Different T-lymphocyte subset responses dictate organ involvement in schistosomiasis

In this study, 2 color flow cytometric immunophenotyping analysis of lymphocytes and their subsets estimated in fresh peripheral venous blood sample of 15 patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis as a result of Schistosoma mansoni infection. 15 patients with active intestinal bilharziasis only without hepatic fibrosis or splenomegaly as well as 15 healthy volunteers. Bilharzial hepatic fibrosis was confirmed by histopathological examination of liver biopsy specimens. HBsAg and HCV Ab positive patients were excluded from the study. Results showed that CD4+% in the group of patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis was significantly higher than that of the group with active intestinal bilharziasis. While no significant difference was observed between the two groups of patients with bilharziasis when compared with the control group. CD8+% decreased significantly in patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis compared with both control and patients with active intestinal bilharziasis. While CD8+% increased significantly in the group of active intestinal bilharziasis compared with control. CD4/CD8 ratio increased significantly in patients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis compared with the group of active intestinal bilharziasis and control group. NK% decreased significantly in patients with bilharziasis while NK% increased significantly in the group of active intestinal bilharziasis compared to control. No significant difference was present among the studied groups as regards total leucocytic count, absolute lymphocytic count, CD3%, CD19% and activated T-lymphocyte percentages

Free oxygen radical activity and some antioxidants in plasma of patients with Hodgkin's Disease

In this study levels of the lipid peroxide malondialdehyde [MDA], a marker of free oxygen radicals [FOR] activity, together with those of three potent antioxidants; namely, vitamin C, vitamin E, and the trace element selenium, were estimated in plasma of 40 patients proved to suffer from Hodgkin's disease by thorough history and clinical examination, appropriate laboratory investigations, and histopathological examination of biopsied tissues, as well as plasma of 20 healthy subjects matched for age, sex and nutritional status, as control. Results showed statistically significant increase in MDA levels accompanied by significant decrease in vitamin E and selenium levels, with no significant change in vitamin C plasma levels, all compared to control. Significant negative correlations were noticed between MDA and each of vitamin E and selenium. Conclusively, there is increased FOR activity accompanied by derangement in some antioxidants in patient with Hodgkin's disease. The relation of these changes to the course of the disease needs further studies which are recommended also to unravel the responsible mechanisms for these changes and to elucidate whether dietary antioxidant supplementation will be beneficial