Evaluation of some micronutrients, antioxidant biomarkers and total antioxidant capacity in human giardiasis

Giardia lamblia, a common parasite of the human small bowel, is responsible for diarrhea, nutritional deficiencies and production of free radicals. Micronutrients regulate many physiological functions and participate in antioxidant defense. Changes in their serum levels occur in several gastrointestinal disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the homeostasis of some micronutrients and antioxidant defense in human giardiasis. The study was designed to compare serum levels of some micronutrients and antioxidant status in 30 patients with symptomatic giardiasis and 30 age- and sex-matched controls. Giardia trophozoites and/or cysts were detected in the stool samples of patients using saline and iodine wet mount preparations and formol ether technique. Levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper and chromium were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Vitamin E level was determined as well as total antioxidant capacity [TAC] and serum levels of the antioxidant biomarkers; albumin, total bilirubin and uric acid were evaluated. Giardia-infected patients displayed significantly lower levels of magnesium, iron, manganese, chromium and vitamin E and higher levels of copper and uric acid compared to controls. TAC, albumin and bilirubin in Giardia-infected patients were not significantly different from the controls. The pathophysiological changes in giardiasis alter the homeostasis of some micronutrients. Uric acid constitutes an important antioxidant defense in human giardiasis that may compensate for the deficiency of some antioxidant micronutrients. Prevention and treatment of giardiasis may have a positive impact on the micronutrient status and on the general health of the population

Ineffectiveness of myrrh-derivative Mirazid against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in humans

The present study assessed the schistosomicidal and fasciolicidal actions of the myrrh-derivative Mirazid in an area of low schistosomiasis transmission. A total of 27 patients infected with Schistosoma mansoni and 16 with Fasciola spp. received the maximum recommended dose of Mirazid. Pretreatment egg counts in 4 Kato-Katz slides were compared with similar counts in stool samples collected 1 and 2 months after treatment. Standard procedures and quality control measures were followed. The results revealed that Mirazid used as schistosomicidal or fasciolicidal agent in the maximum recommended dose has a low cure rate and produced a negligible reduction in egg counts. Prescribing such an ineffective drug in Egypt might endanger the achievements of the schistosomiasis control strategy

Cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites in 3 yemeni orphanages: Prevalence, risk, and morbidity

The epidemiological pattern of cryptosporidiosis and other intestinal parasites were studied among 3 orphanages in Sana'a City. A total of 292 orphans [225 males and 67 females], aged 4-20 years old were recruited. A questionnaire of demographic information, health status and other relevant information was filled out for each one. Fresh stool specimens were processed by wet mount preparation, formalin-ether concentration and MZL stain. Among 292 orphans, the overall parasitic rate was 62.7%. C. parvum showed highest prevalence [24%] followed by G. lamblia [16.8%], E. histolytica /E.dispar [13%], and then E. coli [18.5%]. Hymenolepis nana was in 7.2% of children but only 3 cases of Ascaris lumbricoides. The risk of C. parvum was significantly higher in children

correlation of cyclin A with dtug resistance in adult acute non lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute Non Lymphoblastic Leukemia is one of the most common malignant tumors of haematology. With the recent progress in chemotherapy and supportive therapy, the remission and survival rate have been markedly improved. In this study, cyclin A2 and multidrug resistance expression was measured by flow cytometry and RT-PCR in 52 de novo AML patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Their expression was correlated with other prognostic criteria, response to treatment and to overall survival. The rate of CR and PR was significantly higher in the group of positive expression of cyclin A2, compared to that with negative expression. However a statistically significant difference was only reached by PCR [p=0.02]. By flow cytometry, the overall Survival [OS] in the group with positive cyclin A2 expression is significantly higher than that in the group of negative cyclin A2 expression, p=0.03. Regarding MDRI, it was expressed in 39% of our patients and the level of expression was slightly higher by RT-PCR. The rate of CR and PR in the group of negative MDR expression was significantly higher as compared to the group of positive MDR expression, by both flow cytometry and RTPCR [p= 0.005, 0.004, respectively]. The OS in the group with negative MDR1 expression was significantly higher than that in the group of positive MDR1 expression, p=O.04. There was a significant inverse relationship between Cyclin A2 and MDR expression in our AML cases by RTPCR technique [p= 0.005], while it showed no significance by Flow cytometry [p=0.12]. There was no agreement [Kappa=0.25] between Flow cytometry and RT-PCR in detection of cyclin A2. On the contrary, there was an agreement between Flow cytometry and RT-PCR in detection of MDR. In conclusion, the low expression of cyclin A2 and high expression of MDR1 are indicators for unfavorable prognosis for individuals with AML. The detection of cyclin A2 level would predict drug resistance. However, it is one of many other factors

