Hemochromatosis C282Y gene mutation as a potential susceptibility factor for iron-overload in Egyptian beta-thalassemia patients

Background: Hereditary hemochromatosis is the most frequent cause of primary iron overload that is associated with HFE gene's mutation especially the C282Y mutation. The interaction between hemoglobin chain synthesis' disorders and the C282Y mutation may worsen the clinical picture of betathalassemia major [b-TM]

Aim: To establish the prevalence of the C282Y mutations in Egyptian b-TM patients and to address its adverse effects

Methods: Two-hundred and five b-TM patients were recruited and divided into two groups based on their serum ferritin [SF]; group I [N = 125] [SF 2500 ng/dl]. All patients were subjected to clinical and laboratory assessment with special emphasis on iron overload complications. Genotyping was assessed by polymerase chain reaction for detection of C282Y mutation in HFE gene

Results: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied b-TM neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state. There were several iron overload complications including cardiac complication [9.1%], liver disease [36.6%], delayed puberty [56.6%], primary [35.71%] and secondary amenorrhea [21.42%], short stature [27.3%], diabetes [3.4%], neutropenia [9.7%], arthralgia [10.2%], gastrointestinal [21.1%], depression [2.9%] and others [12.05%]. Group I showed a statistically significant lower rate of taking iron-rich diet when compared to group II. Group II showed significant longer mean duration of disease, higher total transfusion rate per life, lower mean HbF% level, higher mean HbA% level, and higher rate of elevated liver enzymes than patients with SF

Conclusion: The C282Y mutation was not detected in the studied cohort of Egyptian beta-TM patients neither in homozygous nor heterozygous state in spite of manifestations of iron overload complications

Head lice infestations [Anoplura: pediculidae] in Saudi and non-Saudi school-aged children

The prevalence and human risk factors associated with head lice infestation was studied. A total of 860 children, 474 [55.1%] boys and 386 [44.9%] girls, with ages ranged from 6-13 years were critically examined. They were randomly selected from two schoolchildren [one for boys and one for girls] in Jazan Province. The children or their parents were subjected to questionnaire and physical examination by visual inspections of scalp and hair for the presence of adult lice, nymphs, and/or eggs [nits]. A total of 114 children [13.3%] were infested with head lice, 73 [18.9%] girls and 41 [8.6%] boys. The highest infestation rate was recorded in rural area [20.5%]. Pediculosis had a negative association with father's education level and frequency of hair washing [p>0.01]. The results indicated that rural residence, sex, long hair, age-group 6-<8 years old, positive history of previous infestation, sharing of beds and combs, uneducated mother and family overcrowding might be the risk factors for the head lice infestation

Efficacy of ixodes ricinus as a vector of zoonotic babesiosis in Sinai peninsula, Egypt

Ticks and blood samples were collected every month from March 2009 through April 2010 from different sites in Sinai to detect babesial parasites using PCR assay based on nuclear small subunit rRNA gene. Ticks were found to contain babesial DNA. Sequence determination and analysis of amplified portions of nss-rDNA revealed their identity with B. bovis and a high degree of homology with B. bigemina and B. divergens. The results represent the first genetic evidence of different species of Babesia and identified the role of Ixodes ricinus as a vector of zoonotic B. microti infection. Rodent isolate [HK] and American isolate [GI] were studied in transmission experiments. The present study used in vitro culture of zoonotic Babesia sp. EU1 from blood samples of rodent in Sinai. This study provides an evidence of transovarian and transstadial transmissions of the parasite within I. ricinus, which emphasizes that this tick could be a vector and reservoir of EU1

Early outcome and follow up on 25 cases with vascular compression at thoracic outlet area

The aim of this study is to describe our experience with the surgical treatment of arterial and venous thoracic outlet syndrome. This prospective study included 25 patients with vascular compression manifestations at thoracic outlet area. They were admitted to Vascular Surgery Unit, Mansoura University Hospital during the period from July 2004 to December 2007. patients were classified into two main groups. Group I [arterial thoracic outlet syndrome, n=16]. Group II [venous thoracic outlet syndrome, n=9]. The operations for arterial reconstruction [n=13] were worthwhile for all patients with excellent results in 11 patients [84.6%], only 2 patients [15.4%] developed early postoperative thrombosis which was managed by transbrachial thrombectomy. The success rate of surgical interference for nonthrombotic venous patients [n=2] was 100% while that for thrombotic venous patients showed success in 4 patients [57%] and failed in 3 patients [43%]. In patients with vascular compression, resection of the first rib, resection of cervical rib, scalenectomy and neurolysis of the brachial plexus are recommended in addition to vascular reconstruction. Our experiences using the supraclavicular approach indicate that this is a safe route with good results and minimal risk to the patients health

