Immunomodulation of pulmonary and hepatic granulomatous response in mice immunized with purified lung-stage schistosomulae antigen

The present objective was to investigate the possible effect of immunization protocol against Schistosoma mansoni infection using purified lung-stage schistosomulae antigen. Two experimental models [lung and liver] were used, each of 3 groups [Gs]: Immunized G. [10 mice] infected control G. [10 mice] and normal control G. [10 mice]. Hundred micro g of purified schistosomulae antigen followed by two booster doses each of 50 micro g antigen and at one week interval were injected intraperitoneally into Swiss albino mice three days prior to intravenous injection of 3000 viable S. mansoni eggs [lung model] or to exposure to 100 cercariae [hepatic model]. Mice were sacrificed 16 days post-injection [lung model] and 8 weeks post-infection [hepatic model]. Various parasitological parameters, histopathological assessments and immunological parameters were studied. The data revealed that immunization with purified lung-stage schistosomulae antigen induces protective effect against S. mansoni infection. The marked reduction in worm burden, egg load, granuloma diameter and collagen content were accompanied by increased percentage of degenerated ova and amelioration of the associated pathological changes in pulmonary and hepatic tissue. Increased levels of specific immunoglobulins particularly IgG and IgM and decreased ratio of T cell subsets [CD4+/CD8+] in granulomas of both models were also noticed

Pattern of renal diseases among elderly Egyptians patients with acute or chronic reanal diseases in Ain Shams University and Nasser Institute Hospitals, Cairo, Egypt

This study among elderly renal Egyptian patients [n = 220] with only 20 of them were subjected to renal biopsy. Results showed: diabetic nephropathy in 28.2%, hypertensive nephrosclerosis 25.5%, UTI, cystitis and pyelonephritis in 6.8%, renal stones in 5.9%, obstructive uropathy in 7.6%, simple cysts in 4.5%, CRF of unknown origin in 13.1%, and others in 26.4%. DM and HTN were S related to kidney function tests and increase in elderly. Other cardiovascular risk factors and smoking are reported by previous workers to be HS related to renal diseases. Age was significantly related to GFR, BUN and Cr. but sex difference was not significantly related to renal diseases. Multiple myeloma, lupus nephritis, vasculitis and hepatitis B were all recorded in few numbers of elderly Egyptians. HCV was more common and more likely to cause renal diseases. Abdomino-pelvic ultrasound was confirmatory to clinical renal diseases diagnosis. Among patients [n = 20] biopsies showed focal necrotizing GN in 20%, membranous nephropathy in 50% and renal amyloidosis in 30%. CTIN was associated in some cases due to NSAID intake. Analgesic nephropathy was a common problem that might lead to ARF in some cases especially in the elderly. Ultrasound results among the biopsy group were confirmatory to clinical diagnosis.

Effects of thrombolytic therapy on evolution of mitral regurgitation in patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction

Forty patients with first inferior wall MI were prospectively studied. Thrombolytic therapy [i.v. Streptokinase] was administered to 20 patients [SK group]. The other 20 patients [control group] received the conventional treatment for acute MI, but not streptokinase as they were not candidates for reperfusion therapy due to either late arrival or contraindications. Doppler echocardiography was performed one week after acute MI and repeated one month later aiming at studying MR and left ventricular function [LV]. Significant MR was defined as moderate or severe. Only p value < 0.05 was considered significant. It was concluded that thrombolytic therapy in inferior MI has beneficial effects, it reduces the incidence and severity of MR, preserves LV function and improves survival. In view of the present findings, the study supported the use of thrombolytic therapy in patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction