Immunological and molecular detection of digenetic infections in different species of Egyptian freshwater snails

Due to the possibility of utilizing different snails in the combat of Schistosoma in Egypt; it is important to study the role it may play in transmitting other trematodes of medical and veterinary importance. Taking this background into consideration, polymerase chain reaction [PCR] assay was designed to identify trematode species at larval stages in intermediate hosts [cercariae in snails] using a combination of standard and molecular methods. This PCR assay was also applied to naturally infected molluscan in order to assess the use of the procedure for detection. The importance of the present study was to demonstrate the epidemiological situation and application in control

Immune system alterations in cannabis and heroin users

The immune system alterations were tested in 40 male addicts who were admitted in a mental hospital in Cairo over a period of one year. They were divided into two groups, the first group represents chronic heroin users and the second group represents chronic cannabis users, each of 20 subjects, while a third group represents age and sex matched control and all subjects had no history of immunological disorders. These groups were investigated as regard population of lymphocytes [T and B], the functional activity of T-lymphocytes [CMI] as assessed by the lymphocyte blastogenesis, the chemotactic indices and phagocytic activity, while humoral immunity [HI] was tested by levels of IgA, IgM and IgG. It was found that both heroin and cannabis users got significantly lower number of T-lymphocytes compared to control group, as regard the functional activity of T-lymphocytes, it was significantly lowered in both groups with more suppression of phagocytic activity and blastogenesis in heroin users. Finally, there were significant lower levels of IgG, IgM and IgA with more suppression of IgG in heroin users together with a cumulative inhibitory effect of both heroin and cannabis on the immune system. As a conclusion, chronic heroin and cannabis exposure are immune system suppressants with more hazardous effect of heroin abuse

Adverse health effects of gasoline in service station workers

In the present study, the possible relationship between occupational exposure to gasoline and renal, hepatic as well as immunological alterations were investigated. 42 gasoline station workers were compared to 20 administrative workers [controls] regarding their renal functions [urea, creatinine and urinary microalbumin], hepatic functions [total bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase -ALT-, aspartate aminotransferase -AST- and serum albumin] and immunological assessment [serum immunoglobulin levels, chemotaxis, phagocytosis and lymphocyte blastogenesis]. The results obtained show a significant increase of urinary microalbumin in the exposed workers, compared to matched unexposed controls. However, no significant changes were recorded in the serum urea or creatinine levels in the exposed group. Serum ALT and AST were significantly higher in exposed in relation to non-exposed workers, meanwhile, no significant differences were observed as regards the serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between the comparable groups. Moreover, our results show that gasoline exposed workers exhibited significant decrease in the tested immunological parameters as compared to the control group. These data point to significant impairment in renal, hepatic and immunological functions by gasoline exposure