Polymorphism of toll like receptors 2 and 4 genes and the risk of bronchial asthma

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic inflammatory respiratory disorders affecting many people all over the world

Objectives: To study the association between single nucleotide polymorphism in genes of TLR2 and TLR4 and the risk of bronchial asthma

Methodology: This study was carried out on 40 patients suffering from bronchial asthma and 20 healthy subjects as a control group during the period from May 2014 to March 2015.The patients were chosen from the Chest Department of Benha University Hospital. Skin prick test [SPT] was done to assess atopic state. Blood samples were taken for detection of TLR gene polymorphism by Polymerase chain reaction -Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism [PCR-RFLP]

Results: Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR2Arg753Gln revealed that the homozygous [GG] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [80%] as compared to the asthmatic patients [30%]The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [62.5%] as compared to the controls [15%] with OR =9.4, 95% CI [2.4-37.7] and significant P-value. Also, the homozygous mutant [AA] genotype has increased trend in the asthmatic patients [7.5%] than in the control subjects [5%], with OR = 0. 6, 95% CI [0.1-6.7] and non-significant P-value Statistical data for the genotypic frequencies in TLR4Asp299Glyrevealed that the homozygous [AA] genotype has increased frequency among the controls [70%] as compared to the asthmatics [20%]. The heterozygous [AG] genotype was more prevalent among the asthmatic patients [65%] as compared to the controls [30%] with OR =4.3, 95% CI [1.4-13.8] and significant P-value

Conclusion: The major allele in TLR 2 and 4 polymorphisms [GG genotype of TLR2 and AA genotype of TLR4] might be generally associated with a protective effect against bronchial asthma

Mycoplasma duo test versus conventional culture media for detection of ureaplasma in endotracheal aspirates from respiratory distressed premature neonates

This work aimes to evaluate the Mycoplasma Duo kit as a rapid method for detection of ureaplasma in endotracheal aspirate samples from respiratory distressed premature neonates compared to conventional culture media. Also its sensitivity and specificity were determined. This study was carried on 60 premature neonates [less than 35 gestational weeks] suffering from respiratory distress and mechanically ventilated in neonatal intensive care unit.From all cases paired endotracheal aspirate samples were collected aseptically and were transported in ureaplasma transport media to the laboratory and processed immediately. One of each pair of the collected samples was cultured in both Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures and others were cultured in Mycoplasma Duo kit.The number of ureaplasma detected with both ureaplasma agar and broth cultures are 20 cases [33.33%] while those detected by Mycoplasma DUO kit are 22 cases [36.67%].The Sensitivity of Mycoplasma Duo kit compared with both Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures is [100%] and specificity is [95%].There is a highly significant difference [P-value < 0.001] between Mycoplasma Duo kit and Ureaplasma agar and broth cultures as regards the incubation time taken to get a result by both tests

Evaluation of serodiagnosis of tuberculosis in comparison with traditional methods

Tuberculosis is an enormous tool of morbidity and mortality. The vast majority of tuberculosis patients live in developing countries, where the diagnosis of tuberculosis relies on the identification of acid-fast bacilli on unprocessed sputum smears using conventional light microscopy. Microscopy has high specificity in tuberculosis-endemic countries, but modest sensitivity which varies among laboratories [range 20% to 80%]

Thus, the development of rapid and accurate new diagnostic tools is imperative. Immune-based tests are potentially suitable for use in low-income countries as some test formats can be performed at the point of care .In the present study, the diagnostic value of 16-kDa and 38- kDa mycobacterial antigens was investigated in patients who were diagnosed as open pulmonary tuberculosis. The humoral immune response was analysed in a group of 60 TB patients, and in control group consisting of 15 healthy volunteers and 15 subjects with pulmonary diseases other than TB. The sensitivity, speciflty, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the test were determined at 45%, 93.3%, 93.1% and 45.9%, respectively. In conclusion, the ELISA test has a very good speciflty and an acceptable sensitivity and positive predictive value. It is thought that it could be used in combination with other methods to increase diagnostic accuracy, especially for culture-negative tuberculosis cases, which are difficult to diagnose