Lactoferrinsupplementation for prevention of sepsis in preterm neonate

Background: Sepsis related morbidity and mortality is a concern in neonatal intensive care units [NICUs]specially in preterm and Low birth weight [LBW] infants who are more vulnerable due to immaturity of immune defenses and protective barriers. Lactoferrin is an iron binding glycoprotein presents in mammalian milk and involved in innate immunity. Recent data suggest that bovine lactoferrin[BLF] might prevent late onset sepsis in preterm and LBW neonates

Objective; To evaluate the effectiveness of oral bovine lacoferrin in prevention of neonatal sepsis in Egyptian preterm neonates

Patients of Methods: A randomized clinical trial, double blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 135 preterm neonates [born before 37 weeks of gestation] admitted to the NICUs of Ain Shams University and Manshiet El Bakry Hospitals from February 20l3 to January 2015. Infants were randomly sub-divided into two groups: Group 1 consisted of 45 infant received oral lactoferrm supplementation [100 mg/day] within a day of starting feeds for 4 weeks. Group 2 consisted of 90 infants matching group 1 neonates, received placebo in the form distilled water in the same schedule. History and physical examination were carried out laying stress on signs of sepsis, severity [classified according to Tollnerscore], laboratory investigations were done: CBC with blood film [classified according to hematological scoring system], CRP, Blood culture upon admission and on suspicion of sepsis, other cultures and arterial blood gases when clinically indicated. Radiological investigation were done when clinically indicated, Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sdences SPSS

Results: Lactoferrin group [45 preterm neonates] with mean gestational age [33.11 +/- 1.81 weeks]. 32 males [71%] and 13 females [29%]. Placebo group [90 preterm neonates] with mean gestational age [33.28 +/- 1.89 weeks], 45 males [50%] and 45 females [50%]. Lactoferrin group showed a significantly lower incidence of late onset sepsis according to Tollner score and Rodwell score and blood cultures [6.7%] compared to placebo group [17.8%]. E coli and Soureuswere the most common organisms found in septic neonates in the current study [28.6% for each]

Conclusion: BLF supplementation would be a suitable preventive tool for late onset neonatal sepsis in preterm neonates

Effect of prenatal organophosphate exposure on birth outcomes in rural areas in El Minia governorate

Chlorpyrifos [CPF] is a form of organophosphate [OP] insecticide that is widely used in both agricultural and home settings. This study was conducted in Minia University Hospital in collaboration with the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, El-Minia University to evaluate the effects of the prenatal exposure to OP on birth outcomes and the levels of maternal blood OP and umbilical cord blood OP in OP exposed areas in comparison with non exposed areas. Seventy pregnant women were recruited for the study during the period from June 2009 to June 2010. The pregnant women were divided into two groups, group I [study group] were selected from areas where exposure is to organophosphates compounds in the villages of Saft Al labn and AlByrjaiah and group 11 [control group] were selected from areas non exposed to organophosphates compounds, each included 35 pregnant women. They were subjected to history taking, general and obstetric examination, ultrasound evaluation, fetal biophysical profile [BPP] scoring, and doppler flow velocity waveform analysis. Chlorpyrifos [CPF] was determined in maternal and umbilical cord blood collected at parturition, in cases with exposed and non exposed babies to evaluate the fetal growth and different perinatal outcome variables.The difference between the two groups in clinical characteristics was statistically insignificant. There were statistical significant differences between the two groups as regards maternal blood CPF, and umbilical cord blood CPF levels [p<0.00l] suggesting a higher risk of CPF exposure in the study group. There were statistically significant differences in all perinatal outcome variables between the two groups [p<0.00l]. In the study group, There was positive correlation [r = 0.53, p0.0l] between maternal and umbilical cord blood CPF levels confirmed the transfer of CPF from mother to the fetus. There was a week but significant correlation between UC blood CPF levels and neonatal birth weight, head circumference and fetal length [r = - 0.22, p < 0.01], [r = - 0.25, p < 0.01], [r = - 0.14, p < 0.01] respectively. Maternal CPF exposure is associated with increased adverse perinatal outcome. For those interested in environmental health to take all the ways that reduce exposure to Chlorpyrifos and also the need to apply continuous bio-monitoring program to assess the impact of environmental pollutants on the health of women and children

prophylactic role of garlic and vitamin e in hepatotoxicity induced by isoniazid and rifampicin in albino rats

Administration of Isoniazid [INH] and Rifampicin [RIF] the most common medication prescribed against tuberculosis, produces many metabolic and morphological aberrations in liver due to the fact thai liver is the main detoxifying site for these antitubercular drugs. This work was done to study the hepatoprotective effect of garlic and vitamin [vit] E aginst hepatotoxic effect of INH, and RIF. The expriemental work was done in Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University in a period of April to June 2011. One hundred and sixty adult male albino rats weighting 150-200 grams were divided into seven groups, one control and the other six for the drugs. Control group is subdivided into four subgroups [la, Ib, Ic, Id]. Group II ingested Garlic oil, group III ingested vitamine E, group IV ingested INH+ RIF, group V ingested INH+ RIF+ Garlic oil, group VI ingested INH+ RIF+ vit E, and finally group VII ingested INH+ RIF+ Garlic oiH vit E. The ingestion was done through orogastric tube. After four weeks biochemical studies [ALT, AST, and Total Bilirubin] were done for all rats in all groups, then the rats were sacrified and histopathological studies were done for their livers. Biochemical analysis revealed significant increased in AST, ALT, and Total Bilirubin in the group IV, V, VI and VII in comparison with control groups, and revealed significant decrease in the group V, VI, and VII in comparison with group IV. Histopathological examination of the group IV revealed necro-inflammatory foci with infilteration of the hepatic lobules with inflammatory cells and inflammation in the portal tract. Histopathological examination of the liver section of group V, VI, and VII showed mild necrosis and inflammation in hepatic lobules, and showed mild inflammation in the portal tract. We concluded that the liver is highly affected by ingestion of INH and RIF. But ingestion of garlic and /or vit E which is naturally occurring antioxidants can decrease this harmful effect of these two drugs on the liver

Reactions of three species of phipicephalus ticks to host odor and light [Ixodoidea: Ixodidae]

A multiple choice apparatus was designed in the shape of a circular endless channel about 1-inch wide forming the arena which extends over 8 lower compartments arranged at the periphery of a large Petri dish, provided with various humidities, chemicals or host's odour, separated from the arena by a false floor of porous polyethylene sheet. In testing reactions of ticks to light factor, a cross-shaped black cardboard covering 4 alternate compartments of the apparatus was used in some experiments involving one or two factors. Unfed larvae, nymphs and adults of Rhipicephalus sanguineus showed much stronger response to dog's hair than to odour of sheep, goat or rabbit. R. turanicus and R. guilhoni, on the other hand, preferred the odour of goat and sheep than the other hosts. The sense of smell of the tested ticks surmounted their response to light, when they were offered combination of the two factors. The female ticks of the three species exhibited marked preference to dilute ammonia vapours than to acetic acid

Experimental transmission of some blood parasites by phipicephalus species in Egypt I the role of R turanicus in transmitting theileria species in sheep

Studies on experimental transmission of theileriosis to sheep were undertaken using laboratory bred Rhipicephalus turanicus and 3 splenectomized rams. Stage-to-stage transmission of the parasite was also studied. Blood film examination, clinical observation and regional lymph gland biopsy through a period of 30 days failed to demonstrate successful transmission of the protozoon