detection of neutrophiles in gastric mucosa of patients suspected to be infected with helicobacter pylori using leukostix

Helicobacter pylori has been detected in many populations and associated with inflammation of gastro duodenal mucosa. Colonization of the stomach by Helicobacter pylori occurs in more than half of human population worldwide. It is the principle cause of chronic active gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. To detect neutrophiles in homogenates biopsied gastric mucosa semiquantitatively using rapid leukocyte strip test [leukostix]. A total of 115 patients [74 males, 41 females] referred to The Gastrointestinal Tract Center and Gastroscopy Department of Baghdad Medical City and subjected to gastroscopy were included in this study during the period from November 2004 to May 2005. The sensitivity and specificity of leukostix at the initial examination were 95.8%, 88.23% respectively. The leukostix test, using biopsied samples of gastric mucosa was excellent for quantitative determination of neutrophils in patients infected with H pylori

Incidence of invasive and non-invasive amoebae in an area endemic for amoebasis

To determine the incidence and presentation of invasive amoebiasis [IA] in patients with diarrhoea in an area endemic for amoebic infection and to evaluate the role of indirect hemagglutination assay IHA] in the diagnosis of [IA]. Two hundreds and fifty stool specimens were collected from patients complained of gastrointestinal tract disorders. Another 50 stool samples were collected from apparently healthy individuals for control group. All stool specimens were subjected for macroscopic and microscopic examination. Selected sera from patients and control groups were assayed for specific antibodies by [IHA] test and titers >/= 320 were considered positive. Microscopic stool examination revealed that the incidence of morphologically identical [Ml] Entamoeba histolytica was [72%] which represent the highest incidence among other intestinal parasites. Among age groups, the highest incidence of [Ml] E. histolytica was [91.3%] associated with children aged [1-10] years and the lowest [27.3%] was associated with patients [> 50] years. Whereas the incidence of [Ml] E. histolytica in control group was [4%] Among clinical presentation the incidence of purulent diarrhoea was [38.41%] which represent the highest incidence whereas the lowest incidence [20%] was recorded for dysenteric diarrhoea. Sera of control group revealed nonsignificant antibody titers. While [12.5%] patients group showed significant antibody titer. In addition age group [5 - 14] years showed a highest incidence [17.6%] of antibody titers. Significant antibody titers: >/= 320 [positive results]

Antimicrobial susceptibility of hospital isolates of pseudomonas aeruginosa

Six hundreds and twelve clinical and environmental isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa collected from hospitals, were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test. The clinical isolates obtained from hospitalised patients and Those isolated from hospital environment had relatively the same antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. The most effective antimicrobial agents were colistine, tobramycin, polymyxin B and gentamicin