Analyzing the Effect of Single Intraoperative Intravitreal Bevacizumab on Central Macular Thickness in Diabetes Mellitus Patients Undergoing Phacoemulsification Under Local Anesthesia

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the effect of combined phacoemulsification and single intraoperative intravitrealinjection of bevacizumab on the central macular thickness (CMT) in diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 30 eyes with diabetic retinopathy from February2018 to February 2019. All patients underwent thorough ophthalmic evaluation. Phacoemulsification performed by a singlesurgeon using either 0.5% topical proparacaine eye drops or sub-tenon local anesthesia as per the preference of the surgeonin individual case. Bevacizumab 0.05 ml (1.25 mg) was injected intravitreal using a 30-gauge needle through the pars planainto the vitreous cavity after intraocular lens implantation. Patients were followed postoperatively at day 1 then at 1 week and1 month, respectively, for recording the CMT and best corrected visual acuity at 1 month postoperatively.Results: The mean CMT for all the patients at post-operative day 1 and month 1 was 277.96 ± 142.40 μm and 289.50 ± 155.74 μm,respectively. Patients with <10 years of diabetes had mean CMT of 329.09 μm and 318.90 μm, at post-operative day 1 and at1 month, respectively, while those with diabetes more than 10 years had mean CMT of 248.36 μm and 272.47 μm, respectively.In mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and stable proliferative diabetic retinopathy group no significant worseningoccurred in CMT thickness, while in moderate NPDR, four out of 13 cases showed significant increase in CMT (>10%) at 1 month. Insevere NPDR, out of 4 cases 1 case showed significant increase in CMT while other three cases showed modest reduction of CMT.Conclusion: Intravitreal administration of 1.25 mg bevacizumab at the time of cataract surgery is a safe and effective way inavoiding new onset maculopathy in diabetic retinopathy patients. It is also effective to treat pre-existing clinically significantmacular edema and prevent its progression to some extent in few cases.

A Study on Central Macular Thickness Changes in Diabetic Patients Undergoing Phacoemulsification

Aim: This study aims to assess central macular thickness (CMT) using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in diabetic patientsbefore and after phacoemulsification.Materials and Methods: A prospective study on 90 diabetic patients conducted from February 2018 to February 2019, whowere all operated for cataract by phacoemulsification. Complete ophthalmological evaluation was done preoperatively. CMTwas measured preoperatively using spectral-domain (SD) OCT. Patients were followed at the 1st post-operative day and at 1, 4,and 6 weeks postoperatively. OCT was done during the 6th week of post-operative period.Results: The mean central 1 mm subfield macular thickness, preoperatively and 6th week postoperatively was 205.12 ± 24.85 µmand 212.79 ± 28.29 µm, respectively. The difference between pre-operative and 6th week post-operative CSMT was significantin all the three groups (no diabetic retinopathy (DR), mild non-proliferative DR [NPDR], and moderate NPDR) (P = 0.001).Conclusion: SD-OCT detected statistically significant increase in mean CMT at 6-week postoperatively in diabetic patientsundergoing phacoemulsification. Precise surgical technique, in the bag implantation of intraocular lens and good post-operativecare, blood sugar control reduces the occurrence of macular edema, resulting in good visual outcome.

Effect of early clinical skills teaching on 3rd year medical students' learning: the student perspective

The main purpose of the early introduction of Clinical Skills Learning [CSL] to pre-clinical years is to allow medical students to gain experience in clinical examination skills, basic medical procedures, history-taking and clinical communication. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the early teaching of clinical skills in preparing medical students for their clinical years. A validated questionnaire assessing the value of CSL on students in their first clinical year was distributed to 3rd year medical students. The questionnaire consisted of 8 items with a five-point Likert scale and one open-ended question. The response rate to the questionnaire was approximately 62%. Nearly 97 [70.8%] students suggested that CSL was a favourable teaching strategy. A high percentage of students [90.5%] agreed that CSL was a useful pre-clinical module to prepare them for their clinical years. The students gave positive feedback on the teaching of history-taking and physical examination, exposure to the hospital environment and acquisition of communication skills with supervisors and patients. No student perceived the CSL module as poor. Early CSL was well-perceived by students in preparing them for their clinical years. CSL is a vital part of the pre-clinical curriculum and should be further enriched with frequent hospital visits to enhance students' confidence level and performance when interacting with patients during their clinical years

