Evaluation of indirect immunofluorescence in rapid diagnosis of tuberculous infection

Diagnosis of tuberculous infection still largely depends on radiographic and bacteriolologic examination. Both have their limitations; while radiography appears more sensitive but less specific bacteriologic examination is more specific but less sensitive. This study was done to evaluate the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test [IFA] as a possible diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 100 cases were examined; 60 cases with positive X-ray shadows suggestive of active tuberculosis from which 30 cases had positive sputum by Z.N.stain [group I] and the other 30 cases were sputum negative [group2]. The remaining 40 cases were the control groups: 20 healthy individuals with no previous B.C.G vaccination and with negative tuberculin test [group 3], and 20 healthy individuals with previous vaccination and positive tuberculin test [group 4]. Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test was done on sera of all cases.The obtained results were 100% and 90% positive results for both of group 1 and 2, respectively while the control groups 3 and 4 showed l00% negative results. From the present work it can be concluded that IFA test is a reliable, simple, rapid, sensitive and specific test. It gives a significant sharp difference between the diseased and the control groups. It has no false negative results at all. It might be recommended as rapid routine diagnostic test and to be combined with radiographic examination to avoid the possibility of the false positive results due to B.C. G vaccination or repeated exposure to saprophytic acid fast bacilli

Acute follicular tonsillitis during Haj season: a clinical and bacteriological study

Sore throat was a common event during 1408 h. Haj season. More than 50% of clinically examined cases were acute follicular tonsillitis [A.F.T.]. A clinical and bacteriological study of 108 cases with A.F.T. was done. About 90% of cases had an age range between 50 to 70 years old. The remaining 10% of cases were aged from 40 to 50 years. More than 10 days duration of illness, with no response to medical treatment, with associated fever of more than 37.5 C were the common complaints of most patients. The predominant bacterial isolate was Staphylococcus aureus.lt was detected in 87% of cases from which 27% were single pure infection. Staphylococcus infections were commonly associated with marked hyperaemia and hypertrophy of the tonsils in addition to the pus follicles. Coliform bacilli [E.coli and Klebsiella spp.] were isolated from 47.2% of cases [41.6% and 5.6% respectively]. They were usually associated with superficial ulcerations of the tonsillar mucosa and always resistant to the usual lines of treatment. Another unexpected finding was the isolation of B- haemolytic streptococci from only 13.9% of cases. Most of the isolated organisms were sensitive to cephalosporins and rifampicin. They were more or less resistant to both of penicillins and co-trimoxazole. Cephalosporins were the drugs of choice while rifampicin was reserved for severe or resistant cases

Bacteriological study of vaginal flora in cases of abortion

The present study was undertaken to establish the nature of the vaginal flora in aborting women, and whether the flora is subject to any change in its pattern of colonization after the abortion process is over. Reference as regards the mode of treatment and its effect on changes in the flora postoperatively, if any, has been noted. A definite change was noted to occur in the microbial flora after management of the cases. There was a fall in the isolation rate of aerobic gram-positive cocci and Candida albicans in the postoperative cultures, whereas the incidence of aerobic gram-negative bacilli and anaerobic cocci increased. On the other hand, there was no change in the incidence of Ureaplasma urealyticum postoperatively compared to preoperative cultures. The same pattern of change occurred in patients irrespective to the mode of treatment,denoting that postabortal changes in the vaginal flora are not influenced by the treatment procedures. The fact that clinical evidence of postabortal sepsis was not seen among patients of this study suggests that factors, other than the presence of possibly pathogenic bacteria, are involved in the pathogenesis of puerperal infections such as impaired immunity, debilitating diseases, presence of necrotic tissue remenants, corticosteroid treatment, abuse of antibiotics, and others

Evaluation of indirect immunofluorescence in rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis infection

Diagnosis of tuberculous infection still largely depends on radiographic and bacteriologic examination. Both have their limitations; while radiography appears more sensitive but less specific, bacteriologic examination is more specific but less sensitive. This study was done to evaluate the indirect immunofluorescent antibody test [IFA] as a possible diagnostic test for pulmonary tuberculosis. A total of 100 cases were examined; 60 cases with positive X-ray shadows suggestive of active tuberculosis from which 30 cases had positive sputum by Z.N. stain [group 1] and the other 30 cases were sputum negative [group 2]. The remaining 40 cases were the control groups: 20 healthy individuals with no previous B. C. G. vaccination and with negative tuberculin test [group3], and 20 healthy individuals with previous vaccination and positive tuberculin test [group 4]. Indirect immunoflurescent antibody test was done on sera of all cases the obtained results showed 100% and 90% positive results for both of group 1 and 2, respectively, while the control groups 3 and 4 showed 100% negative results. From the present work it can be concluded that IFA test is a reliable, simple rapid, sensitive and specific test it gives a sigrificant sharp difference between the diseased and the control groups. It has no false negative results at all. It might be recommended as a rapid routine diagnostic test and to be combined with radiographic examination to avoid the possibility of the false positive results due to B.C.G. vaccination or repeated exposure to saprophytic acid fast bacilli