Hematologic and plasma btochemical changes following experimental adrenal insufficiency

The aim of this work is to study the hematologic effects of bilateral adrenalectomy in rats, especially on platelet function; and to relate the observed changes to the associated alterations in plasma biochemical parameters, also, to test the effects of replacement therapy by hydrocortisone. Rats were subjected to bilateral adrenalectomy [group I], sham-operated rats served as controls [group II]. Blood samples were obtained from anaesthetized rats 48 hours after the operation. Hydrocortisone was given as a replacement therapy in another group for 48 hours after adrenalectomy [group Ill] and bled as the other groups. Adrenalectomized rats showed increased values of PCV and MCV, and decreased MCHC. Other red cell parameters were not significantly changed. Leucocytes showed increased total count, increased percent of lymphocytes and a decrease in neutrophil percent. Biochemical measurements revealed significant increases in levels of plasma calcium and potassium; while values of plasma albumin and lipid parameters [total cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol] were not significantly changed from those seen in the sham-operated controls. Hydrocortisone treatment of adrenalectomized rats brought these hematological and biochemical changes to levels near to those observed in the sham-operated control group. Platelet aggregation: Adrenalectomized rats displayed inhibition of aggregation in response to both ADP and collagen, while treatment with hydrocortisone produced insignificant increase in platelet aggregation compared to adrenalectomized rats. Adrenal insufficiency produced inhibition of platelet aggregation- induced by both ADP and collagen. This inhibitory response was associated with raised plasma levels of calcium and potassium. The mechanism[s] of this inhibition of platelet aggregation in adrenalectomized rats is discussed

Cardiovascular risk factors in L-NAM E hypertension

In a previous study, hypertension was induced by administration of L-NAME for 1, 2 and 4 weeks. Hypertension was prevented when L-NAME was combined with L-arginine but not with dipyridamole. To study the changes in ECG, cardiac weights and plasma lipids associated with L-NAME hypertension. Wistar rats were allocated into a control group, 3 groups of rats that received L-NAME [20 mg/kg] for 1, 2 and 4 weeks, and 2 other groups that received L-NAME in the same dose for 2 weeks combined with L-arginine [40mg/kg] or dipyridamole [3mg/ kg]. The absolute weight of left ventricle [LV] and whole heart [WH] were significantly increased in L-NAME 4 weeks group, but such significant increase was lost when corrected for body weight [LV/BW and WH/BW]. In L-NAME and L-arginine 2 weeks group, there was no change in absolute or relative weights, whereas in the L-NAME and dipyridamole 2 weeks group, there was significant decrease in LV, WH and LV/BW. Concerning ECG parameters, there was no significant difference amongst control group and L-NAME I, 2 and 4 weeks groups as regards P-R interval, QRS complex and R-wave voltage. Both Q-To and Q-Tc intervals were significantly shortened in L-NAME 4 weeks group than control, L-NAME I week and 2 weeks groups. In L-NAME and L-arginine 2 weeks group, P-R interval was significantly shorter than control group. Also, L-NAME and dipyridamole 2 weeks group showed significant in R wave voltage than control and L-NAME 2 weeks groups. Treatment for 2 weeks with L-arginine or dipyridamole shortened Q-To and Q-Tc than control or L-NAME 2 weeks groups. In NAME-treated rats for I, 2 and 4 weeks, there was no significant changes in plasma levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and LDL- cholesterol, nor atherogenic index or triglycerides. L-NAME hypertension up to 4 weeks duration was not associated with cardiac hypertrophy or ECG changes. Also, the lipid profile was not significantly modified from the normal pattern

"Near miss" obstetric morbidity in an inner city hospital in Saudi Arabia

A defined "near-miss" end-point, e.g. peripartum hysterectomy, is a more useful measure of obstetric care in a modern inner-city hospital than maternal mortality. Thus, indication[s], type of operation, risk factors and surgical morbidity of all cases of peripartum hysterectomy conducted over a period of 85 months at King Abdul Aziz Hospital, Jeddah were reviewed. The incidence of hysterectomy was 1.22 per 1000 deliveries. Atonic postpartum haemorrhage was the most common reason [43.5%], followed by ruptured uterus [30.4%] and placenta accreta [26.1%]. Of the atonic group, five patients were primigravidae, three of whom had severe pre-eclampsia. Abnormally prolonged labour was noted in this group. In the uterine rupture group, only two patients had had previous caesarean sections. In the placenta accreta group, three patients had placenta praevia, two of whom had scars from previous caesarean sections. One maternal death was attributed to amniotic fluid embolism

Studies on prevalence of rinderpest [RP], bovine virus diarrhea [BVD] and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis [IBR] antibodies in Egyptian swine sera

A total number of 128 serum samples collected randomly from swine, were examined for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against RPV, BVDV and IBRV. The results revealed that [27.9%] were seropositive at titres of 1:4 or greater against RBV, [7%] were seropositive at titres of 1:4 or greater against BVDV while no antibodies were detected in tested sera for neutralizing activity to IBRV

localized outbreak of rinderpest in Egyptian buffaloes in 1990

Rinderpest virus was isolated frm an outbreak affecting group of buffaloes in the farm of faculty of Vet. Med. Giza Egypt. The clinical signs, the P.M. lesions and epizootological study were recorded. The specific viral antigen could be detected in lymph nodes of the freshly dead animals by using agar gel precipitation test. The viral agent was isolated in vero cells and could be demonstrated in infected T.C. cells with the immunofluorscence technique and finally seroconversion of the infected buffaloes was applied to confirm isolation of the virus

Clinical aspects of lumpy skin disease in Egypt

Lumpy skin disease [LSD] is reported for the first time in Egypt. History and clinical signs were recorded. The constant findings were multiple firm raised intracutaneous flat surface nodules 0.5 to 5 cm in diameter, lymphadenitis and swelling of one or more legs

Seroepidemiological study on rift valley fever [RVF], infectious bovine rhinotracheitis [IBR] and blue tongue [BT] viruses in cattle

A total of 113 cattle sera were tested for the presence of neutralizing antibodies against RVF indicated that 3.5 percent were seropositive, 116 cattle sera tested against IBR virus neutralizing antibodies revealed that 29.3 percent serum samples were positive and finally 126 cattle sera tested for the presence of precipitating antibodies against BT virus gave 41.4 percent positive samples

Serological investigation of foot and mouth diseases in pigs

Out of 170 serum sample collected from pigs at Cairo slaughter house tested against type "0" FMD virus by serum neutralization test; 32 samples [18.8%] were negative, 100 samples [58.8%] had a titre below 1.2 log[10] TCID[50]/ml, 33 samples possessed a titre varying from 1.2-1.3 log[10] TCID[50]/ml and 5 samples [2.9%] showed a titre from 1.4-1.5 log[10] TCID[50]/ml. Virus infection associated antigen [VIA] test was negative in all serum samples

epizootiology of lumpy skin disease [LSD] during first year of it's occurrence in Egypt

This paper sets out some observations on the epizootiology of LSD during 1988 the first year of it's occurance in Egypt. The history of that epizootic, the epizootiological investigation, the laboratory investigation and the adopted control measures were discussed