Detection of some virulence factors and pyelonephritis-associated pilus [pap] encoding operon gene in uropathogenic escherichia coli

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common bacterial infections caused by E.coli that have virulence properties including the expression of specific adhesions, toxins such as haemolysin, also the serum resistance, gelatinase production and The P fimbriae which considered an essential virulence factor causing pyelonephritis and encoded by The pyelonephritis-associated pilus [pap] operon. This work aimed to detect the association of some virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli [UPEC] strains: cell surface hydrophobicity, haemolysin production, serum resistance, gelatinase production, extended spectrum beta lactamase production and pap adhesion encoding operon gene which is responsible for adhesion of E.coli to uroepithelium. This work was carried out on 80 patients [27males and 53 females, their ages ranged from 15 to 60 years old] attending the Outpatient Clinic of Urology Department of Benha University Hospital suffering from urinary tract infection [UTI]. 80 Urine samples [patients group] and 20 stool samples [control group] were subjected for isolation and identification of UPEC and commensal E.coli respectively. Antibiogram by disc diffusion method, detection of some virulence factors and pap gene by PCR were done for all isolated E.coli strains. UPEC was the most common isolated bacteria 50[62.5%]. 33 [66%] of UPEC strains show resistance to ampicillin [10 micro g], 45 [90%] of UPEC strains show sensitivity to amikacin [30 micro g]. In commensal E.coli strains: 12[60%] strains show resistance to ampicillin[10 micro g] while 20 [100%] strains were sensitivity to gentamycin [10 micro g]. 23 [46%] of UPEC strains were hydrophobic, 12 [24%] strains were haemolysin producers, 31 [62%] strains were serum resistant, 1[2%] strain liquefied gelatin and 26 [52%]strains were extended spectrum beta lactamase production [ESBL]. In commensal E.coli strains: 9 [45%] strains were hydrophobic, 3 [15%] strains were haemolysin producers, 11 [55%] strains were serum resistant, no [0%] strain liquefied gelatin and 8 [40%] strains were ESBL. In UPEC; 36 [72%] strains had PAP gene while 12 [60 %] strains of commensal E.coli had PAP gene. It can be concluded that pap gene plays an important role in virulence of UPEC

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

comparative study of different procedures for the diagnosis of tuberculous ascites

To determine the diagnostic features of tuberculous peritonitis that distinguish it from other causes of ascites, 50 ascitic patients were examined prospectively. The biochemical, bacteriological and immunological properties of ascitic fluid from 11 patients with tuberculosis, 24 patients with hepatic cirrhosis and 15 patients with malignant ascites were compared. High values of adenosine deaminase activity [ADA] and gamma interferon [IFN - gamma] were detected in ascitic fluid of tuberculous patients. The sensitivity, tests of IFN. gamma ADA and PCR in the diagnosis of tuberculous ascites were 90.9%, 81.8%, and 36.3%, respectively while the specificity tests of all were 100%. A significant positive correlation was present between ADA activity and IFN - gamma level in ascitic fluid. The same correlation was detected between ADA activity and total protein concentration. However IFN - gamma was considered superior to ADA in diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis in cases with decreased ascitic fluid total protein. Laparoscopic peritoneal biopsies in the seven tuberculous patients, revealed histopathologic granuloma and gave positive culture for T.B. It is concluded that, increased ascitic IFN - gamma and ADA arc useful, rapid non invasive screening tests in diagnosis of tuberculous peritonitis, whereas PCR has a limited utility. The best confirmation is by laparoscopic peritoneal biopsy followed by histopathologic and culture studies