Seroprevalence of Parvovirus B19 among Pregnant Women in Tripoli; Libya

Background: Human parvovirus B19 has been implicated as a primary etiologic agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease) and aplastic crisis in patients with chronic haemolytic anemias. Human parvovirus B19 is known to be associated with adverse effects on fetuses such as hydrops fetalis; intrauterine fetal death; and chronic anaemia in immunocompromized individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of human parvovirus B19 among the pregnant women in Tripoli; Libya. Methodology: A total number of 150 participants were included in the study; consisting of women of child-bearing age ranging from 18 to 41 years; and divided into age groups as follows: . 21 years; 22-27; 28-32; 33-37; and . 38 years. Specific IgM and IgG antibodies were measured using a commercial ELISA kit. Results: IgG was observed to be prevalent (61) among the women of child-bearing age. The sero-prevalence of IgM was found to be 5overall and there was no detectable IgM in the age group between 33 and 37. Conclusion: The presence of IgG and absence of IgM indicate immunity to primary infection; but a significant percentage of child-bearing aged women are at risk of primary infection with parvovirus B19 which could adversely affect their pregnancy

Susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates to lomefloxacin.

The in vitro susceptibility pattern with respect to lomefloxacin was determined in case of 1009 bacterial isolates from clinical specimens with varying susceptibility to commonly used antimicrobial agents. The MIC50 and MIC90 values of lomefloxacin for the Gram negative bacilli showed susceptibility value ranging between 0.12 to 4.0 micrograms/ml, while 90 per cent of the streptococci tested were inhibited only at 16 micrograms/ml. Lomefloxacin was comparable in activity to enoxacin and ciprofloxacin but it was more active than norfloxacin and nalidixic acid.