Incidence of multi-resistant gram-negative isolates

An in vitro study on the prevalence of resistance of major antibiotic in 309 Gram-negtaive aerobic bacilli isolated from Intensive Care unit and Medium Care Surgical Units in a Mohandse Hospital. A customized dry microtitre panel carrying 16 antimicrobials over an extended concentration range was used for susceptibility testing. The study revealed a wide spread resistance to broad- spectrum penicillins, a high incidence of resistance to aminoglycosides and a still relatively high susceptibility to imipenem and ciprofloxacin

Importance of the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of hepatitis C virus infection

Prevalence of Hepatitis [C] virus RNA was determined in 46 adult patients [mean age 34.2 years; range 22 to 60], diagnosed as having viral hepatitis, and positive for anti-HCV antiboides. The presence of antibodies to Hepatitis [C] virus [anti-HCV] were determined by Abbott, 2-[nd] generation ELISA and RIBA-2 test from Ortho, for comparison. The ELISA HCV antibody reactive samples were further tested for the surrogate markers; alanine aminotransferase [ALT] and Hepatitis [B] core antibody [HBcAb]. In addition to viral serological markers, Hepatitis [C] virus RNA was determined with a nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Hepatitis [C] virus RNA was found in 35 of 46 patients [76.09%] positive for Hepatitis [C] virus antibodies. HCV RNA was detected in 23 patients [88.46%] positive for Hepatitis [C] virus antibodies and with elevated AL T. In contrast, 12 of the 20 patients [60%] with normal ALT, were HCV RNA positive. A high correlation]88.46%]existed between Hepatitis [C] virus RNA elevated ALT and presence of anti-HBc [73. 08%] In patients positive for anti-HCV. So; the surrogate markers, ALT and anti-HBc, each identified a relatively large group of positive for HCV RNA. We conclude that, the present anti-HCV testing although useful in screening patients for HCV infection, must be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction, and the surrogate markers approach should not be dismissed at present, since it may supplement the HCV antibody tests until a modified polymerase chain reaction for mass screening and testing as a definitive confirmatory test become available

role of mite in bronchial asthma

Two internationally known allergic mites were identfied in Zagazig city. These were D. farinae and D. pteronyssinus. The first species was higher in density. Seasonal distribution of the mite showed two peaks allover the study, one in spring and the other in summer. A high association between house dust mite and asthma was noticed. Also the highest incidence of positive skin reaction to mites was in spring [60%], followed by summer season [28%]. Muddy houses participate to mite propagation and consequently to higher incidence of allergic asthma. Immunotherapy using mite antigen succeeded in changing 70% of positive skin reactors to mite antigen into negative skin reactors

Prevalence of antibodies to Hepatitis C virus in Egyptian hemodialysis patients

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis [C] virus [anti-HCV] was determined in 150 adult Egyptian male patients [mean age 47.3 years; range 25 to 75] with end -stage renal disease [ESRD] who are on regular hemodialysis in renal dialysis unit in Mahmmoud Hospital. The prevalence rate was 10%. These figures are considerably higher than in Germany 5.5% and United Kingdom 1%. The possible causes for the high prevalence of anti-HCV in our study are considered and suggestions made for its control

Allergic broncho-pulmonary aspergillosis among asthmatic patients in Zagazig area

Aspergilli, especially A. fumigatus could cause a variety of allergic reactions. Extrinsic asthma to Aspergilli is prevalent in Sharkia Governorate. Out of 200 asthmatic patients, 115 [57.5%] were sensitive to one or two of Apergillus antigens [Mycelial mat extract and acetone precipitated culture filtrate]. Not all these patients responded well to hyposensitisation performed. When investigated it was found that 35 of them [17.5%] had precipitins by ID method. This group of patients with precipitins had also higher total oesinophilic count [x=931] and higher total Ig[E] [x=2129] and most of them had bronchiectasis [80%], +ve sputum culture to one or both of A. fumigatus or A. niger [68.6%]. All these data suggest that ABPA is not uncommon in asthmatic patients reactive to aspergillus species. Patients fullfilling the criteria of ABPA should be diagnosed since hyposensitisation will not benefit them, on the contrary it may aggravate the presence of precipitins and censequently the reaction of the lung

Prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in Egyptian blood donors

Based on the screening of 2932 samples of blood by a recombinant hepatitis [C] antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], the prevalence of hepatitis [C] [HCV] antibody reactive donors was established in an Egyptian voluntary donor population. The overall prevalence of HCV antibody was found to be 20.74%. According to age groups, the prevalence was 13.44% in age group 22-32, 22. 19% in age group 33-43, and 32.76% in age group 44-54. The ELISA HCV antibody reactive units were further tested by a recombinant immunoblot assay [RIBA] in which 95. 72% of the initially reactive samples were found to contain specific antibodies to two recombinant antigens, and the difference between ELISA, second generation and RIBA test is diagnostically insignificant. The overall prevalence of HBs Ag and anti-Hbc was 11.35% and 29.93%, respectively, of donors testing repeatedly reactive with the HCV ELISA. Likewise the prevalence was 9.68% and 22.46% respectively, in anti-HCV negative donors by ELlSA. It was concluded that, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in young ages is less than in old, and the difference is statistically significant, and we must encourage donation by youngs, and that the present anti-HCV testing, although useful in screening blood for HCV carriers, must be supplemented by surrogate test [anti-HBC+ALT] until additional specific tests become available

Evaluation of a single dose therapy of norfloxacin for non complicated gonorrhea patients

The efficacy and safety of a single oral dose of 800 mg noroxin in treating 50 patients with uncomplicated gonorrhoea caused by P.P.N.G. [penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae] and non P.P.N.G [non-penicillinase producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae] were assessed. Neisseria gonorrhoeae were first isolated and identified by conventional bacteriologic methods. Identification was then confirmed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae fluorescent antibody staining. Tests for penicillinase production and sensitivity to pencillin were performed. Susceptibility pattern to noroxin was examined by minimum Inhibitory concentration [MIC] determination. Gonococci isolated from 72% of patients were penicllinase producer and resistant to penicillin. The strains obtained from the rest of patients [28%] were penicillinase non-producer and sensitive to penicillin. All gonococcal isolates were susceptible to noroxin at MIC90 of 0.06 mg/L for P.P.N.G. and 0.015 mg/L for non P.P.N.G. The overall cure rate of patients treated with the single oral dose of noroxin was 100%: Adverse effects were mild, lasted for short Period and cleared without any sequlae. We expect noroxin in that dose to be the regimen of choice for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhoea

Effects of ultrasonic nebulizers and patients compliance on pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment

This study was carried out on 119 patients who were attending Out Patient Chest Clinic in Mahmoud Mousque Medical Center during the period from October 1990 to April 1992. All cases were suspected clinically and radiologically of having pulmonary tuberculosis. Their sputum was negative for acid fast bacilli by direct smears of six consecutive samples. They inhaled ultrasonically nebulized saline and their expectorated material was reexamined both by direct smears and cluture on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. 45/119 Showed positive results by direct smear while 57/119 gave positive cultures. A sensitivity test was carried out for all positive cases. In order to identify the degree of compliance, a regimen was planed for a whole year on daily basis following the results of sensitivity tests. They were asked to visit the centre for follow up monthly. Patients compliance was only 13/57 and females showed a higher degree of compliance than males 11/13 respectively. Most patients were missed after the first month [24/57]. Labourers showed the highest degree of non-compliance [20/22]. By the end of the 12 months all the 13 compliant patients were clinically improved. This was proved by both laboratory tests and X-ray