cure rates of patients infected with heterophyiasis and treated with praziquantel versus niclosamide

83 heterophyiasis patients were classified in 5 groups and given praziquantel orally in doses of 40 mg/kg body weight t.d.s. for one day, 40 mg/kg body weight as a single dose, 25 mg/kg body weight t.d.s. for 2 successive days, 20 mg/kg body weight as a single dose and 10 mg/kg body weight as a single dose. Other 40 patients were given niclosamide 2 gm orally every other day for three doses. Praziquantel in the doses given in the first four groups gave 100% cure rate [P < 0.05], the niclosamide group gave 77.5% cure rate. Praziquantel in single dose of 20 mg/kg body weight orally is more superior and tolerated than niclosamide

Effect of fasting Ramadan[Al-Saum] on certain blood constituents related to carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism in patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly

Thirty normal controls and 30 patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly were chosen for this study. They were of the same age and sex groups. Determination of blood glucose, serum cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, blood urea and total serum proteins was done one week before fasting Ramadan [al-saum] and during the last week of Ramadan. In patients with bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly there was a statistically significant decrease of blood glucose in the last week of Ramadan as compared to the week before fasting [p<0.001]. On the other hand serum phospholipids showed a statistically significant increase in the last week of Ramadan as compared to the week before fasting [p<0.001] but significant change was evident after fasting if this group was compared to the control group [p<0.05]. Both controls and patients with hepatosplenomegaly showed no significant changes in either serum cholesterol, triglycerides, total serum proteins or blood urea after fasting as compared to the pre-fasting values [p>0.05]. We conclude that early stage of bilharzial liver fibrosis do not prevent the patient from fasting Ramadan and on the contrary it may be beneficial

Cell-mediated and humoral immune response in typhoid patients under treatment

A total number of 45 patients with bacteriologically proven typhoid fever and 10 apparently healthy individuals were studied. Patients were classified according to treatment taken into 3 groups; the first group received chloramphenicol, the second received chloramphenicol and cotrimoxazole, while the third received chloramphenicol and ampicillin. Clinically, fever and headache were the main [100%] presenting symptoms. Enlarged spleen was found in 80% of cases while hepatomegaly in 50%. Laboratory investigations revealed that 51% had anaemia while total white cell count varied from 2200 to 8850 cc[3]. Leucocyte migration inhibition test [LMIT] was used to investigate the cell-mediated immune responses [CMI]. Positive [+ve] LMIT was found in 28 [62%] patients tested during the third week of illness. The incidence of +ve results was higher among those treated with chloramphenicol than other groups. All patients had positive Widal test, with titres > 1/230 for Salmonella 0 and 1/350 for H antigens. Titres were almost similar among different treated groups and no correlation was found between positive LMIT and antibody titre

Serum amino acids in patients having typhoid fever

10 normal controls and 10 patients with simple typhoid fever [group I] and 10 patients with complicated typhoid fever [group II] were chosen for this study. All were males and of the same age group. All were subjected for: blood, stool and urine culture for salmonella typhi, widal agglutination, complete blood picture, ESR and SGPT. Determination of total serum proteins, serum albumin, total and individual serum amino acids was done before and after specific typhoid therapy. In both groups, there was a statistically significant decrease of total serum proteins, serum albumin, total and individual serum amino acids before treatment as compared to the normal controls [P < 0.01]. This was followed by a statistically significant increase of these serum levels after treatment as compared to the pretreatment group [P< 0.01]. These changes were more pronounced in group II than in group I, [P < 0,001]. These findings indicate that infection with salmonella typhi causes an intensive decrease of the total serum proteins, serum albumin, total and individual serum amino acids

Urinary secretory IgA levels in Egyptian adults, suffering from simple and complicated urinary bilharziasis

