Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in Diarrheic Immunocompetent Patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt: Insight into Epidemiology and Diagnosis

Cryptosporidium species is an important cause of gastrointestinal infections globally. This study aimed to shed light on its role in diarrheic immunocompetent patients in Beni-Suef, Egypt and to compare three diagnostic methods. Two hundred diarrheic patients, 37±16.8 year old, were enrolled. Stool samples were examined by light microscopy, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain (MZN) for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Coproantigens were detected by sandwich ELISA. DNA molecular diagnosis was done by nested PCR. PCR yielded the highest detection rates (21.0%), compared to ELISA (12.5%) and MZN staining method (9.5%). The higher infection rates were in 20–40 year-old group, followed by 40–60 year-old. Association between epidemiologic factors was statistically not significant; positivity and gender, clinical manifestations, residence, source or water, or contact with animals. Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric parasitic infection in Beni-Suef and PCR remains the gold standard for diagnosis.

Electron Microscopic Alterations in Pediculus humanus capitis Exposed to Some Pediculicidal Plant Extracts

Head lice, Pediculus humanus capitis, infestation is an important public health problem in Egypt. Inadequate application of topical pediculicides and the increasing resistance to the commonly used pediculicides made the urgent need for the development of new agents able to induce irreversible changes in the exposed lice leading to their mortality. The aim of the present work is to evaluate pediculicidal efficacy of some natural products such as olive oil, tea tree oil, lemon juice, and ivermectin separately in comparison with tetramethrin-piperonyl butoxide (licid), as a standard pediculicide commonly used in Egypt. The effects of these products were evaluated by direct observation using dissecting and scanning electron microscopes (SEM). Results showed that after 1 hr exposure time in vitro, absolute (100%) mortalities were recorded after exposure to 1% ivermectin and fresh concentrate lemon juice. The mortalities were decreased to 96.7% after exposure to tea tree oil. Very low percentage of mortality (23.3%) was recorded after 1 hr of exposure to extra virgin olive oil. On the other hand, the reference pediculicide (licid) revealed only mortality rate of 93.3%. On the contrary, no mortalities were recorded in the control group exposed to distilled water. By SEM examination, control lice preserved outer smooth architecture, eyes, antenna, respiratory spiracles, sensory hairs, and legs with hook-like claws. In contrast, dead lice which had been exposed to pediculicidal products showed damage of outer smooth architecture, sensory hairs, respiratory spiracles and/or clinching claws according to pediculicidal products used.

Protozoa causing food poisoning

Food poisoning also called foodborne illness, or illness caused by eating contaminated food is a term used to cover an unpleasant range of illnesses. Food poisoning symptoms vary with the source of contamination. Most types of food poisoning cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms: nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps and fever Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days or even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from a few hours to several days

antigenic relationship between schistosoma mansoni and its intermediate snail host

Schistosomiasis is a public health problem in many developing countries including Egypt, Determination of the antigenic relationship between S. mansoni and its intermediate snail host [IMH] Biomphalaria alexandrina can open a new field for diagnosis and control of the disease. In the present study infected and non-infected B. alexandrina foot and visceral hump tissue as well as S. mansion crude Ag [SWAg] were fractionated using SDS-PAGE. It's specific and cross reacted protein fractions were determine using EITB versus experimentally prepared mice hyper immune sera [HIS] versus each antigen. After treatment of fractionated S.mansoni crude worm antigens [SWAg] versus HIS produced after vaccination of mice by the same Ag, 8 kda protein fractions ranged from 35-140 kda were reacted specifically. Treatment of fractionated B.alexandrina infected and non-infected foot and visceral hump Ag versus previous HIS revealed presence of common polypeptides bands between SWAg and non-infected snail antigens. The fraction at 135 kda, 68 kda, were detected in all cases, while that at 40-42 kda and that at 35 kda was diagnosed in SWAg and that of infected snails only. The fraction at 68 kda was reacted specifically between SWAg and all tested fractionated snail antigens either that of foot or visceral hump when they treated separately by HIS of mice vaccinated by each snail Ag separately. The fraction at 135 kda was common between SWAg and snail [infected and non-infected] visceral hump antigen. The fraction at the level of 110 kda was diagnosed in SWAg, in non-infected foot antigen and visceral hump Ag. The fraction at the level of 46-48 kda are common between SWAg and snail foot and visceral hump Ag after treated by HIS of mice vaccinated by foot Ag. Presence of common antigenic fractions between snail tissues and Schistosoma species can prefer an easily source of antigen valuable for diagnosis or vaccination as well as can he considered as new tool for determination to the snail IMH of new discovered trematode parasites

