Risk of acute otitis media in relation to acute bronchiolitis in children

A prospective study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence and the etiology of acute otitis media [AOM] In children with acute bronchiolitis. Also to determine whether AOM occurring with acute bronchiolitis "Which mainly due to respiratory syncytial virus [RSV]" is accompanied with another pathogens "which usually found in the middle ear aspirate [MEA]" or not. Thirty-six children with acute bronchiolitis aged 3 to 18 months that were admitted to pediatrics department, El-Minia University Hospital during the period from September 2005 to December 2005 were included In this study. In patients with AOM at entry or developed AOM within 14 days, Gram-stained smears, bacterial cultures, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] were performed on middle-ear aspirates to detect the presence of bacterial pathogens and RSV respectively. Twenty children [55.6%] with acute bronchiolitis had AOM at entry or developed AOM within 14 days, 9 patients [25%] had developed otitis media with effusion, and only 7 patients [19.4%] remained free of both AOM and otitis media with effusion, throughout the 2-weeks observation period. Of 27 middle-ear aspirates [13 unilateral and 7 bilateral], bacterial pathogens were isolated in 23 [85%] [10 bacteria alone "37%" and 13 mixed bacteria and RSV "48%"], RSV was identified in 15 [55.5%] of middle ear aspirates [mixed with bacteria in 13 and RSV alone in 2 cases [7.5%]], so RSV was identified in 15 of 20 patients [75%] with AOM. Streptococcus pneumoniae was isolated in 11 middle ear aspirates, Haemophilus influenza in 6, Moraxella catarrhalis in 4, Staphylococcus aureus in 2, Streptococcus pyogenes in one aspirate and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in one aspirate only. Of 20 cases of AOM, 15 [75%] responded clinically to usual dose of antibiotic [Amoxicillin and clavulanic acid and/or Cefotaxime]. Finally we concluded that bacterial AOM is a complication In most children with acute bronchiolitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza were the commonest organisms isolated from middle ear aspirate. RSV is identified in most cases of acute otitis media [75%] and mixed with bacterial pathogens. Accordingly, in patients with acute bronchiolitis and associated AOM, antimicrobial treatment is indicated

Studies on deep fungal infections in cancer patients

This study included one hundred and ten tumour cases [tested group]. Also, twenty non tumor cases [control group]. All were subjected to four samples taken from each case, blood, sputum, urine and stool for isolation of possible fungi. The tested group was divided into 3 sub-groups according to the type of tumour. Group I. Haematological tumours [8 cases], Group II Lymphoproliferative tumours [10 cases] and Group III Solid organ tumours [84 tumours]. The most prevalent type of fungi was found in Group III. Most infections occur in respiratory tract infection. The fungal in these cases accounts for 12 types of fungi followed by, gastrointestinal fungal infections which accounts for 10 types of fungi and then to urinary tract fungal infections which accounts for 5 types of fungi. The most prevalent fungi in respiratory tract infections were C. albicans. Which was isolated from 52 cases of 84 cases with a percentage of 62%. In gastrointestinal infections were 36 cases of a total 86 positive cases with a percentage of 42%. The infected control cases were in 6 cases of 20' positive cases [30%]. In urinary tract infections 12 cases of 24 positive cases with a percentage of [50%] while; control cases were negative. The following most prevalent fungi in respiratory-tract infections was C.pseudotropicalis. It was isolated from 16 cases of 84 cases with a percentage of [19%]. Gastrointestinal infections were 20 cases of a total 86 positive cases with a percentage of [23%]. In urinary tract infections 6 cases of 24 positive cases with a percentage of [25%]. C.tropicalis infection of respiratory tract was in 12 cases of a total 84 with a percentage of [14%] and in gastrointestinal infections was 12 cases of a total 86 cases with a percentage of [14%]. Asp. Niger represent 9.5% [8/84] of respiratory tract infections while; control cases accounts for 20%. In gastrointestinal infections, Asp. Niger represent [2.4%] while controls was 2 of 20 positive cases [10%]. The same fungus represent 8.3%' [2/24] in urinary tract infections. Negative control cases in urinary tract infections

Proliferation of liver cells chronic liver disease: a study of liver in biopsies using immunohistochemical localization of prolifrating cell nuclear antigen