Use of a non-mercury containing fixative for diagnosis of giardiasis

In the present study, methanol was used instead of Schaudinn's fluid for preparation of permanently stained faecal smears. The efficacy of this method to detect Giardia lamblia trophozoites and cysts were compared to merthiolate iodine formalin [MIF] direct smear method and MIF concentration [MIFC] technique. Fresh faecal samples were collected from school students with gastrointestinal symptoms. In 50 Giardia positive faecal samples, trophozoites were detected alone in 9 samples and in association with cysts in 24 ones. A paired comparison of the frequency of detection of trophozoites and cysts by various methods was performed using McNemar statistical test. The results revealed that trichrome staining of methanol fixed smears was the most sensitive technique for trophozoite detection followed by MIF direct smear method [p<0.05]. For cysts, trichrome staining and MIFC had nearly equal sensitivity and were more sensitive than MIF direct smear method but with no statistically significant difference

Impact of coinfection with Schistosma mansoni on Helicobacter pylori induced disease

The impact of concomitant S. mansoni infection on H. pylori induced gastritis was studied in twenty patients infected exclusively with H. pylori. The patients were compared with twenty patients coinfected with the bacteria and S. mansoni and twelve patients with schistosomiasis alone. All patients were subjected to clinical, parasitological, endoscopic and histopathological studies. In addition, serum malondialdehyde level [MDA], as an indicator of lipid peroxidation was measured. The results of revealed that severe gastritis was significantly more common in the patients infected exclusively with H. pylori. Serum MDA was significantly higher in this group compared to the other groups. The results were discussed

Intestinal parasitosis in nalout popularity, Western Libya

This paper studied gastrointestinal parasitosis in Nalout popularity. A hospital based study was done on a total of 800 stool samples from a private laboratory in Tigi city. The results showed an overall rate of 29.6%. Of these patients, 7.59% had double or triple parasitic infections. Children were more infected than adults. The parasites in a descending order were Entamoeba histolytica [2 1%], Enterobius vermicularis [7.5%], Giardia lamblia [2.5%], Balantidium coli [0.38%], and Hymenolepis nana [0.38%] A Sudanese immigrant employee had Strongyloides stercoralis larva in stool culture

Human urinary parasites in Nalout popularity, Libya

A total of 2000 fresh urine samples were collected from a central private laboratory in Tigi Conference which served all the popularity. The examination showed motile Trichomonas vaginalis in seven patients [0.35%]; five females and two males, and Enterobius ver-micularis in two female children [0.1%]. None had urinary schistosomiasis. The data were discussed

Alteration in circulating soluble Fas level in Toxoplasma seropositive pregnant women

The role of sFas in human toxoplasmosis was designed, included 23 pregnant women serologically positive for anti-Toxoplasma antibodies, and ten sero-negative pregnant females constituted the control group. Antibody titer was assessed by indirect haemagglutination test. The presence of specific IgM antibodies was determined by comparing antibody titer before and after serum treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. sFas was quantified in sera of cases and controls by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Antibody titers ranged from 1/160 to 1/640. All cases were negative for specific IgM antibodies indicating that they had passed the acute stage of infection Statistical analysis revealed significant elevation in sFas level in cases compared to controls. The sFas role in establishment of a stable host parasite interaction in toxoplasmosis was discussed

Levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis

This study assessed levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. Forty three patients and ten healthy parasite free subjects were included as controls. All were subjected to clinical, parasitological, and haematological examinations. Serum growth hormone [GH] levels were measured by an immunoenzymometric assay. Statistical analysis revealed significant elevation in GH levels in acute and chronic fascioliasis patients compared to controls. Serum albumin was significantly low in schistosomiasis patients compared to controls. Non-significant changes in serum ferritin were in all patients. The results were critically discussed on the light of the work done before

Influence of the antioxidant drug [antox] on experimental giardiasis and microsporidiosis

The effect of antioxidant [Antox] on Giardia lamblia and Microsporidium sp. in rats and mice respectively was studied. Pa-rasitologic effect was assessed by the mean parasitic count in infected animals' stool treated and non-treated, and infection intensity in stained section. Biochemical by measuring activities of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], superoxide dismutase [SOD], malondialdehyde [MDA], myeloperoxidase [MPO] levels and cytokine induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 [CINC-1] in intestinal homogenates in these animals as shown by cell injury, lipid peroxidation and neutrophil infiltrations. The present results showed that Antox significantly exacerbated G. lamblia and Microsporidium sp. This was manifested by a significant increase in number of G. lamblia cysts and trophozoites in stool and intestinal sections of treated infected rats. Also, microsporidian spores were significantly higher in stool of treated infected mice and infection intensity increased in the intestinal sections. The biochemical study showed a significantly higher degree of cell injury, lipid peroxidation and intestinal neutrophils accumulation in non-treated infected animals whether with G. lamblia or microsporidia. The changes reduced after treatment in giard-iasis but none in microsporidiosis. The results were tabulated photographed, and critically discussed

