Prevalence OF Anisakid Nematode larvae infecting some marine fishes from the libyan coast

This study examined eight hundred ninety six marine fishes belonging to nine different fish species; Synodus saurus; Merluccius merluccius; Trachurus mediterraneus; Serranus cabrilla; Mullus surmuletus; Diplodus annularis; Spicara maena; Siganus rirulatus and Liza ramada. The fishes were bought from fish markets at five different sites on Libyan coast, from January to December 2013, for study the anisakids larvae among them. The results showed that 344/896 fishes [38.4%] were infected with Anisakids larvae. S. saurus was the highly infected [80.9%], followed by T. mediterraneus [77.5%] but, S. cabrilla, S. maena, M. merluccius, M. surmuletus, and D. annularis were least anisakid infected showed rates of 58.2%, 53.8%, 43.7%, 36.7% and 3.6%, respectively. No parasites were in S. rirulatus and L, ramada. Ten species of Anisakids larvae was detected during the present study. Two Pseudoterranova sp. Larvae, two types of Anisakis larvae, Anisakis simplex larva and Anisakis sp. Larva, two types of Contracaecum sp. Larvae and four Hysterothylacium larvae. Females showed higher prevalence than males. The number of anisakid larvae varied according to body length and weight of infected fish, without significant difference between prevalence and seasons, but, a significant difference was between prevalence and regions

Ultrastructural study of host-parasite relationship and pathogenicity of Eimeria sp. infecting Libyan Jird [Meriones libycus] [lichtenstein, 1828]

The relationship of Eimeria sp. and its host fat LibyanJird [Meriones libycus] was studied on an ultrastructural level. The host cellular organelles [nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum and golgi apparatus] and the changes of its infected intestinal epithelial cells during the development of parasitic stages [schizogony and gamogony] were studied and compared with those non-infected cells. The ultrastructures of intravacuolar tubules and folds in the parasitophorous vacuole [P.V.] were described. These fine structures may involve in the transport-tation of materials from the host cell to across the parasitovorous vacuole [P.V.]

Prevalence of hydatid cysts in slaughtered animals in Sirte, Libya

The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis was studied among the livestock slaughtered in abattoir of Sirte, Libya during the period July 2004 to May 2005. The overall infection rate of 4.9% in sheep, 2.4% in goats, 2.7% in camels and 15% in cattle were observed. The increase in prevalence with age of the animals was statistically significant in the four species. In female goats, examined infection was higher in the male. Liver had higher hydatid cysts than lungs in sheep, goat while infected lungs had higher in camel

value of use of amino-terminal brain naturitic peptide as marker in cases of pleural effusion of different etiologies

Background: The criteria of Light et al. have been used to make the differentiation between transudate and exudate effusion for the past 25 years. The main problem with those criteria is that although they identify nearly all exudates correctly, they misidentify about 20-25% of transudates as exudates. The plasma NT-proBNP level is a sensitive marker of cardiac dysfunction and has proved to be a useful tool for the identification and management of systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction

Objective: The aim of this work was to study the value of pleural NT-pro brain natriuretic peptide in the diagnosis of pleural effusion of different causes in comparison to the conventional diagnostic procedures in cases of pleural effusion

Subjects and methods: The present study was conducted on 32 patients who suffered from pleural effusion, they were classified according to Light's criteria into two groups namely transudate, exudate, and the third group of 10 normal healthy subjects as control group

Results: The levels of both serum and pleural fluid pro-BNP in group I patients with transudate effusion were significantly higher than group II patients with exudate effusion [P > 0.001, 0.003] respectively

Conclusion: The results support the feasibility of using the pleural fluid amino terminal proBNP measurement in thoracentesis that would enhance discrimination among the different causes of pleural effusion especially for heart failure patients. Serum and pleural fluid levels of NT-pro BNP were closely correlated and measurement of NT-pro BNP in serum showed equally good diagnostic properties

Detection of human telomerase reverse transcriptase messenger RNA in urine of high risk patients as a non invasive molecular diagnostic tool for urinary bladder cancer in Egyptians

