Humoral and cellular immune responses as diagnostic tools in human toxoplasmosis

The study was conducted to assess the humoral and cellular immune responses in patients suspected to have Toxoplasma infection, and to evaluate their use as diagnostic tools. Seventy six persons were enrolled in the study, 56 of them are patients with toxoplasmosis. In addition to 20 apparently healthy persons were served as control. They were divided into 4 main groups according to their signs and symptoms, Group I, 17 patients with ocular signs and symptoms suggestive of toxoplasmosis Group II, 23 patients complaining of complicated obstetric problems, Group III, 9 infants and children with signs and symptoms of congenital toxoplasmosis, and Group IV, 7 patients with manifestations suggesting toxoplasmic lymphadenopathy. RH Toxoplasma strain was used. Experimental animals: 400 mice were used, 10 each time, for maintainance of Toxoplasma strain, by regular serial passage and for preparation of antigen. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] for detection of anti Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies. Lymphocyte transformation test were done for detection of specific lymphocyte proliferation [blastogenic response]. Out of total 56 patients, 49 patients [87.5%] gave positive results to Toxopasma antigen in one or more of the specific techniques applied. Seven patients gave negative results were recommended for periodic follow up before exclusion of toxoplasmosis. High rates of seropositivity detected among suspected patients suggest the reliability of ELISA in diagnosis of toxoplasmosis. Specific lymphoblastognic response would confirm the results and reveal dormant infection in some suspected subjects. However, rising titre/ seroconversion is a prerequisite for therapy

Helicobacter pylori seropositivity: its correlation with vomiting disorders during pregnancy

To evaluate the relationship between Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection and vomiting disorders during pregnancy. Helicobacter pylori IgG antibodies were determined in three groups of pregnant women by ELISA. Group I included 25 pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum [HG], group II included 60 pregnant women with emesis gravidarum [EG] and group III included 60 asymptomatic pregnant women [NP] of matched age and parity. The percentage of IgG seropositivity and the mean IgG liter in each group were determined and analysed. El-Minia University Hospital. The prevalence of seropositivity for H. pylori IgG antibodies among patients with [HG] [21 out of 25 = 84%] was higher than those with [EG] [34 out of 60 = 56.67%] and also higher than that in asymptomatic pregnant women [32 out of 60 = 53.33%]. This difference was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. Also the mean liter in the first group was [55.64 +/- 7.2 Au/ml] compared to [40.41 +/- 18.2 Au/ml] and [31.52 +/- 11.34 An/ml] in the second and third groups respectively. This difference in the mean titer was statistically significant [P < 0.05]. Helicobacter pylori infection appears to be significantly associated with [HG] and accordingly, serologic testing for this infection will be of great help in the management of these patients