Bacteriological study of diabetic foot infection in Egypt

Foot infections are one of the major complications of diabetes mellitus and are a significant risk factor for lower extremity amputation. Providing effective antimicrobial therapy is an important component in treating these infections. This study assesses the microbial isolates of patients with diabetic foot infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. A prospective study of 75 patients with diabetic foot infections admitted to Al-Azhar university hospitals was undertaken. Bacteriological specimens were obtained and processed using standard hospital procedure for microbiological culture and sensitivity testing. Overall, 40 [54%] patients had subcutaneous infections, 22 [29%] had infected superficial ulcers, seven [9%] had infected deep ulcers involving muscle tissue, and six [8%] patients had osteomyelitis. A total of 99 pathogens were isolated. Forty percent of patients had polymicrobial infection, 39 [52%] had single organism infections, and six [8%] had no growth. Gram-negative bacteria [67%] were more commonly isolated compared with Gram-positive bacteria [30%]. The three most frequently found Grampositive organisms were Staphylococcus aureus [10.2%], Streptococcus pyogenes [7.1%] and methicillin-resistant S. aureus [7.1%], and the most common Gram-negative organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa [19.4%], Klebsiella pneumoniae [15.3%], and Acinetobacter spp. [10.2%]. Vancomycin was found to be the most effective against Gram-positive bacteria, whereas imipenem and amikacin were most effective against Gram-negative bacteria on antibiotic testing. Forty percent of diabetic foot infections were polymicrobial. S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were the most common Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms, respectively. This study helps us to choose empirical antibiotics for patients with diabetic foot infections

Biochemical, pathological and genetical studies for HER-2/neu oncogene in cancer breast patients

Breast carcinoma ranks as first malignancy affecting females, contributing 33% of all female cancers. The C-erbB-2 is a class of oncogenes prevalent in breast cancer that play a role in cancer development. This research was performed to assess HER-2/neu oncogene amplification by semi-quantitative PCR technology, and HER-2/neu expression using immunohistochemical [IHC] staining. Electron microscopy made a contribution to the final diagnosis in the only case of invasive duct carcinoma. HER-2/neu gene amplification positive by PCR was detected in 40% of invasive duct breast cancer and showed a significant correlation between HER-2/neu gene amplification by PCR and HER-2/neu gene expression by IHC. Breast tumor specimens from 20 patients invasive duct carcinoma were studied; 10 without radiotherapy treatment and 10 after radiotherapy treatment. The study revealed a significant increase in chromosomal breaks and chromosomal rearrangements in breast cancer patients. There are also increases in chromosomal aberrations in patients received radiotherapy compared with patients not received radiotherapy. Cytogenetic study could be used as a prognostic factor in some breast cancer cases

Response of faba bean to rhizobial inoculation and fertilization with micronutrients in sandy soil

A pot experiment was carried out to study the effect of rhizobial inoculation and micronutrients fertilization on nitrogen fiaxation and yield of faba bean grown in virgin sandy soil. Rhizobial in oculation and micronutrients fertilization either alone or in combination improved seed yield, total plant dry weight, module weight and N-content. Foliar application of micronutrients was more effective compared with the direct addition or soaking application particularly when a complete mixture of Mn, Mo, Fe and Zn was used. Generally, the deficiency of Mo and/or Fe showed negative effects on N2 fixation and plant growth as compared to Mn or Zn deficiency