Oral swabs evaluation from multiple sclerosis patients [bacteriological-mycological study]

Multiple Sclerosis [MS] is demylinative, degenerative neurological disease lead to severe handicap morbidity worldwide with a peak incidence in middle age group [25-50 years]. In Iraq, MS is one of increasing incidence and prevalence diseases especially after Gulf war [about 1500 case till February 2011]. lthough the oral microbiological flora of such patients not evaluated clearly, therefore this study was conducted to investigate the oral cavity flora from MS patients in comparison to normal healthy control and evaluate the differences between them and the possible relation with MS causative agent. This study was conducted on 57 immunocompetant MS patients who were attending the MS center in Baghdad Teaching Hospital in Baghdad Medical City and 114 healthy controls were attending the Central Blood Bank in Baghdad Medical City between 22 Feb 2011 to 5 Apr 2011. The obtained data was analyzed and the results were tabulated. The majority of isolated organism among 57 MS patients was C. albicans 35% [20 out of 57], Gram positive streptococcus 17.5% [10 out of 57], C. guillermondii 10.5% [6 out of 57], Sercina bacteria 7% [4 out of 57], C. famata 5.2% [3 of 57], Staphylococcus aureus 5.2% [3 of 57], Gram positive bacilli 3.5% [2 out of 57] and C. kruise, C. parapsilosis and Diplococcic in 1.7% [1 out of 57] for each. The majority among controls showed no growth 58.8% [67 out of 114] flowed by Sercina bacteria 19.3% [22 out of 114], Gram positive streptococcus 4.39% [5 out of 114], C. albicans 7% [8 out of 114], C. guillermondii 2.6% [3 out of 114] then Staphylococcus aureus, and Gram positive bacilli, C. kruise, C. parapsilosis in 1.75% [2 out of 114] for each. The C. albicans was the main isolate from oral cavity of MS patients while most of oral swabs from healthy controls were showed no growth. These changes in normal flora distribution of MS patients should not be underestimated and can be of benefits for evaluation of MS causative agents

role of IL-4 and IL-8 in the etiology of Tinea versicolor in group of Iraqi patients

Tinea versicolor is a common dermatological problem, world wide distribution, caused by a dimorphic fungus called Malassezia furfur, it lives normally on skin as a commensal. Many factors play a role in the etiology of TV among these could be the disturbed immune system which may be related to the ability of TV to alter the immune system by a process called Immunomodulation leading to subsequent infection. Immuno-inflammatory activity mediated by different cytokines could have a role in the etiology of TV. To evaluate the serum level of the inflammatory cytokines, IL-4 and IL-8, in patients with TV as compared to immunocompromized patients and healthy groups. This study enrolled 50 total patients, 15 of them were as patients control group who were immunocompromized with evident skin lesion, to be compared serologically with 15 patients who had TV and normal immunity, the control group composed of 20 healthy volunteers. Using ELISA test technique the following tests were done: detection of IL-4 and IL-8 in the sera of all groups. The statistical differences in the rate of detectable IL-4 level between TV and healthy control P< 0.001, while the difference was highly significant between the healthy control and immunocompromized patients with TV, P<0.00338. The difference between the two diseased groups was [P< 0.219] which is non significant, when p<0.05 was considered significant. IL-8: the results of our study showed a significant difference between the healthy control and the patients with tinea versicolor, p-value was [0.05]. In this study there was a nice finding by which the difference between the healthy control and the immunocompromized patients was highly significant as, p<0.005. The genus Malassezia is an immunological paradox. In some circumstances, it acts as an adjuvant, activates the complement cascade, and elicits both cellular and humoral immune responses in healthy individuals, among which IL8 and IL-4 were notably increased. In contrast, it also seems to have the ability not only to evade the immune system but actually to suppress the response directed against it

Bacteriology of the core of adenoids in a group of Iraqi patients undergoing adenoidectomy

Upper air way obstruction secondary to chronically inflamed adenoid and or tonsil is a common problem, in the presence of recurrent infection; tonsillectomy and or adenoldectomy are the most common surgery applied among pediatric population. The aim of this study was to assess the type of bacteria encountered with- In the core of the adenoid tissue at time of operation. During a period from Feb. 2005 to May 2005, twenty two adenoid samples were removed by surgery, and cross sectioned and sent for culture and sensitivity, at the department of ENT in Al-jerahat hospital for surgical specialties, most of the patients were under 10 year's old. This study showed that the bacteria isolated from the core of adenoid tissue were mostly part of bacterial flora of the upper respiratory tract, only 7 patients showed a growth of pathogenic bacteria: to which special sensitivity tests were performed to detect antibiotic sensitivity. The bacteria of the core of the adenoid were mostly composed of normal flora, and few of them were pathogenic and resistant to most ordinary antibiotics

role of circulating immune complexes in the pathogenesis of the ischemic heart disease

Circulating immune complexes [CICs] were found to have an effect on theplthogenesis and Iprognosis of ischemic heart disease [IHD]. IA total of 24 patients, 13 as a patient group with IHD [10 males and 3 females], and 11 healthy control group [6males and 5 females], for all the level of CICs was detected by platelets aggregation test[l]. I The results showed that all patients with IHD had positive platelets test, while only 4control group I had a positive results. This study showed that there was significant raise in the level of CICs in the IHD and it might play a role in it's development

Treatment of pityriasis versicolor with two Weekly dose of systemic fluconazole

The application of systemic fluconazole in the management of Tinea versicolor is well distributed around the world. This treatment has recently began in our country. To study the effect of systemic fluconazole given orally once a week for two successive weeks in curing tinea versicolor and preventing recurrence. 35 patients with Tinea versicolor were treated with a single oral dose of fluconazole at the Department of Dermatology in Baghdad Teaching Hospital.The treatment were designed to give 300 mg as single dose to be repeated next week with 150 mg and followed up for one month. The treatment with single oral dose of fluconazole [300mg] cured 28 patients i.e. 80% of cases who were free of lesi. Systemic fluconazole therapy is very useful for chronic or extensive pitryiasis versicolor