Interleukin [IL]-12, IL-5 and total IgE in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis with or without asthma

There are a number of similarities between protective immune responses against schistosomiasis and asthma. Both are associated with elevated concentrations of IgE and eosinophilia. Chronic schistosomiasis is liked to Th1 like response with involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines in schistosomal hepatosplenic disease process resulting in low level of IL-S. Meanwhile, association with asthma could modulate the immune response with shift to Th2 side resulting in marked elevation of IL-5 and eosinophilia. This work evaluated the levels of serum IgE, IL-5 and IL-12 in Schistosoma mansoni-infected asthmatic patients. A total of 100 subjects selected from Al-Azhar University's Hospitals were divided into three groups GI: 50 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis associated with asthma. GII: 25 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis without apparent asthma. GIII: 25 patients with neither bilharzial liver cirrhosis nor asthma as control group. All patients were subjected to full history taking and clinical examination, pulmonary function tests, total serum IgE, bilharzial antibody titre, stool and urine examination for parasites, liver function tests and serum IL-5 and IL-12. The results showed very high level of the total serum IgE in GI and GII compared to GIII. There was high significant difference in peripheral blood eosinophil%. GI and GII gave highest levels, IL-5 was elevated in GI, but low GII, IL-12 was high in GII than GI

study of accommodative convergence accommodation ratio in children and its relation to refractive errors

This study was conducted on 120 children aging 4-14 years. They were examined to evaluate Ac/A ratio its relation to refractive errors. Heterophoria at near was assessed using alternate cover test and Maddox rod test. Ac/A ratio was determined using lens gradient method. It was found that 49.58% of children were hypermetropes, 24.59% were myopes and 25.83% were emmetropes. The heterophoria at near ranged between -12 to + 5 delta, while Ac/A ratio ranged between 0.5 to 5.0 U/D. The mean Ac/A ratio was 2.7 +/- 0.54 U/D, 2.5 +/- 0.82 U/D and 2.09 +/- 0.49 U/D for myopes, emmetropes and hypermetropes, respectively, with statistically significant differences. No significant correlation was found between Ac/A ratio and near heterophoria or age of children

Pars plana coreoplasty

The work was carried out on 18 eyes of fifteen patients with inadequate pupillary zone due to different causes. A completely occluded pupil was found in nine eyes [50%] while after cataract and retained lens matter was present in eight eyes [44.4%] and a seccluded pupil with a papillary membrane was the presenting sign in one eye [5.6%]. Preoperative ultrasonography [A and B mode] was carried out for 10 eyes [55.5%]. Pars plana coreoplasty with anterior vitrectomy was done for all the selected eyes. Anatomical success was achieved in all of the operated eyes [100] while visual success was achieved in 86.7% of the operated eyes. The complications and difficulties during and after the operation were recorded

Pattern of occupational eye injury

This study included 877 workers suffering from occupational eye injuries. The period of the study covered one year. All the affected workers were males. Abrasions of the conjunctiva and cornea were the most common type of injury [48.8%], while flying objects were the commonest cause of eye injuries. Although use of hard tools involved many eye injuries yet 49.4% were just abrasions. Significant relations were observed between injury nature and cause from one side and occupation, type of work and activity on the other side

Effect of Argon laser panretinal photocoagulation on intra-ocular pressure

In 80 patients with diabetic retinopathy, the effect of argon laser pan-retinal photocoagulation on the IOP was recorded with Goldman applanation tonometer. One month after the treatment, the photocoagulated eyes showed an average decrease in pressure of 3.75 mmHg, which was statistically highly significant [t=27.22] when compared to the untreated fellow eye