A significant proportion of chronic liver disease [CLD], consisting of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis, results from chronic subclinical infection by hepatitis B and C viruses, HBV and HCV[1]. This chronic hepatitis [CH] is a forerunner of liver cirrhosis [LC] and may further progress to hepatocellular carcinoma[2-3]. The association of cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is also well documented[4]. The exact mechanism of viral hepatocarcinogenesis is yet to be clearly defined[5]. Possibly the persistent liver cell necrosis and the resultant irregular regeneration[6]. The proliferative rate of regenerating hepatocytes may be an important pathogenetic and prognostic factor in chronic liver disease[7]. A number of markers have been used in the assessment of the proliferative status of cells, like bromodeoxyuridine[8], Ki-67[9] and DNA polymerase alpha[10]. Techniques utilizing these markers are complex, however, and require fresh or snap frozen tissue, except for Ki-67, which can be used on paraffin sections. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA], an accessory protein of DNA polymerase delta, is one of the best markers for evaluating cell proliferation in studies on retrospective material, since the antigen can be localized in routine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue[7, 11-14]. Limited reports are available on the proliferation kinetics of normal human livers, though in recent years several studies reported on hepatocytic proliferation rates in acute and chronic liver diseases. Normal hepatocytes are generally quiescent and divide very slowly[15-17] High proliferative rates have been reported in hepatocellular carcinoma, cirrhosis and acute hepatic failure[11, 18-22]. Nakamura et al., [7] have shown that there is no significant difference in PCNA-labeling indices between chronic viral hepatitis types B and C. With increasing knowledge of the biology of hepatitis C virus infection, information on hepatocytic proliferation kinetics is emerging now. In a recent study on the prevalence of HBV- and HCV-associated chronic liver diseases in liver biopsy material over the last decade, we observed a steady rise of HCV-associated diseases and a decline in HBV-associated ones[23]. Chronicity of HCV infection leads to CH and LC much more frequently than chronic infection by other hepatitis viruses[24], and the former infection shows a higher degree of association with hepatocellular carcinoma in several parts of the world[25]. Therefore, we considered it worthwhile to examine for hepatocytic proliferation using PCNA-labeling in our material of chronic liver diseases and to note any differences between hepatitis B- and C-associated diseases

Cytokines' profile in fulminant hepatic failure: effect of hepatocyte transplantation

We used a previously described animal model of fulminant hepatic failure [FHF] to study the effect of hepatocyte transplantation [HcTx] on the cytokine profile. Three groups of Sprague Dawley rats were used. Group I [n=30] received intrasplenic HcTx. Group II [n=12] received intrasplenic injection of saline. Two days later, both groups underwent surgically induced FHF. Group III [n=30] underwent sham operation. Six animals of each group were euthanized preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 7, 14 and 28 to study plasma cytokines; hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] and transforming growth factor beta one [TGF-beta 1]. Preoperatively, and after hepatocyte transplantation, Group I had a higher level of hepatocyte growth factor [HGF] than Groups II and III. On postoperative day 1, Group I had low levels of HGF and TGF-beta 1 and Group lI had the highest levels among the three groups. No animals in Group II survived beyond day 3 postoperatively. On day 14, HGF showed a rise in Group I as compared with Group III. HcTx has modified the level of cytokines in favor of liver regeneration in FHF rats

Up-regulation of the tumor suppressor gene P53 and WAF1 gene by IP6 in HPG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line

Inositol hexaphosphate [InsP6 or IP6] is a naturally occurring polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that is present in substantial amounts in almost all plant and mammalian cells. It was recently recognized to possess multiple biological functions. IP6 exerts its effects on the body by controlling cell division. It reduces the rate of cellular proliferation, both in vivo and in vitro, and has exhibited an ability to reduce DNA synthesis and also causes differentiation of various cell lines, including HT-29 human colon carcinoma cell. We hypothesize that the tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and WAF1 may be involved in mediating the antineoplastic action of IP6. p53 acts as a molecular policeman preventing propagation of genetically damaged cells; it causes the cells to arrest in the G1 phase of cell cycle, and regulates the level of p21 wafl which acts as a growth inhibitor. We therefore investigated the effects of IP6 on the expression of p53 and WAF1/p21 in HP-G2 human hepatocellular carcinoma by immunocytochemistry. Our immunocytochemical studies with anti p53 antibodies [wild type-PAb246 and Pab 1620] and anti p21 wafl [EA10] antibodies demonstrated an increased level of p53 and p21 wafl after 3 and 6 days of treatment with 3.3 and 5 mM and 8 mM IP6. This increase was dose-dependent and a definite time-dependent increase was not observed. These data demonstrate that IP6 up-regulates the expression of the tumor suppressor gene p53 and p21waf1 gene and their modulation may be one of the mechanisms of the antineoplastic action of IP6 since loss of p53 function enhances cancer cells resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, the stimulating function of IP6 on p53 makes it an attractive adjuvant chemotherapeutic agent as well

study of acute bacterial conjuntivitis in children in Minia governorate

This study included 180 children [60 as healthy control group and 120 as study group]. In this study the incidence of acute bacterial conjunctivitis was higher in children living in rural areas [66.7%] than in those living in urban areas [33.3%]. In the study group, the results revealed variable pathogenic organisms of different percentages including Streptococcus aureus [44.1%], Haemophilus influenzae [25%], Streptococcus pneumoniae [22.5%], Diphtheroids [8.5%], Moraxella catarrhalis [3.4%], Streptococcus pyogenes [2.5%], and Peptostreptococcus [2.5%]. Mixed cultures were obtained in 8.5%. The incidence of Staphylococcus aureus was higher in children at school age than children at preschool age. Haemophilus influenzae was the commonest organism in children at preschool age. The commonest bacterial flora found in the conjunctiva were Staphylococcus epidermidis and viridans streptocci. Factors influencing the prevalence of microbiologic agents in patients with conjunctivitis include geographic location, season, age and associated concurrent illness. There was some degree of seasonal variations as regards Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antibiotic showed the high susceptibility of most of the organism to the used fluoroquinolones and chloramphenicol