Incidence of SEN virus in polytransfused cases of chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis

SENV is the latest viral agent that has been proposed as a cause of NANE hepatitis. It appears to be endemic throughout the world since it has been found in many countries, although with different incidence. The prevalence of SENV-D and SENV-H in polytransfused cases such as chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis was significantly higher. This study was conducted on 75 subjects; 50 polytransfused cases of chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis and 25 normal healthy subjects as a control. Blood samples were collected and PCR was performed for detection of SENV-D and SENV-H in patients group and control. SENV-H viraemia were detected in five patients out of fifty [10%]; one case was positive for SENV-H alone [2%] while four cases were coinfected of SENV-H with HCV [8%]. They were all negative for SENV-D. Neither SENV-D nor SENV-H was detected in control group. No significant difference in the severity of liver affection reflected by the mean transaminase [AST and ALT] levels was found between SENV positive and SENV negative patients group [P >0.05]

Microbiological study of removed intrauterine devices

Intrauterine devices [IUDs] are highly [effective, long-term methods of contraception. Although evidence of a direct association between IUD use and pelvic inflammatory disease [PID] is scarce, concerns about PID related to IUDs use has limited their use throughout the world. In this study, 200 participants were chose from among women who requested an IUD as a means of contraception. The IUDs were removed 36 months later or in case of PID. No PID cases were recorded during the follow-up period. Prior to IUD insertion, 121 women [60.5%] had symptoms and/or signs of lower genital tract infection, whereas during the follow-up period 179 women [89.5%] had symptoms and/or signs of lower genital tract infection. Vaginal and endocervical specimens prior to insertion of IUD and during follow up period were collected from all participants and specimens from removed IUD. The Papanicolaou smears were negative for Actionmyces throughout the study period. Following IUD removal, 189 LUD cultures [94.5%] were positive. The bacterial flora of the removed IUDs consisted of common aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms that do not account for PID. The most common microorganisms identified were Staphylococcus coagulase negative [67%], Eschericia coli [57%], and Enterococcus faecalis [47%]. IUDs are a very effective and safe method of contraception if potential recipients are selected carefully. Culture of the removed IUDs and therapeutic management of women with positive cultures are not recommended when women are asymptomatic for PID

Mycoplasma hominis and ureaplasma urealyticum vaginosis in pregnant women

The main feature of BV is a change in vaginal flora from predominant Lactobacilli to overgrowth of other microorganisms like; Mycoplasma hominis [M. hominis] and Ureaplasma urealyticum [U. urealyticum]. M. hominis and U. urealyticum vaginosis has been associated with abortion, intraamniotic infection, premature rupture of membranes [PROM] and intrapartum fever in pregnant women. This study was carried out on 100 pregnant women complaining of abnormal vaginal discharge in addition, 50 normal healthy pregnant women were included as a control. Vaginal specimens were collected from all studied women. The incidence of BV among pregnant women was [39%] whereas none of the controls has BV. There was positive correlation between the number of pregnancy but not its duration. M. hominis was detected in BV cases [38.5%] and U. urealyticum in [46.2%]. As regarding the susceptibility, M. hominis was more sensitive to norfioxacin and tetracycline [100% for each] and also, U. urealyticum isolates were more sensitive to norfioxacin and tetracycline [94.4, 88.9%] respectively, but they were resistant to Amoxicillin and Amoxacillin/Culvunate

Chlamydia trachomatis in women with intermenstrual bleeding using different methods of contraception

Intermenstrual bleeding is a troublesome complaint in women using the oral contraceptives [OCs] or intrauterine devices [IUDs]. Traditionally, this bleeding was attributed to insufficient hormonal support in case of oral contraceptive or to local mechanical irritation in the case of IUDs. The endometritis may be the cause causing this bleeding. In this study 150 women were included. They were divided into five groups each consists of 30 women. The first group was women who are using IUDs for more than 3 months with complaining of intermenstrual bleeding in the previous 3 cycles at least, for which no probable cause could be detected. The second group was women who are using the same IUDs for more than 3 months without complaining of intermenstrual bleeding. The third group was women who were are using OCs for more than 3 months and having imtermenstrual bleeding in the previous 3 cycles at least, for which a probable cause could not be demonstrated. The fourth group was women who are using the same OCs for more than 3 months without complaining of intermenstrual bleeding. The last group was women who are not using a method of contraception in the previous 3 months considered as a control group. Endocervical and endometrial specimens were collected from studied women for detection of chlamydia trachomatis antigen by direct immunofluorescence [DIF] method. A significant increase in the incidence of detection of C. trachomatis from IUDs user 17/30 [56.7%] from Ocs user 9/30 [30%] with intermenstrual bleeding [p < 0.05]. Also, there is increase in the incidence of C. trachomatis from IUDs user 7/30 [23.3%] from Ocs user, 3/30 [10%] without intermenstrual bleeding but non-significant [p >0.05] We concluded that C. trachomatis could be the aetiological agent of intermenstrual bleeding in women using IUDs or Ocs

Evaluation of antibiotics used for treating acute attacks of recurrent tonsillitis in children