Role of fibroscan, TGF-beta1, and YKL-40 in the detection of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients with and without schistosomiasis

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of transient elastography, the direct fibrogenic markers YKL-40, and transforming growth factor beta [TGF-beta1] alone or in combination versus liver biopsy for detecting the stage as well as the progression rates of hepatic fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C with or without schistosomiasis

Patients and methods: A cohort study was performed on 117 patients with hepatitis C virus alone or coinfected with schistosomiasis. Patients were enrolled and prospectively evaluated with two liver biopsies [at entry and at the end of follow-up], and true rates in the progression of fibrosis were calculated per year. Fibroscan examination and YKL-40 and TGF-beta1 evaluation were carried out at baseline and follow-up and the results were compared and correlated with histopathologic findings

Results: A significant increase in fibrosis progression rates occurred in the coinfected group [0.45 +/- 0.29] compared with the monoinfected group [0.13 +/- 0.26] [P<0.001]. The progression of fibrosis rate/year had a direct linear correlation with fibroscan [r=0.599, P<0.001], YKL-40 [r=0.630, P<0.001], and TGF-beta1 [r=0.626, P<0.001]. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were as follows: 93.5, 96.1, 96.63, and 92.59% for fibroscan; 88.23, 90.90, 88.23, and 89.63% for TGF-beta1; and 87.70, 89.28, 90.7, and 89.91% for YKL-40, respectively [95% confidence interval]

Conclusion: Fibroscan, TGF-beta1, and YKL-40 can be used, alone or in combination, as noninvasive markers for detecting the stage of hepatic fibrosis in the treatment candidates, for evaluating the efficacy of treatment and monitoring of disease progression in treated patients, and for diagnosis of liver cirrhosis in nontreated ones

Diagnostic accuracy of multi-detector CT angiography in evaluation of lower limb arterial diseases: comparative study with conventional angiography

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of multi-detector CT angiography in the assessment of lower extremity arterial diseases by comparing the results with the standard of reference, conventional angiography. The studied group included 140 patients with suspected diagnosis of lower limb arterial disease on the basis of clinical examination or Doppler study with no age or sex predilection between March 2011 and November 2013. All patients were evaluated with lower limb angiography by multi-detector computed tomography and conventional angiography. The data obtained was statistically analysed to assess the accuracy of diagnosis of lower limb arterial diseases by MDCT angiography compared to conventional angiography that described in terms of count and percentage. MDCT angiography findings showed 90.3% overall agreement with CA findings regarding the degree of stenosis while regarding the stenosis length MDCT angiography results showed 87.5% overall agreement with CA results. The overall sensitivity of MDCT angiography was 94.5%, specificity was 92.2%, and accuracy was 95.3%. Multi-detector row CT angiography can be used as an alternative to conventional angiography in the evaluation of aortoiliac and lower extremity arteries in patients with peripheral arterial disease

Study on hymen: morphology, injuries of neonate and knowledge among students of faculty of nursing and education