Comparative study on immunoblot versus PCR in diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni in experimental infected mice

This study compared PCR and Western blot techniques in diagnosis of schistosomiasis mansoni. Forty Swiss albino mice were used, thirty two mice were infected with cercariae of S. mansoni and eight mice were kept uninfected which were used as a control. Blood was obtained from four infected mice weekly beginning from the 1[st] week to the 8[th] week post infection. The study found that PCR was positive from the first week post infection, while Western blot technique was positive from the second week post infection. Thus, PCR diagnosed schistosomiasis mansoni earlier than Western blot technique, but both were able to diagnose

Iatrogenic illness in the paediatric intensive care unit at Gharian teaching hospital, Libya

The aim of this prospective follow-up study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of iatrogenic illness and the outcome among cases admitted to the paediatric intensive care unit in a teaching hospital in Libya. The incidence of iatrogenic complications was 22.9% among 423 cases admitted over a 1-year period. Human error [18.4%] followed by machine defects [4.5%] were the most common causes of complications. The overall mortality rate was 7.6% and was significantly higher in iatrogenic cases than others [13.4% versus 5.8%]. Paediatric risk of mortality [PRISM] score was a good predictor of risk of iatrogenic illness. Both mortality and occurrence of iatrogenic illness were significantly associated with: higher PRISM score, use of mechanical ventilation, higher bed occupancy rate in the unit, presence of respiratory and neurological diseases, prolonged duration of stay in the intensive care unit and younger age of the child

Antilithiatic activity of leaves of Dalbergia rubiginosa Roxb

Renal calculus is a common and recurrent problem occurring in about 4% of the world population. The traditional system of Indian medicine suggests several herbs against lithiasis. One such plant is Dalbergia rubiginosa Roxb. which belongs to the family Leguminosae. The effect of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves of Dalbergia rubiginosa Roxb. [DRL] against lithiasis induced by 1% glycolated water for 35 days in male Wistar rats was tested in this study. Rats were fed with ethylene glycol [1%] mixed with drinking water for 35 days. Simultaneous treatment with the extracts of DRL considerably reduced the urinary risk parameters such as calcium, oxalate, phosphate, proteins and raised magnesium. These observations lead to the conclusion that the extracts are effective against Iithiasis. Phytochemical analysis of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of the leaves was also carried out

Toxocara canis and chronic urticaria in Egyptian patients

Toxocariasis is a common parasitic condition present all over the world with high seroprevalence rates even among asymptomatic individuals. Recent diagnostic techniques have revealed a wider scope of clinical syndromes due to toxocariasis including dermatological disorders and particularly urticaria. The patients with chronic urticaria were enrolled for serological toxocariasis investigations. The results pointed to a possible role of T. canis infection in chronic urticaria patients, especially those exposed to an increased risk of environmental exposure to toxocariasis

Intravascular ultrasound thrombolysis of acutely occluded coronary arteries: a useful adjunctive to primary percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

This work aimed to report a preliminary experience with intracoronary ultrasound thrombolysis [IUT] of acutely occluded coronary arteries in 26 patients with a diagnosis of acute MI after 3.1 +/- 1.5 hrs from the onset of pain [range 1-4.5 hrs]. Myocardial infarction was anterior in ten cases and inferior in 16 cases. All patients exhibited an angiographic evidence of occluding recent thrombus. Patients with hemodynamic compromise, unsuitable vessel caliber [<2.5 mm] and those with significant osteal caliber stenosis were excluded from the study. Sixteen cases were subjected to primary PTCA without preceding acolysis served as controls [group I]. In the other ten patients [group II], high energy low frequency ultrasound [20 kHz, 45 watt] was applied in sessions, 60 seconds each, up to six sessions. The mean total activation time was 162.5 +/- 121.6 sec. ranging from 60 to 360 sec. A restoration of TIMI 3 flow was achieved in six out of ten cases, TIMI flow in two cases and failure of re-canalization in two cases. Angiographic potency was assessed by TIMI flow, the need for stenting, residual stenosis following PTCA and maximum pressure needed for balloon inflation

Occurrence of pseudomonads in ray cow's milk, and trials to control pseudomonads aeruginosa in butter and tallaga cheese

