Surveillance on bacteria associated with avian influenza virus outbreaks in commercial broiler flocks in Egypt

Avian influenza [AI] [H5N1] outbreaks with very high mortality in twenty four [24] broiler flocks in Egypt provinces [El-Behira, El-Garbia, Kafer El-Sheikh, and Alexandria] were subjected to laboratory investigations in order to detect Enterobacteria associated with Avian influenza virus [AI] outbreaks in broiler flocks. Samples were collected from heart blood and liver for bacteriological examination. The samples for viral isolation were inoculated into specific pathogen free [SPF] embryonated chicken eggs [9-11 days old]. The allantoic fluids [AF] were harvested 36 hours post incubation and were tested by using Haemagglutination [HA] test, Haemagglutination-inhibition [HI] test, Agar gel precipitation test [AGPT] and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction [RTPCR]. Escherichia coli and Salmonella were determined by using a specific media for isolation and identification of both enterobacteria isolates. Twenty isolates out of twenty four [20 / 24] flocks which represent 83.33% of examined outbreaks having haemagglutination-inhibition titer by using avian influenza [AI] common type A antibodies ranging from 24 to28. The same isolates were also confirmed by Agar gel precipitation test [AGPT] and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction [RT-PCR]. A total of 16 samples out of 20 [16 / 20] [represented 80%] examined samples from broiler flocks associated with Avian influenza virus outbreaks proved to be E.coli while a total of 4 samples[4 / 20] [represented 20%] proved to be Salmonella enteritidis. The results of bacterial isolates were confirmed by biochemical test and serological identification

Metabolic super scan in patients with hyperthyroidism: does it have a clinical significance?

Hyperthyroid patients complain of generalized bony aches, which are frequently overlooked due to the more prominent symptoms from cardiovascular and nervous disturbances. Hyperthyroid patients are expected to have abnormal bone metabolism as part of the generalized hypermetabolic status. To verify the presence of metabolic bone supcrscan features in various groups of hyperthyroidism. Secondly, to correlate these superscan features with the various lab results in hyperthyroid patients. Forty-Five patients confirmed to have hyperthyroidism by clinical and lab results were enrolled in this work. In all patients [99m]Tc-pertechnetate thyroid scan with uptake was acquired. In a different day, total body bone scan was acquired 3 hours post IV injection of 15-25mCi of [99m]Tc-MDP. Serum FT3, FT4, TSH, Ca, ALP and PTH were monitored in all patients as markers of thyroid and bone metabolism. 10 cases with no thyroid diseases were included as a control group. Patients with thyroiditis or long history of antithyroid drugs for more than one year were excluded from the study. The studied patients were subdivided into Graves' disease [n=30], Toxic Nodular Goiter [TNG] [n=10] and Autonomous toxic adenoma [AT] in 5 cases. The TSH for the whole group was 0.003 +/- 0.002IU which was significantly suppressed compared to the control group 1.660 +/- 0.222IU. The TSH values for Graves' were 0.002 +/- 0.001IU, TNG 0.004+0.001IU and 0.007 +/- 0.002IU for AT with significant differences [p<0.001 for all]. The thyroid uptake values for the whole group were 17.24 +/- 4.65% which was significantly higher than controls 2.50 +/- 0.53% [p<0.001]. The uptake for Oravcs' 19.92+2.36% was significantly higher than TNG and AT groups [p<0.001 for both]. Metabolic superscan [MSS] was present in 90% [27/30] of the Graves' cases. On the other hand, MSS was present in only 2 patients [20%] from the TNG and in none from the AT group. There were no significant differences regarding Ca, ALP and PTH between the Graves, and non-Graves' groups [p>0.05 for all]. Disturbances in bone metabolism are present mainly in Graves' disease and not in all cases of hyperthyroidism. The addition of the Bone scan to the diagnostic work-up patients with Gravs' is a sensitive indicator for metabolic bone changes and could help in the future management and follow up for this group of patients

Multislice CT angiography in schistosomal cor pulmonale: relation to cardiovascular, ventilatory and respiratory muscle functions

