Climate change and predicted trend of fungal keratitis in Egypt

Rising rates of invasive fungal infections may be linked to global climate change. A study was made of the trend of ophthalmic fungal corneal keratitis in the greater Cairo area of Egypt and its association with climate records during the same period. Data on diagnosed cases of fungal keratitis were collected from records of ophthalmic departments of Cairo University hospital and atmospheric temperature and humidity for the greater Cairo area were obtained from online records. Statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the relative frequency of keratornycosis during 1997-2007. The rise correlated significantly with rises in minimum temperature and the maximum atmospheric humidity in the greater Cairo area over the same period [after exclusion of the effect of the maximum atmospheric temperature]. The predicted increase in keratornycosis up to the year 2030 corresponds to predicted increases in CO[2] emissions and surface temperature from climate change models for Egypt

Induction of leukaemia in chloramphenicol-treated toads

Chloramphenicol has been associated with the development of aplastic anaemia. As it is still widely used in Egypt, we studied its effect on 100 Egyptian toads [Bufo regularis] given a dose of chloramphenicol of 5 mg/40 g body weight for 12 weeks. We found it induced numerous, severe ultrastructural changes in almost all types of leukocytes. These changes were similar to those induced by the chemical carcinogen 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in 100 toads used as the carcinogen control group, and similar to those in leukocytes reported in humans with leukaemia. We recommend regulations be applied on the use of this antibiotic in countries where it is still widely used

Experimental induction of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis infection in albino rats. [a histopathologicaland bacteriological study]

Scleroma, the chronic specific granuloma of the nose and upper respiratory tract is endemic in Egypt and many other countries. The exact pathogenesis of the disease as regards the etiologic role of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis is contradictory. This work investigated the effect of experimental intravenous injection of Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis bacilli in albino rats to demonstrate that the organism can fulfill Koch's postulates. Organisms were isolated from biopsy specimens taken form nasal lesions of ten patients in the granulomatous stage of scleroma. Specimens were subjected to bacteriological and histopathological examinations to confirm the diagnosis. One hundred micro of freshly prepared bacterial inoculum containing 10[8] CFU/ml was injected weekly in the tail vein of each of thirty albino rats and repeated for 5 consecutive weeks. Biopsy specimens were taken form sacrificed animals and subjected to bacteriological and histopathological examinations. Positive histopathological diagnosis of scleroma was reported in the nose of 66.7% of rats, the larynx of 46.7%, the lungs of 26.7% and liver of 20% of rats. Bacteriological techniques were successful in revealing Klebsiella rhinoscleromatis form the nose of 36.7% of rats, the larynx of 30% and the lungs of 20% of rats. Various techniques were carried out to demonstrate the organisms in tissue sections. Two histochemical stains were employed including silver and periodic acid Schiff [PAS] stains. Immunoperoxidase technique using Klebsiella capsular type 3 antiserum was Care applied It gave positive results in 66.7% or the 6 stained liver sections inspite of negative bacteriological cultures. The histiocytic nature of the Mikulicz cells was confirmed using alpha-1 antitrypsin, an immunohistochemical marker of histiocytes, and by studying the ultrastructural features of Mikulicz cells using the transmission electron microscope

Bipedicle split tibialis anterior muscle flap for coverage of exposed tibia

Cases of pre-tibial soft tissue loss with exposure of the tibia usually entails employing complicated surgical procedures for coverage of such defects which may be uncomfortable both to the patient and the surgeon. This study describes a relatively simple and easy technique, which uses the antero-lateral portion of the tibialis anterior muscle as a longitudinally split bipedicle muscle flap to cover such defects. By this method it was able to cover most of the defects of middle 1/3 of the leg of width up to 6 cm and of length up to 15 cm. The results of 11 cases are discussed

Primary repair of lip nose deformities in bilateral complete cleft lip: one stage open tip rhinoplasty at the time of lip repair

This paper presented a preliminary report on one-stage reconstruction of lip nose deformities in complete bilateral cleft lip. The technique used is a modification of the principle of open tip rhinoplasty popularized by Gunter and Rohrich, 1987 with a modification of the principles of bilateral lip repair popularized by Millard, 1977. The technique used for 11 consecutive cases with bilateral complete cleft lip, admitted in Sayed Galal and El-Husain hospitals, Al-Azhar University in the period between October 1992 and December 1994. The steps of the technique, the results and the complications are discussed

Studies on Henneguya infection in the african catfish clarias lazera

From investigating 1261 Clarias lazera caught from the main Rosetta Nile Branch and its tributaries at Edfina, Lower Egypt, cysts of the myxosporidian protozoan Henneguya were observed in 156 fishes [12.37%]. The cysts were localized in the suprabranchial organ [10.23%] within the primary gill lamellae [1.74%] and rarely in the intestine [0.4%]. During the course of the study, the incidence of infection peaked in August [48.1%] and was at its minimal level in December and January [0.8%]. Examination of the cyst contents revealed the presence of vegetative trophozoites and spores of Henneguya. The spores appeared spindle shaped with a long tapered caudal process. Two equal polar bodies and an iodinophilous vacuole were identified within the spore. According to the spore measurements, the three types of cyst were caused by a single species. Matching the spore measurements with other morphologically similar Henneguya species, it appeared that, they are different. The name Henneguya clarii sp. nov. was suggested to this myxosporidian