Necrotizing enterocolitis in the full term newborn

In a two-year period, 12 cases of full term neonates that developed necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] were diagnosed. The history was positive for enteral feeding in nine of the twelve patients. An underlying risk factor was determined in all cases with hypoxic ischemia and respiratory distress being the most common. Postoperative NEC was found in two of the patients. All cases were diagnosed by radiological exploration and laboratory investigations with delay in the diagnosis in the postoperative group only. In those, tumor necrosis factor [TNF] seemed to be an early reliable indicator of the occurrence of the disease in front of misleading clinical and laboratory evidences. Nine of the patients required surgical interference with six survivors. Out of the three patients that were not operated upon, two expired from severe sepsis

Organochlorine pesticide residues in meat and edible offals

Samples were collected from 350 carcasses of slaughtered animals [175 beef, 150 buffalo and 25 mutton]. Moreover, 200 samples of fresh and frozen livers were taken. With regard to chickens, skin, abdominal fat, liver, kidney and gizzard samples were collected from 50 carcasses. One hundred samples of fish flesh, 50 from each of Clarias lazera and Tilapia nilotica were collected. The collected samples were examined for organochlorine residue by using thin layer chromatoplate. The incidence and the detectable level of organochlorine residues were varied dependent on the species of animals, type of tissue examined as well as the degree of accumulation of these compounds. None of examined fat samples of slaughtered animals exceeded the permissible limits of DDT, while beef muscle and fat as well as buffalo fat showed high level of lindane residue. Broiler carcasses showed no detectable level of any pesticide residues, while the detectable level in laying hen carcasses did not exceed the permissible limits of aldrin and dieldrin. There is no detectable level of organochlorine residues in frozen liver as compared with fresh ones which contained low residual levels of aldrin, dieldrin, lindane and DDT. Clarias lazera contained higher level of dieldrin than other pesticide residues, while none of detectable levels of pesticides in Tilapia nilotica exceeded permissible limits. The sources of contamination to animals, chicken and fish with organochlorine pesticides were discussed

Histamine levels in imported scombroid fishes

A total of 100 imported scombroid fish samples, 50 of each frozen mackerel and canned tuna, were used in this study for determination of pH value, histamine content as well as isolation of histamine producing bacteria. pH values in imported frozen mackerel ranged from 5.4 to 6.8 with a mean value of 6.1, while they ranged from 5.6 to 6.8 with a mean value of 6 in canned tuna. 86% of mackerel samples and 16% of canned tuna showed that histamine content exceeded the permissible level [10 mg/100 g], while 10% of imported frozen mackerel and 2% of canned tuna exceeded 25 mg/100 g. None of the examined samples reached the hazard action level of histamine [50 mg/100 g]. Proteus species, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes could be detected in high frequency as compared with other isolated organisms. The health hazard effect of histamine and suggestive measures for reducing the risk were discussed

Role of mycoplasma in infertility

Twenty five couples attending an infertility clinic had been investigated to determine the cause of their infertility. These couples with unexplained infertility were part of a much larger group of patients who originally presented to the clinic with infertility. The organism have been isolated from semen and the cervical mucus of fertile and infertile couples. A higher frequency of positive culture was found in the semen of infertile men. Statistical study indicated, decreased sperm motility in ejaculates containing mycoplasms but not significant in their distribution in infertile couples. However, a definite causal relationship between mycoplasma and unexplained infertility has not been established. It is advisable to screen either all female or male infertility patients or patients with unexplained infertility for mycoplasma. If cultures are positive, specially for u. urealyticum, treatment of both partners is indicated. Treatment depends on tetracycline, or doxycycline or erythromycin