Epstein-barr virus in multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis [MS] is an inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. Many diseases are associated with Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] infection, such as infectious mononucleosis and many types of malignancies, and it is thought to be related to some diseases of autoimmune origin, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, and others. The present study aimed to assess EBV in patients with MS. This case-control study was conducted from October 2012 to September 2013 on 75 MS patients and non-MS controls. Both were tested quantitatively for immunoglobulin G [IgG] antibodies against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen-1 [EBNA1] and viral capsid antigen [VCA] using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique. Seventy MS patients [93.3%] were positive for EBNA1 IgG compared with 68 controls [90.7%]. In MS patients, the mean EBNA1 IgG serum level was 310.91 [ +/- 131.05] U/ml; meanwhile, among controls the mean serum EBNA IgG level was 177.81 [ +/- 104.98] U/ml. All patients with MS were positive for VCA IgG, whereas only 60 [80.0%] controls were positive. In the MS group, the VCA IgG mean level was 302.19 [ +/- 152.11] U/ml compared with 167.94 [ +/- 111.79] U/ml in controls. The differences in the serum levels of both markers between the two groups were statistically significant [P<0.001]. EBV proved to have a unique immunological pattern in MS patients when compared with non-MS controls. Further studies for more confirmation of the relation between EBV and MS on a large scale are recommended

Performance of a rapid test versus real-time PCR for diagnosis of H1N1 swine flu

For effective control and treatment of swine influenza, rapid and cost-effective diagnosis is important. Although the gold-standard method for the diagnosis of influenza virus is culture isolation, it is not routinely used in outpatient settings because of the cost and the time needed to complete the assay. This has led to the development of an array of rapid influenza diagnostic tests. The aim of this study was to compare between the performance of CerTest Swine Flu card and RT-PCR in the detection of H1N1 infection. This study included 40 clinically suspected cases of H1N1. Nasal and throat swabs were collected from patients, placed in viral transport medium, and kept at 4[degree]C until being tested on the same day for the presence of H1N1, using the CerTest Swine Flu test and real-time PCR. Of these 40 suspected cases, seven [17.5%] were found to be positive by the PCR technique, whereas 33 [82.5%] were found to be negative. Of the seven positive cases by the PCR technique, six were found to be positive by the rapid test, and thus the sensitivity of the rapid test was found to be 85.7%, and the specificity was 100%.CerTest Swine Flu card rapid test was found to have reliable sensitivity and specificity compared with the gold-standard RT-PCR

Measles and rubella vaccine antibody levels in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia following chemotherapy

Children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia [ALL] have a high prevalence of immune system defects; one of them is the decrease of vaccine-induced antibody seropositivity rates. This antibody deficiency may place children with ALL at risk for the development of vaccine- preventable diseases, even after completion of chemotherapy, and they could function as a reservoir for additional spread of these diseases in the population. The aim of the present study was the assessment of the levels of vaccine- induced antibodies against measles and rubella viruses n ALL children following chemotherapy. Antibody levels against measles and rubella vaccine viruses were evaluated by ELISA technique in 96 children with ALL after completion of chemotherapy, in addition to 30 healthy children [non cancer controls of matched age and sex]. All healthy children were seropositive for measles and rubella antibodies. On the other hand, out of 96 children who received chemotherapy, only 19 [19.8%] were seropositive for measles antibodies, while 70 [72.9%] were seropositive for rubella antibodies. Most of measles seropositive cases [57.9%] had low levels of measles antibodies while among control group most children [56.7%] had high levels of measles antibodies, Similarly among children who received chemotherapy, most of the seropositive cases [45.7%] had low levels of rubella antibodies, while among control group, most of children [36.6%] had high levels of rubella antibodies. Seropositivity rate of measles was found to be related to the age at diagnosis and disease duration, while that of rubella was found to be related to the disease duration only. Most of children who have been treated with chemotherapy for ALL had lost measles antibodies and to less extent rubella antibodies. Among seropositive cases, levels of measles and rubella antibodies are low following treatment with chemotherapy compared to levels among normal controls. Therefore, revaccination of children with ALL following completion of chemotherapeutic treatment against measles and rubella is recommended

Hepatitis G virus infection in patients with hepatitis C

Hepatitis G virus [HGV] infection is a worldwide health problem causing acute and chronic non A- E hepatitis. Because HGV and hepatitis C virus [HCV] share same modes of transmission, co-infection with the two viruses is not uncommon especially among people at high risk of parenteral infection. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of HGV among HCV virus cases, and to determine the degree of concurrent association between HGV and other prevalent infections in Egypt as Schistosoma, and hepatitis B virus [HBV] infections. This study included 100 blood donors attending Alexandria University Blood Bank in EL Shatby, proved to be positive for HCV antibodies by enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA] technique. Blood samples ,vyere collected and tested for the detection of HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] and Schistosoma antibodies by ELISA technique and HGV RNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR] technique.' Out of 100 anti-HCV positive blood donors, 39[39%] had HGV RNA in their serum, of them 10 [25.6%] were positive for HBsAg, on the other hand 34[87.2%] were positive for Schistosoma antibodies. From this study it could, be concluded that HGV is a common co-infection in HCV cases, however there was no significant statistical relation between the presence of HGV RNA and the presence of HBsAg and /or Schistosoma antibodies. Screening for HGV among blood donors in addition to the routinely screened HBV and HCV may have a beneficial effect in reducing its transmission among the population

