Elevated serum ribonuclease activities in haema tologic disorders

Several clinical manifestations associated with anaemias reflect abnormalities in cellular metabolism. Since ribonucleases [RNases] are involved in regulating RNA metabolism, the present investigation was undertaken to study the relationship between RNase activities and haematologic disorders. The sickle cell trait did not show any significant effect on serum RNase levels while sickle cell disease significantly raised the serum level of the acidic form of the enzyme. The serum levels of RNases were significantly higher than normal in patients with G6PD deficiency, haemolytic anaemia associated with Plasmodium Falciparum malaria and in iron deficiency anaemia. This elevation of RNase activities could be a response to RNA overproduction in association with anaemias

Serum ribonuclease activities and body weight loss

The levels of serum ribonucleases [RNase] were determined in a control group of healthy adults and in groups of patients suffering from body weight loss secondary to Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The study also included a group of premature infants with body weight much less than normal. The results obtained support the correlation between the rise of serum ribonuclease levels and the extent of weight loss. These results also emphasise the importance of measuring the specific activities of both the alkaline and the acidic RNases and calculating the ratio of these activities for the correct assessment of the extent of weight loss in a certain pathological condition

Plasmid DNA profiles, a useful tool for tracing hospital bacterial cross-infection

One hundred and eighty five Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were isolated from hospital cross-infections events. Almost all had similar antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. One hundred and twenty isolates, however, were found to harbour plasmids. Analyzing the plasmid profiles of these isolates allowed the construction of a very important and useful genetic pool profile for Klebsiella pneumoniae plasmids. This useful data allowed tracing several episodes of cross-infections outbreaks at a central hospital

Role of plasmids in the antibiotic resistance of bacteria in Asir Province

One hundred and five clinical isolated with different antibiotic susceptibility patterns were analyzed for the presented of plasmid DNA. The highest percentages of plasmid DNA were found in Escherichia coli isolated [55%], Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated [50%], and Psudomonas aeruginosa isolated [12.5%]. The number of plasmid species per cell did not always correlated with the antibiotic resistance pattern; however, the plasmids isolated were found correlated with the resistance phenotypes. The significance of and resulting concern stemming from the absence of plasmid DNA in the antibiotic resistance isolated are diseased. The potential use of this approach for tracing infections is also discussed