Mycological evaluation of imported frozen fish

A total number of 100 samples of four types of frozen fish [Barbone, Sardine, Baca and Mackerel] were collected from different Alexandria markets. The samples were subjected to mycological tests to evaluate the fungal load of these frozen fish. The result showed that the predominant genera of the isolated mould from the 4 types of fish were Asperigellus spp. and Penicillium spp. In addition to other mould isolates these were Cladosporium spp., Fusarium spp., Alternaria spp., Nigrosporium spp., Paecilomyces spp., Mucor spp. and Rhizopus spp. It showed also that the predominant genus of isolated yeast, from the 4 types of fish, was Candida spp. and the other isolated yeast were Torulopsis spp., Rhodotorulla spp. and Geotrichium spp. This study showed how these types of frozen fish were being contaminated from different sources by yeast and mould. Also, the hazardous and public health importance of such contaminants were fully discussed and suggested recommendations to improve its quality and safety were explained to be implemented

Comparison between fetal fibronectin and cervical index in early detection of preterm labor

The present study will compare between two methods of diagnosis of preterm labor, which are, Transvaginal Ultrasonography [for cervical index] and fetal fibronectin in cervicovaginal secretions and to evaluate their rules in early detection of preterm labor. This is a prospective study carried out at Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia Governor ate [2001-2002]. The study was carried out on Patients attending the department of Obstetric and Gynecology who were pregnant >/= 24 - < 37 weeks of gestation and at risk of preterm labor. The material of the study included 50 cases divided into two groups according to strict inclusion criteria. Each case was subjected to thorough questionnaire obstetric examination, determination of fibronectin level in cervico-vaginal secretions and estimation of the cervical index. The results of the study showed the superiority of the fibronectin estimation for the earlier detection of cases subjected to impending preterm delivery compared to cervical index. The conclusion of the study is that the combined use of cervical index and fibronectin assay give better anticipation to cases with impending preterm delivery

prognostic value of congestion index in patients with portal hypertension due to schistosomal hepatic fibrosis with and without chronic hepatitis C: a clinico-pathological and hemodynamic study

We intended to assess the value of congestion index of portal vein [Cl PV] [derived from the ratio between the cross-sectional area of the portal vein and the mean velocity of portal flow] in assessing the severity of portal hypertension and its correlation with North Italian Endoscopic Club [NIEC] index and risk of bleeding in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis with and without chronic hepatitis C. We studied 64 patients with portal hypertension who were categorized into three groups based on histological diagnosis: group I [19 with pure schistosomal hepatic fibrosis], group II [22 patients with combined schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and chronic hepatitis C] and group III [23 patients with combined schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and chronic hepatitis C with cirrhosis]. All patients were of the Child class A.They were subjected to; clinical examination, stool and serological examinations for schistosoma infection, serum transaminases and alkaline phosphatase, serum albumin, prothrombin activity and virological markers. Upper endoscopy, abdominal Ultrasonography with duplex as well as liver biopsies were performed to all patients. The results showed that the mean value of Cl PV was found to be higher in groups II [0.155 +/- 0.05] and III [0.179 +/- 0.04] than in group I [0.134 +/- 0.04], which reached a significant level only between groups III and I [P<0.05]. The mean values of NIEC index and NIEC risk of bleeding were found to be significantly higher in group III [28.5 +/- 4, 18.3 +/- 6.3] respectively than in groups I [23.6 +/- 5, 10.6 +/- 7.8] and II [23.5+4, 11+6.5] [P<0.05] with no significant difference between groups I and II. The Cl PV was found to have a significant positive correlation with the degree of fibrosis as assessed by both the sonographic and the histopathologic examinations. It was also significantly correlated with NIEC risk of bleeding. We concluded that the congestion index of portal vein is a valuable non invasive parameter in assessing the severity of portal hypertension and in predicting bleeding in schistosomal patients with and without chronic hepatitis C