Cryptosporidiosis in immuno compromised children

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is an obligate intracellular parasite of the Coccidia class that infects the microvilli epithelial cells of the digestive and respiratory systems

Objectives: this study aims to detection of the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among immune compromised children who receive chemotherapy and to compare the three different methods for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium

Methodology: 200 children in Aswan oncology institute were enrolled in this study, clinical assessment as well as stool examination by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain, ELISA assay and Immunofluorescence tests were done

Results: The study showed that the over-all infection was 43.5% by immunofluorescence method, 40.5% by ELISA and 28% by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. Infection rate increases in haematological malignancies [AML54.8%, HD46.2 %, ALL41.6%, NON HD 27.3%] than non haematological malignancy [wilms 50%, sarcoma 45.5%, and neuroblastoma 42.9%]

Conclusion: Cryptosporidium infection is an important public health problem in Immunocompromised children, raising awareness about cryptosporidiosis has very important effect to decrease prevalence of this parasitic infection

Diversity of bacteria nesting the plant cover of north Sinai deserts, Egypt

North Sinai deserts were surveyed for the predominant plant cover and for the culturable bacteria nesting their roots and shoots. Among 43 plant species reported, 13 are perennial [e.g. Fagonia spp., Pancratium spp.] and 30 annuals [e.g. Bromus spp., Erodium spp.]. Eleven species pos-sessed rhizo-sheath, e.g. Cyperus capitatus, Panicum turgidum and Trisetaria koelerioides. Microbiological analyses demonstrated: the great diversity and richness of associated culturable - bacteria, in particular nitrogen-fixing bacteria [diazotrophs]; the majority of bacterial residents were of true and/or putative diazotrophic nature; the bacterial populations followed an increasing density gradient towards the root surfaces; sizeable populations were able to reside inside the root [endorhizosphere] and shoot [endophyllosphere] tissues. Three hundred bacterial isolates were secured from studied spheres. The majority of nitrogen-fixing bacilli isolates belonged to Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus polymexa, Bacillus macerans, Bacillus circulans and Bacillus licheniformis. The family Enterobacteriaceae represented by Enterobacter agglomerans, Enterobacter sackazakii, Enterobacter cloacae, Serratia adorifera, Serratia liquefaciens and Klebsiella oxytoca. The non-Enterobacteriaceae population was rich in Pantoae spp., Agrobacterium rdiobacter, Pseudomonas vesicularis, Pseudomonas putida, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Ochrobactrum anthropi, Sphingomonas paucimobilis and Chrysemonas luteola. Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus were reported inside root and shoot tissues of a number of tested plants. The dense bacterial populations reported speak well to the very possible significant role played by the endophytic bacterial po-pulations in the survival, in respect of nutrition and health, of existing plants. Such groups of diazotrophs are good candidates, as biopreparates, to support the growth of future field crops grown in deserts of north Sinai and irrigated by the water of El-Salam,canal