Comparison of immunochromatographic test and microscopy in the detection of some enteric protozoa in stool samples

Infection with pathogenic intestinal protozoa as Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica and Cryptosporidium parvum cause considerable gastrointestinal morbidity, malnutrition and mortality worldwide, especially among young children in developing countries. The present study was carried out on 71 cases [44 males and 27 females] chosen from Pediatric and Internal Medicine Inpatient and Outpatient Clinics of Zagazig University Hospitals, complaining of different gastrointestinal troubles with an age range of 6-60 years. Also, 20 apparently healthy individuals [11 males and 9 females] cross matched were considered as a control negative group. All stool samples were examined by direct wet smears, concentration techniques, staining of the smears using trichrome stain and Modified Ziehi-Neelsen method. Copro-antigen detection in faecal sample was by using quick immunochromatographic test. A total of 71 cases suffering from different GIT manifestations showed G. lamblia [30.7%], Cryptosporidium parvum [19.8%], Entamoeba histolytica /E. dispar [11%] and mixed infection of three protozoa [6.6%]. However, by copro-antigen G. lamblia was positive in [31.8%] of C. parvum in [20.9%]; E. hisiolytica/E. dispar in [11%] of cases. lmmunochromatography/copro-antigen test recorded sensitivity and specificity of [100%] and [96.6%] respectively in G. lamblia detection. For C. parvum, sensitivity vas [100%] and specificity was [97.1%] while for E. histolytica/E. dispar sensitivity and specificity were [100%] for both. lmniunochrornatographic assay proved to be simple, easy and useful in confirming absence or the presence of intestinal protozoan infection in clinically suspected cues with negative stool examination

Interplay between matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloprotinase-1 in acute asthma exacerbation and airway remodeling

Airway inflammation and remodeling of extracellular matrix are important features of asthma. Matrix metalloproteinases [MMPs] are group of enzymes expressed in the airways with their inhibitor [tissue inhibitor of MMPs [TIMP] and they are the key responsible for extra cellular matrix [ECM] degradation. To clarify the role of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in asthma exacerbation and airway remodeling. The study included 3 groups, group "A" included 22 patients with stable asthma group "B" included 18 patients during asthma exacerbation and group "C" of 18 healthy volunteer served as control. All groups were matching age and sex. Levels of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were measured in the induced sputum of the 3 groups. Serum IgE skin prick test and PEFR were assessed. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio increased in both A and B groups in comparison to control [P < 0.001]. During exacerbation MMP-9 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio showed significant increase for both but TIMP-1 did not show significant change when compared to stable asthmatics. There was significant negative correlation between PEFR and MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio. MMP-9 and TIMP-1 play an important role in pathophysiology of asthma exacerbation and airway remodeling. Clearly, a greater understanding of the pathogenesis of asthma is critical to the development of better therapeutic modalities

Peripheral natural killer T cell in non alcoholic fatty liver disease: friend or foe?

Although Non alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease [NADFLD] has been extensively studied in recent years, the exact pathogenesis of this disease remains unknown. Natural killer T [NKT] cells have been implicated in immune responses against infectious agents and tumors and their immunoregulatory function has received much attention. Recent studies have suggested a link between peripheral Natural Killer T cell deficiency and NAFLD. To investigate the possible link between the frequency of peripheral NKT cells and NAFLD. The study included two groups of subjects. Group A included 20 patients with NAFLD, while group B included 20 healthy subjects who served as control. The two groups were matching age and sex. Liver function tests, kidney function tests, lipid profile, fasting and post prandial blood glucose, body mass index [BMI] were assessed and detection of frequency of peripheral NKT cell by flow cytometry was done to all subjects. NAFLD patients had a lower frequency of peripheral NKT cells than healthy controls [4.6% +/- 3.4% vs. 6.5% +/- 2.2%, z=2.301 P=0.021]. High significant differences existed between healthy controls and patients with NAFLD as regards total cholesterol, triglyceride, fasting and post prandial blood glucose, BMI and ALT levels [P=0.000]. Non significant correlation between the frequency of peripheral NKT cells and BMI [P=0.813] and ALT levels [P=0.550]. Changes in the frequency of peripheral NKT cells were correlated with NAFLD was found to decrease frequency of peripheral NKT cells and was associated with increased risk for NAFLD

Neutrophilic asthma: a new horizon in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma

Eosinophilic asthma has emerged as a distinct phenotype of asthma. However there is increasing recognition of neutrophilic form of asthma. To study the possible role of neutrophilic airway inflammation among patients with moderate persistent asthma. The study included 2 groups of subjects. Group I included 40 patients with moderate persistent asthma subjected for sputum induction. Sputum cell count, esoinophil catalonic protein[ECP] and rnyeloperoxidase enzyme were assessed. peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] was also estimated. Group 11 included 15 healthy subjects served as control group. Neutrophilic asthmatics represents 45% of the studied asthmatic patients, while Eosinophilic asthmatics constitute 55%. Ncutrophilic asthmatic patients had higher sputum neutrophils and myelopcroxidase in comparison to eosinophilic group [p<0.001], also eosinophilic asthmatic patients had higher sputum eosinophils and ECP in comparison to neutrophilic group [p<0.001]. Sputum neutrophilis and myeloperoxidase correlated negatively to PEFR in neutrophilic asthmatics. Sputum eosinophilis and ECP correlated negatively to PEFR in esoinophilic group. Asthma is known to involve a heterogeneous airway inflammatory response where many cells play a part. Neutrophilic asthma is a sizeable subgroup of asthma which might lead to further understanding the pathogenesis of such disease and though, a new modalities in treatment is required

Adiponectin, insulin and nitric oxide levels in hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia in addition to streptozotocin-indined diabetes mellitus and normal rats intraperitonially injected with anthocyanin and epicatechin extracts

Normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were intraperitonially injected with hibiscus anthocyanin [90 mg/Kg bw] and green tea epicatechin [60 mg/Kg bw] extracts daily for two weeks. In addition, normal and diabetic rats were force fed on high-fat diet for two weeks. Rats suffering from hypercholesterolemia were used for induction of diabetes mellitus and fed on a hypercholesterolemic diet for two weeks using non-diabetic hypercholesterolemic rats as positive control. At the end of the experiment, serum glucose insulin, adiponectin, nitric oxide and lipid profile were measured. Anthocyanin and epicatechin extracts significantly decreased the elevated levels of glucose, nitric oxide, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C in serum of diabetic rats, while adiponectin was slightly increased. The concentrations of serum glucose, nitric oxide, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C were greatly increased, while adiponectin level was significantly decreased in diabetic rats fed high-fat or high-cholesterol diets. These results indicate that increased nitric oxide and [or] decreased adiponectin in serum may result in increasing the glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in diabetic, hyperlipidemic and hypercholesterolemic rats