Cross-reaction of antigen preparations from adult and larval stages of the parasite Setaria equina with sera from infected humans with Wuchereria bancrofti

Crude antigenic preparations from Setaria equina were used in ELISA and Western blotting to examine cross-reaction with human sera from areas endemic for bancroftian filariasis. Sera from normal subjects from non-endemic areas were included as negative controls. Cross-reaction was found between 5. equina antigens and antibodies in the sera of Wuchereria bancrofti-infected patients, with the highest levels observed between sera of chronic infected patients and Setaria spp. crude female worm surface antigen [CFSWA]. In the absence of active transmission of Setaria spp. infection, CFWSA is useful to detect chronic W. bancrofti infection before patients become symptomatic, particularly when chronic patients are known to be amicrofilaraemic. In the presence of active 5. equina infection, antigens from the adult and microfilaraemic stages showed the highest degree of cross-reaction with human sera

Oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus

Plasma levels of lipid peroxide [malondialdehyde] [MDA] and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity were measured in 15 diabetic patients without complications, 30 diabetic patients with microvascular complications [retinopathy and /or nephropathy] and in 10 healthy control subjects. Results showed a highly significant increase in plasma levels of MDA among the diabetic patients in comparison to the control subjects and in diabetic patients with complications in comparison to those without complications. Also, there was a highly significant decrease in erythrocyte SOD activity in the diabetic patients in comparison to the control subjects and in diabetic patients with complications in comparison to those without complications. A highly significant positive correlation was found between plasma levels of MDA and each of fasting blood glucose, duration of diabetes mellitus and microalbuminuria

Heat as an immuno-suppressive agent on the in vivo production of antibodies in mature male rats

Thirty male mature albino rats arranged in three equal groups [A, B and C] were used in this experiment. Prior to the test, group B was subjected to heat [38 degree +/- 2] four hrs. daily for 14 days in their immature life. During the whole experiment, both groups B and C were exposed to heat [38 degree +/- 2] 4 hours daily for 30 days [the time of experiment] while group A was kept under comfortable climate [25 degree +/- 2]. The three groups were injected intravenously in their tail vein with sheep red blood corpuscles at 0 and 21 days of experiment; at 30 days their sera were collected and the anti sheep antibodies were assayed by the tube agglutination method. The antibody titre decreased significantly in both groups compared to control, this decrease was more evident in group B which was exposed to heat during immature life also. This result denoted that heat has an in-vivo immuno-suppressive effect on the murine humoral response, this effect was more pronounced after longer exposure, earlier exposure or both

Post-appendectomy wound infection: the role of prophylactic systemic antibiotics

Three swabs were taken from 200 cases of acute appendicitis of different pathological types. The peritoneal, appendicular and wound swabs were cultured aerobically and anaerobically to identify the causative oragnisms. Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis represented about 75% of the causative organisms. The antibiotic sensitivity tests for the isolated bacteria showed that cefoperazone followed by cefotaxime were the most effective antibiotics in 75.8% and 71.2% respectively.The value of prophylactic systemic antibiotics in non complicated [early] and complicated [late] appendicitis to decrease the incidence of post-appendicectomy wound infection, had been studied using metronidazole with ampicillin for a group, cefoperazone in another and the third group didn't receive any antibotics. The two groups received prophylactic antibiotics showed lower incidence of wound infection than the third group. The group that was depending on cefoperazone as a prophylaxis, had a lower incidence of wound infection compared to the group received combination of metronidazole and ampicillin. Our series showed that aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are responsible for post- appendectomy wound infection which is commonly association especially in high- risk cases. Prophylactic systemic antibiotics are of value to decrease its incidence and the antibiotic must cover the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It is more effective and less economic to give a monotherapy covering the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria than to give a combination of double or even triple antibiotic regimen

Biochemical evaluation in entamoeba histolytica infected persons in Sharkia governorate

Serum total, direct and indirect bilirubin, serum asparate aminotransferase [SGOT], serum alanine aminotransferase [SGPT], total protein, albumin, globulin, blood urea and creatinine were estimated in twenty five Entamoeba histolytica cyst passers, five trophozoite passers and five healthy control persons. It was found that in trophozoite passers there was an increase in total bilirubin than normal and no changes in indirect bilirubin. However, direct bilirubin, serum alanine aminotransferase [SGPT], serum aspartate aminotransferase [SGOT], total protein, albumin, globulin, urea and creatinine were decreased. While in cysts passers all above parameters were increased except blood urea was decreased. There was direct relationship between the intensity of infection and tested parameters in both cyst and trophozoite passers