Seroprevalence of rubella among pregnant women in Khartoum state, Sudan

Rubella vaccine is not included in the Sudanese national immunization programme, and data on the prevalence of rubella among women of childbearing age are inadequate. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to determine the seroprevalence of rubella among pregnant women in Khartoum state, Sudan. A total of 500 pregnant women who visited 7 antenatal clinics from November 2008 to March 2009 were examined for the presence of rubella IgG antibodies using ELISA. Rubella IgG antibodies were detected in 95.1% [95% CI: 93.2%–97.0%] of women. This seroprevalence was significantly associated with education level, but not with age, residence area, occupation or parity. We presume this high seroprevalence indicates a high circulation of wild rubella virus in Khartoum state. Similar studies in other Sudanese states would be important for informing a decision to introduce rubella vaccine to Sudan.

Evaluation of efficacy and side effects of different doses of intrathecal morphine for postoperative analgesia after anorectal surgery

Intrathecal opioids are frequently used in the management of postoperative pain, but may be associated with many adverse effects such as pruritus, nausea, vomiting, urinary retention, and respiratory depression, which may limit their use. Aim of this study was to compare between six different doses of IT morphine [0.1 mg, 0.2 mg, 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg] as regarding postoperative analgesia and the side effects of IT morphine, and to determine the optimal dose of IT morphine that provides satisfactory analgesia to the patient with minimal side effects. This study was conducted in Anesthesiology Department, Assiut university hospital, after approval of the local ethics committee. Our study was performed on 95 patients of ASA physical status I and II aged from 20 to 40 scheduled for anorectal surgeries. Spinal anesthesia was performed, with the patient in the sitting position, at L4, 5. Each patient received 5 mg of hyperbaric bupivacaine with different doses of IT morphine in a total volume of 2 ml. Patients were kept in the sitting position for five minutes to get sacral block. Intraoperative monitoring: Heart rate, O2 saturation, and non-invasive blood pressure were monitored. Postoperative monitoring: Patients were evaluated for any pain or side effect of IT morphine [Pruritus, PONV, urinary retention, and respiratory depression] during the first 24 hours. Supplemental analgesia in the form of I. V. tenoxicam was available on patient request, and the doses needed for each patient were recorded. Antipruritic and antiemetic therapy was available on patient request. Increasing the dose of IT morphine decreases the incidence of pain during the first 24 hours and subsequently decreases the need for supplemental analgesia. The doses of 0.1 mg and 0.2 mg are comparable with each other as regard to pain relief. 100% of the patients receiving 0.1 mg and 75% of the patients receiving 0.2 mg of IT morphine experienced pain during the first 24 hours and subsequently required supplemental analgesia and even with 40 mg of I. V. tenoxicam, some patient complained of postoperative pain. The doses of 0.3 mg, 0.4 mg or 0.5 mg are comparable with each other. Theses doses are enough to provide 24-hours analgesia in more than 50% of patients. This percentage increases to 100% with the use of 20-40 mg of tenoxicam intravenously. The dose of 1 mg provides 24-hours analgesia in 87% of patients. Increasing the dose of IT morphine causes significant increase in the incidence and severity of pruritus. Postoperative nausea and vomiting occurred in 30% of the patients in the control group. There is a non-significant increase in both the incidence and severity of PONV by increasing the dose of IT morphine. Urinary retention occurred in 20% of the patients in the control group. Increasing the dose of IT morphine causes significant increase in the incidence of urinary retention. Respiratory depression was not detected in any patient. Our study clearly demonstrated that the use of IT morphine in a dose of 0.3 mg in adjuvant with intravenous tenoxicam in a dose of 20-40 mg provides excellent pain relief for 24 hours after anorectal surgeries with minimal side effects of IT morphine

Aspergillus fumigatus and Cylindrocarpon candidum fungi induced apoptosis in HepG 2 cell line through activation of caspases enzymes

Many investigations are now interested to discover naturally occurring compounds, which can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Most natural products which may be used as adjuvant therapy or to reduce the side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More than 300 products obtained from microorganisms have antitumor activities. In the study we isolated N-[3-4-Dichlorophenyl] 2-Methyl, 2,3 Dihydroxypropio amide from Aspergillus fumigatus and 2.4.6. Triphenyl pyridine from Cylindrocarpon candidum and investigate the cytotoxic effect and apoptotic effect on HepG2 cell line. The results revealed high cytotoxic effect at the concentration of 400 micro g/ml for both N-[3-4-Dichlorophenyl] 2-Methyl, 2,3Dihydroxypropio amide and 2.4.6. Triphenyl pyridine and effect is increase with time of incubation. The apoptotic effect of both products were investigated by measurement the caspase enzymes, the results showed highest activity of caspase 3 and caspase 9. Also at concentration 400 micro g/ml in both products. From this data we observe that two isolated product have antitumor effect and this effect is related to the concentration of the products and incubation period. Also, the two products induce apoptosis through increase activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9 which lead to programmed of cell death. This study need to furthermore study on experimental animal to confirm our results

