Assessment of t-cell immunity in women suffering from chronic toxoplasmosis

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Toxoplasma gondii [T. gondii]on chosen indices of the immune response. This study involved 50 women infected with T. gondii[aged 20-45 years] proven have a chronic Toxoplasmosis [IgG positive and IgM negative]. The control group composed of 25 healthy women [aged 19 - 41 years][IgG and IgM negative] . All cases were subjected to the following :Full history taking, general and local Obstetrical and Gynecological examination, Complete blood picture, Erythrocyte Sedimentation rate [E.S.R],Renal function tests including blood urea and serum creatinine, Fasting and postprandial blood sugar, complete Liver function tests, abdominal ultrasonography and assess the rhesus factor[Rh] by agglutination test,Treponema palladium [Syphilis] by VDRLand by IHAT and agglutination test for Brucella abortus. Detection of specific anti-toxoplasma antibodies were assessed by IgG and IgM . Serum cytokines were quantitated using Sunrise ELISA reader M. code by commercially available ELISA kits for IFN y and for TNF-alpha, IL-4 and IL:10 . The results of this study showed that patients infected with T. gondii had increased production of the Th-1 cytokines involved IFN y and TNF-alpha ,The mean level +/-SD of IFN y in T. gondii infection was 134.2 +/- 6.98 pg/ml.,on the other hand the mean level in healthy subjects was 24 +/- 2.99 pg/ml. [P < 0.0001] The mean level +/- SD of TNF-a in T .gondii infection was 49.1 +/- 4.1 pg/ml and in healthy subjects was 13.2 +/- 2.00 pg/ml.[P < 0 .001]. Also there is increased production of Th2 cytokines involved IL-4 and IL-10 that responsible for humoral response as compared to controls. The mean level +/- SD of IL-4 in T. gondii infection was 28.6 +/- 3.82 pg/ml and the mean level in healthy subjects was 16.1 +/- 2.4.5pg/ml. [P < 0.01]. The mean level +/- SD of IL-10 in T. gondii infection was 23.2 +/- 3.38 pg/ml .,on the other the mean level of IL-10 in healthy subjects was 11.8 +/- 2.1 pg/ml [P < 0.01] .,that responsible for the cellular response'as compared to controls group. All these subjects were living in the same geographical area with more or less similar social and economical standard

Allergic sensitization in healthy school children in Kuwait: an emerging public health concern

To determine the current level of sensitization in healthy school children in Kuwait. Prospective cross-sectional study. Al-Rashid Allergy Center, Kuwait. Healthy school-children between the ages of 8 -15 years. Skin prick test [SPT] and measurement of serum specific IgE levels. Skin wheal diameter [> 3 mm] and IgE levels [> 0.35 KIU/1]. 47% of children showed positive specific IgE levels and 38% showed a positive SPT to at least one allergen. Poly-sensitization was common in the population [IgE 32%, SPT 20%]. One in three [31%] children showed sensitization to Bermuda Grass [IgE], around one in five showed sensitization to Prosopis juliflora tree [20% IgE], grass mix [19% SPT], to cockroach [18% IgE, 12% SPT] and just slightly less to cat [15% IgE and SPT]. One in 10 healthy children were sensitized to dog [11% IgE, 10% SPT], few to house dust mite [D pteronyssinus] [IgE 8%, SPT 4%], ascaris [IgE 7%]. The lowest rates of sensitization were to Alternaria alternata [IgE 4%, SPT 2%], aspergillus [SPT 4%], and cladosporium [SPT 2%]. Frequent, severe sensitization [Classes 3-6 for specific IgE] was found for Bermuda Grass [16%], prosopis tree [6%] and cat allergen [5%]. Kuwait may be an example of conflict between two aspects of public health endeavour in a desert environment. Practices that make the desert habitable, viz, aforestation and air-conditioning may be the same ones that encourage exposure to allergens, allergic sensitization and allergic disease

Outcome of Tenckhoff catheter in children with end stage renal disease

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis by using Tenckhoff catheter for the treatment of children with end stage renal disease has become firmly established during the last 3 decades as a widely used safe technique. To highlight the technique that may improve the outcome of Tenckhoff catheter for peritoneal dialysis in children. Over the last 2 years, thirty children presented to Saudi hospital in Yemen republic, suffering from end stage renal disease had been subjected to insertion of pediatric Tenckhoff catheter, through midline infra-umbilical incision. Peritonitis had been recorded in 4 patients [13.33%], 3 patients [10%] experienced exit site infection, 3 patients [10%] had outflow obstruction of the catheter, dialysate fluid leakage occurred in 2 patients [6.6%], inguinal hernia was detected in 1 patient [3.3%], and 1 patient [3.3%] died [non-catheter related death]. Routine subtotal omentectomy is better to be done to decrease the outflow obstruction and double cuff catheter is more durable than single cuff catheter with lesser incidence of fewer complications

Hypoglycemic coma in a young girl: first case of medium chain Acyl-Co Dehydrogenase [MCAD] deficiency identified in Kuwait

Medium-chain acyl CoA dehydrogenase [MCAD] deficiency is the commonest inborn error of fatty acid oxidation. Affected children usually present within the first two years of life with re c u r rent episodes of hypoketotic hypoglycemia and lethargy with high risk of mortality and morbidity. We describe a two-year old girl who presented with hypoglycemic hypoketotic coma due to MCAD and we describe the investigative work-up that led to the diagnosis. Our aim is to increase awareness of this disorder and to emphasize the need for prompt diagnosis and management. This is the first case of MCAD deficiency identified in Kuwait and we believe that this condition may be under-diagnosed

Intestinal malrotation in children beyond the neonatal period: report of two cases with rare presentations

We report 2 infants with intestinal [midgut] malrotation presenting beyond the neonatal period. The first infant had features of protein-losing enteropathy and the second had stagnant [blind] loop syndrome. Surgical correction of the anatomical abnormality in the first case was followed by complete cure. Surgery was not feasible for second case and the infant remained well after antibacterial treatment

Some biochemical alterations in serum and tissues of rats after administration of diazepam drug

Diazepam is a member of benzodiazepine derivatives used in veterinary medicine as a sedative, tranquilizer, behavioral modifier and anaesthesia induction agent and in human practices as muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant and hypnotic. This work was carried out to study the effect of diazepam on thyroid gland and some biochemical parameters in serum and tissues of albino rats. The study included 60 adult male albino rats which were classified into three equal groups. Each group subdivided into two equal subgroups of ten rats, each one represent the control and injected with saline and the other represent the test group and injected with diazepam [10 mg/kg] for one, two and three weeks for group I, II and III respectively. The obtained results showed significant increase in serum T[3] [group II and III], Glucose [second and third groups], urea [in third group only], creatinine [group II and III], ALT [alanine amino transferase] in all groups and in both total and direct bilirubin [group II and III]. While significant decreases were recorded in serum total proteins [in II and III groups], albumin and A/G ratio in all groups, in addition to vitamin C and glycogen in liver tissue [group II and III]