Bladder cancer is an important national health problem as it is the leading cancer in men in Egypt. Cystoscopy and biopsy, currently remains the gold standard procedure for diagnosis, yet, it is invasive and costly. Urinary cytopathology remains to be the only non-invasive alternative method for diagnosis. Although it is tumour specific, yet it has a poor sensitivity, especially for low grade tumours. Detection of Telomerase enzyme in exfoliated urinary cells is a potentially good molecular diagnostic marker in bladder cancer, since the catalytic subunit of this enzyme [hTERT] proved to be essential for cellular immortality and oncogenesis. The study comprised 39 patients [36 with urothelial carcinomas and 3 cases were squamous cell carcinoma] with bladder cancer and 22 non cancer control [including 14 patients with benign urological disorders and 8 healthy volunteers]. The urine sample was split into two aliquots one was used to undertake RNA extraction and hTERT/GAPDH RT-PCR semi-quantitative assay and the second for cytological examination. Cystoscopy was considered the reference standard for the identification of bladder cancer. The hTERT/GAPDH RT-PCR test showed significantly higher diagnostic sensitivity than cytology [84% Vs. 75% p<0.008] for confirmed UCC, particularly for low grade non-muscle invasive UCC [82% Vs. 64% p<0.005]. On combining the two tests a sensitivity of 95% was obtained. A positive hTERT expression was detected 4-5 months earlier than cystoscopic evidence of recurrence in 2 patients during their follow up. In this pilot study, detection of hTERT expression in urine has shown to be a more sensitive marker for diagnosis of bladder cancer than cytology. The combination of urinary hTERT mRNA with cytological testing augments the sensitivity for the non-invasive early diagnosis of bladder cancer. This finding warrants further extended study to validate the potential role of hTERT expression as a diagnostic non invasive tool for high risk patients and detection of recurrence in bladder cancer in Egypt

study of the androgen receptor gene polymorphism and the level of expression of the androgen receptor in androgenetic alopecia among Egyptians

Androgenetic alopecia [AGA] occurs in men and women. The nature of the genetic predisposition to androgenetic alopecia is still unresolved. The aim of the work is to study the genotype of the androgen receptor gene [Stui polymorphism] and its relationship to AGA in a case control study and to determine the level of androgen receptor expression [AR] in the balding scalp relative to the non-balding scalp area. This study was conducted on one hundred individuals; 60 cases with AGA [36 males and 24 females] and 40 age and sex matched control patients [20 males and 20 females]. Stui restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] of exon 1 was detected by PCR based assay using genomic DNA of subjects with AGA and controls. Immunohistochemical detection of the androgen receptor [AR] using antihuman AR antibody was implemented to compare its level in the balding scalp and in the non-balding area in individuals having AGA. Analysis of Stul restriction fragment length polymorphism in exon 1 of the androgen receptor [AR] gene revealed a relatively commoner incidence of the cut allele in males with AGA relative to age and sex matched controls [the association was of border line significance p = 0.07. Interestingly, all persons who had maternal uncles suffering from AGA had the Stui cut variant of AR gene [p = 0.03 using Chi square test]. Semiquantitative immunohistochemical analysis of AR in the bold scalp biopsies showed higher expression in the level of AR than the non bold bioposies within the same individual. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study of AR gene polymorphism and AR expression in AGA amongst Egyptians. This study contributes in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of AGA which could help in finding better therapeutic alternatives for such trait in the future

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein and carotid intima-media thickness in systemic lupus erythematosus patients: involvement of metabolic syndrome in insulin resistance and atherosclerosis

Traditional risk factors failed to fully account for the premature and accelerated development of atherosclerosis in systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] patients. The low density lipoprotein [LDL] modification into oxidized LDL [ox-LDL] is a central event in atherogenesis that leads to a cycle of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerotic plaque formation. It is proposed that ox-LDL contributes to the development of autoimmune-mediated atherosclerosis. The metabolic syndrome is closely associated with subsequent development of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease and is found to be highly prevalent in SLE patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether anti-oxLDL antibody [ox-LDL Ab] levels are altered in SLE patients and whether these alterations are related to insulin resistance, atherosclerosis, and components of the metabolic syndrome. Correlation with clinical and laboratory manifestations as well as SLE Disease Activity Index [SLEDAI] and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics [SLICC]/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index [SLICC/ACR DI] were studied. Thirty SLE women with a mean age of 27.63 +/- 6.11 years, fulfilling the updated ACR revised criteria for the classification of SLE, were recruited from the rheumatology and rehabilitation and internal medicine departments and out patient clinics of Cairo University Hospitals. Consecutive eligible patients, aged >18 years and had disease duration >1 year, were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included overlap syndrome, serum creatinine > 1.4 mg/dl, proteinuria > 0.15 g/24 hour, pregnancy, cancer, cirrhosis, history of myocardial infarction, angina, stroke or receiving insulin. Ten age and sex matched healthy volunteers served as controls with a mean age of 27.8 +/- 4.61 years. Full history taking, clinical examination and investigations were performed for all the patients. Disease activity and damage were assessed by SLEDAI and SLICC/ACR DI respectively. The Adult Treatment Panel [ATP III] criteria were used to define the presence of metabolic syndrome in SLE patients. Levels of insulin, glucose, creatinine, lipid profile as well as, ox-LDL Ab were measured in patients and control. Insulin sensitivity was estimated using the homeostatic model assessment index [HOMA-B] for beta cell function and [HOMA-IR] for peripheral tissue insulin resistance. Intima-media thickness [IMT] of the carotid artery was measured in both patients and control by ultrasonography. Patients with SLE had significantly higher mean values of HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, ox-LDL Ab and intima-media thickness [IMT]. The mean IMT in the SLE patients was 0.74 +/- 0.38 mm vs 0.25 +/- 0.09 mm in the control. Moreover, the circulating serum ox-LDL level in SLE patients was significantly higher compared to control subjects [37.18 +/- 10.85 EU/ml vs. 14.18 +/- 2.42 EU/ml, respectively]. On classifying SLE patients according to the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome, the mean ox-LDL Ab level was significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome [n = 11] compared to those without metabolic syndrome [n = 19]. While, no statistically, significant difference was observed between both groups either in SLE disease activity index [SLEDAI], damage index [SLICC/DI], HOMA-IR, HOMA-B or IMT. Correlation of the metabolic features and IMT of the SLE patients with the studied parameters revealed a significant positive correlation between the ox-LDL and the waist-hip ratio, HOMA-IR, SLEDAI, SLICC/DI indices as well as IMT. Beta cell function significantly negatively correlated with the dose of administered steroids. Furthermore,' IMT significantly positively correlated with the SLEDAI and SLICC/DI respectively. It could be concluded that serum ox-LDL is altered in SLE patients especially with metabolic syndrome and is correlated with insulin resistance and atherosclerosis as well as SLE activity and damage indices. Additionally, IMT is increased in SLE patients. Both serum ox-LDL level and IMT measurement are recommended in SLE patients and could be used as useful markers for predicting future cardiovascular events especially in the absence of symptoms of CVD