This study was conducted to evaluate the role of Multislice CT angiography as imaging modality in predicting and assessing severity of pulmonary hypertension [PH], extent of cardiac affection and visualizing pulmonary - systemic collaterals in patients with shistosomal corpulmonale. Also to find out possible relationship between CT signs of pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular affection to: pulmonary hemodynamics. echocardiographic parameters, ventricular dysfunction, pulmonary and respiratory muscle functions derangement This prospective study included 14 patients with schitosomal cor pulmonale [5 females and 9 males], their ages ranged between 23 and 45 years with a mean of 35.75 +/- 9.6 years. All patients underwent routine laboratory investigations, plain x-ray chest and electrocardiogram, abdominal sonography; pulmonary function tests [PETs], respiratory muscle strength assessment by measuring maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressures [PI[max] and PE[max]]. The echocardiographic study was carried out to assess pulmonary artery pressures PAP [mean and systolic PAP], size of pulmonary arteries, right and left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, right ventricular dimensions. Multislice CT angiography of the pulmonary and systemic circulations with a sixteen detector row scanner was also performed to assess the presence of CT features of pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dysfunction and abnormal bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries. Data presented as mean values and standard deviation. The studied patients demonstrated restrictive-obstructive pattern of PETs and decreased respiratory muscles strength evidenced by reduced mean values of PI[max] and PE[max] [71.57% +/- 7.12 and 69.14% +/- 8.6 of predicted]. The echocardiography illustrated significant shortening of pulmonary acceleration time [57.28 +/- 16.75 mm/sec], high systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures [80.93 +/- 13.07 and 54.42 +/- 10.55 mmHg]. There was significant dilatation of the main pulmonary artery, right and left pulmonary arteries. Evidences of right ventricular diastolic and systolic dysfunction as well as dilatation and hypertrophy of RV. dilatation of the right atrium in all studied patients. Left ventricular [LV] diastolic and systolic dysfunctions were evident in 28.5% and 21.4% of the studied patients respectively. Multislice CT angiography demonstrated dilatation of the main PA [55.08 +13.24mm], central pulmonary arteries [RPAD 40.35 +/- 11. 9 and LPAD 37.7 +/- 11.7mm] as well as peripheral pulmonary arteries in all studied patients. Aneurysmal dilatation of pulmonary artery was detected in 42.8% of patients. There was insignificant difference between pulmonary arteries diameters measured by MSCT and echocardiography. [P>0.05] Right ventricular dilatation [RV width 47.1 +/- 5.8mm], increased RV wall thickness [8.03 +/- 1.4mm] and dilatation of right atrium and inferior vena cava were evident in all studied patients. Displacement of the interventricular septum to the left with compression of the left ventricle was found in 50% of patients .There was inferior vena cava and hepatic vein reflux in 57.14% of patients who showed concomitant evidence of tricuspid regurge on Echo Doppler. Exclusive dilatation of bronchial arteries was detected in 35.7% of patients, while simultaneous enlargement of bronchial and non-bronchial systemic arteries in 7.14%. Only one patient showed mural thrombi within the right and left PA as well as amputated subsegmental PA branch due to embolization. Uniyariant correlation study and multivariant stepwise regression analysis demonstrated significant inter- relationship between extent of PH, R V systolic dysfunction [VREF%], CT RV wall thickness, pulmonary function derangement and respiratory muscle weakness. There was lack of significant correlation of the size of pulmonary artery to mPAP, haemodynamic impairment, dilatation and hypertrophy of RV pulmonary and respiratory muscles dysfunctions. [P>0.05] Accordingly, on CT angiography dilatation of pulmonary arteries predict presence of pulmonary hypertension, but does not reflect extent of PH, whereas, increased RV wall thickness can be a valuable indicator for existence and severity of PH. Patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale present with various aspects of impairment at the levels of PFTs, respiratory muscle strength and both right and left ventricular hemodynamic performance with intimate inter-relationship between these derangements. this work provided support to that MSCT is a highly efficient non-invasive imaging modality in evaluating patients with schistosomal cor pulmonale through helping to: detect its presence, grade its severity, evaluate the functional state of the right ventricle., visualize collaterals and various shunts. as well as detect local thrombi within the pulmonary vessels

