Occult hepatitis B infection in blood donors at Zagazig university hospitals, Sharkia governorate

Although, the incidence of transfusion-transmitted hepatitis B virus [HBV] has been reduced over last four decades, HBV remains the most frequent transfusion-transmitted infection .The aim of this study is to determine the percentage of anti-HBc positivity in HBsAg negative blood donors' samples and to estimate the frequency of HBV-DNA in HBsAg negative/anti-HBc positive and in some HBsAg/anti-HBc negative samples and to assess the presence of this OHBI in HBsAg negative HCV positive samples. Randomly selected 500 blood donors referred to Blood Bank, Zagazig University Hospitals at Sharkia Governorate were included, after routine blood bank serological tests, ALT and AST, total anti-HBc were done for blood samples that were negative for HBsAg. Samples were divided into two main categories according to their HCV Ab status [450 were negative for HBsAg, HCV Ab, HIV Ag/Ab and RPR and 50 were negative for HBsAg, HIV Ag/Ab and RPR but HCV positive], anti-HBs quantification, HBV-DNA by real-time PCR was performed for all samples anti-HBc positive and some randomly selected anti-HBc negative samples. The percentage of total anti-HBc among HBsAg negative blood donors, [HCV Ab negative] was 20.8% [94/450] and in [HCV Ab positive] was 26% [13/50]. The frequency of HBV-DNA in [HBsAg/HCV Ab negative] was 6/94 [6.4%] of anti-HBc positive blood donors and not detected in the randomly selected anti-HBc negative donors [0/16]. The percentage of HBV-DNA was higher in HCV Ab positive [13.3%] than HCV Ab negative donors [5.5%]. Most Occult Hepatitis B Infection [OHBIs] are asymptomatic, only be detected by systematic screening of large populations, detection of OHBI requires addition of anti-HBc tests along with HBsAg ending with NAT to donated blood screening tests for improving blood safety

Isolation and biotyping of candida species in high risk pediatric groups and in women with vaginitis, comparative studies on methodology

One hundred cases were divided into 4 groups which included 50 neonates and infants having oral thrush [Group I], 15 leukaemic children [Group II], 15 women suffering from vaginitis [Group III] and 20 control cases, apparently healthy children and women [Group IV]. Oral, rectal and vaginal swabs collected from the mentioned cases, were examined mycologically for the presence of different candida species. We used the ordinary conventional methods [Morphology, culture, fermentation and assimilation tests]. A randomly selected 30 strains were further biotyped by the rapid Candifast method and by the updated automated Vitek Yeast Biochemical Card System considering the ordinary conventional methods as the standard. Candida [C.] species were isolated from 68% and 40% of oral and rectal samples of Group I, 73.3% and 46.7% of oral and rectal samples of Group II and 66.7% and 13.3% of vaginal and oral samples of Group III compared with 10% from oral and vaginal samples of the control group. C. albicans was the predominant type among the yeast isolated in this study. No biotypic variation among C. species isolated from the different samples. Evaluation of the results of both conventional and Candifast methods revealed 100% agreement in identification of C. albicans, C. pseudotropicalis, C. glabrata and C. guilliermondii but there was little disagreement as regards C. stellatoidea [20%], C. tropicalis [25%], C. Krusei [33.3%] and C. parapsilosis [33.3%]. As regard the Vitek YBC System, there was an agreement [100%] between its results and the conventional methods in identification of all Candida strains except two strains only which showed little disagreement, C. stellatoidea [20%] and C. krusei [33.3%]. The automated Vitek YBC System is rapid, updated and accurate but it is expensive and lacks the performance of antifungal sensitivity testing which could be done by the Candifast method for the randomly selected 30 Candida strains