Prevalence of intestinal parasites among primary schollchildren in Derna district, Libya

The prevalence of intestinal parasites and some hygienic factors was evaluated in primary schoolchildren in Derna District. A total of 1039 stool specimens were examined by direct smear and formaline-ether concentration methods. The results showed that 31% of the children were infected with at least one or two parasites. These parasites were Giardia lamblia [12.7%], Blastocystis hominis [6.7%], Entamoeba histolytica/ Entamoeba dispar [6.6%], Entamoeba coli [3.2%], E. hartmanni [1.0%], Enterobius vermicularis [0.6%], Ascaris lumbricoides [0.1%] and Hymenolepis nana [0.1%]. A significant difference was between infection rate and parent's education [P= 0.000], socio-economic status of the family [P= 0.000], family size and number of rooms in houses [P=0.000]. Also, there was a significant differences between infection rate and source of water for human consumption [P=0.05]

Gastric carcinoma presenting with skin metastasis

A case of gastric carcinoma presenting with skin nodule is reported. Clinical picture: This patient was diagnosed as sealed perforation in a duodenal ulcer. Two days after lap exploration histopathology report of skin nodule [excised 3days before the operation in plastic surgery day care unit] suggested gastrointestinal origin of this skin metastasis. Esophago-gastroscopy revealed a gastric mass in the body of the stomach and histopathology examination of biopsies taken from the gastric mass confirmed the diagnosis of gastric carcinoma of signet ring cell type. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy started for tumor down staging, then abdominal exploration was done but unfortunately the tumor was unresectable. Gastric carcinoma can rarely present with skin metastasis away from the umbilicus. Gastric carcinoma in very rare occasions may metastitize to the skin without liver or lymph nodes metastasis

10 kilogram breast lump-case report

A case of giant fibro-adenoma which weight 10 Kg is reported. Clinical picture: A 34 years old nullipara Sudanese female patient was presented to the surgical out patient clinic by huge right breast mass. Clinical examination, mammogram and FNA suggested phylloids tumor. Simple mastectomy was done and histopathological examination diagnosed it as benign phylloids tumor in a background of giant fibroadenoma. postoperative course was uneventful and the patient is fine one year after surgery. Breast reconstruction is planed with plastic surgery department. Giant fibroadenomas have to be differentiated from phylloid cystosarcoma and from the breast hamartoma and asymmetric breast hypertrophy in girls by the lack of mammary lobules. Giant fibroadenoma should take its due place in the diagnostic algorithm of the breast tumors

Trichomoniasis among women with vaginal discharge in Benghazi City, Libya

From April 2000 to July 2001, clinical and wet-mount exami-nation were performed on 2450 women attending gynecologic department, EL-Keish Polyclinic, Benghazi City. The mean age was 34 +/- 7[inyears]. 328[13.4%] women were clinically diag-nosed as having viginatis. Sterile vaginal swab of the posterior fornix was stained by Giemsa and examined as wet smear for trichomoniasis infection. 29/2450, [1.2%] had T. vaginalis The infected women suffered vaginalis discharge [93.10%], burning [81.48%5], vulvar pruritis [79.39%], dyspareuria [40.47%], dysu-ria [21.43%] and strawberry appearance [75.86%]

biochemical study of cystic stage fluids of echinococcus granulosus of animal orign in Libya

