Anatomical spatial distribution of Influenza virus receptors in some poultry species raised in Egypt

Background: Avian influenza H5N1 has been distressing not only the poultry industry but also humans causing fatal infections in Egypt. Understanding the initial steps in the viral infection was proposed by many to be a key for solving the entire problem. Domestic healthy chicken, Pekin duck, Egyptian goose, Japanese quail, pigeon and turkey were purchased; three adult birds per each species. Lectin histochemistry was performed using fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled Sambucusnigra agglutinin specific for SAα2,6-gal receptors, and FITC labelled Maackiaamurensis agglutinins specific for SAα2,3-gal receptors. Methods: From each bird, three specimens per each trachea, lung, duodenum, colon, liver and brain were used. In chicken, duck, goose, Japanese quail, domestic pigeon and turkey, both SAα2,3-gal and SAα2,6-gal receptors were expressed in at least one segment of respiratory and intestinal tracts except in pigeons where SAα2,3-gal receptors were not expressed in the respiratory tract while in ducks were not expressed in lower respiratory tract and in turkey not expressed in small intestine. The human type receptors were not expressed in the lower trachea of goose, large intestine of chicken and intestinal tract and liver of turkey and pigeons. Results: The widespread detection of both SAα2,6-gal and SAα2,3-gal receptors in different tissues from each species suggests that these birds’ organs may be potential targets for both avian and human influenza viruses, and can act as adaptive host for avian influenza viruses to change receptor specificity. This may indicate that different native bird species in Egypt could have participated equally or variably in the generation of H5N1 viruses that were able to extensively infect humans. All experimental procedures were approved by Damanhour university ethics committee. The widespread detection of both SAα2,6-gal and SAα2,3-gal receptors in different tissues from each species suggests that these birds’ organs may be potential targets for both avian and human influenza viruses, and can act as adaptive host for avian influenza viruses to change receptor specificity. Conclusion: This may indicate that different native bird species in Egypt could have participated equally or variably in the generation of H5N1 viruses that were able to extensively infect humans.

Immunohistochemical Expression of Synaptophysin in the Adult and Developing Cervical and Lumbar Enlargements of the Spinal Cord of Rabbit

Background: The principle findings of synaptophysin immunoreactivity (SynpIR) during the ontogeny of rabbit spinal cord are: At E14, SynpIR precedes in the entire marginal layer especially at the entrance zone of dorsal root and motor neurite outgrowth emerged from the basal plate. At E21, SynpIR is expressed in the motoneurons of ventral and lateral horns of mantle layer growing into the ventrolateral columns of marginal layer. Methods: We found intensely stained thick tracts and diffuse axons among proliferating neuroblasts of mantle layer. The peripheral parts of ventral horns were occupied with closely packed multipolar neurons from which long dendrites departed toward the surface of marginal layer. Results: At E28, pronounced SynpIR presented in the ventral grey horn while the white matter was faintly stained., meanwhile the dorsal horn was more cellular than ventral and lateral horns. Few intensively SynpIR fibers cross the dorsal and ventral commissures. In adult, profuse SynpIR appeared in the entire grey matter, and stained dendrites departed from neurons in the lateral laminae into the adjacent funiculi as finger-like projections. These projections did not reach the surface, so that the outer one-third to onefourth of the funiculi contained little or no SynpIR. In the periphery of ventral horns, we found large multipolar neurons with faintly stained cytoplasm. The white matter and the neuroepithelial cells surrounding the central canal were almost unstained. Conclusion: Synaptophysinis a reliable marker for fiber outgrowth and synapse formation in therabbit spinal cord, and its differential expression levels is specific and almost completed before birth.

immune status of human persistent pyuria associated K.pneumoniae

Fifteen human persistent pyuria patients were diagnosed and investigated for their infection nature and immune status. They were associated with K.pneumoniae. The median concentrations for the: total serum protein, total serum globulin, mucosal globulin, serum IgG, IgM and IgA were higher and slightly higher than normal control subjects for immunoreactive and immunocompromised persistent pyuria patients respectively. The specific anti K pneumoniae circulating and mucosal agglutinins were 360 and36 respectively in immunoreactive subjects as well as they were 200 and 40 respectively for immunocompromized patients. The leucocyte inihibitory factors were as that of normal subjects. Thus, K. pneurnoniae immunodominant epitope is being of T-independent type and/or as B cell rnitogen, both at mucosal and systemic immune responses

Refadin as humoral immunomodulant in a lapin models

Serial subtheraputic concentrations of Refadin[R] that ranged from 0-6 mg/m/kg were made in 2v. egg albumin antigen. Two protocols for immunopriming rabbits were attempted, as oral and multiinjection. Same concentrations were incorporated in vitro in the diluting buffur of immune and hyper-immunesera of anti EA Specificity. In each case immunomodulation was scored as enhancement of anti EA titres or reduction in anti EA titres using microtitrehaermagglutination assay. It has been found that; the priming rout, the nature of adjuvant used, the nature of antibody as serum or mucosal and the drug concentration as well as the approach nature as in vitro or in vivo, were the factors affecting the humoral immune modulation. This immunomodulation was in form of immunosuppressive type, antigen independent, dose dependent in which the antigen was T independent, B cell mitogen. The dose - response relation was of simple linear negative type. Based upon this results drug induced immunosuppression in tuberculus patients is quite possible

herbicide 2-4-D as a lapin humoral ecoimmunotoxicant

Several concentration of 2-4-D that ranges from 0.72 to 7.2 mg / ml / kg, were made in the aqious 2V% solution of egg albumin and used for priming rabbit through multisite injection protocol. Same concentration, however, were also made in the diluting buffer used for titration of anti EA in hyperimmune and immunesera invitro. The immunomodulation was scored as either increase or decrease in anti EA antibody titres than those of control.The dose-response curve was of simple linear negative type. Thus, 2-4-D is being classified as environmental immunotoxicant, nonantigen specific immunomodulant and of suppressive mode of action. It is a B cell immunosuppressent. It is being considered as occupational hazard in working farmers

Mass surveillance of pediatric tuberculus exposure using dermal tuberculin reactivity as tracer

The cumulated number of pediatric tuberculus suspects were 1322 for seven year from 1995-2001 at Babylon province. These patients were tested at once with 2u tuberculin 0.1 ml intradermally injected to the suspects. Among the tuberculus suspects, tuberculin anergy was found of 42.2% and tuberculin allergic was 7.8% Vaccinees with well defined BCG scars were presenting 88.28% positive tuberculin. The annual incidence of tuberculin positive, were 1.49 - 21.69% with an overall percentage 7.71% The average season influence was showing high tuberculin reactive in hot than in cold months. The mean of the number of tuberculus foci in rural as well as citizen were of comparable incidence, during the study years

immunology of pseudomonal human persistent pyuria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was diagnosed in association with human persistent pyuria. It was noted among immunoreactive and immunocompromized patients. The test patient showed high; total serum protein, total circulating globulin and high mucosal globulin concentrations than those of normal subjects. The immunoglobulin concentration for the classes IgG IgM and IgA were higher than those normal subjects. The albumin - globulin ratio was lower than those of normal subjects. Circulating anti. Pseudomans aeruginosa specific agglutinins were of titer median value of 400 mucosal specific agglutinins, however, they were with median titer values of 40. in immunreactive patients. While they were of titer median values of 240, and 40 in the immunocomproruized patients. Likewise significant migration inhibition index LIF were noted in peripheral blood leukocytes and Mucosul leucocytes in immunreactive and nonsignificant in the immunocompromized patient. This can be due to the presence of an immunodominant T dependent and/or T independent epitopes