Electron miscroscopy and histochemical studies on four Egyptian helminthes eggs of medical importance

By SEM, Fasciola gigantica egg is ovoid with a small knob-like operculum, while the egg of Heterophyes heterophyes is broad oval with the operculum more tapering. The egg shell of fertilized Ascaris lumbricoides has interconnected ridges and peak-like projections, while the egg of Enterobius vermicularis is flattened with a thicker margin at the curved side. By TEM, Fasciola egg shell consists of fine reticulum fibrils of three layers. The outer lipoprotein of perivitelline membrane beneath which two membranes are separated by inclusions, middle of protein globules and inner lipoprotein layer with minute electron-dense granules of melanin or polymer origin in some parts of the shell giving the egg its brown coloration. Histochemically, Fasciola egg shell consists of nine amino acids and that of Heterophyes consists of ten amino acids. In ascaris, the lipid layer characteristically contains 258% protein and 75% lipid

Cytogenetics of acute and chronic Schistosoma mansoni

Patients with acute and chronic Schistosomiasis mansoni were examined for genetic damage using the conventional cytogenetic method to assess the frequency of chromosomal aberration [CA] in the cultured blood cells. A nonsignificant difference was noticed in the frequency of CA between patients [acute and chronic] and controls [n=15], but on the treatment of blood cultures with bleomycin [a radiomimetic agent with a DNA alkylating effect], the percentage of induced breakage and fragmentation increased significantly 2 and 3 folds in acute and chronic patients, respectively, indicating an increased chromosomal fragility. The incidence of rearrangement in the form of translocation was significantly increased as compared with the control blood cultures treated with bleomycin. The study revealed the antimitotic effect of schistosomiasis as evidenced from a significant inhibition of mitotic index

Effect of some chemical agents on the viability of cysticercus bovis

The effect of eight chemicals; vinegar, Allium sativum [crude garlic], Acacia auriculiformis, lemon juice, praziquantel, pumpkin, perosan and yomesan on the viability of cysticerci of Taenia saginata in vitro was investigated. The minimum exposure times required for cysticerci to be non-evaginable for the eight chemicals were 5, 10, 25, 40, 55, 75, 90 and 105 minutes, respectively. The best one was vinegar and the least effective was yomesan

Occurrence of nematode larvae in terrestial hermitcerab coenolita scaevala forskol from Safaga region, Egypt

This work represented a new host, the terrestrial hermit crab Coenobita scaevola Forskal, and new locality records for the larval nematode, Ascarophis from Safaga City. The results showed a direct relationship between the host size [carapace length] and the prevalence rate of infected specimens. Larval nematodes were rarely found in specimens smaller than 17 mm in carapace length. Also, the fecundity of infected crabs was less than that of the normal ones. Two types of host tissue response to infection were represented by muscular and hemocytic capsules around the larval nematodes

histo-pathology of human Giardiasis

This study was carried out on a sample of 1240 adult persons. In giardiasis symptomatic group [I], the prevalence of diarrhea was 71.43%, 100% in grade 0, I, II, III and IV pathology, respectively, which was statistically insignificant in comparison with each other. The prevalence of abdominal pain was 71.43%, 73.33%, 95%, 91.67% and 100% in grade 0, I, II, III and IV pathology, respectively, which was statistically insignificant compared with each other. The prevalence of flatulence was 42.86%, 40%, 80%, 83. 33% and 100% in grade 0, I, II, III and IV pathology, respectively, which was statistically significant in comparison with each other. So, the prevalence of flatulence was more frequent in patients with marked pathological changes in the duodenum. The prevalence of anorexia was 14.29%, 53.33%, 65%, 50% and 100% in grade 0, I, II, III and IV pathology, respectively, which was statistically significant in comparison with each other. The prevalence of vomiting was 0%, 13.33%, 15%, 16.67% and 85.71% in grade 0, I, II, III and IV pathology, respectively, which was significantly increased in grade IV and disappeared in grade 0