Comparison of different techniques for the diagnosis of parasitic infections among leukemic children

Acute lymphocytic leukemia [ALL] is a worldwide problem, and it is more prevalent in children. As the chemotherapy is taken, the host defenses are altered and the patient becomes more liable to infection. This study aimed at determining the frequency of parasitic infections among children with ALL in relation to controls, and to evaluate the different techniques used in the diagnosis of these infections. The study was carried out in Alexandria University Children's Hospital at El-Shatby during one year. The study included 117 children with ALL, and same number of immunocompetent children as a control group. Stool, urine, cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], and blood samples were collected and prepared to be examined by different techniques. The overall percentages of parasitic infections were 90.6% and 58.1% among leukemic children and controls, respectively. Microsporidiosis was the most prevalent infection, and Cryptosporidium parvum was the most common coccidial infection. Microsporidium was the only parasite detected in the CSF of leukemic children. The best technique was modified Ziehl Neelsen to detect coccidia, Trichrome stain for protozoa and Quick-Hot Gram-chromotrope stain for microsporidial infection. There was a high percentage of parasitic infections among Jeukemic children, and the results indicate that the combination of many techniques is more likely to be effective in the diagnosis of these infections

Multivariate analysis of perioperative risk factors of pancreatic remnant leakage after pancreaticoduodenectomy

This study was carried on 24 patients suffering from periampullary carcinoma. All the patients were admitted to Department of Surgery, Main Alexandria University Hospital, and underwent the original Whipple's operation. After Whipple's operation, anastomosis of the pancreatic stump was done by means of pancreaticojejunostomy dunking method, pancreatieo-jejunostomy mueosa to mucosa, pancreatico-gastrostomy implantation method and pancreatico-gastrostomy rnucosa to mucosa method. Each method was done in 6 patients. Leakage occurred in 5 patients [20.8%], 3 [12.5%] of them had leaked after pancreaticojejunostomy dunking method, and the other 2 [8.3%] leaked after panereatieogastrostomy implantation method. After pancreaticojejunostomy dunking method 2 leaking patients died within 30 days of surgery, and the other patient resolved with conservative management. The leaked patients after pancreaticogastrostomy implantation method resolved with conservative management. The incidence of leakage increased with older age, lengthened operative time, increased blood replacement, soft pancreatic texture at the site of cutting and preoperative biliary drainage

Internal mammary lymph nodes status in breast cancer patients in the sentinel lymph node biopsy era

This study was carried out on 30 female patients with operable breast carcinoma, to determine the incidence of internal mammary lymph nodes [IMN] involvement and its correlations. All patients were submitted to modified radical mastectomy with axillary clearance and internal mammary lymph nodes [IMN] biopsy. IMN involvement by malignant cells was positive in 20% of the patients. Cases with inner breast half carcinoma had 50% incidence of IMN metastasis. Also cases with tumor size larger than 5cm had 66.7% incidence of IMIN metastasis. IMN involvement increased as the level of involvement of axillary lymph nodes increased. The results of the study emphasize the need for carrying out a sentinel IMAT biopsy especially from the first and second intercostal spaces in the cases with positive correlation as regards size of the tumor, its location and axillary lymph nodes status. This will provide additional prognostic information which might be of help to guide the administration of adjuvant therapy

Development of stable theophylline suppositories

Nine theophylline and seven aminophylline suppository formulations were prepared. The base used were polyethylene glycol blend, Suppocire A, NA10 and AP, Witepsol H15 and Estaram H15. The fatty bases were used either alone or in combination with each other. In some theophylline formulations, 1% docusate sodium, as a release enhancer, was incorporated. The effect of some additives on the stability of aminophylline suppositories was investigated. All formulations were tested for their drug release and melting points over a period of one year. The results revealed that formulations prepared with aminophylline in PEG, theophylline in PEG or Suppocire AP possess the best stability and fastest drug release. Besides, these formulations were recommended for the development of theophylline suppositories