Human papillomavirus in patients with colorectal cancer

Human papillomavirus [HPV] has been considered to be an etiological agent for anogenital cancers, such as cervical cancer and possibly a subset of cancers of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of the study was to evaluate the presence of human papillomavirus DNA in colorectal carcinoma. The present study was carried out on 40 patients with hisopathologically confirmed primary colorectal cancer. These samples were obtained after surgical resection. Two samples were collected from each patient: one sample from the tumor site and the other one from normally appearing colorectal tissue. Detection of HPV- 16 and 18 was done using real- time PCR. HPV 16 was detected in only 1/40 [2.5%] tumor sample while all adjacent normal tissues were negative for it. HPV 18 was detected in 5/40 [2.5%] of tumor samples and in 10/40 [25%] of adjacent normal tissue. Total HPV [16/18] detection results were 6/40 [15%] in tumor tissue samples while they were detected in [10/40] 25% of normal tissue samples. None of the studied cases was infected by both HPV 16 and 18 simultaneously

Detection of ascitic fluid infections in patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites

Ascitic fluid infections [AFIs] are the frequent complications of advanced liver disease. Bacterial translocation is considered a key step in the pathogenesis of gut-derived bacterial infections; mainly spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP] in cirrhotic patients. Bacterial DNA [bactDNA] in ascitic fluid and serum has been suggested as a surrogate marker for bacterial translocation. We attempted at the isolation and identification of bacteria in ascitic fluid in cirrhotic patients and the assessment of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] in ascitic fluid and serum. Fifty cirrhotic patients having ascites with no signs of infection were included. Ascitic fluid cultures were obtained from patients. Ascitic fluid and serum were subjected to DNA extraction and PCR for the universal amplification of a region of the 16S ribosomal RNA [16S rRNA] gene to detect bactDNA. Bacteria were isolated from 9 [18%] of the ascitic fluid samples, and were mainly Gram-positive bacteria. BactDNA was detected simultaneously in the ascitic fluid and serum of 17 [34%] patients and in the ascitic fluid of only 2 patients. In a single patient with positive ascitic fluid culture no bactDNA was detected in ascitic fluid or serum. By considering AFIs as a positive ascitic fluid culture and/or the presence of bactDNA in the ascitic fluid and/or serum, ascitic fluid culture could detect 9 out of 20 patients with AFIs [45%], PCR of ascitic fluid could detect 19 out of 20 [95%] while PCR of serum could detect 17 out of 20 [85%]. In 10 patients with culture negative non-neutrocytic ascites [CNNNA] bactDNA could be detected in serum and ascitic fluid. AFI can be caused by Gram positive as well as Gram negative organisms. A substantial percentage of cases with CNNNA show bactDNA in serum and ascitic fluid. PCR of ascitic fluid should, therefore, be used in the diagnostic workup of suspected cases of ascitic fluid infections

Characterization of ocular fungal infections in Egypt

Ocular fungal infections, or oculomycosis, are being increasingly recognized as an important cause of morbidity and blindness. Keratitis is the most frequent presentation, but the orbit, lids, lacrimal apparatus, conjunctiva, sclera and intraocular structures may also be involved. The true extent of visual impairment is thought to far exceed the recognized prevalence, particularly among agricultural workers in the developing world, where a "silent epidemic" of corneal blindness has been postulated. Mycotic keratitis may account for more than 50% of all cases of culture-proven microbial keratitis, especially in tropical and subtropical areas. An overwhelming number of fungal genera and species have been implicated as causes of ophthalmic mycoses, depending on the geographical location and this number is steadily increasing. A rapid and accurate identification of the fungal species causing an ocular infection will permit the immediate institution of specific antifungal therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction [PCR] compared with the conventional mycologic methods in the diagnosis of ocular fungal infections. Fifty subjects; in whom oculomycosis was suspected; and 20 controls were enrolled in the study. Specimens were properly collected and tested for the presence of fungi by microscopy, culture and PCR. Direct microscopy and culture were positive in 32 [64%] and 25 [50%] of the cases, respectively. Among the control group, direct microscopy and culture showed positive results in only 2 [10%] and 4 [20%] subjects, respectively. Species-specific PCR was positive for C. albicans and A. fumigatus in 6 [12%] and 7 [14%] cases, respectively, whereas it was positive for A. fumigatus in only one [5%] of the controls. The nonspecific fluorescent staining techniques and PCR are very promising methods, however, culture continues to provide many advantages