Virulence factors in salmonellae of human origin

Background: The search for plasmid genes associated with virulence gene is of great epidemiological interest

Purpose of study: Demonstration the correlation between virulence gene either chromosomal or plasmid located in different locally isolated serovars and the pathogenicity of the isolated serovars through following stages

Study design: Isolation of the Salmonella from different sources [foecal swabs, blood and food poising], identification of isolates [cultural characters, biochemical and serotyping], pathogenicity of isolates in mice, plasmid profile in isolates and detection of virulence gene[s] in isolates using PCR

Main finding: The percent of Salmonella isolated from Egyptian population in different ages revealed that out of 515 examined samples 24 [4.66%] proved to be positive for salmonellosis. Children harbor Salmonella in a percent of 8% in blood samples and 5% from foecal swabs. At the same time samples from old aged population reached 6.6% in blood and 4% in foecal samples. Meanwhile the percentage of salmonellosis incidence in adult population was 4%. The results revealed that the most prevalent Salmonella serovars isolated were S. typhi 20%, S. typhimurium 20% and S. enteritidis 20% while S. paratyphi A, S. paratyphi B and S. paratyphi C in 16%, 12.5% and 8%, respectively. It can be observed that the percentage of non-typhoid Salmonella serovars as S. typhimurium and S. enteritidis were isolated in the same percentage as S. typhi which indicate the role of animals or their products in transmission of non typhoid Salmonella for this reason we performed isolation of Salmonella from milk, milk products, poultry products and beef products

Conclusion: The present study has confirmed the multifactorial elements responsible for pathogenesis of Salmonellae

Rheological properties of blood after whole body gamma-irradiation

The study of rheological properties of blood has special interest; since it is a circulating fluid exposed to shear rates during its life time. This work aims to investigate the influence of whole body gamma irradiation on the rheological properties of rat's blood. The applied shear rate was from 12 to 375 s[-1]. Low shear viscosity [up to 100 s[-1]] depends mainly on the erythrocytes aggregation while the high shear viscosity depends on the erythrocytes deformability. Adult male rats were exposed to 1, 2.5, 3.5, 5, 7 and 9 Gy single doses. The consistency index, apparent viscosity, yield stress and aggregation index were increased after exposure to gamma radiation. The dielectric properties of the erythrocytes, in the low frequency range [60 Hz to 40 kHz], were measured in order to investigate the changes in the membrane surface charge. The results obtained indicate that the viscosity, consistency index and yield stress increased after the exposure to the lowest dose taken; 1 Gy, and continued to increase as the exposure dose increased up to dose 7 Gy and then decrease after exposure to 9 Gy. The relative permittivity and relaxation time showed significant decrease after exposure to the lowest dose and continue to decrease as the dose increased. The obtained results can be attributed to the decrease of membrane surface charge after exposure to gamma radiation. The decrease in the membrane surface charge is known to decrease the repulsion between the cells and increase blood viscosity

Biofilm formation and the presence of intercellular adhesion locus "ica" among staphylococcal from catheter associated infections

Catheter infections are most commonly caused by staphylococci, either coagulase negative [CONS] or Staphylococcal aureus [S. aureus]. It has been established that clinical isolates often produce a biofilm, which is involved in adherence to biomaterials and provides enhanced resistance of bacteria against host defences and antibiotic treatment. This study aims to detect the biofilm forming ability of staphylococcal clinical isolates evaluated by Congo red agar plate test [CRA] and spectrophotometer, and to determine the occurrence of the of the icaA and icaD genes for biofilm production by PCR. This study included 50 staphylococcal strains 26 [52%] CONS and 24 [48%] S. aureus isolated from urine catheters, central venous catheters, peripheral venous catheters, collected from 137 catheterized patients attending neonatal, internal medicine and surgical intensive care units [ICUs] and 20 strains, [10 [50%] CONS, 10 [50%]] S. aureus] isolated from skin and nasal swabs collected from 40 healthy volunteers as a control group. The results showed that according to CRA, 14 [53%] CONS and 18 [75%] S. aureus strains were biofilm producers. While quantitative detection showed that 10 [38.4%] CONS and 14 [58.3%]S. aureus were strong biofilm forming, 2 [7.6%] CONS and 4 [16.6%] S. aureus strains were weak biofilm producers, and all strains of control group were non biofilm forming. Both icaA and icaD genes were present in 17 [65.5%] CONS and 19 [79.1%] S. aureus strains, [6 strains were PCR positive and negative with the other two tests] and absent in all strains of the control group. We concluded that CRA, spectrophotometer and PCR are all valid tests and we can use any of them in the diagnosis of catheter associated biofilm formation, the choice depends on the health condition of the patient, PCR is a rapid tool for diagnosis especially because a large number of catheterized patients are critically ill and rapid diagnosis is required

