Device-related nosocomial infection in intensive care units of Alexandria University Students Hospital

We studied the magnitude and determinants of device-related nosocomial infections in intensive care units [ICU] and identified the predominant microorganisms involved. Sputum, urine, blood cultures and chest X-ray were taken from each patient on admission and on appearance of any sign/symptom of infection. Out of 400 patients admitted to 3 units during the study, 45 [11.3%] developed nosocomial infections. The most important determinants of infection were previous admission to an ICU, whether in the same or another hospital, and duration of stay. Overall, 38 patients developed 43 device-related nosocomial infections [1.13 episodes per patient]. The main infectied association with invasive procedures were ventilator-associated pneumonia followed by catheter-related urinary tract infection and bloodstream infections

Growth patterns and antigenic analysis of Egyptian trichomonas vaginalis isolates

In this study, the vaginal washouts from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients were examined by wet mount examination and culture on modified TYM medium. Among the 320 examined cases, 10 were positive for T. vaginalis trophozoites by wet mount examination and culture. Modified TYM medium proved to be very satisfactory for the isolation as well as the maintenance of the ten T. vaginalis isolates. The comparison between the growth patterns of all isolates, by counting the number of viable organisms every 24 hours for 7 days, showed that there is a wide variability in the growth characteristics, as regards lengths of log phase, growth peaks reached, generation times, division rate and number of divisions. The antigenic differentiation of the ten T. vaginalis isolates through sodium dodecyl sulfate- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] demonstrated a total of 34 bands using 10% resolution gel. The bands ranged in molecular weight from 12-189 kDa. Most of the bands were common among several isolates, while isolate 2 appeared different than other isolates with two characteristic bands, one at 136 kDa and the other at 25 kDa. Also, isolates 4 and 8 had characteristic bands at 163 kDa and 189 kDa, respectively

Predictive models for mortality and length of hospital stay in an Egyptian burns centre

Our aim was to obtain a statistical profile of survivors and deaths among burn victims and to develop predictive models for mortality and length of hospital stay. All patients admitted to the Burns Unit of Alexandria Main University Hospital over a 1-year period were included. Of 533 cases, mean length of hospital stay was 15.5 +/- 21.6 days and the mortality rate was 33%. Total surface area burnt, inhalation burns, age, sex, depth and degree of burn wounds were the significant independent predictors of mortality in multiple logistic regression analysis. The significant independent predictors of the length of hospital stay were clothing ignition, total surface area burnt, sex, degree and depth of burn and inhalation burns

Light and electron microscopic study of full term and prematurely ruptured fetal membranes

15 parturients were divided into 3 groups: Group 1, with normal pregnancy and delivery at term [38 - 42 weeks] with membranes ruptured at the end of the first stage, group 2, with delivery at term with PROM at least 6 hours before the onset of labor, group 3, with PROM at preterm. Specimens around the ruptured site were taken from the fetal membranes, paraffin sections were prepared and stained with Hx and E, Mallory trichroms and PAS techniques. Specimens for electron microscopy were prepared, examined and photographed. The results showed that the amniotic epithelium consists of a single layer of cells with flattened nucleus, the cytoplasm is characterized by a large number of lipid droplets. The apical surface has numerous microvilli. The cells are separated from each other by intercellular canals, the basel surface of the cells forms numerous cytoplasmic processes. Hemidesmosomes also appear in association with the basal surface. The basement membrane is interrupted at irregular intervals. The fibroblast layer contains mainly collagenous and reticular fibrils with large amounts of amorphous materials. The chorion is made up of four layers: The cellular layer, the reticular layer, the pseudo- basement membrane and the trophoblast layer. In premature ruptured fetal membrane, the thickness of amniotic epithelium is reduced with fewer lipid inclusions and with few microvilli in the fibroblast layer the fibrils are dissolved and replaced by amorphous material. The spongy layer is completely disrupted and the ground substance consists mainly of amorphous material and the fibers are few in numbers, degenerative changes are apparent in the prematurely ruptured membranes, especially those preterm PROM than those ruptured during labor