Effect of seminal prolactin anal lead in human fertility

Thirty three semen specimen were obtained from adult men living and working at Shoubra El' Khema, their ages ranged from 26-40 years. The sperms were examined for their viability, type of motility, count and abnormal forms. Seminal plasma were then collected for estimation of prolactin and lead by the radio-immuno assay and atomic absorption methods respectively. A positive correlation between sperm count and seminal prolactin concentration was found, while the correlation between this hormone and other semen parameters [viability, motility and abnormal forms] were irrelevant. As regards lead, seven cases [about 20 percent] only showed lead concentration in their semen above 2 micro g/L, yet these cases revealed no correlation between lead and semen parameters. This low percentage denoted either good protective barrier and/or less efficient method for lead detection

Effect of repeated doses of the anti-bilharzial drug praziquantel on testosterone hormone and antibody production in male rats

Fourty male mature albino rats divided into 4 equal groups, a control and three test groups, were used in this experiment to evaluate the effect of praziquantel on the humoral murine immunity and testosterone hormone. The drug was introduced orally once, twice, and thrice in the first, second and third test groups respectively with an interval of ten days between the doses in the last two test groups. Sheep red blood cells were then injected intra-peritoneally on the O and 21 days of the last drug administration, after 30 days the anti-body titre against sheep erythrocytes was measured by using the tube agglutination method, also the testosterone level was detected in the sera of the control and third groups by using radio-immunoassay method. No statistical changes were observed although the mean antibody titre and testosterone hormone increased in the third test group. This denote that praziquantel has no depressive effect on the antibody formation and the decrease in the antibody titre after praziquantel treatment in infected hosts may be due to binding of these antibodies to eggs and/or worm antigens producing circulating immune complexes leading to the clearance of these antigens from the vasculature. At the same time, the drug has also no effect on the blood testosterone level

Effect of operation stress on testosterone, prolactin and gonadotrophic hormones

Ten male volunteers attending surgical treatment of direct or oblique inguinal hernia have participated in this study. Two specimens were taken from each individual: the first [preoperative] 24 hours prior to operation and the second [preanaesthetic] immediately before operation. Testosterone, prolactin, Leutenising [L.H.] and follicle stimulating hormones [F.S.H.] were estimated in each sample by the radio-immunoassay methods [R.I.A.]. No statistical changes were observed in Testosterone hormone; similar results were obtained concerning the prolactin one. As regards the gonadotrophic hormones the preanaesthetic sample of the L.H. showed statistical by significant increase compared to the pre-operative one while F.S.H. showed nonsignificant changes. These results denoted that in males with normal hormonal profile the operation stress caused increased release of L.H. and a negligible effect on testosterone, prolactin and F.S.H

Bee honey in treatment of resistant corneal ulcers

Eighteen cases of corneal ulcers and keratitis resistant to the conventional treatment up to more than 3 months were treated with pure bee honey in the form of topical eye drops 4 times daily. At the time of presentation, conjunctival and lesional swabs were taken for laboratory bacterial detection. Scrappings from the base of the lesion were subjected to laboratory fungal detection. For cases showing bacterial or fungal growth, the antibacterial and antifungal effects of honey were tested in comparison to those of some antibiotics and antimycotics in common use. Dramatic response was obtained in 2 - 3 weeks in 14 patients with fainter corneal opacification. The remaining 4 cases showed a good response to pure bee honey drops regardless the underlying offending micro-organism

effect of acute heat exposure on the blood components and blood volume in man

This experiment was done on eighteen [18] male healthy volunteers; they were exposed to 25 degree and 40 percent relative humidity [R.H.] in an acclimatisation chamber for 60 minutes [control time] preceeded by a period of 80 minutes at 40 degree and 40 percent RH [test time]. The haemoglobin, haematocrite, red blood cells, reticulocyte, platelet, total and differential leucocytic counts were estimated. The individual differences in blood volume and haematocrite between control and test time were also calculated from haemoglobin and haematocrite. The reticulocytic and red cell count remained unchanged denoting no effect of heat stress on erythropoiesis, similarly total and differential leucocytic count showed non-statistical significant change while platelet count were significantly increased. The combined data of haemoglobin and haematocrite revealed no statistical changes though there was great individual variation in blood volume. Haemodilution was evident in 56 percent of cases and 44 percent showed haemoconcentration. As haemodilution occurred in heat tolerant individuals calculation of blood volume might be used as a simple test to differentiate between heat tolerant and heat non-tolerant people

