value of polymerase chain reatriction enzyme analysis [PRA] compared with that of conventional and biochemical tests for identifieation and classification ofmycobacteria into the species

Because of the long time required to identify and classify Mycobacteria into the species by conventional and biochemical tests, the need for simple rapid methods is urgent. Thirty-six respiratory and non respiratory specimens that gave positive smears for [AFB] were classified into the species by comparing the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis [PRA] with the conventional and biochemical tests. PRA is a rapid method based of evaluation of the gene encoding for the 65-KD[a] protein, where the products of PCR obtained with primers common to all Mycobacteria were analysed by using two restriction enzymes, BstEII and HaeIII, the laboratory isolates were identified and classified into the species. PRA was done directly from the positive specimens and from the cultured media. It proved to be a simple rapid method which does not involve hybridization steps or radioactive materials

Materno-Fetal transmission of hepatitis-C virus

Materno- fetal transmisson of hepatitis [C] virus [HCV] is still controversial. To verify this hypothesis. 100 pregnant women were screened for anti - HCV using ELA second generation. Ten out of 13 anti - HCV seropsitive pregnant women and their infants were investigated for hepatitis [C] virus using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. nine months of follow up for the infants was done using PCR ELA and transaminases estimation at birth and every 3 months onwards. HCV- RNA was found in 5 infants delivered by women who were HCV- RNA seropositive and persisted for 3-9 months of follow up either continuously or intermittently. Anti - HCV was detected in 5 infants, one of them was HCV-RNA negative by PCR Serum transaminases [ALT/AST] were raised in 3 HCV- RNA seropositive infants. The mothers of anti- HCV seropositive infants were either diabetic. bilharzial or HBsAg positive. All these findings provide good evidence of matrerno - fetal transmission of HCV and indicate that infants born to anti - HCV seropositive mothers more liable to HCV infection. particularly in presence of risk factor as diabetes mellitus, and HCV infection and suggest that perinatal infection may initiate a silent disease process of chronic carrier state

Comparative study between ELISA and dot-ELISA in the diagnosis of fascioliasis

The present study was conducted in 40 patients infected with fascioliasis diagnosed by detection of Fasciola eggs in stool samples, 11 patients infested with bilharziasis and 8 healthy control subjects. Every individual was subjected to complete clinical examination, urine and stool examination, absolute eosinophilic count and serological tests including ELISA and dot-ELISA. It was found that the sensitivity of dot-ELISA [80%] was significantly higher [P<0.05] than that of ELISA [57.5] for detection of Fasciola antibodies. Although, the specificity of ELISA [84%] appeared to be higher than dot-ELISA [68%], the difference was statistically insignificant [P>0.05]. There was a direct relationship between optical densities of ELISA reading and dot-ELISA colour intensities. ELISA and dot-ELISA has no significant relation to egg count. Dot-ELISA being of considerable sensitivity and specificity, simple rapid low cost technique, stability of its antigen on nitrocellulose sheets and no need for equipment and experienced observer justify its use not only in diagnosis of fascioliasis but also in diagnosis of other parasites and microbial infection. Moreover with further purification of the antigen used, the sensitivity and specificity are expected to improve even more