Early detection of prostatic disorders men above fifty in Damietta governorate

To study the prevalence of prostatic disorders among men above 50 years of age in the out patient urology service .This study includes 400 male patients more than 50 years of age [range 50 - 81] with the mean of 65.5 in every patient a thorough urologic history was obtained stressing upon the items of the international prostatic symptom scores [IPPS], clinical assesment was performed including digital rectal examination and the laboratory investigations including serum PSA. urine analysis, s.creatinine, KUB and TRUS with or without biopsy. Out of the 400 screened patients. 152 [38%] were complaining of lower urinary disorders mainly irritative in 100 patients [25%] and obstructive in 52 patients [13%]. The irritative symptoms were mainly dysuria, frequency and precipitancy while obstructive symptoms were difficulty, drippling and hesitancy.87 patients [22%] were complaining of symptoms related to sexual dysfunction, out of them 26 patients [6.5%] were diabetics while 16 patients [4%] were hypertensive under medications and the remaining 32 patients [11%] were of unexplained causes digital rectal examination [DRE] showed evidence of prostatic enlargement of benign feeling in 100 patients [25%], 45 patients had an evidence of urinary tract infection furthermore vesical stones were encountered in 7 patients [1.9%]. PSA was more than 4ng/ml in 20 patients [5%] including 10 patients out of 12 had suspecious prostate in DRE. Transrectal ultrasound [TRUS] was performed in 30 patients [7.5%], where suspecious of malignancy was in 11 patients [2.7%.]. Transrectal 6 core biopsy revealed prostate cancer in 3 patients [0.74]. Although the number of screened patients is small. However, it gives an impression of the importance of screening in early detection and then treatment of prostatic disorders

Investigation of urinary calculi by infrared and emission spectrography

A complete picture about the structure and the composition of urinary calculi is found by both IR and emission spectra of the elements. From the results it is adviced that these techniques could help in differentiation between deferent types of calculi

Routine pathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy and fistulectomy specimens: Are they worth while?

Unsuspected carcinoma of the anus found on routine pathologic analysis of specimens taken at hemorrhoidectomy is a rare occurence. During the past two years, 200 hemorrhoidectomies and Fistulectomies have been performmed at NASR CITY hospital for health Insurance and at SAUDI Hospital During that time period, only one istance of unsuspected carcinoma of the anus was diagnosed solely by microscopic analysis of a specimen that was taken a hemorrhoidectomy. Used on this information, slective rather routine pathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy and fistulectomy specimens all patients should undergo careful anorectal examination prior to operation repeated examination should be performed with the patient under anesthesia and all excised tissue should be visually and manually inspected by the operating surgeon. Any suspicious areas will be sent for pathologic evaluation. The coincidence of hemorrhoids with cancer rectum is not uncommon. In the past the fear of missing an incidental anal neoplasm prejudiged many surgeons against non operative treatment of hemorrhoid Presently, the majority of patients with symptomatic hemorrhoids are treated nonoperatively, yet there have been no reports of these patients having subsequent carcinoma of the anus flap. Thus after exclusion of those patients with secondary hemorrhoids due to cancer rectum or sigmoid Routine pathologic examination is expensive this has led to the Question is routine pathologic evaluation of hemorrhoidectomy and fistulectomy specimens necessary? To answer this question the present study was done

Listeria monocytogene isolated from frozen bull semen

A total of 96 imported frozen semen straws represent 11 lots [groups] from different localities at different times during the last four years, revealed the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from 14 samples by direct and cold enrichment procedures. Eleven isolates which were CAMP positive proved to be pathogenic to mice. Nine isolates could be identified biochemically and serologically where 5 isolates were identified only biochemically. The bacteriological count ranged from 4500-9500 cells/straw and the highest count was in group 4

Listeriosis in an Egyptian dairy cow herd inseminated with infected frozen semen with Listeria monocytogenes

An Egyptian dairy farm [557 cows] located in lower Egypt in Sharkia governorate was subjected to clinical and laboratory investigation following a continuous complain, represented mainly in low fertility rate. This farm used infected frozen semen with L. monocytogenes in artificial insemination. Listeriosis was diagnosed in different cows showed the typical reproductive and septicaemic form of the disease, also pigeons bred in the farm showed the typical nervous signs of circling disease. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 3 out of 12 soil samples taken from different areas from the farm. In addition, L. monocytogenes was isolated from the intestinal contents of apparently normal cows. Fourty isolates from cows, pigeons and soil, along with imported frozen semen were serotyped and all of them belonged to serovar 4 b and all isolates were pathogenic for white mcie