Detection of cyclospora cayetanensis infections among diarrheal children attending Suez Canal University Hospital

The objective of the present study is to detect the occurrence of Cyclospora cayetanensis among diarrheal children with or without immunosuppressant conditions. Stool samples were collected and examined for identification of the parasite using different concentration methods [Formaline ethely acetate, Potassium hydroxide and Sheather's floatation] and different stains [acid fast, modified Ziehl Neelsen, modified Kinyoun and modified safranin]. Confirmation of the results was performed using autofluorescence technique. Cyclospora oocysts were detected in 19.6% of 230 diarrheal children without immunosuppressant conditions and 34.6% of 230 diarrheal children with immunosuppressant conditions with significant difference between the two groups. Sheather's floatation method was significantly more sensitive than direct smear, FEA and KOH sedimentation methods [with sensitivities of 93.6%, 63.7%, 75.8% and 79.8%, respectively]. Additionally, the modified safranin was the best staining method as it was significantly more sensitive than the acid fast and the modified Ziehl Neelsen staining. On the other hand, no significant differences were found between the acid fast, the modified Ziehl Neelsen or the modified Kinyoun staining. Cyclosporiasis predominated in the age group 1-4 years compared to other age groups. There was a significant association between infection with Cyclospora and low socioeconomic level, living in rural areas and using tap water. Cyclospora was found as a sole parasite in 55 out of 124 [44.4%] infected children. Co-infection with other pathogenic parasites occurred in 69 cases; most commonly Cryptosporidium [30/124]. It was concluded that cyclosporiasis is common among diarrheal children especially if it is associated with immunosuppressant conditions. Feces examination for oocysts using Sheather's floatation and the modified safranin staining are recommended for diagnosis

Maternal adaptation toward their children with chronic conditions

The present study is a descriptive analytic study aiming to assess maternal adaptation toward their children with chronic conditions, assess the factors that affect this adaptation and compare adaptation in case of sick children with chronic physical illness versus intellectual illness. The study was conducted in Port-Said city. The subjects of the study were from in and out-patient clinics affiliated to Port-Said General Hospital, El-Mebara for Health Insurance hospital, Asphor Center for Dialysis and a Governmental School Serving Mentally Retarded Children namely; EL-Tarbya El Fekrya. It includes 174 mothers of chronically ill children. Data were obtained through interviewing the mothers of chronically physically ill and mentally retarded children, using four tools namely; a structured interview questionnaire, a socioeconomic standards scale, a coping scale and an adaptation patterns scale. The results of the study revealed that 67.8% and 60.9% of mothers of mentally retarded and of physically chronically ill children had poor adaptation, respectively. It was found that socio-economic standards, maternal knowledge, coping mechanisms used by mothers

The probable relationship between toxoplasma gondii infection and cryptogenic epilepsy

Cryptogenic epilepsy is a group of epilepsy syndromes for which the etiology is unknown but the underlying brain disease is suspected. So the present work aims to study the probable relationship between Toxoplasma gondii and cryptogenic epilepsy. Fifty patient, were selected with cryptogenic epilepsy and 50 patients with known cause of epilepsy in comparision to 50 healthy as control group to investigate the sero-positivity rate for anti-To-Toxoplasma IgG antibody by ELISA. The sero-positiviry rate of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies among cryptogenic epilepsy patients was [20%] and it was higher than healthy controls [2%] and known cause epilepsy patients [4%] with highly significant statistically difference [P< 0.01]. There might be a causal relationship between chronic toxoplasmosis and cryptogenic epilepsy

Renal functions in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia major: role of renal color doppler

This work aimed to evaluate renal status in pediatric patients with beta-thalassemia by laboratory investigations and color Doppler sonography. The study included thirty-five children with beta-thalassemia major [age range 6-16 years] and 12 healthy children had laboratory investigation as well as renal color Doppler studies. The renal function was evaluated by studies of urine osmolality, urinary protein [Up], creatinine clearance [Ccr], fractional excretion of sodium [FENa], potassium [FEK] and uric acid [FEUA] and malondialdehyde [UMDA]. Blood samples were collected for complete blood count, blood urea nitrogen [BUN], serum creatinine [Scr], electrolytes, ferritin and alkaline phosphatase just before transfusion. Urine volume, high urinary protein to creatinine [Up/cr] and urinary malondialdehyde to creatinine [UMDA/cr] were investigated in the two groups. Color Doppler sonography was done to the thalassemic as well as the control groups. Assessment of the resistive index [RI] values of segmental vessels of the kidney was done. The results obtained confirmed the high frequency of renal abnormalities in beta-thalassemia patients and indicated some degree of proximal tubular dysfunction. This suggested that the damage might be caused by anemia and increased oxidation induced by excess iron deposits. The increase of serum K, P and uric acid in thalassemic children were attributed to the rapid erythrocyte turnover. The findings of high Up/cr and UMDA/cr ratio denotes proximal renal tubular damage secondary to oxidative lipid peroxidant mediated by iron overload. The elevated RI of renal arteries is an indication of active disease in tubulo-interstitial renal compartment. The study also proved that the use of renal color Doppler is helpful in early detection of renal affection in thalassemic patients, even in the absence of gray scale abnormalities