TT virus DNA among hemodialysis patients in Alexandria

Since TTV was discovered a few years ago, it was a target for many studies; however, there is still a poor understanding of its mechanism of transmission and pathogenic potential. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the presence of TTV among hemodialysis patients. One hundred and twenty eight serum samples obtained from patients undergoing hemodialysis were tested for the presence of TTV DNA using PCR technique, and the levels of liver enzymes were also determined. TTV DNA was detected in 83 [64.8%] out of the 128 hemodialysis patients. There was significant positive statistical relation between the presence of TTV DNA and history of blood transfusion. However, there was no significant effect of the duration of dialysis or the levels of liver enzymes on the presence of TTV DNA. This significant high rate of isolation highlights the need to further investigations and the development of sensitive and simple detection methods to understand the epidemiology and natural history of TTV infection

occurrence of some infectious diseases as hepatitis B virus, cytomegalovirus infection and AIDS, among paid blood donors and their recipients

The transmission of infectious diseases through blood transfusion represents a great danger. Many infectious diseases can be transmitted through their transfusion such as hepatitis B, cytomegalovirus and AIDS. Therefore this study aimed to determine the occuirence of such diseases among donors and their recipients. Among the 100 transfusion recipients there were seven cases of hepatitis [propable NA, NB], 28 cases had increased ALT. Two cases of CMV infections [among those who remained ALT normal allover and a single case of HBV infection]. All the recipients had CMV antibodies in the pretransfusion sample. None of the 100 donors tested for anti-HIV reacted positive.

Recovery of coliphages from different types of Alexandria water

The present study aimed to detection coliphages from different water sources by applying two methods. A rapid coliphages analysis technique [ARCAT method] and the magnetite organic flocculation method[MOF method], while the multiple tube dilution method [MPN method] was used for detecting total and fecal coliforms. It was concluded from this study that coliphages are present in fresh water, sewage as well as sea water and that they have been affected by the industrial wastes and the highly polluted water present in Maryout lake, and that coliphage determination will not be reliable method in such water.

Effect of smoking on aerobic microflora of dental plaques

Dental plaques of 36 smokers of cigarettes, shisha and ghoza with a mean age of 35.4 years As well as those of a control group of [23] non smokers of similar age were investigated to study their aerobic microflora, The specimen were taken from So dental plaque. Their bacterial population was estimated. Smoker! using cigarette had the lower score gingivitis [0-2] while those using shisha and ghoza had higher score [3-4] as compared with control group. showing [Zero-1] score. The type of organisms en countered in smokers was not markedly different from that in not smokers but their numbers varied a lot. However, streptococci diphtheroids and micrococci took the upper hand in the latter while lactose and non lactose fermenting gram ve bacilli and Candida tropicalis were absent from such samples. Higher counts of fungi were noted in smokers in general and those of shisha i ghoza in particular. Association of high numbers of yeasts and bacteria was noted in 19/36 and 5/23 of smokers and non smokers respectively. Three types of yeasts were isolated C. albicans C. tropicalis saccharomyces cervicae. While filamentous fungi represented by aspergillus and penicillium spp. It was obviom from that when there was rise in number of fungi iii smokers number of bacteria was simulataneouly increased as well

Radio-immuno and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays for detection of hepatitis A and B antibodies in blood donors sera

Hundred paid male blood donors reruited from the blood bank of medical research Institute, Alexandria were tested for anti HBC using ELIZA test, 64 were positive for anti HBC while 89 were positive for anti HA although the routine test for HBS antigen in all those donors was negative. All donors positiveto anti HBC were positive to anti HA while the reverse was not true. Detection of ant1 HA were highest while elder donors be group 0 and A [more younger donors were positive to anti HA while elder donors were positive to anti HBC]. our results denote that vaccination against hepatitis A is of little value as anti HAVAB was detected in high percentage. Also the high percentage of our blood donors should direct our health authorities to take more practical and effective measures to lower hepatitis infection prevalence. This might allow the application for anti HBC test as a routine one in blood banks and reduce transmission of hepatitis B through blood transfusion

Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for detection of human rota virus in the first two years of life

Two hundred infants aged 0-2 years clinically diagnosed as gastroenteritis were tested for the presence if rota virus antigens in their stools by using ELIZA technique. 19% of those infants were positive. The highest antigen detection was in the age group of 6-12 months [30.7%]. No sex difference was observed, most of the antigen detection was in cooler months [autumn and winter 23.6% and 31.2%] as compared with hot months [spring 13.4% and summer 13%]. Twenty one percent if the infants were represented with severe diarrhea, while those with respiratory symptoms account only for 15.7%, but the main bulk of the cases [42.1%] was represented with the triad [diarrhea, vomiting, and fever]. Though rota virus detection in the stool was not that high to be considered as one of the main causes of gastroenteritis in Egypt, yet it reached 30% in the age group of 6-12 monthes

use of T-lymphocytes subsets as a non specific test for detection of viral infection in blood transfusion service

Many viral diseases can be transmitted through blood transfusion. It is not easy to diagnose each of these diseases separately, therefore, this study aimed to adopt a non specific test on hope that it would cover this extending array of infectious diseases [CD4/CD8 ratio]. This study proved that this ratio was significantly decreased in donors to recipients who experienced CMV infection therefore this study presents an evidence that CD4/CD8 ratio has a potential role to play in blood banks to exclude donors who are carriers to those viruses

Streptolysin O antibodies in Alexandria school children with and without history of streptococcal infection

One hundred school children attending out-patient clinic of Alexandria Sporting Students Hospital were investigated to determine ASO qualitatively using Human Latex test in relation to history of streptococcal infection [complaining=cases and non-complaining=controls], living and educational standards of their parents. It was found that neither age nor sex exerts a significant difference between the results of cases and controls. However, there was a slight rise of ASO in the age group [6-10 years] and a second rise in the age of transfer from primary to secondary school [14-18 years]. A significant difference between ASO results of cases and controls was evident in children with crowding index 0 and 1. We recommend to rely on laboratory tests as evidence of streptococcal infection and not on mere history of such infection

Isolation of Yershinia enterocolitica from stool of children suffering from gastroenteritis and from different types of water in Alexandria

Y. enterocolitica is an organism which has been gaining wide spread recognition in recent years as a source of human infection. the purpose of this study was to detect the possible presence of Yersinia in stool of children suffering form diarrhea and acute gastroenteritis as well as the presence of that organism in different types of water in Alex. It could be concluded from this study that cold enrichment technique and the use of special selective medium are essential for isolation of Y. enterocolitica. Unfortunately, cold enrichment is not of immediate clinical value because of the time required to isolate Y. enterocolitica. However, it may be used in suspected cases when other enteropathogenic organisms could not be incriminated as a cause of gastroenteritis. In our study the isolation of Y. enterocolitica from stool was 2% and from fresh and sea water was 3%

Isolation of some pathogenic bacteria from water tanks supplying high buildings in Alexandria

The present investigation aimed at the isolation and identification of Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa [Ps. aeruginosa] and Staphylococcus aureus [Staph. aureus] from water tanks of high building in Alex. City. In conclusion, it was concluded that water stored in cement and steel plate tanks would be of a better quality than that stored in barrel tanks. There was no difference between the three types and the best type of the studied tanks was the fiber glass concerning bacterial contamination. Also, showed that birds play a significant a bad effect on the quality of such water

Occurrence of campylobacter jujuni in different water sources of Alexandria

Hundred water samples were collected from different sources in Alexandria and were subjected to membrane filtration examination for detection of Campylobacter jejuni. Fourteen [14%] out of 100 water samples revealed Campylobacter jejuni; eight [40%] from Mahmoudia Canal, four [20%] from lake Maryout and two [10%] from Zeer stored water. The relation between the occurrence of fecal Coliform and Campylobacter jejuni was studied. In all water samples positive for Campylobacter jejuni, fecal Coliforms were isolated but the reverse was not true