Comparative study between non lethal and lethal strains of Plasmodium yoelii with reference to its immunological aspect

Innate immunity has an important role in the protection against malaria. To clarify the effect on non lethal and lethal strain of Plasmodium yoelii, comparison between two groups of C57BL/6 mice infected with 10[4] parasitized RBCs was performed. Liver and spleen mononuclear cells were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. The parasite appeared in blood on day 3 in both strains, with non lethal infection parasitemia reached a peak of 60% on day 14 and mice completely recovered, while in lethal infection parasitemia was 80% on day 7 and mice succumbed to death. In non lethal strain, mice became anemic and the hematocrit percentage returned to its normal value during recovery, while in the lethal strain mice were severely anemic before death. The major expanding cells were found to be TCR Intermediate [TCR[int]] cells, mainly NK1.1 subset, these TCR[int] cells were distinguished from conventional T cells of thymic origin. CD4[-] and CD8[-] cells increased in both strains. During malarial infection, the population of conventional T cells did not increase and usually associated with thymic atrophy. The present results showed that TCR[int] cells were intimately associated with the protection against malarial infection in both non lethal and lethal strains but the mice died in lethal infection due to the massive destruction of red blood cells leading to fatal anemia

Implications of primary health care integration among a group of upper Egyptian women: a community based study

Integration of the fragmented vertical program is crucial for the efficiency and effectiveness of the primary health care [PHC] services. Therefore, identification of the strengths and challenges confronting the integration process through family medicine [FM] approach in some pilot projects will give insight to the potential to capitalize on the gains achieved. The study is an operations research, post intervention design. It used a test health facility [PHC unit implementing FM approach in rural Upper Egypt], and a comparative health facility in a demographically matched village [PHC unit operating according to the traditional PHC vertical programs]. Data sources were household survey, service statistics, and in depth interviews with the principal official stakeholders. The findings show that, the volume of services delivered in the test group showed initial increase. However, with no pronounced community satisfaction As well, the profile of utilization pattern did not show improvement specially for the women. The study recommended the gradual informed introduction of the concept of integration for all the concerned stakeholders including the served community.