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

Chromagar staph aureus versus blood agar and mannitol salt agar for isolation and identification of staphylococcus aureus from suppurative skin lesions

Chromagar Staph aureus [CHROMagar Company, Paris, France] is a chromogenic agar medium proposed for the detection of Staphylococcus aureus by incorporation of a chromatic substrate into a suitable isolation medium and then detection of the activities of a specific bacterial enzymes by color changes thus eliminating the need for time consuming and costly biochemical identification. To evaluate this medium, a total of 105 suppurative skin lesion swabs were cultured onto CHROMagar Staph aureus agar, blood agar [gold standard] and mannitol salt agar. After 24 h of incubation a total of 83 S. aureus strains were recovered on blood agar. Chromagar Staph aureus succeded to isolate 82 strains with mauve color in the first 24 h with a sensitivity of 98.79 % and a specificity of 95.45 %, with no further isolation after extending the incubation time to 48 h. As regards mannitol salt agar, 43 [51.8%] strains were recovered as yellow colonies after 24 h of incubation compared with 61[73.4%] strains after incubation for 48 h. These results were associated with a sensitivity of 50.60% after 24 reaching up to 73.49% after 48 h. We conclude that CHROMagar Staph aureus compared favorably to conventional media for rapid detection of S. aureus in clinical samples and achieved a higher sensitivity and specificity than mannitol salt agar for the isolation and presumptive identification of S. aureus from suppurative skin lesions

Prevalence of TT virus infection among chronic hepatitis C patients

Much is still unknown about the clinical significance of TT virus [TTV] that has been reported as a candidate for non A-G hepatitis virus. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance of TTV in healthy subjects and patients co-infected with TTV and hepatitis C virus [HCV]. Twenty four healthy subjects in addition to 40 chronic hepatitis C patients were involved in this study. TTVDNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction [PCR], HCVRNA was measured using real time PCR, and liver enzymes were also determined by RANDOX; EC 2.6.2 IFCC Kit. TTVDNA was detected in 32.5% and 37.5% of control and chronic hepatitis C patients respectively, which was not statistically significant [p>0.05]. No significant increase in serum SGPT, SGOT values was observed among TTV DNA positive and TTV DNA negative in both groups. No significant differences were found between TTV DNA positive and negative groups regarding gender and HCV RNA load. Among the healthy control group, only 2 [8.3%] out of 24 had elevated liver enzymes and they were TTV DNA positive, while out of the 40 chronic hepatitis C patients, [40%] had elevated SGPT and SGOT values respectively. Of these 5 [35.7%] were both TTV DNA and HCVRNA positive. HCVRNA viremia did not correlate with the presence of TTVDNA. In summary, this study does not indicate TTV as a causative agent of non-B, non-C chronic hepatitis cases studied

Relationship of helicobacter pylori infection with different digestive system malignant tumors

Studies have shown a close association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric cancer while its relationship with other digestive system tumors has not been clarified. This study evaluated whether H. pylori infection affected risk for different digestive system malignancies. Sera were tested for lgG antibodies against H. pylori using quantitative enzyme immunoassay in 222 subjects: 82 patients with digestive system malignancies including gastroduodenal, pancreatic, hepatic, and colorectal carcinomas, 82 healthy controls, and 58 patients with other malignancies [cancer controls]. H. pylori infection was noted in 58.8% of healthy controls, 73.2% of patients with digestive cancer and 82.8% of cancer controls. H. pylori infection imposed 2.8 folds increased risk for colorectal carcinoma. H. pylori infection was associated with increased but non-significant risk for developing genitourinary, bone, and breast cancers. Thus large-scale epidemiological studies to confirm the association and the possible causative role of H. pylori infection in the etiopathogenesis of various digestive and non-digestive system cancers are needed to help to develop preventive measures and appropriate interventions