Hymen is a thin membrane that surrounds the opening to a young Woman's Vagina, can present in different shapes. The most common hymen is shaped like a half moon. This shape allows menstrual blood flow out of girl's vagina [Adams, 2002]. Most Women are born with hymen, a thin piece of skin that partially covers the opening of the vagina [or introitus]. Hymen morphology has a medico-legal importance. Pediatricians are some times confronted with the challenge of documenting evidence of acute or chronic accidental or non accidental trauma to the hymen [Ann Saudi Med, 2001]. Identification of different types and percentage of hymen. Assess Knowledge of students about hymen in both Faculties Nursing and Education in Assiut University and Comparison between student's Knowledge indifferent years the [1st and 4th] years Faculty of Nursing to assess the improvements in their knowledge with program of study. A descriptive, analytic and retrospective design was used for this study The sample of this study was divided into three categories: A total of 220 consecutive girls [210 At birth 36 to 42 weeks of gestation and 10 from 8 to 12 month] were examined at labor ward, to observe hymnal configuration. A total of 20 defloration injuries who were recorded in statistical records from 3 December 2004 up to 3 December 2005. A total of 800 students were recruited for the study included [300 students from 1st year of faculty of Educations] and [500 students include 300 from the 1st year and 200 students from 4th year of faculty of Nursing]. Structured interviewing questionnaires Examination sheet of the hymen [At birth and one year of age] which include Gestational age Age of infant. Shape of hymen. The study result showed that annular configuration is the most common shape [79%] followed by posterior rim [12.7%], sleeve-like, fimbriated and cribiform hymen.-Distribution of defloration injuries who are recorded in statistical record 20 defloration injuries. Results of these students indicated that their mean age was [18.73 +/- 1.42] years. [64%, 55.5%, 50%] of the [1st and 4th grade]students Faculty of Nursing and the students Faculty of Education were residents in rural areas respectively-Regarding to the student's knowledge about the female genital organs, it was found that more than three quarters of the students [83.1%] had correct answer about female genital organs. The source of knowledge about female genital organs and hymen, it was found that [91. 4%] of the students had their knowledge from study books, mass media and teachers few students got their from house and relatives family. The student's knowledge about hymen, it was found that more than three quarters of the students [79.8%] know hymen. Beliefs about hymen, it was found that [72%] of the students defined it a thin membrane allows menstrual blood, [93.4%] that a sign of virginity and more than half of the students [55.5%] that has a different shapes of hymen. The causes of hymen tearing before marriage, it was found that [80.8%] of students mentioned that the main cause of hymen tearing before marriage was masturbation followed by illegal sexual relation, hard sports and [39.4%] by horse riding. Regarding to use of traditional method to rupture hymen in the wedding day, it was found that [100%] of the students didn't agree on use of traditional method to rupture hymen.-Regarding to relation between student's knowledge and parent's education, it was found that when parents were more educated, their daughters were bad information, it seems that education of the parents creates more barriers between their and their daughters, it also indicates that the education of the parents didn't necessarily to improve their knowledge. The comparison between class 1 and 4 of Faculty of Nursing, it was found highly percentage of knowledge about hymen in class 4 more than class 1 of Faculty of Nursing Finally the students need to know more information about hymen [definition, site, morphology, causes of hymen tearing before marriag

Hepatitis G virus infection in patients with hepatitis C

Hepatitis G virus [HGV] infection is a worldwide health problem causing acute and chronic non A- E hepatitis. Because HGV and hepatitis C virus [HCV] share same modes of transmission, co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon especially among people at high risk of parenteral infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HGV among HCV virus cases, and to determine the degree of concurrent association between HGV and other prevalent infections in Egypt as Schistosoma, and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections. This study included 100 blood donors attending Alexandria University Blood Bank in EL Shatby, proved to be positive for HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] technique. Blood samples ,vyere collected and tested for the detection of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and Schistosoma antibodies by ELISA technique and HGV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique.' Out of 100 anti-HCV positive blood donors, 39[39%] had HGV RNA in their serum, of them 10 [25.6%] were positive for HBsAg, on the other hand 34[87.2%] were positive for Schistosoma antibodies. From this study it could, be concluded that HGV is a common co-infection in HCV cases, however there was no significant statistical relation between the presence of HGV RNA and the presence of HBsAg and /or Schistosoma antibodies. Screening for HGV among blood donors in addition to the routinely screened HBV and HCV may have a beneficial effect in reducing its transmission among the population

Norplant and implanon acceptability by users in Assiut University Hospital

The aim of this study was assess the Norplant and Implanon acceptability by users at Assuit University Hospital. The study was carried out on a convenience sample of 50 women age with range 20 years to over 40 years or more A structured interview questionnaire was designed to collect data related to the field work was performed over a period its five months from January till April 2005 of the same year the majority of the sample were illiterate Duration of marriage 50% of the sample was 11-20 years menstruation were regular in about 68.6% more than half had 4-8 children history of used contraception 21.6% used Norplant as method and the minority used more than one method data related to current contraception duration of uses 37.2 less than one year and 35.2% and 27.4 used form 1-3 years and 4-5 years 29.4% had no side effect but 25.4 had amenorrhea. And 18.4 had metrorrhagia the minority had mixed causes decrease weight metrorrhagia and dizziness in 3.9% was illiterate group 17.6% used Norplant and 11.8% used lUDs in secondary group 3.9% in university group used Norplant and Implanon parity 1-3 times 35.1% and 4-8 times 53% more than 8 times. No significant relationship between parity and used Implanon and Norplant p=0.253. Also highly significant relations between parity and education p=0.000

Detection of endotoxins and bacterial agents in collected blood bags and their recipients

