Differential identification of pathogenic mycobacteria isolated from patients clinically diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis

By staining sputum samples from 121 patients diagnosed clinically to have pulmonary tuberculosis, before and after treating, sputum with digestion decontamination procedure [concentration], acid fast bacilli were detected in 10.7% and 22.36% of the cases respectively with statistically significant difference. By culture on L.J. agar, 38 strains [31.4%] were isolated. Comparing the results of staining, direct smear before and after concentration with that of culture, it was found that Z. N. staining of sputum after concentration is more sensitive and can be relied upon in diagnosing tuberculous infection. Applying the differential identification biochemical reactions, the 38 strains were: 32 [84.2%] Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 2 [5.3%] M. avium, one [2.6%] M. Kansasii, one [2.6%] M. zenopi and 2 strains that could not be identified. All the strains were sensitive to rifampin, 28.9% were resistant to isoniazid, 13.1% were resistant to ethambutol, 7. 9% were resistant to streptomycin and 5.3 were resistant to kanamycin

role of bacterial allergens in nasal polyposis and chronic perreneal allergic rhinits

Thirty six patients of chronic nasal polyposis and 30 patients of chronic allergic rhinitis as wall as 20 apparently healthy control subjects underwent tests for the presence of bacterial-specific I[g]E antibodies in the serum using the radioallerge-sorbent [RAST] assay. Twenty-two chronic polyposis patents exhibited a positive [mean titre of 5000 +/- 1249], prevalence rate of 61% [P< 0.001]. The mean bacterial specific I[g]E titre in chronic rhinitis group was much lower [2500 +/- 850], it was also statistically higher than the control group [P< 0.01]. This study indicates that allergy to bacterial antigens may play a significant role in the induction and development of chronic nasal polyposis

Atopic nature of prurigo of hebra [PoH]: a comparative study of the clinicoimmunological picture in PoH, atopic and normal children

Twenty children with clinical features of both severe [Prurigo Ferox] and mild forms [Prurigo Mitis] of Prurigo of Hebra [PoH] were clinically studied to assure freedom of any allergic disorders. IgE IgG, IgA and IgM were estimated and compared with those of children with atopic disorders namely; atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. They were also compared with immunoglobulins of normal control children. IgE, IgG and IgM main levels in children with PoH showed a highly significant elevation over that of the normal control children. IgE mean level almost equalized that of bronchial asthma children. IgE mean level in children with atopic dermatitis was still higher than in those with PoH or bronchial asthma. IgG levels in Ferox form was as high as that in atopic dermatitis. Factors determining severity and distribution of PoH need to be clarified