serum gastrin level in patients with schistosomiasis and fascioliasis

The study assessed changes in fasting serum gastrin level in early schistosomiasis and chronic fascioliasis in 52 patients. Forty patients had either schistosomiasis or fascioliasis alone. Twelve patients had combined infection with both parasitosis. Also, ten healthy parasite free individuals were selected as a control. All were clinically examined and subjected to stool analysis, liver function tests and sero-diagnosis for H. pylori. Serum gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay and showed significant elevation in all patients [with schistosomiasis, fascioliasis or both parasites] compared to controls. A significantly higher serum gastrin level was detected among patients with combined infection relative to either with schistosomiasis or fascioliasis. Alkaline phosphatase activity increased significantly in all patients as compared to control. The activity of the enzyme had significant positive correlation with egg counts in patients with either parasite and with serum gastrin level in those with combined infection. The results were discussed

Effect of sodium valporate [SVP] on male gonads and fertility

To study the effect of SVP on both premature and mature male gonads and on male fertility via valid animal models. The study included control "non-medicated" [15 premature and 15 mature] male rats and medicated [15 premature and 15 mature] male rats on effective dose of SVP [200 mg/kg/day] via oral administration for one month and two months. Five rats of each group were sacrificed after one month of treatment together with their controls. Another five of each were sacrificed after two months. The remaining five rats in each group "premature and mature" survived for another one month without SVP intake and then sacrificed. Mating was allowed by pairing between each male rat and a female rat with normal esterous cycle for 10 days and this repeated 3 times in each group. The testes of each sacrificed male rat were dissected out, weighed and examined macroscopically. Epididymal spermatozoal examination [progressive motility of sperms, sperm cell concentration, sperm apnormalities and living sperms] and histopathological examination of testes were done. Sodium valporate reduces fertility% of male rats and this reduction increased with the duration of treatment. The weights of testes [in both premature and mature] were significantly reduced in medicated groups. The epididymal sperm characters were markedly altered in medicated mature rats while azospermia was encountered in medicated prematures and prematures recovered from treatment for one month. Also the degenerative changes of the testes were more marked in prematures. There was reversibility of these effects on stoppage of SVP. Sodium valporate reduces male fertility and induces degenerative changes in male gonads especially in premature on longer duration of treatment and these pathological effects are reversible on its stoppage

Effect of oral versus intramuscular androgen on blood indices in impotent and infertile patients

Stimulatory effects of androgen on red blood cell number, hemoglobin and hematocrit value have been evaluated. This study was done to evaluate the safety of oral uptake of mesterolone and intramuscular injection of testosterone enanthate when given either to impotent or infertile men on the mean value of blood indices. This work comprised 52 patients suffering from either impotence [25 patients] or male infertility [27 patients]. Patients were divided into two groups: Mesterolone group [included patients randomized to receive 75 mg daily of oral mesterolone] and testosterone enanthate group [included patients randomized to receive 250 mg monthly of intramuscular testosterone enanthate]. Different blood indices, such as venous hematocrit value, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, were measured before and three months after administration of androgen therapy. Platelet count, red blood cells count and white blood cells count were also measured before and three months after treatment with androgen. Also, serum testosterone was measured before and at the end of the treatment period. According to the results, it was concluded that mean values of blood indices were significantly increased after administration of both oral and injectable androgen hence, the danger of hemoconcentration may developed. Intramuscular testosterone enanthate is safe on blood indices than oral mesterolone

Sexual maturation in renal transplant girls

Sexual maturation was evaluated in 18 living related donor renal transplant girls receiving a combination of immunosuppressive treatment including cyclosporine A, prednisolone and azathioprine and were followed for 2 years post-transplant. All transplant girls underwent clinical evaluation, endocrinologic evaluation and measurement of height, Tanner stage and bone age. The results showed that height SDS in 38.9% was greater than 2 SD below the mean for age. Pure retarded sexual maturation was observed in 22% of boys. There was no significant correlation between any of the maturation parameters and the duration of uremia, serum oestradiol, prolactin, gonadotrophins hormones, interval since transplantation, age at transplantation. Dialysis duration was significantly correlated with maturation parameters

Detection of chlamydia trachomatis by polymerase chain reaction among infertile couples with antisperm antibodies

Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common sexual transmitted disease and the role of chlamydial genital infection in the initiation of immune reaction to the sperm and immunological infertility is still controversial. Recently, the development of PCR assays was found to be very effective for the detection of genitourinary chlamydial trachomatis infection. The objective in the present work was to study the possible relation between the chlamydial infection and the development of sperm antibodies. 60 infertile couples with sperm antibodies and 20 fertile couples free from sperm antibodies were the subjects of this study. Detection of chlamydia trachomatis was done by taking samples from endocervical swabs from wives and first voiding urine from husb and s and then tested by PCR. No correlation was found between the chlamydial infection and the development of sperm antibodies. On the other h and, it was observed that male auto immunity to the sperm is more frequent than female iso immunity

