Evaluation of DNA damage by DNA fragmentation and comet assays in experimental Toxoplasmosis with virulent strain

The outcome of toxoplasmosis is strongly dependent on the virulence of Toxoplasma gondii strains. Infection of mice with the high-virulence T. gondii RH strain induces inflammatory cytokine over production and causes their rapid death. The outcome of toxoplasmosis is strongly dependent on the virulence of Toxoplasma gondii strains. Infection of mice with the high-virulence T. gondii RH strain induces inflammatory cytokine over production and causes their rapid death. T. gondii induced apoptosis was studied, and DNA damage in spleen and peripheral blood leukocytes was evaluated by analysis of DNA fragmentation. The level of DNA damage was assessed by the extent of DNA migration in peripheral blood leukocytes using comet assay. This study was carried out on 2 groups [II and III] of mice experimentally infected with T. gondii RH tachyzoites strain, sacrificed at 2[nd] and 7[th] days post-infection [PI], respectively. In addition, none infected control group [I] was sacrificed at 7[th] day PI. Infection with high virulence T. gondii strain caused apoptosis and high level of DNA damage especially with prolongation of acute infection. Greater DNA fragmentation and intensity of apoptotic laddering was recorded in splenocytes and blood leukocytes of group III compared to those of group II. In infected groups, there was significant increase in DNA migration in comet tail in peripheral blood compared with the control group. Strongly damaged spots were significantly higher in group III than in group II. Additionally, caspase 3 immunostain showed positive reaction in splenic section of infected groups. Infection with virulent strains of T. gondii caused DNA damage with a genetic hazard to infected blood leukocytes. Apoptosis detected in splenocytes explains the rapid lethality of infected mice during acute infection

Worm and larval burden, histopathological and ultrastructural evaluation of T spiralis vaccination using crude worms and/or larvae antigens: experimental studies

Currently, there is no vaccine for T spiralis; however, several studies have been made towards understanding the immune mechanisms that contribute to host protection against it. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the protective effect of vaccination by T spiralis adult, larval and combinea adult and larval crude antigens against trichinellosis in experimental mice. Swiss male albino mice [No. = 125] were divided mm 5 groups. Groups A, h and C were immunized by T spiralis crude larval antigen, crude worm antigen, and combined larval and worm antigens, respectively. One week after the last dose of injection, each mouse was injected orally with 150-200 larvae. Two other groups [D and E] served as infected non immunized control groups. Group E. received adjuvant and phosphate buffer saline before infection. At the 8tn day post-infection [PI], 12 mice from each group were sacrificed and the intestinal worm burden was assessed, while the muscle larval burden was evaluated at 28th day P1 in the remaining mice of each group. Intestinal and skeletal muscle specimens were prepared for histopathological study. Meanwhile, adults and larvae were examined by scanning electron microscopic [SEM] and infected muscle sections were examined by transmission electron microscope [TEM]. Combined antigen gave the highest reduction% in intestinal worm and larval muscle burdens 92% and 96%, respectively], followed by larval antigen [86% and 91%], then worm antigen [73% and 88%], compared with infected non immunized control groups. Compared with groups [A and B], group C gave significant reduction in both intestinal and muscle burdens. Histopathological examination revealed marked decrease in intestinal inflammatory infiltrates, and marked reduction of encysted larvae with mild infiltration around the degenerated larvae in mice of group C. SEM and TEM results confirmed the significant effect of the combined vaccine [Group C]. Vaccination with combined worms and larval antigens gave the most protective action against T spiralis challenge infection. The use of combined antigen in mass vaccination of reservoir animals may decrease the risk of human infection

role of DMSA scan in detection of renal cortical scaring in children with urinary tract infection

