Role of bilharziasis in the persistence of hepatitis B antigenaemia

Two hundreds of schistosomal patients randomly chosen and tested for HBsAg. They were treated by praziquantel and re-evaluated six months later. From this study it was concluded that HBs antigenemia are more common in schistosomal patients, especially with the more advanced hepatosplenomegalic stage. Treatment by praziquantel, especially in the early intestinal stage could lead to less of HBs antigenemia, reducing the incidence of chronic hepatitis and the possible hepatocellular carcinoma

Effect of schistosomiasis on mental abilities among adult students

This study was carried out in El-Santa City, Gharbia Governorate, Egypt, to compare the effect of schistosomiasis infection on mental abilities of the infected and non-infected secondary school students 18-23 years old. The work involved 3 groups of students selected by a systemic random sample: S. mansoni infected group [n = 20], S. hematobium infected group [n = 20], and non-infected students [n = 40]. All the participating students were subjected to clinicoparasitological examination and estimation of hemoglobin concentration and finally the modified psychometric tests. In comparison to controls, males and females of the infected groups had significantly lower mean values of most of the subsets of the verbal and performance scales, the mean values of verbal [score and IQ], performance [score and IQ], total score of intelligence and total IQ%. Infected groups tend to have lower grades of scores of intelligence while healthy students had higher grades. There was no difference between urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis in their effect on intellectual abilities

Delta virus versus HBsAg in chronic active hepatitis and their relation to clinical, laboratory, and morbidity findings in bilharzial and non-bilharzial patients

This work was done to study the effect of delta virus and HBV infection, as two etiological factors on clinical presentation, biochemical liver functions and prognosis of chronic active hepatitis [CAH] in schistosomiasis infected and non-infected patients. 66.7% of the patients were carriers for HBsAg, among them 41.7% were infected with delta virus. It was evident that the clinical presentation of the patients with positive serological markers of HBV and HDV demonstrated advancing liver disease than in the other studied groups. Moreover, the biochemical liver profile was significantly affected when the triad of chronic HBV, delta virus and schistosomiasis infection was present. This could be related to the immunosuppression caused by schistosomal infection. Furthermore, mortality rate was significantly higher in schistosomiasis infected individuals

Hepatitis B virus markers in schistosomiasis patients in a village menoufia governorate, Egypt, and their response to praziquantel

200 schistosomiasis patients living in a rural area in Monoufia Governorate were randomly chosen and tested for hepatitis B virus markers. They were randomly allocated into two groups. Group 1 [100 patients] were treated by a curative dose of 10 mg/kg body weight praziquantel and re-evaluated 6 months later. Group 2 [100 patients] were investigated at the beginning and 6 months later, then given the treatment. A third group [100 normal persons] was used as control. HBsAg incidence rate was 15.7% and anti-HBc incidence was 32.7% in the total population studied. The rates of HBsAg were 20%, 18% and 9% and that of anti-Hbc were 37%, 38% and 23% for the three groups respectively. By the end of the study, the rates for HBsAg were 10%, 22% and 13% and that of anti-HBc 41%, 48% and 32% respectively. From this study, it is concluded that HBs antigenemia and infection rate as indicated by anti-HBc are more common in schistosomiasis patients especially the more advanced hepatosplenomegalic stages. Treatment by praziquantel especially in the early intestinal stage could lead to loss of HBs antigenemia reducing the incidence of chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and the possible hepatocellular carcinoma

Profile of portal hypertension in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis

Intrasplenic pressure changes versus ova count in stool of schistosomal portal hypertension in cases of bilharzial hepatic fibrosis were studied before and after 40 mg/kg body weight praziquantel therapy. Praziquantel acts on the vascular level in which it decreases the portal hypertension caused by bilharziasis as detected by decreased size of portal and splenic veins diameter as well as a significant decrease of portal pressure by the decrease of intrasplenic pressure [P <0.05]. On the other hand, praziquantel decrease bilharzial stool egg count after 3 months of therapy [P < 0.05]

Study of some aspects of cell mediated immune response in bilharzial children on a field level

S. mansoni patients with active intestinal mansoniasis with or with-out hepatosplenomegaly were divided into 3 groups. The first was treated by praziquantel therapeutic course, second by an initial full dose of praziquantel to be followed by suppressive doses, and third received initial loading praziquantel dose and followed by the suppressive dose at monthly intervals. School children infected with S. haematobium were divided into 5 groups The first received oral metrifonate therapeutic course followed by its prophylactic course monthly, second with full dose of oral praziquantel, third with metrifonate orally every month, fourth half dose of praziquantel orally every month, fifth received oral metrifonate curative course every 2 weeks for 3 doses every 6 months, repetition of such therapy was carried out 6 monthly for non-cured cases. Non-bilharzial children were studied and divided into six groups. The first was given an oral monthly praziquantel prophylactic dose. The second received the same prophylactic praziquantel doses given at 3-monthly intervals. The third was given an oral placebo in the form of vitamin B complex tablets at 3-monthly intervals. The fourth received oral monthly therapeutic dose of metrifonate. The fifth was given oral monthly prophylactic doses of praziquantel. The sixth was given oral placebo in the form of 2 vitamin B-complex tablets monthly. For every individual whole blood leucocyte% phagocytosis and tuberculin test were performed. In cases infected with S. mansoni the mean percent phagocytosis was only markedly reduced in hepatosplenic cases of groups P-1, P. 2 and P-3 during paraziquantel treatment. Tuberculin reactivity was not changed following such therapy. In cases infected with S. hematobium the mean percent phagocytosis was non-significantly raised in all groups except in group N-3, where it was reduced, Tuberculin reactivity was minimal in all groups of urinary hematobiasis except in active cases receiving half dose of praziquantel where tuberculin induration area was significantly increased from M-9 to M-15

