Association of Interleukin 27 gene polymorphism and risk of Hepatitis B viral infection in Egyptian population

According to the World Health Organization, Hepatitis B virus [HBV] is considered a major global public health problem. The genetic background may be a crucial etiologic factor in HBV infection and its complications. Interleukin-27 [IL-27] is a newly discovered cytokine encoded by 2 genes [EBI3 and p28]. Mutations in the IL-27 gene may lead to altered cytokine production and/or activity and thus modulate individual's susceptibility to HVB infection. This work was designed to study the association of IL-27p28 [964A/G, 2905T/G and 4730T/C] gene promoter single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] with the risk of Hepatitis B virus [HBV] in Egyptians. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first one that examines IL-27p28 promoter polymorphism in Egyptian patients. One hundred and sixteen patients with HBV infection and 101 healthy controls were genotyped by using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR/RFLP] in Egyptian population. There were no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of IL-27p28 gene polymorphisms between patients and controls. Furthermore, no association was found between the distributions of the haplotypes and HBV risk. Our data suggested that polymorphisms in the IL-27 gene may not contribute to HBV susceptibility. Further studies with large sample size should be conducted to validate these results in Egyptian population

[Health hazards due to shortage of water during summer season in port Sudan town December 2006- December 2008]

PortSudan, the harbour of Sudan is facing a serious problem concerning shortage of water supply. The Town is supplying ships with fresh water against the need of PortSudan town. It has been noticed that the peek of shortage of water supply happens in summer season [66%]. Also the big need to water in summer leads certain practices which affect the quality of water in the town. There are problems of distribution of water through tankers and donkey cars, improper pipe line distribution, as well as different ways of storing water in houses. Bacteriological and chemical tests results revealed pollution with E. coli in shallow wells in Arbaat and open takers in the town as well as during the method of water transpiration and storing in houses. Diseases associated with water shortage in summer showed an abnormal high level on gastroenteritis, diarrhea, hepatitis, dysenteries, poor personal hygiene and even food poisoning. The study recommended that still there is great hope for Nile water to reach PortSudan. However bottle fresh water from North Sudan with subsidized price to fill the gab of shortage of drinking water is carried out in town