This study comprised fifty five adult Egyptians. They were grouped into 4 groups. Group I included 15 patients with simple active urinary bilharziasis. Group II included 15 patients with active haematobiasis and pyuria. Group III comprised 15 patients with non-bilharzial pyuria. Group IV included 10 normal controls. All cases were subjected to complete urine analysis, bilharzial egg count, rectosegmoidoscopy, urinary tract radiology and determination of the urinary secretory IgA. Our results showed that there is a significant rise of secretory IgA levels in cases of pyuria whether accompanied with bilharzial infestation or not. There was insignificant rise of secretory IgA in cases of urinary bilharziasis. It is concluded that S. haematobium has no effect on urinary secretory IgA and any increase in urinary secretory IgA is mostly due to urinary tract infection

Effect of praziquantel on hepatitis B virus markers distribution in bilharzial and non-bilharzial school children

150 school children were randomly chosen from Senhera Village for this study. Their ages ranged from 8-16 years. They were classified into 3 groups: group I comprised 50 students suffering from S, mansoni and were subjected to curative praziquantel single oral dose [40 mg/kg b.w.]. Group II comprised 50 students free from bilharziasis and were subjected to Praziquantel prophylactic dose [20 mg/kg b.w.] repeated every 3 months. Group III comprised 50 students free from bilharziasis who form our Control group. After full clinical and laboratory examination follow up study was done for 8 months after praziquantel therapy. HBs Ag incidence rate was 20,7 percent and anti-HBs was 42,7 percent. In group I, such incidence was 28 percent and anti-HBs was 42 percent, while in group II it was 18 percent and 46 percent for HBs Ag and anti-HBs respectively. In group HI positive HBs Ag was 18 percent and anti-HBs 40 percent. After 6 months follow up, the incidence of HBs Ag, anti-HBs were 14 percent and 40 percent respectively in group I, 4 percent and 50 percent in group II and 2 percent and 48 percent in group III. In group I, the incidence rate of HBs Ag was significantly higher in hepatomegalic stages which also showed persitent antigenaemia after 6 months follow up. The antigenaemia dropped to 0 percent in cured cases while represented 70 percent in those passing living S. mansoni ova. In group II, 4 percent bilharzial infection during the follow up period in spite of praziquantel chemo-prophylaxis and those 4 percent persist antigenaemia after 6 months while it dropped from 14.5 percent to 0 percent in the remainder cases. Incidence of HBs Ag dropped from 18.4 percent to 2.63 percent in those cases of group III who didn't acquired bilharzial infestation during the 6 months follow up

Clinico-radiological and functional study of urinary bilharziasis on a field level

Our study was done at Tamooh village, Giza governorate. Clinical laboratory studies including serum creatinine were done to positive bilharzial cases. Radiological studies were done before and 3 months after praziquantel therapy [one oral dose 40 mg/kg b.w.]. The prevalence rate of S. haematobium among Tamooh population was 32.2 percent. Dysuria was the main symptom at age groups above 20 while haematuria and pallor were the main symptoms at the younger group below 20 years. These symptoms improved after praziquantel therapy. The mean egg count/10 ml urine was significantly reduced 2 weeks after Biltricld therapy [P < 0.001]. Positive radiological changes were more common among bilharzial cases in contrast to non-bilharzial groups after praziquantel therapy in the young ages

Serum isoenzymes pattern in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis

This study includes 70 adult Egyptian patients classified as follows, 25 cases with pure bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly. 15 cases with mixed bilharzial hepatosplenomegaly with +ve HBsAg. 15 cases with posthepatitic cirrhosis, 15 cases with intestinal bilharziasis, in addition to 15 controls. For all, the isoenzymes pattern of LDH, alkaline phosphatase, AST and cholinesterase were estimated. It was found that LDH 5 was significantly increased than control in the first 3 groups. ALP 1 was noticed in 5 cases of group 3 only. ALP 4 was noticed in 7 cases of group 1, 6 cases of group 2 and 7 cases of group 3. Serum cholinesterase and its isoenzymes were significantly decreased in all groups than control. Mitochondria as well as cytoplasmic AST were significantly raised than control in groups 1, 2 and 3. It was concluded that LDH 5 could be used as an index to the degree of hepatic affection. Determination of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes could help in diagnosis of biliary obstruction [ALP 1], the extent of hepatic cirrhosis and fibro-sis [ALP 4] and acute. Liver cell necrosis [ALP 2]. ASTs as was increased in acute infection and ASTm was increased in necrosis of the cells