The biochemical analyses of hydatid cyst fluids of sheep, goats and camels slaughtered in abattoir of Sirt, Libya showed the same constituents of elements and organic compounds. But, sheep hydatid cyst fluids contained significantly more triglycerides [p<0.05], phosphorus [p<0.05] and protein [p<0.001] than those in camels and goats. Urea was significantly more [p<0.05] in sheep and goats compared to camels

Hydatidosis in camels [cameus dromedarius] slaughtered at sirt abattoir, Libya

Fifty out of 1380 [3.62%] local bred camels [Camelus dromedarius] harboured hydatid cysts of Echinococcus granulosus. Prevalence in males was 3.07%, in females was 4.42% and overall prevalence rate was 3.62%. Infection was higher in age group 1 <3 years than others. The most commonly infected organs were lungs 46% followed by liver 24%, both liver and lungs constituted 30% of infection. Hydatid cysts of lungs had a higher fertility rate [85.77%] than those of liver [14.23%]. The mean number of cysts in infected liver was 1 to 15 and in infected lung were 1 to 17 cysts. Intensity of infection increased with increasing age. Cysts size varied from 1-8 cm in diameter

Hydatidosis echinococcosis in libya [review article]

Cystic echinococcosis due to Echinococcus granulosus is a serious public health and livestock economy problem in Libya. The present paper reviewed and summarized all data available on hydatidosis since 1970. In Libya, the disease was described as hyper-endemic [Matossian et al., 1977]. However, many reports used the term endemic [Dar and Taguri, 1979; Gebreel et al., 1983; Shaafie et al., 1999]. The term is more realistic as the incidence of the disease within the Libyan population was >1 per 100,000 [Shambesh, 1997] and rate of hydatidosis in sheep was about 12.7% [Gusbi et al., 1987]. The values did not fulfill WHO criteria to describe hyper-endemic [i.e. surgically >10 per 100,000 and 50% rate in sheep [Craig et al., 1991]

population based study on mishaps during laparoscopic cholecystectomy in qatar: 10 years experience

In order to determine the national incidence of adverse events following laparoscopic cholecystectomy [LC] the records were reviewed retrospectively of 4861 patients who underwent LC over a period of ten years [1993-2003]. The most serious non-biliary complication was trocar injury of major vessels in three cases. Other non-biliary complications included duodenal perforation during dissection of the Calot's triangle, small bowel injury while inserting the umbilical port and trocar site hernia. Adverse biliary events included common bile duct injury, common hepatic duct injury, bile leakage from the cystic duct and one instance of the migration of an endoloop into the common bile duct. Conversion to open cholecystectomy was required in 109 cases. Although LC may be associated with various adverse sequelae, these are rare and should not deter surgeons and patients

An unusual common bile duct foreign body

A 35-year-old man developed obstructive jaundice ten months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography extracted a foreign body from the common bile duct. Histopathological examination revealed that the extracted foreign body was the remnant of vicryl endoloop with calcification around. Since laparoscopic surgery has become a very common procedure, endoclips and endoloops are used more frequently. It is emphasized that careful surveillance and strict follow-up are necessary to avoid similar complications

prevalence of anti-toxoplasma antibodies among pregnant women in Benghazi, [SPLAJ] Libya

The present study screened 369 pregnant women with manifestations suggesting toxoplasmosis and 20 cross matched controls for anti- toxoplasma antibodies by the indirect hemagglutination test. The overall positivity [1: 64 or more] among the pregnant women was 47.4%. The high rate of positivity was among the old age group [63.3%]. The results were discussed

First record of planorbis [Linnaeus] naturally infected with xiphidiocercariae from Derna, Libya

A review of the literature shows that the fresh water snail Planorbis planorbis [Mollusca: Gastropoda] infected with xiphidiocercariae has never been recorded in Derna, Libya. In the present paper the first record was made from Wadi Derna [= Darnah] East Coast of Libya. The snail harbor xiphidiocercariae, the percentage of infection during May 1989 was found to be 7.3%. Morphological description of the snail Planorbis planorbis, xiphidiocercariae is given in the present investigation. The snail possibly acts as an intermediate host of trematode species in Libya. Further studies are needed to investigate and to observe the exact type of trematode in which the fresh water snail P. planorbis acts as an intermediate host in the life-cycle and to determine the definitive host in Libya