kinetics of microfilaraemia and antigenaemia status among asymptomatic Bancroftian filariasis before and after treatment

In this study, a total of 54 male patients with asymptomatic cases of lymphatic filariasis were selected from the known endemic governorates; Damietta, Sharkia, Gharbia and Dakahlia. Medical sheets were filled out for each case. Diagnosis was based on detection of circulating microfilariae by specific ELISA. Some were treated with Ivermectin, and Albendazole. The treated cases were parasitologic and serologic evaluated pre-treatment and post-treatment for two years follow-up

Flow cytometric study of T-cell subsets and costimulatory molecules in clinical forms of human schistosoma mansoni chronic infection

Helminthic parasites cause widespread, persistent infections in humans. Schistosomiasis mansoni infected patients being in a chronic immune-activation state enabled us to investigate the effects of such immune activation on immune responses. We performed by flow cytometry aphenotypic analysis of peripheral blood T lymphocytes from 64 Schistosoma mansoni infected patients, in different clinical forms of the chronic disease. The main findings in the patient group in comparison with the non-infected controls were: [i] decreased CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocyte counts; [ii] elevated levels of activated T cells [CD4 expressing HLA-DR]; [iii] decreased numbers of CD28+ CD8+ lymphocytes. These findings support the notion that chronic helminthic infections cause persistent immune activation that result in hyporesponsiveness and anergy. Such impaired immune functions may diminish the capacity of these individuals to cope with infections and to generate cellular protective immunity after vaccination

Biochemical parameters in chronic fascioliasis

Serum lipids, liver enzymes and total bile acids were measured in chronic Fasciola [cholestatic and non-cholestatic] patients. Variations in the biochemical parameters between infected and control groups were detected and typified by considerably higher serum triglycerides [TG, P < 0.001], alkaline phosphatase [ALP, P < 0.001] and total bile acids [TBA, P < 0.001] in the infected group. For cholestatic patients, TG, very low density lipoprotein [VLDL], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], gammaglutamyl transferase [GGT] and ALP were statistically higher [P < 0.001 for each comparison] and total cholesterol [TC]; low density lipoprotein[LDL] and high density lipoprotein [HDL], were statistically lower than non-cholestatic patients [P = 0.02, < 0.001, < 0.001 respectively]. No statistically significant differences were found for the TC, HDL, VLDL, ALT, AST and GGT between non-cholestatic patients and healthy controls

T lymphocyte activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in intestinal Ascariasis

This study was carried on 48 patient with Ascriasis and 12 cross matched healthy control persons. All the studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, HLA-DR. In this study, there was a significant decrease in CD3, CD4 and expression of costimulatory molecule CD28 on CD8 T lymphocytes but the decrease in CD8 T lymphocytes was insignificant, while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was increased

T lymphocyte activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in filarial elephantiasis

This study was carried in 48 patients with positive blood films for W. bancrofti microfilaria and 12 cross matched healthy control persons. All the studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28, HLA-DR. In this study, there was a significant decrease in CD3 and CD4 T lymphocytes but the changes in CD8 T cells and CD28 expression on CD8 T lymphocytes was insignificant while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was increased

T-lymphocytes activation and expression of costimulatory molecules in human toxoplasmosis during pregnancy

The study was carried on 48 pregnant patients with positive sera for Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG, IgM] and 12 cross matched healthy control pregnant women. All studied cases were submitted to flow cytometric analysis of peripheral blood mononuclear cells [PBMNCs]; using monoclonal antibodies [MAbs] against CD3, CD4, CD8, CD28 and HLA-DR. Results revealed that, there was a significant decrease in CD4 and the expression of co stimulatory molecule CD28 on CD8 T lymphocytes, while the activation marker HLA-DR expression on CD4 T lymphocytes was significantly increased, but the changes in CD3 and CD8 T lymphocytes were insignificant

Induction chemotherapy followed by chemo-radiotherapy versus concurrent chemo-radiotherapy in advanced head and neck carcinomas

The aim of this study was to compare the result of application of induction chemotherapy followed by chemo-irradiation for treating locally advanced head and neck carcinoma in comparison with the former standard of concurrent chemo-irradiation. Between 2003 and 2006 we treated 74 patients with unrespectable [stage III and IV head and neck] cancer by two different protocols. The sequential protocol [Arm I], started with two courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy [cisplatin + continuous infusions 5- fluorouracil [5-FU]], followed by a course of chemo-irradiation using conventional fractionation up to 70 Gy. The concomitant protocol [Arm II], Patients were given Cisplatin 100 mg/m[2] [D1, D22, D43]; concomitantly with a course of radiotherapy up to 70 Gy in conventional fractionation; Results from the two groups were compared. Patient and tumor characteristics were balanced [arm I=33, arm II =31 pts.]. Mean radiation dose achieved [66.3 Gy Vs. 69.6 Gy, p=0.001], response rates were [85% Vs. 88% for primary, p=0.4 and 79% Vs. 85% for lymph nodes, p=0.1]. Local control [LC; 33.5% Vs. 53.5%, p=0.04], was significantly lower in the sequential group, and overall survival [23% Vs. 38%, p=0.3] after 3 years. Acute toxicities grades III and IV predominate in the sequential group while late toxicity was similar in both groups. Concomitant chemo-irradiations is more effective in treating head and neck tumors than induction chemotherapy followed by chemo-irradiation, resulting in better local control and a trend towards improved survival