fresh water snail Lanistes carinatus Olivier [Mollusca: gastropoda] and those parasitized with xiphidiocercariae have been measured using the dilution method of inulin. Uninfected specimens have a blood volume of 53.92 [as a percentage of the wet weight] compared with 32.71% measured for parasitized ones. The host is likely to suffer very considerable side effect of infection after a reduction of nearly 36.29% of its blood volume

Effect of crytocotyle lingua on the ionic concentration of littorina obstusata [L]

The concentration of sodium, potassium and calcium ions [the most important inorganic ions in the body fluid] were determined in both parasitized and uninfected Littorina obtusata [L.]. The ionic concentrations were determined using a Pye Unicam SP atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Sodium and calcium were determined using the absorption mode, while potassium concentration was measured in the emission mode using special potassium filter. The results revealed no significant difference in the concentration of Na+, K+ and Ca++ between parasitized and uninfected L. obtusata. It seems that although the presence of the parasite within the molluscan hosts caused dramatic effects in the tissue and physiology of the snail, the blood ionic concentration of parasitized snail remains isosmotic to that of the surrounding medium

general survey of ciliates associated with periplaneta americana [L] in the central region of Saudi Arabia

The aim of this work is to identify and classify different species of ciliates which live in the alimentary canal of Periplaneta americana [L.] in the central region of Saudi Arabia. This insect was chosen because of the direct and indirect relationship to man. Identification of ciliates that live in the alimentary canal of this insect may be useful in the future for eradication of insects probably by making an epidemic among such insects. The present communication recorded three species of ciliates from the intestine of the cockroach P. americana [L.] for the first time in Saudi Arabia; they are: Nyctotherus ovalis [Leidy], percentage of infection was 100% with a density of 86-102, Balantidium ovatum [Ghosh], percentage of infection was 100% with a density of 18-39 and B. blattarum [Ghosh], percentage of infection was 3% with a density of 8-14