Enteropathogenic bacteria in some poultry meat products

A total of 100 random samples of poultry meat products 25 of each [chicken, frankfurter, chicken luncheon, chicken fillet and chicken giblets] were collected from different supermarkets and retailing shops in Alexandria province. The samples were taken to lab of meat hygiene department as quickly as possible and examined bacteriologically for determination of total Enterobacteriaceae count; Total coli form count, isolation and identification of Salmonellae, E.coli, Yersinia and Campylobacter species. Salmonella, E. coli, Yersinia and Campylobacter species were isolated from chicken frankfurter, chicken luncheon, chicken fillet and chicken giblets with the following percentages; 16%, 20%, 36% and 52% and 16%, 24%, 32% and 20% and 12%, 24%, 16% and 32%, respectively. While Campylobacter jejuni could not be isolated from chicken luncheon and isolated from chicken frankfurter, chicken fillet and chicken giblets with percentage of 8%, 12% and 20% respectively. The obtained results were discussed

Microbial count as an index of the hygienic quality of retailed meat at El Menofia province

A total of 100 random samples of retailed meat represented by beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat [25 of each] were collected from different butcher's shops at El Menofia province. The samples were examined microbiologically. The results revealed that, the mean values of total aerobic bacterial counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.4X10[6] +/- 2.9 X10[5], 2.3X10[6] +/- 4.2 X10[5], 1.2X10[6] +/- 2.2 X10[5] and 3.2X10[5] +/- 1.2 X10[5] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total psychrophilic counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.2X10[6] +/- 1.8 X10[5], 1.6X10[6] +/- 2.1 X10[5], 1.4X10[6] +/- 1.1 X10[5] and 1.1X10[6] +/- 1.1 X10[5] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total enterobacteriaceae counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.2X10[4] +/- 1.4 X10[3], 2.6X10[4] +/- 3.2 X10[3], 2.1X10[4] +/- 4.2 X10[3] and 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.5 X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total coliform counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.5 X10[3], 1.9X10[4] +/- 1.8 X10[3], 1.6X10[4] +/- 1.5X10[3] and 9.0X10[3] +/- 1.2X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total enterococci counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.1X10[4] +/- 1.2 X10[3], 1.3X10[4] +/- 1.6 X10[3], 1.2X10[4] +/- 1.4 X10[3] and 1.0X10[4] +/- 4.2 X10[3] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total staphylococcus aureus counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 1.6X10[3] +/- 2.3 X10[2], 2.1X10[3] +/- 4.3 X10[2], 1.2X10[3] +/- 1.6 X10[2] and 1.4X10[3] +/- 1.9 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total mould counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 3.8X10[3] +/- 9.2X10[2], 3.3X10[3] +/- 8.3X10[2], 1.2X10[3] +/- 7.2 X10[2] and 1.1X10[3] +/- 6.8 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The mean values of total yeast counts in beef, buffaloe, mutton and goat meat were 3.4X10[3] +/- 1.7 X10[2], 2.3X10[3] +/- 1.6 X10[2], 1.1X10[3] +/- 5.2 X10[2] and 1.1X10[3] +/- 4.2 X10[2] cfu/g. respectively. The significance and microbial counts index also the public health hazard of the obtained results was discussed and the measures to obtain a good quality were recommended

Suitability of soluble transferrin receptor for the clinical diagnosis of different types of anaemia in children

We evaluated the ability of serum transferrin receptor [sTFR] to identify different types of anaemia in children. Thus 150 Egyptian children suffering from anaemia [iron deficiency anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease and beta-thalassaemia] were enrolled, together with 50 controls. There was a significant increase in the mean levels of sTFR in the groups with iron deficiency anaemia and thalassaemia, and a significant decrease in mean sTFR levels in the group with anaemia of chronic disease. Serum ferritin levels were significantly higher in all patient groups except the group with iron deficiency anaemia. There were also significant correlations between the sTFR and sTFR/log ferritin ratio [sTFR-F index] and different indices of iron status and of erythropoiesis. The sTFR-F index could be used as a diagnostic or screening tool for iron deficiency anaemia, anaemia of chronic disease and thalassaemia

Should we routinely check for hepatitis B and C in patients with lichen planus or cutaneous vasculitis?

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of HBs-Ag and anti-HCV antibodies in a group of 43 patients with lichen planus and 19 patients with cutaneous vasculitis versus 30 controls. The results showed that 12 [27.9%] patients with lichen planus were positive for HBs-Ag, 9 [20.9%] were positive for anti-HCV antibodies and 3 [7%] were positive for both. In cutaneous vasculitis patients, 3 [15.8%] were HBs-Ag-positive, 7 [36.8%] were anti-HCV-positive and 3 [15.8%] were positive for both. In the control group, 8 [26.7%] were HBs-Ag positive, 3 [10%] were anti-HCV-positive and 1 [3.3%] was positive for both. These values were not statistically significant

Activated proten C. resistance in contraceptive pill users with deep vein thrombosis: relation to other risk factors and pill type

The relative risk and mechanism of thrombosis induced by different preparations of oral contraceptives is a mater of debate. The phenomenon of activated protein C [APC] resistance was recently described as a possible mechanism for thrombosis in hypercoagulable states. We investigated the prevalence of APC resistance, using an APC-[DVT] on oral contraceptive pills [group I]. Also included were 30 age matched women on oral contraceptives without evidence of DVT [group II] and 20 healthy control subjects of comparable age who never used oral contraceptives [group III]. Our results showed a significant increase in the percentage of APC-resistance positive cases among contraceptive Pill users with DVT [Group I] compared to pill users without DVT [group II] and the control [group III] [26.67% vs 6.67 and 5% respectively]. Among other risk factors positive family history [F.H.] of thrombosis and body mass index [BMI] were significantly higher in group I compared to groups II and III [30% vs 6.7% respectively for F.H. of thrombosis] and 39.21 +/- 6.09 vs 30.33 +/- 6.60 and 31.42 +/- 5.04 respectively for BMI]. APC-SR correlated negatively with BMI but did not correlate with age, serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, duration of contraceptive use and platelet count. Users of second generation contraceptives had a higher incidence of DVT compared to users of third generation contraceptives with lower oestrogen concentration [56.41% vs 38.09% respectively] but APC-SR was not significantly different in the two groups [2.09 +/- 0.56 vs 2.70+/= 0.18 respectively]. We conclude that APC-resistance is more frequent in contraceptive pill users with thrombosis complications. Other risk factors include positive F.H. of thrombosis and higher BMI. The risk of thrombosis is higher among users of second generation cattraceptives. It is justified to screen women for APC resistance before prescribing oral contraceptives specially when obese or with positive family history of thrombosis

Scanning electron microscope observations on the digenean intestinal parasite astiotrema reinferum [plagiorchiidae]

The body surface of adult digenean intestinal parasite Astiotrema reniferum has been studied using scanning electron microscopy [SEM]. The posterior region of the body forms a slender stalk terminating with two ventrolateral lobes. The lobes are armed with numerous large spine that are sharply pointed and oriented in all directions. There are regional variations in the distribution of spines all over the body. The spines are abundant on the general body surface of the head region, the rim of the oral sucker, the inner lip of the ventral sucker, and on the posterior ventrolateral lobes. No spines were observed on the genital pore and on the excretory opening. The sensory papillae found on both the oral and ventral suckers are arranged in a bilateral symmetrical patterns. They are dome shaped; some of them possess a short knob-like process and others have no process. The papillae are more abundant on the oral sucker than on the ventral sucker. The possible functions of the spines and sensory papillae are discussed relative to their position