Intravenous drug addicts: a high risk group for infection with human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis viruses, cytomegalo virus and bacterial infections in Alexandria, Egypt

In this work the seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and CMV were studied among two groups population; IVDA [intravenous drug addicts] [100] and control group [40]. Syphilis and other bacterial infection, which may be encountered among IVDA were also investigated. it was found that all serum samples [of both groups] were negative for anti-HIV regarding HBV markers, the prevalence of HBc antibodies was significantly higher among IVDA [62%] than the control group [27.5%] Also HBsAg was detected in 16% of IVDA while it was 75% among the control group prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly higher among IVDA [63%] than the control group [27.5%]. The prevalence of co-infection with HBV and HCV was significantly higher in IVDA [40%] than the control group [15%]. Sharing of needles and duration of drug use were positivity associated with the presence of both HBV markers and anti-HCV CMV seroprevalence was high in both groups. Antibodies to Syphilis were found in sera of 3 IVDA and one control using MHA-TP test. Although HIV infection has not yet been sufficiently introduced among IVDA in Alexandria but potentials for its spread among addicts are high as supported by observation that other infections with similar mode of transmission are common among addicts

Structural changes in the veins in Arterio-Venous Fistulae [AVF] and primary varicose veins of the lower extremity histological and histochemicat studies

Histological and histochemical studies were carried out on 36 specimens taken from veins of the leg: Five normal, one from chronic traumatic AVE and 30 from primary varicose veins. The study showed that the structural changes in the wall of varicose veins were not unlike those found in traumatic AVF. In addition degenerative changes in the form of accumulation of acid mucopoIysaccharides and choesterol esters were also demonstrated. These degenerative changes seem to be responsible for venosclerosis characteristic of long-standing varicose veins