Reaction of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with nitriles: synthesis of pyrazolo [1,5-c] -1,2,4-triazines, pyridines 4H-indeno [1,2-b] pyran derivatives

Several new pyrazolopyridotriazines, pyridines, 4H-pyran and H-indeno [1,2-b] pyran derivatives were prepared from beta-dicarbonyl compounds I, II and the ylidenes III and IV as starting materials

Clinical neurological and CT brain findings in children with beta-thalassemia major

The aim of this work was to study the effect of beta-thalassemia major on the nervous system in children via computed tomography [CT] of the brain and clinical neurological examination. The study included 32 children with beta-thalassemia major [20 males and 12 females] with ages ranged from 6 -15 years [mean age 9.19 +/- 2.5 years]. They were age-matched with 10 apparently healthy control children [6 males and 4 females] with a mean age of 8.9 +/- 3.14 years. The patients were classified into 3 groups: First group consisted of 8 children [5 males and 3 females] with a mean age of 7.57 +/- 1.49 years. The children in this group were included in the study at the time of first diagnosis to have beta-thalassemia major before receiving any medication, blood transfusion or iron chelation therapy. The second group consisted of 12 children [8 males and 4 females] with a mean age of 9 +/- 2.59 years. They were with a known diagnosis of beta-thalassemia major for at least 3 years. They received repeated blood transfusions and regular iron chelation therapy. The third group included 12 children [7 males and 5females] with a mean age of 10.3 +/- 2.57 years. They had the illness since 5 years or more. They received repeated blood transfusions, but on irregular iron-chelation therapy. The patients and controls were subjected to full history taking thorough general and neurological examination and assessment of sera ferritin levels. CT brain was done for the patients only. The following results were obtained: Patients of the first group showed no neurological abnormalities and 4 cases [50%] of them showed mild central atrophy. In the second group 8 patients [66.66%] showed generalized brisky deep reflexes. The same patients showed moderate central atrophy 8patients [66.66%] showed mild cortical atrophy and one case [8.33%] showed moderate cortical atrophy. In the third group 4 patients [33.33%] showed mental dullness [I.Q. 80, 70, 75, 70], 4 patients [33.33%] showed simple inattention to the surrounding stimuli with decrease of spontaneity and exploring. 4 patients [33.33%] showed bilateral, symmetrical sensory hyperesthesia of the distal parts of the extremities i.e sensory polyneuropathy, one of them was diabetic. CT brain of the third group revealed presence of moderate cortical atrophy in 8 cases [66.66%], mild cortical atrophy in 4 cases [33.33%], and mild central atrophy in 8 cases [66.66%]. The degrees of cortical atrophy and central atrophy were independent in the patients. Serum ferritin level showed high significant increase in patients [mean 955.6 +/- 563.99 ng/ml] in comparison with the control group [181 +/- 35.4 ng/ml]. It was as Follows in the 3 groups of patients respectively: 568.75 +/- 92.3 ng/ml., 861.67 +/- 221.15 ng/ml. and 1631.67 +/- 471.99 ng/ml. i.e., it was highest in the third group. We may suggest that there were 3 factors responsible for the above findings in variable degrees: anaemia which might cause some irreversible neurological changes, hemosiderosis and iron-chelation therapy. Hemosiderosis might be incriminated more than the other factors in the pathogenesis of atrophy of cerebral cortex while the white matter of the brain was atrophied more in patients with regular iron-chelation therapy

Light and electron microscopy of skeletal muscle tissues of patients versus carriers of duchenne muscular dystrophy

The study included 8 male patients [5 - 10 years old]. With Duchenne muscular dystrophy [DMD], their female carriers [20 - 50 years old] and 3 healthy volunteers [2 males and 1 female, 20 - 40 years old]. Carriers were classified into obligate symptomatic [4 carriers], obligate asymptomatic [2 carriers] and possible carriers [2 carriers]. Muscle biopsy was taken from the quadriceps muscle of all the studied persons and prepared for both light and electron microscopy processes. Light and electron microscopy of muscle biopsies revealed marked dystrophic changes in all patients and mild dystrophic changes in 2 obligate symptomatic carriers, while some ultrastructural changes were detected by electron microscopy only in the other 2 obligate symptomatic carriers and one of the 2 obligate asymptomatic carriers. The other obligate asymptomatic carrier and the possible carriers showed no changes by both light and electron microscopy. So, we can conclude that carriers of DMD might show dystrophic changes by both light and electron microscopy. These changes were more frequent in obligate symptomatic carriers. Although, electron microscopy was more accurate than light microscopy in their detection, it could not detect all the carrier state