study of the immune responses in amebiasis

There was a marked increase in humoral immunity and antibody response in amoebic abscess cases compared to amoebic dysentery. Increase in the titre of IHA and number of precipitin bands in CCIEF are highly suggestive of amoebic invasiveness and extra colonic dissimination. No evidence of cell-mediated changes was detected in both group

role of histamine, serotonin and catecholamines in portal hypertension related to Egyptian hepatic schistosomiasis

50 Egyptian inpatients with bilharzial hepatic fibrosis were selected to investigate the role of chemical mediators [histamine, serotonin and catecholamines] in the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in comparison to 10 normal control cases. They were grouped into two groups: group I: hepatosplenomegaly [30 cases] and group II: hepatosplenomegaly with ascites [20 cases]. They were clinically examined and fully investigated [Liver functions, portal hemodynamics and blood histamine and serotonin and urinary catecholamine estimation. Partial liver dysfunction was evidenced in group II patients by jaundice, ascites and oedema of the lower limp. Liver size was reduced while their splenic size was increased than of group I. Schistosoma ova were detected in the stool of all cases, and stool ova count was higher in early and moderate cases of group I [hepatosplenomegaly without ascites]. Eoeinophelia was found as well in the same patients and there was a strong positive correlation between stool ova counts and eosinophilic counts in both groups [r + 0.516 r + 0.456 for group l and II respectively]. Also, liver functions were affected in groups II more than group I. The p values of serum bilirubin, S. G. P. T. and S. G. O. T. of patients of group II were, highly significant compared to group I [P

Some hematological aspects in patients suffering from meningococcal meningitis: special reference to the hemostatic mechanism

60 patients with meningococcus meningitis divided into two groups: "A" without manifested haemorrhage and "B" with haemorrgagic manifestation. Group "C" represent 30 presumably normal controls. All subjects were thoroughly clinically examined and then subjected to routine laboratory investigations: urine, stool, Bl. Picture, biochemical and bacteriological examination of the C.S.F. Special investigations included, bleeding time, coagulation, prothrombin, activated partial thromboplastin thrombin and thromboplastin times, fibrinogen estimations, capillary Hess's test, platelet count and the available platelet function tests. The results revealed increased incidence of shock, marked coagulation defects, normal leucocytic count, normal C.S.F. glucose level and less increase in C.S.F. Protein and C.S.F. Leucocytes in group "B" compared to group "A". The results were discussed. These findings proved to be of prognostic value and may have their benefits in monitoring the cases of bad prognosis to the proper treatment and hence increase the chance of cure

Clinical and immunological studies on intestinal and hepatic amebiasis

Thirty five male patients with intestinal and/or hepatic amoebiasis and ten non-infected controls were subjected to our study. In addition to clinico-radiological examination, stool analysis, rectosigmoidoscopy, determination of Hb%, total and differential leucocytic counts were carried out for them. Moreover, serum immunoglobulin estimation and IHA test were performed for each case. Those with intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis were treated with tinidazole and its effects on the above investigations were studied. The results were statistically analysed. It was concluded that serum IgG, IgM and IgA were raised in cases with invasive amoebiasis and only IgG and IgM in those having hepatic amoebiasis. IHAT was markedly positive in both groups of patients and not in cyst passers. Although serum immunoglobulins were normalized one month after tinidazole therapy yet IHAT still remained positive in most of treated cases. Combination of clinicoradiological, endosscopic hematological and immunoserological studies as well as tinidazole therapeutic test were necessary for D.D. of intestinal and hepatic amoebiasis in the tropics with multiple parasitism

Morbidity studies of schistosomiasis haematobia in Egyptian adults [preliminary report]

Thirty six adult male Egyptian patients with active urinary hematobiasis were selected for this study. The aim is to assess the morbidity of such a disease and to find out its relationship to urine egg counts. In addition to clinical examination the patients were subjected to urine and stool analyses, hemoglobin and serum creatinine estimations, urine egg counts, C.O.P.T., urinary system plane X-Ray and I.V.P. The results were tabulated, analysed statistically and discussed. It could be concluded that the severity of the clinical manifestations of patients depends essentially on their parasitic loads. Cases with positive radiological findings have significantly higher mean urine egg counts than those without such affection. Renal dysfunctions in this study were minimal and uncommon