role of chlamydia trachomatis in neonatal and infantile pneumonia

Chlamydia Trachomatis infection in pregnant women may be related to variety of perinatal complications as conjunctivitis and pneumonia. Our aim was to detect C. Trachomatis as a causative agent among infants having the clinical picture of afebrile pneumonia and to identify the clinical manifestations of Chlamydia Trachomatis pneumonia. A total of 40 patients aged 2 weeks to 6 months with chronic afebrile chest manifestations and 20 apparently healthy subjects with matched age were involved in this work. Throat swabs for detection of C. trachomatis inclusion bodies by Giemsa stain, direct fluorescent antibody test [DFA] and serologic tests for detection of IgM and IgG against Chlamydia Trachomatis by ELISA were done. All the 18 cases which were IgM positive [as a gold standard] also, were positive for IgG rising level but only 15 cases were positive DFA among 18 IgM positive cases. All cases that were IgM negative also were negative for IgG rising level. The sensitivity of Giemsa stain was 55.6% and specificity was 100%. On the other hand the sensitivity and specificity of IgG positive rising level after 2 weeks were 100% but DFA were 83.3% and 100% respectively. The serologic tests for detection of IgM and IgG rising level against Chlamydia Trachomatis by ELISA have the advantages of low cost and suitability for testing large number of specimens

Value of sonographic guided percutaneous renal biopsy

A hundred and seventy four patients, 123 males and 51 females, with ages ranging between 7 and 63 years, had sonographic guided percutaneous renal biopsy. Excretary contrast study and sonographic abdominal scanning were carried for each one. Several laboratory studies were performed, some had to be only 24 hours prior to the procedure. In this article, the procedure is described in detail and so are the indications, contra-indications, difficulties and complications. Accordingly, the value, safety and diagnostic yield of the procedure is worthweighed against the possible hazards and complications

Creatinine clearance studies in the follow-up of glomerular filtration rate changes in renal transplant recipients

In a 20 renal transplant recipients, the results of renal function by endogenous creatinine clearance [Ccr] and those predicted by the formula Cockcroft and Gault [1976] and by that of Kampmann et al. [1974] were estimated and compared repeatedly in each follow [1976] and by that of Kampmann et al. [1974] were estimated and compared repeatedly in each follow up visit in patients with stable graft function. A significant correlation was found between the results of biochemical method of assay [mean = 76.7 ml/min.] and Ccr calculated by means of Kampmann et al. [1974] formula [mean = 79.8 ml/min.] [r= +0.849]. A significant correlation was also found using the Cockcroft and Gault [1976] formula [mean = 76.8 ml/min.] [r = +0.828]. No significant difference in Ccr was found between hypertensive and normotensive transplanted patients, also the effect of cyclosporine A on Ccr could not be elicited. It can be concluded that creatinine both measured and of Kampmann et al. [1974] can be efficiently used in the follow up and predicted through the formula of Cockcroft and Gault [1976] and that early detection of GFR changes in renal transplant recipients

Alterations of myocardial enzymes in chronic renal failure patients

Plasma activities of cardaic enzymes, total creatine kinase [CK] and cardiac isoenzyme [CK-MB], lactate dehydrogenase [LD] and aspartate aminotransferase [AST] were estimated in 20 patients with chronic renal failure on regular haemodialysis as well as in 10 uraemic patients who were treated conservatively. In dialysis patients no significant difference in plasma enzyme activity was detected before and after single dialysis session. However, significant increase in plasma total CK and CK-MB activities was found in dialysis patients versus the conservatively treated group. LD showed significant decrease in dialysis group, while AST showed no significant change. These, changes could he explained by disturbed cellular membrane permeability after dialysis or may be due to partial or complete removal of some enzyme inhibitors. A knowledge of these enzymatic changes is important to avoid misinterpretation by the treating physician