Relation between fungal species and T-cell function in patients with dermatophytosis

Fifty-seven patients suffering from dermatophytic skin infections were evaluated clinically as well as mycologically and subjected to numerical evaluation of T-cells by E-Rosette method and functional evaluation of T-cells by blast transformation assay using phytohemoagglutinin. Trichophyton rubrum was the most prevalent isolated fungus [40.3%]. No growth was noticed in 3 cases. The results showed no significant difference [P >0.05] between normal controls and patients infected with dermatophytosis as regards T-cells percentage by E-Rosette and T-cell blast transformation except in patients infected with Trichophyton schoenleinii [P <0.05]. In conclusion, the study of cell-mediated immune response is of a value in the assessment of dermatophytosis

Helicobacter pylori and upper gastrointestinal mucosal changes in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis

Sixty patients with schistosomal hepatic fibrosis undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy were included in this study. Patients were divided into two groups: Group [A]: 42 patients with previous history of gastrointestinal bleeding and group [B]: 18 patients with no history of bleeding. Abnormal mucosal findings other than oesophageal varices were found in 40.5 percent in group [A] and 33.3 percent in group [B]. CLO test for detection of Helicobacter pylori infection was performed for every case. The incidence of Helicobacter Pylori infection in both groups as regards cases with abnormal mucosal findings was 100 percent. In cases with no mucosal abnormality it was 32 percent and 16.4 percent respectively. In conclusion, these findings would suggest Helicobacter Pylori infection as a possible aetiological factor in mucosal changes and peptic ulcer disease in schistosomal hepatic fibrosis and would suggest giving CLO positive patients whether they have or have no mucosal changes the tripple therapy to eradicate Helicobacter Pylori infection

Premature rupture of membrane, pre-term labor and group B streptococcus colonisation

The study was conducted on pregnant women to determine the incidence of group B streptococcus [GBS] colonisation in the vaginal and urine flora and its association with premature rupture of membrane [PROM], preterm labor [PTL], and both of them. A conventional method and rapid agglutination latex test were used. In 204 pregnant women, GBS was carried vaginally in 17.2%, in the urine of 7.8% and both in 5.4%. Follow up till confinement revealed that vaginal carriage was associated with a lower risk than urine carriage [PROM in 11.4% versus 31.3%, preterm labor in 5.7% versus 18.7% and both in 5.7% versus 12.5%]. IN another group of patients, GBS were found in the urine in 64 of 725 [8.8%] cases. These 64 positive cases were randomised to receive either penicillin [subgroup I, 34 patients] or placebo [subgroup II, 30 patients] and were followed up till confinement Subgroup I was found to have a significantly lower incidence of PROM [8.8% versus 26.7%,], preterm labor [5.9% versus 20.0% and both [5.9% versus 23.3%] than subgroup II [P<0.01]. The study concluded that, early detection, efficient treatment and follow up to prevent GBS recolonisation in the urine during prenatal care, can reduce the incidence of premature rupture of membrane and preterm labor