Further studies an antoclaved cercarial vaccine against Schistosomasis: Safety, longevity and stability

This study was performed to adjust the dose and to assess vaccine safety, longevity and stability as well as the possibility of transplacental transmission of immune response from pregnant mice to their offspring. The results showed that two doses of the lowest most effective concentration of autoclaved cercarial vaccine [ACV] that achieved the high percentage reduction of worm burden were safe as demonstrated by the absence of any local or systemic side effects, normal blood picture and normal liver and kidney function tests. ACV is stable when kept either at 4C for 6 months or at-35C for up to 12 months and it offers a considerable duration of longevity. The offspring of vaccinated mothers did not show any signs of protection against challenge infection

Autoimmune Thyroiditis is in type I versus type 2 diabetics

to determine the prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis [AIT] as evidenced by thyroid peroxidase antibodies [TPO-ABs] in both types of diabetes Seventy five subjects from the Main Alexandria University Hospital were selected and divided into 3 groups. Group I included 30 type 1 diabetics. Group II included 30 type 2 diabetics, while group III included 15 healthy subjects of matched age and sex. Thorough history taking and physical examination were done. Fasting plasma glucose [FPG] and glycated haemoglobin [HbA1c] were estimated the following parameters were measured in serum: TPO-ABs, tyrosine phosphate-like proteins antibodies [IA2-ABs] and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies [GAD-ABs], Also, thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] and free thyroxine [FT4 levels were measured in all subjects. Type l diabetics had the highest frequency of TPO-ABs positivity [26.7%], while in type 2, it was 10% vs control 6.7%, but it did not reach significant levels. TPO-ABs positivity was significantly associated with higher levels of IA2-ABs and GAD-ABs. It was also significantly associated with elevated TSH levels and insignificantly related to low free T4 levels. Conclusions: AIT, as evidenced by TPO-Abs, was present in type 1 diabetics and some type 2 with late life onset [LADA], a/though it did not reach significant levels. Results obtained were encouraging for diabetes and AIT prediction and for immunointervention measures to be used in high risk subjects