Comparative study of the sensilla on antenna and maxillary palps of five culicine mosquitoes in Sohag governorate, Egypt

Mosquitoes are unquestionably the most medically important arthropod vectors of disease. The maintenance and transmission of the pathogens that cause malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and numerous viral infections are absolutely dependent on the availability of competent mosquito vectors. Although the medical community has known for over a century the role played by mosquitoes in the transmission of malaria and lymphatic filariasis, these diseases continue to have a devastating influence on less privileged populations throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The present study was done to identify the different culicine mosquitoes in four different districts in Sohag Governorate and to describe and compare the various types of sensilla located on their antenna and maxillary palps using scanning electron microscopy

Lead poisoning during development: effect on some antioxidant enzymes, residual level and histopathological changes in rats

Pregnant, pregnant and lactating and/or lactating groups of female rats were exposed to lead in the form of lead acetate in the drinking water at a dose level of 200 mg/L for periods of gestation only [GI], gestation and lactation [GII] and lactation only [GIII]. Blood samples, liver, brain and mammary gland were taken from the treated dams as well as brain tissue samples from their babies at the end of each exposure period. Lipid peroxidation and the activity of both reduced glutathione [GSH] and catalase enzymes were evaluated in liver and brain tissues of dams as well as in the brain tissue of babies. Determination of the residual level of lead was carried out in serum, liver and brain tissue of the dams. Histopathological examination was performed in the liver, brain and mammary gland tissues of treated dams. Our results revealed that exposure to lead induced oxidative tissue damage, which was reflected by significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde [MDA] and decreased activities of GSH and CAT in tissues of dams and babies. Residual concentrations of lead were significantly increased in brain, serum and liver in comparison to control group. The histopathological examination revealed marked histological alterations in the liver, brain and mammary gland of treated dams. This investigation indicated that the effect of lead was more obvious in gestation and lactation period [GII] than the other two periods [gestation only [GI] and lactation only [GIII]]. Also, it denoted that the brain is the primary target organ of lead poisoning

Effects of pregnancy on chronic hepatitis "C" patients

Information available regarding the natural history and outcome of chronic HCV during pregnancy has been limited and inconclusive. Aims: To assess the effect of pregnancy on female infected with HCV. A review of 29 patients before and during pregnancy with established HCV-RNA positive attending our clinics between 2002 and 2004 for clinical presentation and laboratories. From 29 pregnant HCV-RNA positive women, 13 were spontaneously cleared from HCV during pregnancy, 9 with low vireamia, and 7 with moderate viaremia. The transminases reaching normal values during pregnancy. The above values remaining as that 3 months after delivery. completion of pregnancy in chronic HCV women is recommeded without any antiviral therapy, pregnancy is an immunological balancing act.