mini-overview on zoonotic cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular protozoan that is one of the most common parasitic enteric pathogens in humans. Infection is associated with gastrointestinal disease in sporadic self-limited outbreaks among immunocompetent hosts and chronic illness in immunosuppressed patients. Transmission occurs via spread from an infected person or animal, or from a fecally contaminated environment, such as a food or water source. Cryptosporidiosis is associated with a secretory diarrhea and with malabsorption. The parasite intracellular nature interferes with intestinal absorption and secretion. Infection can be asymptomatic, a mild diarrheal illness, or severe enteritis with or without biliary tract involvement. In immunocompetent hosts, illness usually spontaneously resolves without therapy, but among immunosuppressed host infection can be a chronic debilitating illness with wasting and persistent diarrhea. Diagnosis depends on enzyme immunoassay or by microscopic identification of oocysts in stool or tissue. Organisms may be present in duodenal aspirates, bile secretions, biopsy specimens from gastrointestinal tract, or respiratory secretions

Bedbugs [bed bugs]: the basic knowledge

The common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, is an obligate blood-feeding ectoparasite that preferentially feeds on humans. All stages feed on blood and require a blood meal to molt [nymphs] and reproduce [adults]. Differential diagnosis of bed bug bites is difficult and insufficient to determine the bed bugs or their extent. Infestation is a worldwide epidemic due to emergence of insecticide-resistant strains

Oxidative stress and immune-suppression in Toxoplasma gondii positive blood donors: implications for safe blood transfusion

The sero-markers of Toxoplasma gondii and oxidative stress [OS] were determined in a group of 260 blood donors attending blood banks in Greater Cairo. Twenty-four blood donors with the highest anti-T. gondii IgG titre were tested for IgG avidity. Of whom 4 [16.6%] had low IgG avidity antibodies, documenting recent infection, 6 [25%] had borderline avidity and 14 [58.3%] showed high avidity, ruling out recent infection. The plasma level of malondialdehyde [MDA] was significantly higher and activity of glutathione peroxidase [GSH-Px] and level of tocopherol [alpha, gamma, and lambda] fractions [P < 0.001] were lower in T. gondii-seropositive than in seronegative blood donors. This significant alteration in redox status between seropositive and seronegative donors suggested a degradation of their antioxidant enzymes caused by OS induced by increased free radicals attributable to toxoplasmosis infection. T. gondii infection also had a prominent influence on the association between OS biomarkers and immune-suppression status in seropositive donors

Motor neurone disease in pregnancy: a case report

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS] is a progressive neuromuscular disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It is a degenerative disorder of unknown aetiology that is characterized by a combination of upper and lower motor neurone signs that is usually progressive leading to a combination of symptoms. It is more commonly seen in men compared to women and few case reports have described the disease in pregnancy. The paucity of information about the disease in pregnancy is partly due to the fact that the mean age of onset of disease is generally in the sixth decade that is beyond the reproductive years. In this case report we describe a pregnant woman known to have Motor Neurone Disease [MND] diagnosed three years prior to her third pregnancy and review the available literature of this condition

Laparoscopy versus laparotomy in the surgical management of tubal pregnancy: effect of operator experience

To examine the surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy and assess the adherence to the RCOG guidelines regarding the management of tubal pregnancy. A retrospective study of the surgical management of tubal pregnancyover a 12 months period. General hospital in Northern Ireland, UK. All women operated on for tubal pregnancy in Altnagelvin Area Hospital between 1/1/2003-3 1/12/2003 were included in the study. All cases of tubal pregnancy that underwent surgery during 2003 were identified from the computerized theatre log. The case notes of these women were reviewed and assessed as whether they were managed appropriately by laparotomy or laparoscopic surgery in accordance with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidelines 2004 for management of ectopic pregnancy. 39 cases were identified. Five [12.8%] cases underwent appropriate laparotomy. Of the remaining 34 [87.2%] cases deemed suitable for laparoscopic management; 30 out of 34 [88.2%] cases were managed appropriately by operative laparoscopy. In total 84.6% of cases were managed according to the guidelines. Conclusion and Recommendation: Majority of cases of tubal pregnancy were managed appropriately. Laparoscopic training at all levels is encouraged to improve the standards