Detection of Theileria infection in dromedary camels

Camels are important source of meat and wool. These products depend mainly on the general health conditions which are affected by infection with several diseases such as blood parasites. The examination was done on 215 camels by Giemsa stained blood films prepared from the blood collected from imported camels slaughtered at three slaughter house in Tripoli-Libya [February July 2008]. Out of 215 examined camels, 14 [6.5%] were infected with Theileria spp. The morphology of the detected Theileria in the erythrocytes was oval forms. The main size measured 1.3 x 0.4 micro m. The schizonts inside the lymphocyte were irregular in shape and showed varying number of red granules. Hyalomma dromedarii were identified from the camels infected with Theileria

Studies on intestinal helminthes infecting free-ranging red fox [vulpes vulpes] in north-western part of Libya

Eighteen free-ranging live red fox [Vulpes vulpes] captured during the period ringed from October 2007 to April 2008 from rural and semi-desert regions of North-Western part of Libya were investigated parasitologically for presenceof intestinal helminthes. The study revealed that 2 foxes [11.1%] were free from intestinal helminthes and 16 foxes [88.9%] were infected with helminth parasites species. These helminthes were four cestodes: joyeuxiella echinorhynocoides 5[31 .25%], mesocestoides spp. 6[37.5%], diplopylidium nolleri 2[1 2.5%] and dipylidium caninum 1[6.25%].Three nematodes: Rictularia caherrsis 3[1 8.7%], Ancylostomacaninum 3[18.7%] and Toxocara canis 2[12.S%].Only one acanthoeephala: moniliformis dubius 4[25%]. No trematodes were found. All these helminthes were recovered and reported for the first time from red fox [Vulpes vulpes] in north-western part of Libya. Five helminthes of them has zoonotic important. Therefore, the study showed that the red fox [Vulpes vulpes] plays an important role in the investigated area as a reservoir host of a number of parasites of domesticated and wild animals or may have zoonotic importance. The results were discussed with reference to variations in the live behavior and diet in the rural areas of North-western part of Libya

Study of factors affecting left ventricular function and their relation to volume overload in haemodialysis patients

Technological innovations in haemodialysis [HD] have improved its quality and safety but cardiovascular morbidity and mortality still poses a great risk. Proper fluid removal is a critical component of HD, as both under and over hydration are associated with deleterious consequences. However, there is no single accurate measure for adequacy of dialytic fluid removal and assessment of dry weight is largely empirical. This may rely on clinical assessment, biochemical markers as natriuretic peptides, dilution methods, measurement of inferior vena cava diameter [IVCD], blood volume monitoring and bioimpedance analysis [BIA]. Plasma BNP was recently reported to be a sensitive marker both for volume overload and ventricular hypertrophy and/or dysfunction. We aimed to study some pathogenetic factors and diagnostic parameters of left ventricular hypertrophy and/or dysfunction in end- stage renal disease [ESRD] patients on maintenance HD. Emphasis was made on the utility of echocardiographic and BIA measurements in monitoring the development and assessment of volume overload during the inter- dialytic interval. Two groups of subjects were studied: 50 patients with ESRD on maintenance HD for >/= 6 months, and 15 age and sex matching controls. Patients were subjected to full clinical assessment, ECG, predialysis measurement of serum fasting blood sugar, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone, lipid profile, uric acid, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit value. Dialysis dose was assessed by urea reduction ratio and Kt/V. Plasma BNP, echocardiographic studies [for presence and geometric pattern of left ventricular hypertrophy, systolic and diastolic dysfunction and measurement of IVCD and right atrial pressure] and BIA were all done on two occasions 3 days apart: after termination of the end- of- the week HD session and before the start of the first session in the next week. Controls were subjected to assessment of clinical state, plasma BNP, and BIA. Both post- and pre- dialysis plasma BNP levels in patients were significantly higher when compared with the single plasma BNP reading in controls. Extracellular water [ECW] and its percent to total body water [ECW%] were higher in patients [both post- and pre- dialysis] compared to controls. The differences were statistically significant, except for post- dialysis ECW. The pre- dialysis values of mean velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, stroke volume, cardiac output, E/A ratio, Right atrial pressure, IVCD, ECW and ECW% were all significantly higher compared with the post- dialysis values. Left ventricular hypertrophy [LVH] was found in 47 [94%] patients, concentric LVH being the most frequent pattern [in 60%]. Pre- dialysis left ventricular mass index [LVMI] showed a statistically significant positive correlation with serum phosphorus, calcium phosphorus product, and plasma BNP. Pre- dialysis plasma BNP had a statistically significant negative correlation with pre- dialysis ejection fraction and fractional shortening. Volume overload plays a key role in the pathogenesis of LV hypertrophy and/or dysfunction in HD patients. BIA and IVCD are useful adjunctive measures for assessment of hydration status, keeping their limitations in mind. Plasma BNP concentrations have limited potential for the assessment of hydration status in HD patients, but it may be useful to have a baseline measure when the patient is at dry weight. Whether BNP can be used as a bedside test in the dialysis unit to measure adequacy of volume removal remains to be determined

