Assessment of the role of blood group systems and three DNA loci [ALU TPA-25, Humfes / Fps and HuMf 13A1] in paternity testing in a sample of Egyptian population

A panel of 10 genetic markers has been applied for paternity testing in 51 Egyptian families. The panel included 7 blood group system [ABO, Rh, MNSs, Duffy, Lewis, Kell, and Kidd], and 3 DNA loci [Alu RPA - 25, HUMFES / FPS, and HUMF13A1]. The trio in each family consisted of the mother, the child, and the legal or alleged father. The families were studied as 3 groups of statistical significance: The 1st 40th family group in which paternity of legal fathers was tested despite the lack of any suspicion of paternity dispute [expected low probability of disputed paternity], the 41st - 51st family group in which paternity of legal fathers was tested due to strong suspicion paternity dispute [expected higher probability of disputed paternity], and the 1st - 51st family group in which paternity of 10 known foreign men [to represent alleged father with 100% true paternity dispute] was randomly tested in the 51 families of the study. The study included determination of blood groups by the agglutination method, and analysis of DNA loci by aggarose gel electrophoresis after DNA extraction and amplification by polymerase chain reation. Exclusion of paternity was concluded from the knowledge of modes of inheritance of the study markers, and probability of paternity [inclusion of paternity] was calculated from the studied gene freqencies after gene typing of the study population. Results of the study showed that the DNA loci were better than blood group systems in exclusion and inclusion of paternity, though both failed to exclude all the alleged fathers or to give reliable values of probability of paternity. The Lewis, Kell, and Kidd blood groups were nearly of no value in paternity testing whereas the polymorphic DNA loci [HUMFES / FPS and HUMF13A1] provided the best result. Some true disputed fathers were excluded by single markers only, raising the importance of such exclusion which should be considered seriously and cautiously and cautiously. Its reliabilityy should be scrutinized, abd it may be necessary to examine more markers. It has been concluded that the study panel of 10 genetic markers was not adequate in excluding or proving paternity for all test cases, and that the polymorphic markers provide better results in paternity testing. In a certain population, paternity testing should rely upon adequate number of the most valuable genetic markers, and regulatory rules regarding reliable paternity exclusion or inclusion or inclusion parameters are mandatory, as well as strict application of quality control parameters to the concerned laboratories

Neuropsychiatric problems among bus drivers and their relation to exposure to vehicle exhaust

Bus driving is considered a hazardous occupation due to work stress. Morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular. gastro-intestinal and musculoskeletal disorders among bus drivers were investigated in many studies. In this study neuropsychiatric problems were investigated. Ninety bus drivers from East Delta Company [Mansoura branch] and a matched control group were studied. There was a significant higher prevalence of tingling, numbness and motor. sensory and mixed neuropathy among bus drivers than in controls. Scores of MHQ were significantly higher. Also, there was a decrease in performance of the Neurobehavioural Core Test Battery [NCTB] among bus derivers. Bus derivers had a lower mean value of Hb and oxy Hb, while reduced Hb, carboxy Hb. and blood lead level were significantly higher. The neuropsychiatric problems, MHQ scores and NCTB performance were significantly worse in drivers of badly maintained cars. MHQ scores and psychiatric performance correlated with the duration of work and blood lead levels and Hb derivatives. Causes, association and prevention were discussed

Human T-cell lymphotropic virus, types I and II infection among blood bank donors

The epirdemiology of HTLV-I/II is poorly understood allover the world, there is no any published paper with regard to the seroprevalence of HTLV-I/Il in Egypt Screening blood donors for antibodies to HTLV-I/II in our locality and their association with other pathogenic blood born viruses. we examined 176 blood donors for HTLV-I/II antibodies HBsAg. anti -HBc, anti -HCV and ALT level Among blood donors, 3.4% were HTLV-I/II positive The seropositivity did not increase significantly with age, but it was more in the fourth decade. No one female was HTLV-I/II Positive. There was no significant difference between rural and urban blood donors. The blood donors with high ALT level wet-c significantly [P<0.0001] more likely to be HTLV-I/II seropositive There was also significant association of HTLV-I/II seropositivity with HCV infection [P<0.05], while, there was no significant association wit h HBV infection. The high infection rate [3.4%] among blood donor papulation and its significant association with HCV and high ALT represent evidences for the need for routine blood screening for HTL V-I/II as a means of reducing viral transmission and subsequent evidence of HTLV related illnesses. Those seropositive must be deferred. The use of high efficiency filters can significantly reduce post-transfusion HTLV-I/II infection from random blood donors