Study of water contact and its relations to prevalence and morbidity of bilharziasis in a rural area

A field study was carried out on 5000 inhabitants, in Sinhera village, kaliobia governorate, to evaluate the relationship between water contact and the prevalence and morbidity of bilharziasis. Two methods were used to evaluate this relationship: observation method and a questionnaire method. From the results, it was evident that males have higher frequency of water contact, higher prevalence of bilharzia-sis and more severe clinical gradients than females. The age group of 10-p14 years suffers more than any other age both for males and females. The socio-economic standard of inhabitants plays it influence on the prevalence of bilharziasis through water contact activities. It was shown that those with low education and income levels, living in mud-brick house without safe water supply or sewage disposal, have the highest frequency of water contact and the highest prevalence of bilharziasis. The snail survey showed marked high prevalence, density and infectivity of Biom Alexandrina over Bul. truncates, in the canal and irrigation channels of Sinhera village. So, water contact must be taken in consideration in planning any control program against bilharziasis

Lactic dehydration isoenzymes pattern in cases of meningitis

Measurement of lactic dehydrogenase activity and its isoenzymes has a diagnostic and prognostic value in patients with meningitis. A rise in total lactic dehydrogenase [LDH] activity is consistently observed in CSF of patients with bacterial meningitis, most of this is due to fraction 4 and 5. LDH1 and LDH2 which presumed to come from brain tissue are only slightly elevated in CSF but rise sharply in patients who died later on. Hence the determination of CSF-LDH may be helpful in singling out the patients who are at risk. In tuberculous meningitis also CSF-LDH is elevated and the predominant isoenzymes are LDH3, LDH4, and LDH5. In aseptic meningitis there is slight increase in CSF-LDH with overlapping the reference values, and LDH1 and LDH2 are the most prominent isoenzymes

Endochrinal profile in adult Egyptian typhoid patients II Cortisol, insulin T,T Selected serum electrolytes [N+ and K+] and liver function tests

Thirty patients under ompulsory military service were selected from Dahshour typhoid outbreak in Egypt. July August 1984. Also twenty normal control groups were selected for this study. Our cases were subjected to the following investigations 1, Assessment of the following serum hormones: a] Cortisol. b] Insulin e] Triiodo-Thyronine [T3]. d] Tetraiodo-Thyronine [T4]. 2. Selected serum electrolytes: Na [+] and K [+]. 3. Assessment of liver function tests. All those biochemical tests were done twice, first during febile stage before treatment and the second in convalescent stage [or two days after subsidence of fever]. There was a rise of mean levels of serum hormones [Cortisol, insulin, T3, and T4], sodium and liver

Endochrinal profile in adult Egyptian typhoid patients: I acth and growth hormone

Thirty patients under compulsory military service from Dahshour typhoid outbreak in Egypt, July-August 1984 and twenty normal controls were selected for this study. Our cases were subjected to the following investigations: 1. Assessment of the following serum hormones: a] Adrenocorticotrophic hormone [ACTH]. b]. Somatotrophic [GH] hormone. 2. Serum glucose estimation. Our blood samples were taken twice, first during febrile stage before treatment and the second in convalescent stage or two days after subsidence of fever. There were rises of the mean levels of serum ACTH, GH and glucose in uncomplicated typhoid adults. A more significant rise of these values was noticed in complicated typhoid cases during febile period. These changes were normalized in the convalescent period

Essential trace elements in patients having typhoid fever

15 normal controls and 15 patients with typhoid fever were chosen for this study. All were males and of the same age and sex group. Determination of serum zinc, copper and magnesium was done before and after specific typhoid therapy. Serum copper and magnesium levels showed statistically significant increase in patients with typhoid dever during the febrile stage as compared to the normal controls [P < 0.001]. After specific typhoid therapy serum copper and magnesium levels declined to almost the normal serum levels. Serum zinc showed a statistically significant low levels during the febrile stage of typhoid fever as compared to the controls [P < 0.01]. After specific typhoid therapy serum zinc levels declined to the normal levels. These findings indicate that infection with typhoid causes a significant alteration in serum levels of essential trace elements