Urinary tract infection [UTI] is one of the most common bacterial diseases in children, it may cause renal scars, which can lead to hypertension and renal failure. Diagnostic imaging is therefore important to detect children with scaring. Dimercaptosuccinic Acid [DMSA] is clearly more sensitive than routine renal ultrasonography or even intravenous urography for detecting renal scaring, but newer high-resolution ultrasonography is almost as sensitive as DMSA in diagnosing acute renal involvement A total number of 100 children with UTI were included in this study, their ages ranged from 2 to 12 years [35 boys, 65 girls]. They were selected from nephrology clinic and out patient clinic of pediatrics department of EL-Minia University hospital. They were divided into 2 groups depending on their ages: Group I: It included 44 patients, their ages ranged from 2 to 6 years, Group II: It included 56 patients, their ages ranged from [6-12 years], The patients were selected depending up on the presence of suggestive symptoms and signs of upper and lower UTI and positive urine culture. All patients were subjected to a thorough history taking, full clinical examination and laboratory investigations [urine analysis, urine culture, kidney function, ASOT, C-reactive protein and blood picture]. Radiologic investigation in the form of abdominal ultrasonography and DMSA scanning were done. The present study revealed that the total incidence of renal cortical scarring and diffuse photon defect [unilateral and bilateral] was 9% and 27% respectively for all patients with urinary tract infection i.e. abnormal DMSA scintigraphy represent 36%. Furthermore, there were significantly more children with abnormal DMSA and DMSA scarring among those who had upper urinary tract infection compared with those with lower urinary tract infection. DMSA scan is more reliable method than ultrasonography in detection of renal cortical scaring in cases of UTI. The clinician should be free to recommend a DMSA scan in a child with a history suggestive of acute pyelonephritis, or in cases of frequent recurrences of UTI

Volatile oil produced by microbial infected Rosmarinus officinalis callus and suspension cultures

Leaf fragments of Rosmarinus officinalis were grown in a media supplemented with indoleacetic [IAA] or 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid [2, 4-D], in both the presence and absence of benzyladenine [BA]. The leaf fragments showed callus growth after the third week of culturing. A high level of BA was correlated to callus browing. Culturing of rosemary on media supplemented with 2, 4-D enhanced callus formation. Callus from rosemary were transferred to Murashige and Skoog [MS] liquid medium supplemented with 2, 4-D, and BA. Cineole and beta- pinene were identified using TLC. Both callus and cell suspension were found to be infected with a single type of bacteria strain, which was identified as Pseudomonas mallei. Growth inhibition of the bacteria was examined using 10 different antibiotics. Chloramphenicol, Cefoxitin, Ceftriaxone and Tazocin showed pronounced inhibitory effects, while the other six antibiotics exhibited little or no inhibitory effects

Umbilical artery doppler velocimetry and high risk pregnancies evaluation and clinical significance

Our prospective controlled study includes a study group of 46 cases with abnormal Doppler umbilical artery velocity wave from flow and compared to 98 high risk matched pregnancy women with normal Doppler test as a control group. Our results showed that the study group had a significant lower gestational age, birth weight and higher incidence of elective delivery [59%]. Caesarean section and neonatal intensive care admissions at birth. There was a significant risk of acidosis and hypoxia in cases with assenter reversed end diastolic flow as indicated by the significant changes of umbilical cord artery ph. PHz 02. PC02. base deficit and bicarbonate compared to other study groups. A significant low 1-and 5-minute apgar score was also reported. The mean cord artery PH was significantly lower if the amniotic fluid was meconium stained. No prenatal death was reported throughout the study. We concluded that Doppler study of umbilical artery flow is an important criteria during assessment of high risk pregnancies. Cases with elevated S D ratio can be closely followed up other commonly used criteria for delivery to avoid iatrogenic prematurely and prolong gestational age with acceptable fetal outcome. Cases with absent or reversed end diastolic flow are much more liable for fetal acidosis and asphyxia. Thus early obstetric interference will improve fetal outcome and decrease perinatal death rat

Studies on alkaloids formation by some soil fungi

The formation of alkaloids was confined to three species of fungi used in this investigation namely: Apergillus niger, Penicillium chrysogenum, and Penicillium notatum. The produced alkaloids were extracted by solvent extraction and silica gel chromatography, which showed antimicrobial potentialities against some gram positive bacteria and some yeasts