Peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin therapy in Kuwaiti patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Few studies have been conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean region on chronic hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection with reference to genotypes. We investigated the response to standard combination therapy [pegylated interferon/ribavirin] of different genotypes of HCV in Kuwaiti patients and factors that could be associated with sustained virological response [SVR]. The records of all Kuwaiti patients treated for chronic HCV between January 2003 and May 2009 were retrospectively identified and reviewed. Of 108 patients studied, 27.8% were infected with genotype 1, 25.0% with genotype 3 and 47.2% with genotype 4. Overall, 64.8% of patients achieved SVR, 25.9%, were non-responders and 9.3% were relapsers. Baseline viral load and alanine aminotransferase level in addition to early virological response to pegylated interferon-based therapy may serve as a decision tool for clinicians to identify patients who are unlikely to achieve SVR

Vertical and horizontal distributions of plant - parasitic nematodes associated with banana CV. Williams under flood irrigation regime

Under flood irrigation system, the vertical and horizontal distributions of plant-parasitic nematodes associated with soil and roots of banana cv. Williams were investigated. The sampling data generally indicated that the highest population density of parasitic nematodes viz. Criconemoides spp., Helicotylenchus exallus, Hoplolaimus spp. and Meloidogyne incognita were concentrated at soil depth layers of 0-15 cm, and 16-30 cm at the horizontal distance of just beneath the plant base [zero cm] and 40 cm from the banana pseudostem base which is correlated with the growth and distribution of the feeder roots of banana. These sites should be considered as the best sampling points for such coin habiting nematodes

Histopathological changes induced by either Root - Knot or spiral nematedes on banana roots

Cross and longitudinal sections in roots of banana cv. Williams infected by either Meloidogyne incognita or Helicotylenchus dihystera showed that the histological alterations induced in roots infected with M. incognita were displayed by the giant cell formation in both cortical and stelar regions. The giant cells were, always, in clusters each containing 3-6 cells. Roots infected with H. dihystera showed small brown lesions around the penetratedsites in the cortical layer causing considerable cell wall damage. The walls of the invaded cells by the nematodes were heavily stained with safranine indicating the presence of lignin, while healthy cell walls were lightly stained

Population dynamics of root-knot, spiral and stunt nematodes on sweetsop, annona squamosa [annonaceae] in relation to soil temperature

Twelve menatode genera were found in association with the rhizosphere of sweetsop. The nematodes recorded were Aphelenchus, Criconemoides, Diphtherophora, Ditylenchus, Helicotylenchus, Longidorus, Meloidogyne, Rotylenchulus, Trichodorus, Tylenchorhynchus, Tylenchus and Xiphinema. Of these, H. exallus, M. incognita and Tylenchorhynchus sp. were the most consistently encountered nematodes throughout the year. The population densities of these nematodes were found to have at least one distinguishable peak in August/September. These peaks were positively correlated with soil temperature range of 27-29C. However, the root populations of M. incognita reached its peaks in October and April, which negatively correlated with a moderate soil temperature [24]. This is the first report of nematodes associated with sweetsop Annona squamosa [Annonaceae] and its nematode population dynamics in Egypt