Characterization of trypanosome evansi antigen by SDS-page and western blot

SDS-PAGE of T.evansi antigen after staining with commassie blue stain showed the presence of 26 bands ranging between 222.56 - 9.0 KDa. Western blot analysis revealed immunoprecipitation only with 2 proteins components with camels positive serum and had molecular weight of 98.976 and 16.678 KDa. While with mice positive sera revealed only one immuoprecipitation with protein component had molecular weight 16.678 KDa

Detection of Trypanosoma evansi in dromedary camels in Libya

The infection of camels with trypanosomosis in Tripoli-Libya was conducted for the first time by this work. Antibodies against T.evansi was detected in 13 [6.2%] of 210 camels serum samples using CATT at dilution 1: 4 and 10 [4.8%] of 210 camels serum samples by ELISA at dilution 1: 25. T.evansi was not detected in 210 camels Giemsa stained blood films examination

Prevalence of toxoplasma gondii infection in wild animals in north-western part of Libya

The infection of wild animals with toxoplasmosis in Libya was conducted for the first time by this work. Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii were detected in samples collected from 45 wild animals [free-ranging live] and captured at North-Western part of Libya. Serum was tested using Latex agglutination tes t[LAT]. 4 out of 30 hedgehogs, 2 out of 10 red fox [Vulpes vulpes] and 1 out of 5 porcupines serum samples tested positive. The titers were 1/40, 1/80, 1/160 and 1/320 in hedgehogs, 1/80 and 1/160 in red fox but in porcupines was 1.80

Different modalities of treatment of varicose ulcers in post phlebitic limbs

In this study, 60 cases of post phlebitic limb suffering from venous ulceration were randomly chosen and the three common modalities of treatment of the ulceration were compared. A comparison was done between the results of the three treatment modalities as regards hospital stay, post treatment complications, type and duration of wound healing and progress of the ulcer and recurrence. The cases were reviewed after one month, six months and one year and the results were compared in an attempt to reach the best policy to deal with this condition that would significantly reduce the misery of ulceration and would reduce the considerable costs of medical treatment for the patients as well as health authorities

Synthesis and characterization of new substituted adenines

The reaction of the 5-aminoimidazole-4-carbonitrile 3 with hydroxylamine hydrochloride, followed by cyclization with triethyl orthoformate gave the 6-aminopurine-l-oxide-derivative 5. Quarternization of 5 with alkyl iodides afforded the unexpected purinium iodide salts 7, which were obtained also from reacting the 6-aminopurine 6 with the same alkyl iodides. Treatment of 7 with alkali gave the rearranged products 9. The triazolopurines 15 and 16 were synthesized from the 6-hydrazinopurine 13 and 1-amino-6 iminopurine 12, respectively. Rearrangement of 15 to the triazole 16 was also carried out. The 3-[5-amino-1-[p-chlorophenyl] imidazol-4-yl]-1,2,4-triazole 17 was obtained from treating 16 with alkali. The imidazotriazolo-triazine 18 and substituted triazoles 19 and 20 were afforded from reacting 17 with nitrous acid and dimethyl sulfate, respectively. The reaction of 3 with methyl-, ethyl- and phenyl-isothiocyanates gave the imidazothiazine derivatives 22. Whereas, when the reaction was carried out with n-butyl- isothiocyanate, the 6-[-n-butyl] amino-2-[n-butyl] dithiocarbamylpurine 23 was obtained

Ultrasonic, biochemical and cervical mucus studies in contraceptive users

Ovarian function was monitored by serial ultrasound scanning of the follicles, measurement of estrone-3-glucuronide and pregn and iol-3- alpha-glucuronide concentrations in daily samples of early morning urine and by serial cervical mucus scoring in women using five contraceptive modalities. Sixty cycles were studied and compared to 12 cycles in regularly menstruating women [CC]. The groups included 12 women using the triphasic pill starting day 1 of the cycle [TP1], 12 women using the triphasic pill and starting day 5 of the cycle [TP5], 12 women using low estrogen combined pill starting day 5 of the cycle [OC5], 12 women using a progesterone-only pill [POP], and 12 women using an intrauterine contraceptive device [IUD]. These results confirm earlier studies on the incidence of ovulation and mechanism of action of the five contraceptive modalities, reached by histological and biochemical approaches

Actinomyces in the vaginas of women with and without intrauterine contraceptive devices

Several recent reports have indicated the possible association between pelvic infection caused by Actinomyces and the use of intrauterine contraceptive devices. This prospective study was designed to determine the incidence of infection with Actinomyces in IUCD users. Six out of 50 cases had actinomyces-like organisms, an incidence of 12%. This incidence was statistically significant at P<0.02. None of the patients with positive results had symptomatic pelvic infection