Toxoplasma antibodies in complicated and uncomplicated pregnancy

This study was performed to evaluate the level of anti-toxoplasma antibodies among patients with miscarriage due to different causes as compared to un-complicated pregnant controls. It was carried out on 70 female patients with a history of complicated pregnancies and 30 ones with normal pregnancy as a control were selected, among those referred from Obstetrics and Gynaecology out-patient clinics and in-patient departments, AL-Azhar University Hospitals. Their ages ranged from 19 to 34 years . They were all Rh positive and free from brucellosis, syphilis and malignancy. Results showed that all controls [uncomplicated pregnancy] were IHA-IgG and ELISA-IgM negative. However, three of the controls [10%] were ELISA. IgG positive. As to the women with complicated pregnancy 59% were IHAT positive. When using ELISA, 57% were IgG positive and 43% were IgM positive. The results revealed a significant difference between the complicated cases and controls. The diagnosis of abortion, stillbirth, premature labour, or neonatal death due to toxoplasma infection needs careful and laborious evaluation. ELISA [IgG and IgM] is more sensitive and specific than IHAT. All premature born babies showed no signs of congenital toxoplasmosis. All these subjects were living in the same geographical area with more or less similar social and economical standard

Effect of Helicobacter pylori eradication on platelet count in patients with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

This study was carried out on 40 patients [14 men and 26 women] have Chronic Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura [cITP]; their ages ranged from 48 to 70 years in males and 46-62 years in females, mean age +/- SD[5 7.5 +/- 11.4 and 56.6 +/- 8] years respectively among those referred from the Outpatients clinic and inpatients Department of general and Tropical Medicine Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University Hospitals, from April 2007 to July 2009 . Results showed: Of 40 cITP patients, H.pylori infection was found in 25 [62.5%] patients were noted between infected men [6 infected versus 8 uninfected] and women [19 infected versus 7 uninfected], no significant differences were found as regards ; age and gender, clinical factors between the responders amid the non responders. The eradication of H.pylori was achieved in 76.9% [10 of 13] of these patients. The platelet recovery was significantly different between the eradication group 61.5% [8 of 13] and the non-eradication group [zero% . 0 of 12].The eradication of H. pylori infection in patients with cITP was associated with a platelet response in 46.1% [6 of 13] in the eradication group [4 Complete Response and 2 Partial Response] and zero% in the non-eradication group [P<0.01]. The platelet response was also significantly more common in patients with infection sustained by CagA-positive strains of H .pylori [P=0.04]. H. pylori virulence factors and the urease activity were not associated with the response. cITP H. pylori positive patients showed significantly lower platelet counts compared to H. pylori negative patients. H. pylori eradication in patients with cITP is effective in increasing platelet count. The titers of anti-CagA antibodies in the responders were significantly higher than those in the non responders [p=0.04]