The often-indiscriminate use of antimicrobial agents has led to increased bacterial resistance over the past years. This phenomenon is not only evident in nosocomial environments but also at a community level. It is therefore important that, in addition to the rational use of antibiotics, an accurate prophylaxis is performed which includes the correct use of antimicrobials. Eighty children aged up to 10 years old, with a history of recurrent attacks of tonsillitis were included in this study. They were classified according to the frequency of occurrence of tonsillitis/year into the following groups: Group 1,40 children with a history of recurrent tonsillitis less than 4 attacks per year and group 2,40 children with a history of recurrent tonsillitis, 4 attacks or more per year. Blood samples were taken from each child for leukocytic count and measurement of erythrocytic sedimentation rate [ESR], antistreptolysin O titer [ASO], and C-reactive protein [CRP]. Throat swabs for microbiological examination were collected. Antibiotic sensitivity testing was done using antimicrobial discs of penicillin, cephradine, cefotaxime, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, ampicillin-sulbactam, gentamicin, ampicillin-cloxacillin 1:1, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid 2:1, cefuroxime and erythromycin. The isolates from group I were Streptococcus pyogenes [50%], Staphylococcus aureus [15%], Hemophilus infiuenzae [15%], Staphylococcus epidermidis [10%], Streptococcus agalactiae [5%] and Streptococcus pneumoniae [5%]. While the isolates from group 2 patients were Streptococcus pyogenes [15%], Staphylococcus aureus [20%], Neisseria and Streptococcus agalactiae [each 5%]. Mixed infection with Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae constituted the majority of isolations among group 2 children [22 children, 55%]. This is in contrast to group I, where mixed infection was not reported at all. This difference was statistically significant. There was a significant difference between the 2 groups as regards the type of antibiotic used by each group where group I used all types of antibiotics. The use of antibiotic for the first time was also different where group 1 used more antibiotics than group 2

Evaluation of estrogen receptors in relation to activity of breast duct carcinoma

Breast cancer is the most common cause of death in middle aged women and affect a million women worldwide each year. The breast is the target organ for estrogen. This hormone controls several functions of the normal and abnormal mammary epithelium inducing cell proliferation. Most of the actions of estrogen are mediated via specific steroid receptors, and proliferate cells should contain estrogen receptors [ERs]. Several tumor markers have been mentioned for breast cancer like carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA], and cancer antigen [CAI5-3]. This study included 23 individuals participated in the study and were divided into 2 groups, group [1] [benign group which was considered the control group and group [2] [malignant group] which was subdivided into 3 groups according to the pathological grading. The expression of estrogen receptors [ER] was immunohistochemically investigated in 18 formaline-fixed paraffin embedded invasive breast carcinoma. 9 cases of 18 [50%] showed a positive nuclear immunoreactivity with both MoAbs against ER. In this study we found a distinct extremely significant and direct proportional relationship [p <0.01] between the histological grades [I, II, III] and ER nuclear immunoreavtivity. The majority of grade [III] tumors 4/5 [80%], were [ER] positive. In contrary grade [I] tumors and grade [II], 5/13 [3 8%] had low number of[ER] positive than the high grade [grade III]. In this study, the ER positive nuclear staining pattern was classified according to their intensity. The intensity of ER in different grades was, in grade [I] the weak intensity [+] was 1/1 [100%] while the moderate intensity [++] and strong [+++] were 0%. In grade [II], the weak intensity [+] was 1/4 [25%], the moderate was 3/4 [75%] and the strong was 0%. In grade [III], the weak intensity [+] was 0% while the moderate was [25%] and the strong record the maximum level 3/4 [75%.] The level of estrogen hormone in breast cancer patients as well as in control women. The mean level of estrogen hormone in cancer breast patients was extremely significant elevated than that in corresponding control [p=<0.0001[. The mean level of estrogen hormone was directly proportional with the histopathological grades. Serum CAI5.3was significantly increase than that in corresponding control. There was a direct proportional correlation between tumor grade and serum level of CAl 5.3 as a tumor marker for cancer breast. By comparison between different groups of patients with cancer breast we found that serum level of CAl 5.3 was significantly increased in grade II than grade I [p>0.05] and this correlation was extremely significant between grade III and both grade I and Grade II [p<0.01]. CEA was increased in cancer breast patient than that in corresponding control, this increase not reach the significance level in patients with grade I and grade II while in grade III this increase reach the significance level [p>0.01]. Among the different groups there was no any significant correlation between them in CEA level

Characterization of polypeptides of vernix caseosa [VC] and Its role on the neonate skin surfsce as an innate antimicrobial barrier

Vernix caseosa [VC] is a greasy substance, that gradually covers the fetal skin during the last trimester of pregnancy. The vernix had been shown to have antimicrobial properties. Given the strategic position of vernix [a relatively unstudied material] on the fetal skin surface, this study aimed to investigate whether natural antimicrobial peptides/proteins contribute to surface protection of newborns at birth, hence the significant basis for leaving vernix in place at birth was provided. This study characterized peptides and proteins in vernix with emphasis on antimicrobial activity. Concentrated peptide/protein extracts were obtained from samples of vernix from full-term healthy newborn infants and screened for antimicrobial activity using inhibition zone assays. Proteins/peptides fraction in all vernix extracts exhibited a clear and strong antibacterial activity [inhibition of growth on nutrient agar] against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, in addition to antifungal activity against Candida albicans. Alpha- defensins [HNP1-3], LL-37 and lysozyme were characterized among the active components. In addition, psoriasin and ubiquitin were identified in fractions derived from vernix, that exhibited antibacterial activity