effect of decrease number of neutrophils on their function as effector cells

Thirty two [32] male volunteers were chosen for this experiment from persons working at Atomic Energy Authority and checked systematically for their blood picture at the Medical Lab. They were arranged into 4 groups according to their total leucocytic count: the control group [12 persons], the leucopenic group [12 persons], the treated group [the same leucopenic persons after 4 weeks treatment] and the persistent leucopenic group [8 persons] where 10 weeks treatment failed to return their blood count to the normal level: The phagocytic power of neutrophils and their motility were, estimated by the nitroblue tetrazolium test [N.B.T] and the agarose method; Hanks and Zymosan were used for testing random and directional movement, respectively: No statistical change was found in the N.B.T. test in the three groups denoting the negligible effect of leucopenia on the phagocytic power of neutrophils. Concerning the motility the first and third group showed no change, white there was significant increase for both random and directional movement in the second group indicating the beneficial effect of tonics In the motility of neutrophils

Effect of gamma irradiation on the spontaneous migration and chemotaxis under agarose of human Polymorphonuclear leukocytes in vitro

From 37 healthy volunteers 20 persons, 16 males and 4 females, were chosen for this experiment according to their differential leucocytic count where the relative number of neutrophils was about 75%. Plasma rich leucocytes was separated, the leucocytes were adjusted to 2.5 x 10[5]/ml and exposed to 50, 100 or 150 rad. Hanks solution and zymosan activated human serum were used for spontaneous migration and chemotaxis respectively. The statistical analysis of the data showed no effect of 50 and 100 rad on leucocyte locomotion while there was statistical significant decrease in both chemotaxis and spontaneous migration in 150 rad group. Simultaneously the chemotactic differences showed significant decrease at 150 rad, the chemotactic index showed no changes in the three doses, this result denoted that 150 rad affect random and directional migration similarly

Effect of heat on the pattern of distribution of immunoglobulins

Eighteen male healthy volunteers were exposed to 40 degree C and 40 percent Relative Humidity [R.H.] for 80 minutes [test time] in an acclimatization chamber, this was proceeded by a period of 60 minutes at 25 degree C [control time] and 40 percent R.H. in the same chamber. The three major immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA and IgM, were estimated by the immuno diffusion plates, total protein. Albumin and Hb were also estimated at control and test time. No relation was shown between rise of body temperature and IgM or IgA contrary to IgG. The relation between body temperature and IgG was evident irrespective to total globulins and blood volume calculated from haemoglobin. Rise of body temperature above 0.5 degree C showed major changes in IgG level

Effect of hyperthermia and gamma irradiation on human blood components in vitro

From 17 healthy volunteers, 12 males and 5 females, 130 blood specimens were examined. The irradiated samples [102] were exposed to 50,100 or 150 rad. Prior to irradiation half of the specimens were incubated in a water bath at 40 degree C for 30 minutes. Plasma haemoglobin, osmotic fragility test and Nitro-Blue Tetrazolium [N-B.T.] test were determined to study the physical properties of Bed Blood Cells and Phagocytic power of neutrophils. R.B.Cs. began to lyses at 150 rad as evidenced by increase in plasma haemoglobin level, neither hyperthermia nor irradiation below this level were effective. Hyperthermia had a brief effect on the fragility test and increasing dose of irradiation induced increase in the osmotic fragility curve. Hyperthermia had a stimulatory effect on activated neutrophils only while 100 and 150 rad had an inhibitory effect on the same group. The N-B.T. test was statistically unchanged in other groups denoting no effect of hyperthermia or irradiation on unstimulated neutrophils