Pseudomonas bacteria were detected in 10.7% of the examined 150 raw cow's milk samples collected from different farms in Kafr EL-Sheikh Governorate. Identification of the isolated organisms revealed the presence of 3 species, namely P. fluorescence, P. aeruginosa and P. fragi, of which the former was the most frequent [7.3%]. Moreover, serogrouping of the 4 P. aeruginosa strains revealed that they are belonging to 3 serotypes. Several natural preservatives [essential oils and lactic acid cultures] were examined for control of P. aeruginosa in butter and Tallaga cheese. ABT achieved the results as a best natural preservative since it eliminated P. aeruginosa after 7 and 30 days in butter and Tallaga cheese respectively. The tested preservatives had no marked effect on chemical composition of the tested products

red fox, vulpes v. Aegyptiaca, a new host of leishmania major in Sinai peninsula

A leishmanial isolate was obtained from the ear of one red fox or Nile fox [Vulpes v. aegyptiaca] out of eight from North Sinai Governorate. The isolate was typed by the enzymatic variant profiles of the four enzymes, GPI, G6PD, 6PGD and PGM against the three old world reference strains, L. major, L. Tropica and L. Donovani and proved to be Leishmania major. This is the second time that L. major appeared to occur in canine hosts. The list of the mammalian hosts of L. Major was reviewed and discussed

scanning electron microscopy study of Musca domestica larvae

The micro-morphology of the house fly, Musca domestica larvae, was studied by scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. The ultrastructure of the mouth- hooks, oral ridges, spinulation of body segments and posterior spiracles was photographed and described. The results of the study were given

Expression of some apoptosis-controlling proteins in pediatric lymphoproliferative malignancies

The aim of this study was to determine the expression [levels] of some apoptosis-controlling proteins [Bcl-2 and soluble Fas] in children with lymphoproliferative malignancies and to find out the relation between their expression and the clinico-laboratory parameters as well as the outcome of the disease. The study included 39 children with lymphoproliferative malignancies [14 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL], 5 with Hodgkin lymphoma [HD] and 20 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL]]. Their age ranged from 0.5-14 years, they were 28 males and 11 females. Twelve apparently healthy children were included as a control group. Cases and controls were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination and certain investigations [serum levels of Bcl-2 and soluble Fas proteins and complete blood picture]. For cases only, bone marrow examination, CSF examination, immunophenotyping and radiological evaluation were done. One-year follow-up of cases was performed for the evaluation of the prognosis and the outcome of the disease. The study concluded that increased serum expression of Bcl-2 and soluble Fas can be demonstrated in children with lymphoproliferative malignancies. High serum levels of such apoptotic controlling proteins were correlated with poor prognosis in patients with HL and NHL, while no correlation was found with the prognosis in patients with ALL

Placenta previa and the role of tocolytic therapy study at Jordan University Hospital

to study the incidence of placenta previa and aspects of its management [tocolytic treatment] at Jordan University Hospital. prospective and retrospective analysis of 115 women with placenta previa who were admitted over a 6-year period. Fifty-six cases of preterm placenta previa with initial episode of vaginal bleeding were selected. Thirty-three cases were treated with Ritodrine after documentation of uterine contractions and 23 [control group] were not treated. Outcome variables were birth weight, interval from admission until delivery, incidence of recurrent bleeding, and need for blood transfusion. the use of Ritodrine was associated with significant improvement in birth weight [2510 gm vs. 2210 gm, p<0.04 and interval from bleeding until delivery [39.6 vs. 27.4 days, p<0.02]. There was no statistical difference with regard to the incidence of recurrent bleeding, but there was a trend to postpartum blood transfusion in the treated group. Conclusions: use of tocolytic therapy may prolong pregnancy; however, its role in preventing vaginal bleeding needs further exploration

Cardiovascular and electrolyte disturbances due to heat exposure among workers in iron and steel industry

This study was conducted in the iron and steel industry at Helwan district in Cairo Governorate. The studied sample included two groups : The first group was the heat exposed group [150 workers], randomly selected from different iron and steel processes. The second group [50 workers] were randomly selected as a control group from security and services departments, they were neither exposed to heat nor had past history of exposure to heat. Full clinical examination and ECG recording were carried out for both groups together with serum electrolyte analysis for some of them. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of heat exposure on the cardiovascular system and on electrolyte balance. Also, to advise on preventive measures. The results revealed that heat exposed workers had significantly higher pulse rates than the control group. The most prevalent heat disorder symptom among the heat exposed workers was heat cramp [35%]. The heat exposed workers had statistically significantly higher prevalence of ECG changes [43.33%] than the control group [8%]. The most prevalent ECG change was tall peaked T wave [38%] indicating hyperkalemia. It was found that the prevalence of T wave changes increased with increasing age and weight. The heat exposed workers with T wave changes had statistically significantly lower serum sodium and higher serum potassium than those without T wave changes. The study recommended the importance of medical evaluation to identify individuals at increased risk of heat disorders [extremes of age, obesity, etc], training of exposed workers to recognize early signs and symptoms of heat disorders who should be advised of the importance of proper attire, nutrition and fluid intake. Employers should provide cool drinking water and shaded rest areas close to the work site

