Hepatocytic hemostatic dysfunction in hepatitis-B and hepatitis-C cariers [blood donors]

The liver being the main site of formation of the coagulation factors, as well as the main site for clearance of activated coagulation factors and plasminogen activators, is expected to influence the hemostatic mechanism even in apparently normal individuals, who have minimal liver derangement. In this study 2502 apparently normal blood donors were screened for hepatitis-B and hepatitis- C markers as well as other body system check-up. Only 100 hepatitis patients were found suitable for the study, having free body systems, and are symptomless. They were compared with an equal age, sex, and environment matched group of individuals [n=20]. Factors 11, V, VII, IX and X were assayed in all cases. Twenty one HBsAg positive blood donors and 79 anti-HCV positive blood donors showed statistically significant reduction in the level of all the above coagulation factors when compared to control group. Alanine transferase [ALT] and aspartate transferase [AST] did not show any statistical variation in both groups in relation to the control subjects. Factors II and VII activity assay proved to be the most sensitive indicators for the subtil liver derangement as liver enzymes, ALT and AST levels were within normal values in all the above studied cases

Serum electrolytes and parathyroid hormone in coronary artery disease

This study included sixty patients with coronary artery disease, thirty patients with acute myocardial infarction [AMI] and thirty patients with myocardial ischemia in whom any diseases known to affect serum electrolytes or parathyroid hormone[PTH] were excluded. Besides, twenty age and sex matched healthy controls were included in the study. All patients and controls were subjected to complete clinical examination and investigations including ECG, echocardiography, blood urea and serum creatinine, liver functions, blood gas analysis, serum sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and serum PTH. It was found that serum potassium was significantly lower in six patients with AMI and in one patient with myocardial ischemia compared with the controls. Also, serum magnesium was significantly decreased in ten patients with AMI and nine patients with myocardial ischemia compared with the controls. The results were disccused

Coagulation and hemostatic parameters in healthy upper Egyptian women of child bearing age

This study tested the coagulation and hemostatic parameters of 538 normal Egyptian women of child-bearing age using standardized laboratory procedures to facilitate comparison with results reported in other countries. The studied parameters are pro-thrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen concentration, coagulation factors. VII,X, activity, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and platelet aggregation with A.D.P. and antithrombin III activity. It was found that there are important differences in the coagulation and hemostatic profiles of women of childbearing age in our locality compared with that reported abroad

Hematological and immunological disturbances in ananethetic personnel chronically exposed to high occupational concentrations of inhalational anaethetics agent

Immunological changes in anaesthetic personels exposed to occupational concentration of inhalational anaethetics agent were studied during routine work. They were 28 anaesthetists working in unscavenged operating theatres. The results were watched by those of clinical pathologists. Red cell count; hemoglobin concentration and hematocrite decreased during exposure although not significantly in comparison with a control group. Other changes were altered total - leucocytic count neutrophils and lymphocyte counts. Basophils disappeared from the blood during the exposure. Also platelet count was decreased. A significant decrease in T cells% and T[4], cells% was noticed. T[8] cells% were not significantly altered. The immmunoglobulins levels of IgG, IgM and C[3] levels showed significant decrease in those anaesthetists while IgA and C[4] were not altered

Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial infection of empyema thoracis in children

Fifty cases of empyema thoracis [30 boys and 20 girls] were included in the study, their ages ranged from 9 months to 11 years. The commonest symptoms were fever [84%], cough [78%] followed by respiratory distress [70%].Positive cultures of pus and/or blood for aerobic bacteria were obtained in 56% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest isolated bacterial organism [26%] followed by Klebsiella sp. [22%]. Positive culture of pus for anaerobic bacteria were obtained in 20 out of 38 cases [52.63%]. Bacteroids were isolated in 8 cases [21.05%], peptostreptococcus in 5 cases [13.16%], peptococcus in 4 cases [10.53%] and fusobacterium in 3 cases [7.89%]. It is note-worthy that in the 20 cases positive for anaerobic bacteria, 19 cases were simultaneously positive for aerobic bacteria. Significantly higher frequency of pyopneumothorax was present in cases positive for anaerobic infection than the rest of the cases [70%, 26.67% respectively, p<0.01]. The mean duration of the disease was 31.94 +/- 12.62 days. There were two deaths in this study. In conclusion, anaerobic bacterial infection, plays an important role in the development of empyema thoracis in children especially when associated, with pyopneumothorax