Bacterial contamination of blood and its cellular components remains an unresolved problem in transfusion medicine, and is considered to be the most common microbiological cause of transfusion associated morbidity and mortality. This is because contaminated units may contain large numbers of virulent bacteria as well as, endotoxins that are considered to be fatal to the recipients. Endotoxins are high-molecular weight complexes of lipopolysaccharides that constitute the major cell wall component in all Gram-negative bacterial families. These molecules have been intensively investigated because of the increasing appreciation of their potentially pathogenic role in a wide variety of human disease states. The present study aimed to detect endotoxins and bacterial agents in collected blood bags and their transmission to the recipients of these blood bags. The study involved 100 randomly selected blood bags and their recipients. They were all examined by Limulus Amebocyte Lysate [LAL] assay using gel clot method for detection of endotoxins and by blood culture for the detection of bacterial agents. Endotoxins were detected in five blood bags [5%] using LAL assay [gel clot method], while bacterial contamination was found in only one blood bag. The bag that gave positive blood culture yielded Staphylococcus aureus, which was mostly a skin associated organism and was considered as a contaminant related to the procedure during donor venipuncture. None of the 100 studied recipients of these blood bags revealed positive blood culture. It was concluded from this study that LAL assay is a rapid, easy to perform, and a highly sensitive test that can detect as little as 0.03 endotoxin units per ml using the gel-clot method. In addition not all endotoxins or bacterial agents could be transmitted to the recipients of blood bags, this depends on their volume and whether the recipient is on antibiotic therapy or not

Effect of compliance to Kegel exercises on the improvement of stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is the most prevalent form of female urinary incontinence; it affects approximately 5% of younger women to nearly 50% of elderly women. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of compliance to Kegel exercises on the improvement of women experiencing stress urinary incontinence and examining the factors affecting their compliance. Subject and Methods of this study was carried out as a quasi-experimental clinical trial. It comprised 60 stress urinary incontinent women attending to the outpatient clinics of urology and gynecology in El Minia University Hospital El Minia General Hospital and Suzan Muharak University Hospital They were assigned to a pelvic floor muscle training program for 3 months. Treatment outcomes "were assessed by subjective evaluation, and palpation and provocation tests. The results revealed that most patients were cured or improved [95.0%] after practicing Kegel exercises. The majority had good or powerful contraction on palpation test [50.0% and 45.0%]. In the provocation test, 40.0% and 50.0% had no or slight leakage, respectively. Age, BMI, level of education, gravidity, parity, number and amount of episodes, and compliance were factors that affected women improvement, while compliance was affected by job status, parity, and residence. Kegel exercises were effective in the treatment of stress incontinence, and the success of Kegel exercises depends on proper technique and compliance with a regular exercise program. The study recommended the development of training programs for nurse midwives and for those working in gynecologic clinics for early selection of women with SUI and caring for them

The problems and impacts of orofacial pain among a group of Malaysian aborigines

Background: The high prevalence and impacts of orofacial pain (OFP) have caused major sufferings to individuals and society. The purpose of the study was to investigate the problems and impacts of OFP among a group of Malaysian aborigines. The objectives were to determine (i) the prevalence, aetiology, duration, severity, types and persistence of OFP during the past 3 months preceding the study; (ii) its associated impact on daily performance; and (iii) the measures taken for pain relief. Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang involving 6 villages of Orang Asli Bateq and Semai. Study sample was chosen using convenient sampling including adults aged 16 years and above. Participants were invited for an interview using structured questionnaire followed by clinical examination. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS ver12. Results: Response rate was low at 20% (n = 140). Over one-quarter (26.4%) of the sample experienced OFP in the previous 3 months. Toothache was found to be the main aetiology (83.3%) followed by gingival pain (18.9%), temporomandibular joint (10.8%) and facial pain (8.1%). Mean duration of pain was 9.8 days for toothache, 162.4 days for gingival pain, 7.3 days for TMJ and 5.7 days for facial pain. Of those who had OFP, over half rated the pain as moderate (37.8%) and severe (29.7%) and most of the pain was ‘intermittent’ in nature (81.1%). Over half (62.2%) admitted the pain had disappeared during the interview. In terms of pain relief, 56.8% of the sample used traditional medicine. The pain had impacted on the chewing ability (70.3%, p=0.01), ability to sleep at night (73.0%, p<0.001), levels of anxiety (70.3%), ability to perform daily chores (33.3%) and social life (35.1%) of the Orang Asli sample. Conclusion: This study suggests the prevalence of OFP was high among the Orang Asli sample, which imposed considerable physical and psychological impacts on daily life.