Study of pulmonary ventilatory and audiometric changes among workers in wood processing industry

The study included 133 wood workers who were randomly selected from 4 carpentries in the district of small scale industries [Alaasher city, Sharkia Governorate] east to Cairo city. Another 65 subjects were randomly selected from the street cleaners of comparable age and socio-economic standard as a control group. Both groups were subjected to history taking according to a questionnaire form, clinical examination of the chest and assessment of pulmonary ventilatory functions. Audiometric evaluation was performed for 36 wood workers and 22 subjects of the control group. Dust sampling and weighted sound pressure levels were determined at head levels of workers in the studied locations. It has been found that workers exposed to wood dust had a higher prevalence of chest symptoms and signs with pulmonary ventilatory measurements lower than those of the controls. The longer the duration of exposure to wood dust, the more the deterioration of pulmonary ventilatory functions. Regarding audiometric changes, there were statistically significant differences between mean hearing thresholds for both ears at all test frequencies of workers exposed to noise and the controls with characteristic dipping at the region of 4000 Hz. The study recommended the importance of ventilatory and audiometric screening as important tools in detecting the hazardous exposure to wood industrial processing before developing health hazards

Kinetics of the ning opening of 1-mesh 14-imalale-2,3-dione using spectrophotometry

The rate constants of the first-order alkaline hydrolysis of 1-methylindole-2, 3-dione have been determined in water and in mixture of water and methanol at various temperatures ranging from 40 to 55C. The addition of an organic solvent to water largely decreased the ring opening process. Such effect was found to diminish in the region of low dielectric constant. The variation in delta H* and delta S* with X2 showed maxima and minima at the regions, where solvent structure was changed as indicated by the study of partial molar volumes, the ultrasonic absorption, excess thermodynamic of mixing and viscosity. The isokinetic temperature [340K] indicated that the process is controlled by delta S* and not by delta H*. The reactants are not in a medium of continuum dielectric as indicated from the nonlinear relation between log K and the reciprocal of the dielectric constant

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease [GERD]: Nissen versus Hill procedures

Forty patients with persistent symptoms of GERD were included in this study. They were 22 females and 18 males with age ranging between 19 - 75 years. Patients were preoperatively studied clinically, radiologically, endoscopically and with esophageal manometry and pH-metry. Patients were randomly divided into two groups [A and B]. Hill's procedure was applied in group A, while Nissen's procedure was done in group B. Patients of both groups were followed up for postoperative results [early, 3 months and late, one year]. Patients in groups A and B showed 90% and 70% improvement, respectively, in their preoperative heartburn and regurgitation in both early and late follow up. Postoperative dysphagia and gas bloat syndrome were relatively more prevalent in group B than in group A, the difference was statistically insignificant. Objective postoperative improvement based on endoscopy, manometry and SART, were encountered in both groups, the difference was also statistically nonsignificant. Both the Hill and the Nissen antireflux techniques have almost equal chances in improving manifestations of GERD, in addition to the lesser incidence of postoperative disabling complications

Solvent effect on isatin ring opening by alkaline hydrolysis

Hydrolysis of isatin by sodium hydroxide was followed spectrophotometrically in 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70% [v/v] t- butanol-water mixtures and at various temperatures [30-45C]. Addition of a small amount of the organic solvent to water decreased largely the ring opening process. No linearity was observed for the plot of log k versus 1/D, or for the variation of delta E* with X2. The change in delta H* and delta S* with X2 showed maxima at the region where solvent structure changed. The isokinetic temperature [433K] indicated that the process was controlled by delta S* and not delta H*

Gall bladder wall thickness: an indirect sonographic sign of portal hypertension in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis.

The gall bladder wall thickness [GBWT] was measured by ultrasound in 40 patients suffering from schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and 10 normal control cases. It was significantly increased in all schistosomal cases. Significant correlation was found between the GBWT and each of periportal liver fibrosis, portal vein diameter, splenic vein diameter and portal venous pressure. Nonsignificant correlation was found between the GBWT and serum albumin and total protein level. Using the regression equation of the different parameters their values could be predicted from the values of the GBWT. So, the GBWT can be considered as an indirect ultrasonographic sign of portal hypertension in patients suffering from schistosomiasis