Studies on some factors affecting metacercarial inefctions in African sharp-tooth catfish [claris gariepinus] in Assiut Governorate

This work aims to study the effect of some environmental and biological factors on spread encysted metacorcarse [EMC] in catfish [Claris gariepinus] at Assuit, Egypt. Out of 240 African carfish were examined, the total prevalence of encysted metacercarie was 56.3%. The high prevalence was observed in young fish [<300 gm] with prevalence 59.2 and, while the highest infection rate was recorded in lengths [25-35 cm.] at a rate of 62.3%. the maximum infestation rate was appeared In summer [78.3%], while the lowest one was detected in spring [36.7%]. Males had slightly higher prevlance rate [57.5%] than females [54.9%]. Two types of E.M.C were detected in present work: Cynodipiostonum E.M.C. [macroscopic cyts]. Prohemistomum E.M.C. [microscopic cyst]. Cynodipiostonum E.M.C. was detected in muscular tissue only and their prevalence was 2.5%. while Prohemistomum E.M.C. was detected in muscular tissue, liver, kidney and gills of examined fish and their prevalence was 53.8%, 26.2%, 9.2% and 7.5% respectively. Present study reflects the sensitivity of different metacercariae in infection in African catfish the factors tested

Effects of occupational exposure to mercury vapor on the thyroid hormones and glutathione peroxidase enzyme

Evaluation of the effect of elemental mercury [Hg[0]] vapor exposure on the plasma glutathione peroxidase enzyme [PGLPX] and its impact on the thyroid function as evidenced by changes in the level of free thyroxin [T[4]], free triiodothyronine [T[3]], free T[4] /free T[3] ratio as well as the thyroid stimulating hormone [TSH] level. The level of glutathione peroxidase enzyme was estimated using the PGLPX-enzyme immunoassay [EIA]. Serum concentrations of TSH, free T[4] and free T[3] were determined by radioimmunoassay. Assessment of the urinary mercury level was carried out using the atomic absorption spectrometry. The creatinine-corrected urinary mercury [U-Hg] was considered an index of current exposure. This study was carried out on a group of 20 workers exposed to mercury vapor for an average of 29.15 years during the process of mercury electrolysis in an explosive industry and on 12 matched control workers. The mean U-Hg in the exposed population was high [136.86 +/- 45.68 micro g. gm[-1] creatinine] versus 35.44 +/- 14.87 [micro g. gm[-1] creatinine in the control group. There was a remarkable statistically significant increase in the free T4 level among exposed subjects as compared to controls [mean 1.565 ngm dL-1 versus 0.950 ngm dL[-1]]. The free T[4] /free T[3] ratio was also higher in the exposed subjects, but no significant difference was obtained for the level of T[3] and TSH. As for the PGLPX, a highly significant decrease was obtained in the exposed population compared to the control. A significant association was found between increased U-Hg and decreased TSH as well as PGLPX fall. The drop in the level of TSH was shown to be affected by the duration of exposure as evidenced by the statistically significant negative correlation. Regarding PGLPX, there was a significant negative correlation with the level of urea, bilirubin, as well as the free T4 and the free T[4] /free T[3] ratio. The study could indicate a slight effect of occupational exposure to mercury vapor on the function of the enzyme type I iodothyronine deiodinase, as evidenced by increased free T[4] /free T[3] ratio, and on the PGLPX level, as evidenced by the marked drop in its plasma level. Selenium deficiency might be considered an intermediate step in the pathogenesis of these changes

Morbidity of schistosomiasis in relation to family construction [environment] among school children in an Egyptian rural community

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease of high prevalence rate in the most rural areas [communities] in developing countries. This work is aiming to know the magnitude of this problem, its relation to family construction [environment] and the effect of mass treatment. For that, a cross-sectional study was done on a sample of [2800] school children aging 6-18 years in an Egyptian village. All of them were examined for S. haematobium and only 1000 for S. Mansoni. The results denoted that the prevalence rate of S. haematobium, S. Mansoni and mixed infection were 1.6%, 4.9% and 0.8% respectively. The prevalence rate of S.haematobium was not affected by sex of the pupils, level of education of their fathers and mothers [parents], occupation of their fathers, family size, no. of housing room, source of water supply, type of family and presence of animals inside the house. The prevalence of S. Mansoni was affected by age of pupils, no. of housing rooms, presence of bathrooms and sharing their fathers in agriculture. The curative rate by praziquentel was 95.6%, it is recommended that, upgrading of socioeconomic standards of rural families, continuous medical surveys on rural population and reevaluation after health education and mass treatment by praziquentel

Poliomyelitis, epidemiological view with special emphasis to the immunological profile [1980-1989]

The immunization coverage against poliomyelitis by the three doses of the live attenuated trivalent oral poliovaccine [TOPV] reached more than 80% of the eligible children all over Egypt in 1988. This study includes a case series report study to explore the recent trend of the epidemiology of the disease in Egypt from 1980 to 1989 through the recorded data obtained from the Institute of Poliomyelitis in Embaba. The total number of acute paralytic poliomyelitis cases during this period was 9499 with gradual decline in the number of the reported new cases starting from 1983. 83.4% of reported cases occurred below two years of age. A serological study was done to identify the immunological profile among selected groups of the population. Serum neutralization test [SNT] was done for 211 subjects to measure the immune response and detect the susceptible to any of the three viral serotypes from neonatal period to adulthood. Detectable neutralizing antibodies against the 3 poliovirus serotypes were 42.8%, 94.4%, 90% in neonates, infants, children and adults, respectively, with different vaccination status among them. This denotes the importance for earlier vaccination of neonates

Health problems of newly admitted students of High Social Welfare Institute in Cairo

Three thousands and four hunderd and eighty students aged 17-24 years [1841 males and 1639 females] were examined form the newly attending students of High Social Welfare Institute in Cairo. Every student subjected to an interview, full clinical examination and urine analysis. The results pointed out that the leading diseases or impairments among the studied student were dental caries, acne vulgais, error of refraction. Haematuria and proteinuria. They represent 30.7%, 11.5%, 9.4%, 2.2% and 2.1% respectively. There is a male predominance predominance in the prevalence of Haematuria only, but as regards errors of refraction and dental caries more in females. Students of rural origin had error of refraction and haematuria more than urban ones but the opposite in the dental caries. No sex or origin difference in skin findings. The results were discussed and suitable recommendations were suggested

Knowledge and attitude of medical personnel towards expanded program of immunization in Giza governorate

This study aims to assess the knowledge and attitudes of medical personnel toward vaccination programme in Giza Governorate. The subjects of this study were consisted of 252 physicians and 215 nurses working in the Maternal and Child Health Centers and the Ministry of Health Hospitals in Giza Governorate. One third of these health units were selected by simple random sample. The results of this study revealed that there are a statistical significant differences of level of knowledge and attitudes of physicians and also of nurses. Unsufficient level of knowledge were observed among medical personnel about cold chain and new concept which limit the list of contraindication of administration of EPI vaccines. The main causes of underutilization of vaccination in the opinion of health personnel were illiteracy, unawareness lack of information of utilizers. The researchers recommend a pre-service, inservice training and up-dating knowledge of health personnel about cold chain, new concept of EPI vaccines contraindication and role of community participation in the success of such program