BDN programmes and the effect of medical students' interventions to promote child health in Sudan

Basic development needs [BDN] is an approach to community development that aims at improving quality of life through the full involvement and self-management of communities, supported by intersectoral collaboration. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of BDN implementation in an area of Sudan on aspects of a programme implemented by students from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Gezira. The study revealed that the joint implementation of BDN programmes and students' interventions brought about marked improvement of family and community practices as well as greater reduction in the incidence of all assessed major childhood illnesses [diarrhoea, cough and fever] than when the students' programme was implemented alone. BDN implementation also facilitated the retrieval of good quality community-based data

utility of lactoferrin in differentiating parasitic from bacterial infections

Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein found in the 2 ry granules of PMN. In order to determine the usefulness of such marker for neutrophilic activity in differentiating cases suffering from amoebic and bacillary dysentery, Schistosoma and bacterial UTI infections, we examined stool and urine specimens using anti-lactoferrin antibodies [lactoferrin latex agglutination test: LFLA], compared with different standard gold techniques. Our results demonstrated that cases with either shigllosis or UTI revealed a high lactoferrin titer which was positively correlated with the number of PMN. In addition cases with Entamoeba histolytica or S. haematobium were characterized by relatively lower inflammatory process as expressed by mild lactoferrin titer which was also correlated with the PMN count. In addition, the findings of the present work indicated that LFLA was sensitive and specific when used alone and its sensitivity was augmented after coupling with other simple indirect methods of diagnosis. In conclusion, results described the reliability of using LFLA as a simple, rapid, sensitive method in differentiating, certain parasitic from bacterial diseases

Comparative study among post cesarean section care women's in Assuit University Hospital, King Fahd Gizan Hospital and ideal nursing care

The care of the woman after a cesarean birth, is nurses responsibilities it is a combine aspects of surgical and maternity care. For this, the aim of this study was to assess the actual post Cesarean Section Care for women in Assuit University Hospital and King Fahd hospital in Gizan and their relation to the ideal nursing care. A sample of 267 mothers 220 and 47 mothers from Assuit and Gizan respectively] who inter for delivery unit in both hospital for CS. Delivery Data were collected using observation at check list The result showed that mean age for women was 27.80 +/- 5.57 28.3 +/- 6.02 in Assuit and Gizan respectively. While [36.4% and 34.02%] from the sample was illiterate in Assuit and Gizan respectively but only[7.3% and 8.5] of sample in Assuit and Gizan respectively had university education: Also found that the majority of the sample [86.4% and 95.74%] in Assuit and Gizan respectively as a house wife. For the causes of CS. It was found that [30.9% and 31.9%] of Assuit and Gizan respectively due to bleeding while [15.4% and 8.5%] of Assuit and Gizan respectively due to pelvic disproportion But for Measuring vital signs every 15,30 and every hour during 4 hour,observe I and O chart, do exercise [breathing, leg] it was found that the care not done in both hospital Assuit and Gizan.As regard check fundal level and learn mother how to carry baby to initiate breast feeding it was found that done [100%] in Gizan hospital only. As regard observe bleeding from vagina, check hardness of uterus, add some medication as doctor orders and encourage women for early ambulation it was found this care done accurate [100%] in both hospitals with mild statistical significant P=0.04. Finally the percentage of post CS. Care in Assuit university hospital was 52.9% and 41.1% in King Fahd hospital in Gizan

Tris [dimethylamino] phosphine in phosphoranes synthesis. Studies on the activity of some novel synthesized phosphoranes and their behaviour as antibacterial, antifungal and pharmaco-logically active agents

Hydrazidoyl halides la-e reacted with tris [dimethylamino] phosphine 3 to yield the dipolar azomethylenephosphorane derivatives 4a-e. Similarly, the other types of hydrazidoyl halides 5a,b and 7a,b, interacted with tris[dimethyl-amino]phosphine to give the corresponding products 6a,b and 8a,b respectively. The antibacterial and the antifungal activities of the newly synthesized products were studied. The bioactivity of the newly obtained phosphorans as pharmacologically active agents to brine shrimp lethality was also tested

prophylactic effect of some natural antioxidant sources against hyperlipidemia in albino rats

