Secretory and humoral antibody responses to blastocystis hominis in symptomatic and asymptomatic human infections

This study included three groups of individuals: In the first two groups, they had positive stool microscopic examinations only for B. hominis indicating blastocystosis with and without gastrointestinal symptoms, respectively; while, the last group included apparently healthy individuals with no parasites in stool. Stool and serum samples of these individuals were subjected to the detection of anti- B. Hominis fecal and serum IgA and IgG antibodies by indirect ELISA and the detection of B. Hominis fecal and serum antigens by double sandwich ELISA

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

Cellular immune response in Giardiasis

In this study, adult persons attending the outpatients clinics of Tropical Medicine in Mansoura University, Banha Branch, Zagazig University as well as in the Clinical Pathology of Ain-Shams Specialized Hospitals were subjected to stool examination using Kato thick smear and repeated concentration technique. There was a statistically significant difference between all groups of giardiasis patients regarding the grade of CD4 lymphocyte infiltration, being more marked in the symptomatic group. The prevalence of flatulence, anorexia and vomiting was more frequent in patients with heavy CD4 lymphocyte infiltration in duodenum. A high statistical significant increase was observed in the mean OD values of anti-giardia duodenal secretory IgA in patients with marked CD4 infiltration in duodenum. But, a statistical insignificant difference was found in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grades of CD4 infiltration in the symptomatic group. There was a statistically significant increase in the mean OD values of anti- giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intraepithelial CD8 lymphocyte infiltration in the duodenum in the asymptomatic group. There was a statistically insignificant difference in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with different grades of intraepithelial CD8 infiltration in the symptomatic group. Also, there was statistically significant increase in the mean OD values of anti-giardia total serum Ig in patients with marked intraepithelial CD8 lymphocyte infiltration in the duodenum regarding the immunohistochemical staining of giardia antigen in duodenal biopsies

use of Ziehl-Neelsen stain, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and nested polymerase chain reaction in diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis in immuno-competent,- compromised patients

In the present study, Cryptosporidium parvum was diagnosed in stool by Ziehl-Neelsen [Z-N] stain, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]. The detected cases were 5.3%, 8.3% and 9.6% by the previous three methods, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the different techniques were evaluated. The Z-N stain showed the lowest sensitivity and accuracy in relation to either ELISA or PCR. Moreover, the study revealed that the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of ELISA detection of Cryptosporidium in relation to the detection of DNA in stool by PCR were 84.2%, 96% and 88.8%, respectively. Consequently, PCR showed the best results. From a practical point of view, ELISA was recommended for widespread use in the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis

red fox, vulpes v. Aegyptiaca, a new host of leishmania major in Sinai peninsula

A leishmanial isolate was obtained from the ear of one red fox or Nile fox [Vulpes v. aegyptiaca] out of eight from North Sinai Governorate. The isolate was typed by the enzymatic variant profiles of the four enzymes, GPI, G6PD, 6PGD and PGM against the three old world reference strains, L. major, L. Tropica and L. Donovani and proved to be Leishmania major. This is the second time that L. major appeared to occur in canine hosts. The list of the mammalian hosts of L. Major was reviewed and discussed

Vascular endothelial growth factor level in chronic liver diseases

Ninety individuals [76 males and 14 females] were classified into four groups. G1 [control group] included 20 healthy individuals, G2 [chronic hepatitis group] included 20 patients, G3 [liver cirrhosis group] included 30 patients and G4 included 20 patients with HCC. All groups were subjected to clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, complete blood picture, HCV antibodies, HRs Ag and function tests [total and direct bilirubin, total plasma proteins and albumin, prothrombin time and concentration and liver enzymes AST, ALT and ALP]. Patients of G3 and G4 were classified according to Child Pugh classification into A, B and C. Upper endoscopic examination was done for 36/50 patients with chronic hepatitis or HCC. Circulating VEGF levels were determined by ELISA. There was statistically higher significant levels of circulating VEGF in G1, G2 and G3 than in the controls. There was a statistically significant higher level of circulating VEGF in G4 than in G3 and G4 and a statistically negative significant correlation between VEGF levels and platelet count in G2. There were no significant correlation between VEGF and the grade of esophageal varices in G3 and G4 and no significant correlation between VEGF and upper GIT bleeding or spider naevi [vascular skin changes] in G2. A statistically significant correlation was found between VEGF and degree of hepatic dysfunction

Serum levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and neopterin in chronic hepatitis c virus infection and their relation to viral load

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] has been shown to be an etioligic agent responsible for chronic liver disease with eventual progress to cirrhosis in 20% of patients. While the immunologic mechanisms in chronic HCV infection have not been clearly defined, it is believed that cytokines are involved. In this study, the serum levels of IL-10 [by ELISA], TNF-alpha [by ELISA] and neopterin [by RIA] in patients with chronic hepatitis C [n = 40] were measured. They were compared with biochemical [ALT, AST, GGT] and viral [serum levels of HCV-RNA] indicators of infection. In addition, serum autoantibodies [anti-LKM, ANA, ASMA and APCA] were done by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Also, twenty healthy subjects were enrolled as a control group. Serum levels of IL-10, TNF-alpha and neopterin were significantly increased in HCV infected patients versus normal control group [P<0.001]. There was significant positive correlation between serum level of IL-10 and serum level of HCV-RNA [P < 0.001]. There was also a significant negative correlation between serum level of TNF-alpha and both of serum level of HCV-RNA [P < 0.05] and IL-10 [P < 0.001]. ANA was detected in 7.5%, ASMA in 37.5% and APCA in 2.5% in these patients. In summary HCV patients have an altered immune reactivity that may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic HCV. An activated T cell response is present in these patients as manifested by increased circulating cytokine levels and presence of serum autoantibodies. Proper understanding of the immune response in HCV patients should make it possible to design future treatment strategies for HCV infection

Hepatitis C virus genotypes among chronic hepatitis C Egyptian patients

Several studies revealed that there is certain geographical distribution of HCV genotypes. The aim of the present study was the detection of hepatitis C virus genotypes among Egyptian patients sufferring from chronic virus C hepatitis. Forty two patients diagnosed as chronic virus C Hepatitis were the subject of this study. The diagnosis was based on history taking, clinical examination, liver function tests, determination of virus C antibodies using second generation enzyme immunoassay [ELA-2]. Confirmatory testing for the anti-HCV seropositive results was done using the third generation line immunoassay. HCV RNA detection was done using PCR. Histopathological examination for liver biopsies was done for 22 cases. Genotypes of HCV were determined by line-probe assay. The results revealed that genotype 4 was found in 85% [36 cases] and coinfections of types 4 and 1 and 4 and 2 in 9.53% [4 cases] and 4.76% [2 cases] respectively. The severity of the disease tended to be worse in patients who had mixed infection