Occult hepatitis B infection in Egyptian health care workers

We tested the frequency of occult hepatitis B infection [OBI] among Egyptian healthcare workers [HCWs]. We tested 132 HCWs for hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA by nested polymerase chain reaction [PCR], and hepatitis C virus antibody [anti-HCV] by ELISA. HCV RNA was measured by nested PCR in anti-HCV-positive HCWs. HBV-DNA-positive HCWs were subjected to HBV genotyping. We included 132 HCWs who were negative for hepatitis B surface antigen and positive for hepatitis B core antibody [anti-HBc]. OBI was detected in 7 male HCWs, and HBV E genotype was detected in 3, HBV D in 2 and HBV D and E in 2. Two OBI-positive HCWs had a history of neonatal hepatitis B vaccination. Anti-HCV seropositivity was detected in 17 HCWs who were positive for anti-HBc; 15 of whom were positive for HCV RNA by nested PCR. HCV infection was confirmed by anti-HCV and HCV RNA in 1 of 7 HCWs with OBI. In conclusion, Egyptian HCWs have a significant rate of OBI and HBV E genotype is prevalent

Partial characterization of bacteriophages active against rhizobium leguminosarum Isolated from some Egyptian soils

Seventeen rhizobiophages infective against Rhizobium leguminosarwn were isolated from field grown Vicia faba in AI-Ibrahimia [Sharkia Governorate-Egypt]. Morphology, host range and inactivation pattern of the phage to heat and UV-light were studied. Isolated phages had isometric heads and tails which were contractile [2 phages], long and non contractile [7 phages], or very short tails [8 phages]. The phages were members of Bradley's basic morphological groups A, B and C. Most of these phages showed, specificity for their host [R. leguminosarune local strain] and distinct rates of sensitivity against heat and UV

In vitro activity of the killer toxin from the yeast hansenula anomala against some different microorganisms

The killer toxin of Hansenula anomala showed killer activity toward some different microrganisms. The killer toxin produced by this species was purified. This toxin inhibited completely the growth of 2 species of yeasts,. Candida albicans, and CKefyr; three species of dermatophytes, Microsporum gypseum, M. Canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes; and 2 species of moulds Fusarium solani and Aspergillus terreus tested at concentrations 100 ul/ml or less. The minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] of the killer toxin against Candida guilliermondii and C. parapsilosis tested was 20 ul/ml or more. [MIC] of the killer toxin against, M. audoiunii, Sepedomium chrysospermun and Penicillium Coryophilum tested was 60 ul/ml or more. Finally the [MIC] of this killer toxin against the following bacterial strains: Proteus Vulgaris. Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typh, E. coli and Rhizobium legumnosarum tested was 25 ul/ml or more. But the [MIC] of this toxin against the two species of: Bacillus subtilus and Pseudomonas areuginosa was 50 ul/ml or more. In this paper we found that the purified H. anomala killer toxin used for the determination the [MIC] of a wide range of yeasts, moulds and bacteria including a number of important species