ABSTRACT
Background: parvovirus B19 is a small DNA virus that belongs to the genus Erythrovirus. It is the cause of erythema infectiosum in children and incriminated in the pathogenesis of chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS], which is a heterogeneous disorder of unknown pathogenesis and etiology
Objective: we aimed to determine the possible role of parvovirus B19 in the etiology of CFS
Methods: 50 patients with CFS and 45 people with no symptoms comparable with CFS as a control were investigated for specific anti B19 IgG and IgM, also B19 DNA in their sera
Results: no specific anti B19 IgM was detected in both CFS patients and control, anti B19 IgG was detected in 26 of 50 CFS patients [52%] and in 23 of 45 control [51.1%]. Also B19 DNA was found in 4 of 50 CFS cases [8%], and in 3 of 45 controls [6.7%]. There was no statistical difference between patients with CFS and control for the presence of parvovirus B19
Conclusion: B19 infection bears no apparent relationship to CFS
ABSTRACT
Background: Helicobacter pylori [H.pylori ] is the key pathogen for gastroduodenal diseases. The clinical outcome of H.pylori infection is influenced by the presence of strain-specific virulence factors that are usually detected by the presence of specific anti-H.pylori antibodies in serum. Apart from the detection of these antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], it is desirable to obtain additional information concerning the presence of certain virulence factors of H.pylori that could be detected by immunoblot analysis
Objective: the aim of this work was to evaluate if blotting can replace the need for invasive endoscopy for diagnosis of virulent H.pylori infection , compare between it and ELISA as serodiagnostic test, and to focus on identifying factors and markers that define high-risk patients in whom H.pylori infection needs to be eradicated
Subjects and Methods: 19 dyspeptic patients were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy to obtain antral biopsy, direct urease test and culture of biopsy on specific media . Sera were obtained from the patients for IgG examination by ELISA and western blotting
Results: Western blotting was more sensitive [100%] than ELISA [sensitivity 81.8%], but specificity was the same for both [87.5%]. Only western blotting was able to detect antibodies to virulence antigens especially cytotoxin associated antigen [CagA] and vacuolating cytotoxin antigen [VacA]
Conclusion: Western blotting is a highly sensitive noninvasive test to diagnose toxigenic H.pylori infection. So that unnecessary gastroscopy and treatment can be avoided