Elastofibroma dorsi: a pathoradiological study and management

Elastofibroma dorsi is an uncommon soft tissue lesion that appears in elderly as a mass in the periscapular area. In this work 30 patients with elastofibroma dorsi were subjected to clinicopathological study together with radiological assessment in the form of CT, CT guided biopsy and MRI. Sixteen of those patients underwent excisional biopsy. The aim is to correlate the imaging features with the underlying histopathologic findings and how this can influence the modality of treatment. It was concluded that elastofibroma dorsi should be managed conservatively without biopsy unless CT or MR are not diagnostic. On the other hand surgical excision is indicated only for lesions that cause severe pain

Antibiotic resistance and transfer of R. factor in some clinical isolates

The sensitivity of 26 E. coli isolates recovered from the diarrheal cases at paediatric patient outclinic Kasr EI-Aini Hospital in addition to one E. coli K[I2] standard strain against 9 different antibiotics was investigated. The number of strains that produced heat stable and heat labile enterotoxin compared with the total number of strains were recorded. The transfer of multiple resistance factors [R. factors] of wild strains of E. coli to the new mutants which was obtained after conjugation with E. coli K[I2] was recorded. The resistance to Ampicillin, Rifampicin, Cefalixin, Kanamycin, Polymixin and Nalidixic acid were transferred from wild strains to mutants with a percentage of nearly 100%. The resistance to Ampicillin, Kanamycin, Polymixin and nalidixic acid became 100% for heat stable producing strains compared with 30%, 20%, 40% and 10%, respectively before conjugation. The resistance to Ampicillin and Kanamycin increased for heat labile producing strains to 100% compared with 83.3% and 33.3% before conjugation. The high percentage of drug resistance may be attributed to transfer of conjugative plasmids

Evaluation of immunologic tests in the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis

Inhalant allergens are most frequently involved in allergic rhinitis. IgE antibodies bind to mast cells. Degranulation of those sensitized mast cells release mediators which are responsible for allergic rhinitis. In this work, serum samples of 45 patients, as well as serum samples of 15 control, were studied for total IgE concentration. Antibodies specific to a group of allergens are tested by Phadia Top procedure as well as Phadezyme RAST procedure which utilizes single specific allergen in each disc to specify accurately the causative allergen. Total IgE concentration ranged from 2-110 UK/L in controls [15 cases] and ranged from 18-900 UK/L in patients [45 cases]. 29 patients had IgE concentration> 110 UK/L, 15% of them were positive by Phadia Top test while 24% were positive by Phadezyme RAST test

role of Hepatitis C Virus infection in hepato-cellular carcinoma

The prevalence of antibodies to hepatitis [C] virus [anti-MCV] has been studied using HCV EIA, 2nd generation test in 20 cases of chronic liver disease [CLD], 20 cases of high risk of infection [blood donors and haemodialysis patients] and 10 healthy persons as a control group. All cases were tested for hepatitis [B] virus [HBV] markers as well as tumour markers. Anti-HCV positivity was found in 55% of cases of the CLD group, in 15% of haemodialysis patients and in 10% of the control group. Tumour markers were positive only in 35% of CLD group, who were also positive for anti-HCV. Our study revealed that HCV plays a more important role than HBV in causation of chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Blood transfusion and haemodialysis proved their importance in acquisition of HCV infection

Molecular analysis of virulence plasmids of invasive shigella species

A total of 48 isolates of Shigella species obtained from the Military Central Laboratories was examined for serotype, antibiotic resistance and invasiveness. The transferability and molecular structure of the virulence plasmids from each isolate were also examined. Twenty strains were evasive and 70% of these virulent strains were multidrug resistant. Ten virulent strains [tra+] transferred ampicillin resistance and virulence simultaneously, i.e. they carried conjugative plasmids; while the other strains [10 strains] were tra-. By plasmid analysis and DNA homology, almost all the virulent strains carried a large plasmid of 230 Kb, and 2-3 small cryptic plasmids [6.4, 3.3 and 2.7 Kb]. The results suggested that the cryptic plasmids can be transferred to other strains of the same species by conjugation or mobilization, predicting that the virulent multidrug resistant strains may no longer be restricted to a narrow range of serotypes in the near future. Further genetic analysis of virulence plasmids may be essential for the development of recombinant vaccines against Shigella species

Antibiotic resistance in pseudomonas aeruginosa [aztreonam versus others]

This study was done in the Bacteriology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, during the year of 1991 on 116 clinical strains of P. aeruginosa isolated from Zagazig University Hospital. The study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of aztreonam, the first member of a new class of antibiotics, monobactams, in P. aeuroginosa infections compared with a number of antibiotics currently used to treat P. aeruginosa infections by determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] using the agar dilution method. The study revealed highly significant statistical values [p < 0. 001] in resistance of P. aeruginosa to all groups of antibiotics compared with aztreonam