Chlamydial antibodies among copper T intrauterine contraceptive device users

Approximately 60 million women use the intrauterine contraceptive devices [IUCD] worldwide. IUCD constitutes one of the most accepted and widely used methods of contraception especially in the developing countries. Several studies have demonstrated an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease [PID] in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices. The role of chlamydia trachomatis in causing PID among IUCD users is not clear. This prospective study aims to clarify the effect of copper T IUCD on the incidence of chlamydia trachomatis infection in the female genital tract. This was done by measuring anti-chlamydia antibodies in the serum of copper T IUCD users compared to non-users among 100 patients attending Family Planning Clinic in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital. The results showed that Chlamydia antibodies were significantly higher [P < 0.01] among IUCD users compared to non-users. In addition, on linking diagnostic criteria of chlamydia trachomatis infection to the mean serology of chlamydial antibodies, there was no significant correlation to serology [P > 0.05]. This indicates the silent nature of this infection and the importance of screening of chlamydia trachomatis among women at riskor acquiring this infection

Alteration in interleukin-8 and chemotactic factors in renal failure and dialysis patients

Serum level of inlerleukin-8 [IL-8] and neutrophil chemotactic function were measured in 60 patients suffering from renal diseases in addition to 15 normal healthy persons served as controls. Patients were subdivided into three groups: Group one included patients with renal failure on regular dialysis, group two included patients with chronic renal failure not on dialysis and group three included patients with chronic glomerulonephritis. There was a significant elevation in serum level of IL-8 in all studied patients [43.3 +/- 6.8 pg/ml] in comparison with the control group [11.3 +/- 5 pg/ml] without a statistical difference between the patients groups. Also, there was a significant decrease in neutrophil chemotaxis between all studied patients [42.3 +/- 25.4-m] and controls [70.4 +/- 22.1 -m]. As regards patients' serum affecting the process of chemotaxis, there was a significant decrease between group one and two and there was a significant decrease in neutrophil chemotaxis and in patients' serum affecting the process of chemotaxis between group two and three. Because of this defective chemotaxis, those patients were at increased risk of infection that should be taken into consideration while treating them