Tissue culture versus PCR in diagnosis of female genital chlamydia trachomatis infection

Chlamydia trachomatis [C.trachomatis] is the most prevalent sexually transmitted pathogen worldwide. It is common among sexually active young women. Evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of tissue culture followed by antigen detection by immunoflurescencein comparison with nested PCR for diagnosis of genital C. trachomatis infection. This study was carried out on 50 women, among those attending the Gynecology Outpatient Clinics of Benha University Hospital during the period from May 2014 to March 2015. The participants suffer from symptoms suggestive of genital C. trachomatis infection, their ages ranged from 20 to 39 years old [mean +/- SD =29.80 +/- 4.647] .Two endocervical swabs were taken from each patient. One used for cytological examination, and the other used for tissue culture detected by, immunoflurescence as well as nested PCR. The result of tissue culture detected by direct immunoflurecence revealed that out of 50 patient, 24 [48%] were positive for C.trachomatis and 26 [52%] were negative .Result of nested PCR revealed that out of 50 patient, 34 [68%] were positive and 24 [32%] were negative . The result of cytological examination revealed that out of 50 patient, 17 [34%] were positive and 33 [66%] were negative. The sensitivity, specificity, Positive Predictive Value [PPV], and Negative Predictive Value [NPP] of tissue culture for detection of C.trachomatis were 70.6%, 100%, 100% and 61.5% respectively. Roc curve of tissue culture revealed that it is considered to be a good test compared to PCR in diagnosis of genital C.trachomatis. The tissue culture as detected by immunoflurescence is a good test in relation to nested PCR in diagnosis of genital C.trachomatis

Mycoplasma duo test versus conventional culture media for detection of ureaplasma in endotracheal aspirates from respiratory distressed premature neonates

This work aimes to evaluate the Mycoplasma Duo kit as a rapid method for detection of ureaplasma in endotracheal aspirate samples from respiratory distressed premature neonates compared to conventional culture media. Also its sensitivity and specificity were determined. This study was carried on 60 premature neonates [less than 35 gestational weeks] suffering from respiratory distress and mechanically ventilated in neonatal intensive care unit.From all cases paired endotracheal aspirate samples were collected aseptically and were transported in ureaplasma transport media to the laboratory and processed immediately. One of each pair of the collected samples was cultured in both Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures and others were cultured in Mycoplasma Duo kit.The number of ureaplasma detected with both ureaplasma agar and broth cultures are 20 cases [33.33%] while those detected by Mycoplasma DUO kit are 22 cases [36.67%].The Sensitivity of Mycoplasma Duo kit compared with both Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures is [100%] and specificity is [95%].There is a highly significant difference [P-value < 0.001] between Mycoplasma Duo kit and Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures as regards the incubation time taken to get a result by both tests

Physiological and oxidative stress biomarkers in the freshwaer Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus L., exposed to sublethal doses of cadmium

This study was designed to investigate the possibility of cadmium [Cd] to induce oxidative stress and biochemical perturbations in Nile tilapia liver and gills and the role of Vitamin C [Vit. C] in alleviating its toxic effects. Nile tilapia fish were randomly divided into four groups of thirteen each, group one served as control without any treatment, group two exposed to Cd [5mg/liter water], group three supplemented with vitamin C [Vit.C] [500mg/kg diet], and group four exposed to Cd plus Vit. C. The exposure to Cd caused increase in Liver aminotransferases [AST and ALT], elevation in lipid peroxidation [LPO], activity of catalase [CAT] enzyme, and the activity of glutathione S-transferase [GST]. The urea and creatinine levels were not affected. However, reduction in the activity of glutathione peroxidase [GPx] was observed. An increase in reduced glutathione [GSH] content was also observed and in gills there were no significant changes in LPO, antioxidant enzymes activity and GSH level. Vit.C supplementation in Cd-induced oxidative stress of Nile tilapia maintained Liver AST and ALT near normal level and modulated LPO, CAT, GST, GPx and GSH level in liver. It is concluded that Vit.C scavenges reactive oxygen species and render a protective effect against Cd toxicity