ABSTRACT
Abstract Serological screening of 199 serum samples from Dromedary camels—from different cities in Saudi Arabia—was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detecting antibodies against two cyst-forming coccidian parasites, namely Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum. Antibodies against T. gondii were detected in 68 (34.2%) samples, while those against N. caninum were present in 33 (16.6%) samples. The highest seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was reported in samples from Taif (51.2%), while the lowest seroprevalence was reported in samples from Riyadh and Hofuf (15.1%). The highest seroprevalence of N. caninum antibodies was reported in samples from Jizan (35.9%) while the lowest was reported in samples from Taif (2.4%). A total of 47 male and 21 female camels exhibited antibodies against T. gondii , while 19 male and 14 female camels showed antibodies against N. caninum . Concurrent detection of both T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies was observed in 18 camels. It has been demonstrated that T. gondii and N. caninum antibodies are prevalent in camels from different cities of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Resumo A triagem sorológica para a detecção de anticorpos para Toxoplasma gondii e Neospora caninum no camelo dromedário foi realizada investigando 199 amostras de soro coletadas em diferentes cidades da Arábia Saudita. As amostras foram testadas utilizando imunoensaios enzimáticos para a detecção de anticorpos de ambos os parasitas coccídeos formadores de cistos (Laboratórios IDEXX, Bommeli Diagnostics, AG, Berna, Suíça). Anticorpos contra T. gondii foram detectados em 68 (34,2%) amostras, enquanto 33 (16,6%) apresentaram anticorpos contra N. caninum. A maior soroprevalência de anticorpos contra T. gondii (51,2%) foi relatada em Taif, enquanto a menor soroprevalência (15,1%) foi relatada em Riyadh e Hofuf. A maior soroprevalência de anticorpos contra N. caninum foi relatada em Jizan (35,9%), enquanto a menor foi em Taif (2,4%). Um total de 47 machos e 21 fêmeas revelou anticorpos para T. gondii , enquanto 19 machos e 14 fêmeas revelaram anticorpos para N. caninum . A detecção de ambos os anticorpos contra T. gondii e N. caninum foi de 18 indivíduos. Foi demonstrado que os anticorpos contra T. gondii e N. caninum são predominantes em camelos de diferentes cidades do Reino da Arábia Saudita.
Subject(s)
Animals , Male , Female , Toxoplasma/immunology , Camelus/parasitology , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/epidemiology , Coccidiosis/veterinary , Neospora/immunology , Saudi Arabia/epidemiology , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/veterinary , Seroepidemiologic Studies , Toxoplasmosis, Animal/diagnosis , Coccidiosis/epidemiologyABSTRACT
Percutaneous balloon mitral commissurotomy [PBMC] has become treatment of choice for severe pliable rheumatic mitral valve stenosis [RMVS]. The multi-track system is a recent variant of the double-balloon technique which is easier through the use of a monorail balloon and only a simple, single guide wire approach. In the present study, we sought to use the Inoue metallic wire with multi-track balloon instead of the conventional multi- track wire will make the procedure safer and faster. We studied 62 consecutive patients [55 females] with significant symptomatic RMVS who underwent multi-track PBMC. They were randomized into 2 groups: the first group included 32 patients treated with the novel multi-track technique using the double coil Inoue metallic wire, and the second group includes 30 patients treated with the conventional multi-track technique. No statistically significant differences were found between both groups regarding any of the studied variables; apart from the pre-procedural MV area which was significantly lower in the novel-technique group compared to the conventional-technique group. None of the patients had cardiac tamponade, systemic thromboembolism or any groin complication. There were neither in-hospital deaths nor complications necessitating emergent cardiac surgery in both groups. This new technique achieves the double benefit of being safer and easier with Inoue wire and saving excess material with the multi-track system; which is more economic
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Mitral Valve Stenosis/surgery , Echocardiography/statistics & numerical data , Treatment Outcome , Hospitals, UniversityABSTRACT
Hashimoto's encephalopathy is described as a syndrome of encephalopathy and high serum antithyroid antibodies that is responsive to glucocorticoid therapy. We report a patient with overt hypothyroidism who presented with stroke-like episodes and a status epilepticus which responded dramatically to intraveous methylprednisolone given for a severe bronchospasm following aspiration. The high antithyroid antibody titers and the response to steroids supported the diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy. The diagnosis of Hashimoto's encephalopathy is generally under diagnosed and often missed at presentation