Helicobacter pylori infection among school children in Alexandria: Possible association with intestinal parasitic infections

This study was conducted on 170 pupils of a primary school in Backos area of Alexandria, Egypt. A complete clinical examination was undertaken together with a thorough past and family history taking. The children completed a pre-designed questionnaire regarding some socioeconomic data and past medical history. A stool examination was carried out to detect different parasitic infections. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed immunologically by the detection of anti-H. Pylori IgG antibodies in salivary samples using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]. The results revealed that the prevalence of H. Pylori among the examined pupils was 27.1%. Boys were more infected than girls [32.5% vs. 22.2%]; however, the gender effect was not statistically significant. Age was more important as an epidemiologic determinant and H. Pylori infection increased significantly with age. Of the socioeconomic factors investigated, the education of parents, especially mothers, was the most important and H. Pylori infection increased significantly with the decrease of the level of mother's education. A degree of association, which was not statistically significant, was found between H. pylori infection and intestinal parasitic infections, especially helminths as Ascaris, Trichuris, Hymenolepis and Fasciola sp. Suggesting the fecal-oral route of transmission, role of food and the effect of household environment and food hygiene

Study of small intestinal structural and functional changes in patients with diabetes mellitus

Small intestinal structural and functional changes were studied in 20 IDDM patients, 20 NIDDM patients and 10 normal controls. Diarrhea was the most common gastrointestinal symptom, affecting 55% of patients of IDDM group and 40% of patients of NIDDM group. Manifestations of autonomic neuropathy were present in 55% of IDDM group and 40% of NIDDM group, and a statistically significant association was found between the presence of autonomic manifestations and the presence of diarrhea and constipation. D-xylose absorption excretion was normal in 75% of patients of each diabetic group and was reduced in the remaining 25% of patients. Histopathological examination of the jejunal mucosa showed villi of normal shape in all patients who had normal D-xylose excretion, and were abnormally clubbed and stunted with decreased cryptovillous ratio and increased goblet cells in all patients with reduced D-xylose excretion. Histochemical examination showed that alkaline phosphatase and succinic dehydrogenase activity were reduced in all patients with abnormal villi and reduced D-xylose excretion, and were dependent on the control status of diabetes mellitus in patients with normal villi, with significant increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and decrease in succinic dehydrogenase activity in uncontrolled cases

Evaluation of zinc status as a liver function test in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

The association between schistosomiasis and Zinc [Zn] deficiency had been attributed to many causes including malabsorption, hepatic malfunction or reduction in its binding proteins [albumin and a[2] rnacroglobulins]. The present work aimed at the study of the relation between zinc status and the functional reserve capacity of the liver in patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis. For this purpose the study included 60 subjects; 15 healthy persons as a control group and 45 patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis divided into three equal groups [A, B and C] according to the severity of their liver affection using modified child's classification. It was found that zinc levels in plasma, polymorphonuclear leukocytes and erythrocytes are significantly low in all Schistosomal patients as compared to the control group and usually the more severe the dysfunction is, the more the Zn deficiency. This indicates Zn depletion in both extra and intracellular compartments can be mainly explained by the defective synthesis of plasma proteins by the liver, mainly albumin and a2 macroglobulins that act as carriers of Plasma Zn. However, the hyperzincuria found in these patients may share in the chronic Zn deficiency and it is mostly due to increased diffusible fraction of Zn as a result of hypoalbuminemia

Psychiatric, medical and neurological study of 12 cases of anorexia nervosa

Careful evaluation for psychiatric disorders and medical illness were done for 12 cases of anorexia nervosa encountered from November 1989 through October 1990. All patients verified the diagnostic criteria of DSM III R for anorexia nervosa. Their mean age was 18.5 years. Patients were subjected to psychometric study [IQ and Beck's depression scale] as well as routine investigations. The study showed that 41.6% were severely ill, 58.3% required medical care and 50% were depressed. Persistent significant cardiac irregularities were frequent and severe in patients who had abused laxatives and diuretics. The study pointed to the increasing incidence of anorexia and the serious medical complication associated with it

study of respiratory muscle function after high doses of corticosteroids

Seven cases with diseases, other than respiratory, with normal pulmonary and inspiratory muscle function, and who received high doses of corticosteroids were recruited to the present study, They were subjected to measuring mouth pressure during maximum static inspiratory efforts [PImax], mouth pressure during maximum static expiratory efforts [PE max], and trans-diaphragmatic pressure [Pdi]. These parameters were assessed before treatment as well as 2, 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of therapy with corticosteroids. A gradual reduction in inspiratory and expiratory muscle strength was observed, starting beyond 2 weeks of therapy. So, large doses of corticosteroids have deleterious effects on respiratory muscle functions, and corticosteroid therapy should be looked at very cautiously in patients with respiratory disorders