Microbiological studies on beta-lactamase activity in staphylococcus aureus

The study of susceptibility of 92 Gram - positive bacteria to some antibiotics revealed that 27.2%, 96.0%, 13%, 100%, 7.6%, 31.5% and 17.4% of the total 92 isolates were resistant to methicillin, penicillin, tetracycillin, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, cephradin and streptomycin respectively and only six isolates had high level of MIC ranging from 1500 to 7000 micro g/ml amoxicillin and had ability to produce beta -lactamase activity but they differ in their activities. Therefore cultural, morphological and physiological characteristic of these isolates were studied and these results indicated that they belong to Staphylococcus aureus. One isolate showed the highest level of resistance [MIC] and this isolate produced highest beta -lactamase activity. beta -lactamase activity can be affected by subminimal inhibitory concentration of some antibiotics, the maximal inhibitory effect was induced by concentration ranging from 1/2 to 1/32 of the minimal inhibitory concentration of streptomycin, clindamycin and chloramphenicol

Factors affecting variations in exposure to infections by Leishmania donovani in eastern Sudan

A cross-sectional survey was carried out in Gedaref state, eastern Sudan to investigate the prevalence of positive leishmanin skin tests and environmental factors related to Leishmania donovani infection. A total of 3835 people living in 11 villages in 3 regions were screened. Soil types and tree densities were determined in 33 villages inhabited by 44 different tribes. The highest rates of positive skin tests were in Rahad region [33.9%], Atbara [21.6%] and Gedaref [10.6%], with an average of 21.1% for the state. Risk of infection by L. donovani varied significantly between different tribes. Higher densities of Acacia and Balanites spp. trees were in Masaleet villages, suggesting that the relatively high risk of L. donovani exposure in this tribe is due to environmental factors

Incidence of pseudomonas aeruginosa nosocomial catheter-associated urinary tract infection in Assiut University Hospital

To perform an incidence and typing study of P. aeruginosa catheter associated urinary tract infection [CAUTI] in two departments of Assuit University Hospital; the department of Urology and the Intensive Care Unit [ICU]. This study was done along the period of about 4 months. It involved 150 hospitalized patients in Assiut University Hospital; half of them from the department of Urology, and the other half were from the intensive care unit [ICU]. They were divided into two groups; cases and control. The case group included 100 patients having urinary catheters for more than 3 days, with age between 10 and 63 years old. Of the case group 65 were male patients and 35 were female patients. The control group included 50 age and sex matched hospitalized non-catheterized patients; half of them were from the department of Urology, and the other half from the ICU. Urine sample were collected from both the case and control groups and examined for bacteriuria and pyuria. Then examined bacteriologically [cultural characteristics and biochemical reactions] for isolation of P. aeruginosa. The isolates were typed by pyocine typing. Catheter-associated urinary tract infection [CAUTI] represents a great proportion of nosocomial UTI. The incidence in the department of urology was significantly higher than that in the ICU. Old age, female sex, diabetes, catheterization for more than 6 days, all favors the occurrence of CAUTI. The pre-use of second, third generation cephalosporins or quinolones decreased the incidence of CAUTI while the pre-use of ampicillin and gentamicin elevated that incidence. Most of the diagnosed CAUTI cases were caused by gram negative bacilli, which were mostly single infection. Incidence of P. aeruginosa UTI was significantly higher in cases than in controls. That incidence was equal in the two studied departments. There is a high incidence of CAUTI in Assiut University Hospital. And a high level of P. aeruginosa infection. So we recommend the use of the different preventive measures

Biochemical effects of some natural chelating agents decreasing lead toxicity

Lead was determined in River Nile water and tap water in different localities of Great Cairo. The results revealed a high degree of lead pollution. In an attempt to reduce the biochemical effect of lead poisoning, 2% pectin or 2% chitin were incorporated in the rat diet given 200 ppm pb [as lead acetate] in drinking water. Four groups of rats were used [each group 10 rats] and the experiment was conducted for 42 days. Regarding lead content in different organs and blood, a net decrease occurred by pectin or chitin addition to the diet. In case of pectin addition, lead content in liver, kidney, brain and blood decreased by 38.3, 46.4, 24.05 and 12.1% respectively as compared with rat given 200 ppm Pb in drinking wafer. In case of chitin addition a similar trend was observed. Glutathion content significantly decreased in liver, kidney and blood by pectin or chitin addition. Got, GPT, alkaline phosphatase activities, haemoglobin and hematocrite values were close to those of controls. Statistical analysis was also carried out on the above results

Biochemical studies on the effect of lead pollution

The level of lead deposition and the extent of vegetables pollution were studied. Lead in unwashed Ficus nitida leaves throughout the four seasons in Great Cairo averaged 45 ppm in Giza and 3.6 ppm in low polluted area. Washed leaves showed values ranging from 0.88 to 19.9 ppm. Vegetables collected from 20 markets in Cairo indicated that Spearmint. Leaves had the highest lead content [92.Oppm] followed by Lettuce [22 ppm] and tomatoes [2.7 ppm]. An experiment was carried out to study the biological effect of lead in drinking water. Lead was given to rats in drinking water containing 0.0, 100, 2140, and 1000 ppm. as lead acetate for 42 days. Lead content increase in kidneys, brain, blood and liver by 23.7, 18.15, 11.3 and 8.7 -folds by giving 1000 ppm, as compared with specific control. Glutathione in different organs and blood showed also a positive correlation with lead ingestion. Hemoglobin and Hematocrit decreased by about 50% in blood by increasing lead up to 1000 ug/ml in drinking water. GPT. GOT and alkaline phosphatase activities were significantly increased by increasing lead doses drinking water