The aim of this investigation was to study the effect of different natural antioxidants on hyperlipaemia in albino rats. To achieve this goal, 112 rats were used in order to study the prophylactic effect of wheat germ oil [W. G.O], rosemary [RM] and evening primrose oil [E.P.R] against hyperlipaemia. Rats were randomly divided into equal 7 groups [16 rats per each]. The first group was fed on standard normal diet, the second on hyperlipaemic diet [10% hydrogenated fat and 1% cholesterol] and the other groups [from the third to the seventh] received hyperlipaemic diet plus the following antioxidants W.G.O, RM, E.P.R, [W.G.O + E.P.R] and [RM + E.P.R], respectively. The experiment lasted for 8 weeks through which blood were collected at 0 time, 4 and 8 weeks. Every two samples were pooled together and served as one sample. W.G.O was administered to rats in a dose equivalent to 90 mg/kg b.w and added to the diet. RM and EPR were added in doses equivalent to 550 mg/kg b.w, and 360 mg/kg b.w., respectively. In general, the serum level of total lipids, triglycerides, cholesterol, malondialdehyde and the activities of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, alkaline phosphatase and superoxide dismutase were significantly [P <0.01] increased in rats fed on hyperlipaemic diet. On the contrary, total proteins, globulin and reduced glutathione [GSH] were significantly [P < 0.01] decreased compared with the rat control group. From the data obtained, it could be deduced that all of the three antioxidants and their mixture had a remarkable ameliorative effect against hyperlipaemia. The effect of E.P.R was more pronounced than W.G.O and RM

Bacterial-parasite interaction between salmonella and each of fasciola gigantica and trichinella spiralis

The possibility of bacterial-parasite interaction between Salmonella typhimurium and the surface of each of Fasciola gigantica metacercariae and Trichinella spiralis larvae was investigated in vitro. Two studies were carried out. In the first, S. Typhimurium were incubated in vitro with the metacercariae of F. Gigantica. In the second, S. typhimurium was incubated with larvae of T. Spiralis. The interactions of S. typhimurium with each of F. Gigantica metacercariae and T. spiralis larvae were studied by scanning electron microscope [SEM]. In the first study, numerous bacilli were found adhered to the metacercariae surface. In the second study, no S. typhimurium was observed on the wall of T. Spiralis larvae. The results indicated that only F. Gigantica metacercariae act as a carrier for S. typhimurium with the possibility of occurrence of mixed infections with both organisms. So, both fascioliasis and salmonellosis must be treated concomitantly

Detection of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat juice: experimental and surveillance studies

Public health and economic impact of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis in meat is considerable in terms of morbidity and even mortality in humans. Up to date, there is no suitable method for diagnosis of both diseases in meat of slaughtered animals. The present study evaluated the meat juice as a sample from experimentally infected mice with Toxoplasma gondii [T.gondii] or Salmonella typhimurium [S.typhimurium] for detection of anti-toxoplosma or anti-salmonella antibodies by an indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] technique. The results of the current study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences when comparing results of muscle juice ELISA to those obtained from serum samples of mice with strong correlation between the two samples. This indicated that, meat juice is as efficient as blood in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis and salmonellosis. Moreover, the superiority of meat juice lies in its ability for diagnosis when blood is not obtainable. The use of this sample was applied in surveillance study which was done on randomly collected beef and chicken meat. The antibodies against T.gondii and S. typhimurium were detected in 31%, 22% and 14%, 7% respectively. This justifies the importance of meat juice to be used in the future large scale meat screening programs

Long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of a recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in Egyptian children

In 1992, Egypt adopted a hepatitis B vaccine schedule at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. We evaluated the long-term immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination using this schedule in 180 children whose time lapse since last vaccination varied between 1 month and 5 years. None of the participants had clinical hepatitis, HBsAg was not detected in any participant and all but one had negative results for anti-HBc test. Although a high seroprotection rate [93.3%] was elicited 1 month after vaccination, there were low initial anti-HBs concentrations and both declined rapidly over time. Thus, the short interval [2 months] between the second and third doses of vaccine is less desirable in the long term. We recommend booster inoculations for all previously vaccinated children and a new vaccination schedule at 1, 2 and 9 months