Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Cysticercus ovis from Egypt based on MT-CO1 gene sequences / Análise filogenética molecular de Cysticercus ovis do Egito com base nas sequências do gene MT-CO1

Abstract Cysticercus ovis or sheep measles is the larval stage of Taenia ovis, which is the intestinal tapeworm of dogs. It is found in the cardiac and skeletal muscles of sheep and can be the cause of partial or total condemnation of carcasses at abattoirs. The aim of the current work was to determine the prevalence of C. ovis among sheep in Upper Egypt and to present the molecular and phylogenetic analysis of this using the amplified Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase subunit 1 (MT-CO1) gene. A total of 1885 sheep slaughtered at local abattoirs of 4 different governorates of Upper Egypt (Asuit, Sohag, Qena and Aswan) were carefully examined for C. ovis. The overall prevalence of infection was 2.02%. The highest rate of infection was observed in adult animals over 4 years of age (44.73%). There was no significant effect of animal sex on infection rates. The phylogenic analysis of C. ovis Egyptian isolates showed very close similarity to the New Zealand isolate (AB731675). This is the first report showing the genetic analysis of C. ovis in Egypt, which provides a very powerful tool for taxonomy and definitive diagnosis of C. ovis, which could be helpful for preventive and control programs.

Resumo Cysticercus ovis "sheep measles" é o estágio larval da Taenia ovis, encontrada nos músculos de carneiros, causado pela ingestão de ovos de Taenia ovis, parasita de cães. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi determinar a prevalência de C. ovis entre ovinos no Alto Egito e apresentar as análises moleculares e filogenéticas, utilizando o gene da subunidade mitocondrial citocromo-oxidase amplificada 1 (MT-CO1). Um total de 1885 ovinos abatidos em matadouros locais de 4 províncias diferentes do Alto Egito (Asuit, Sohag, Qena e Aswan) foram cuidadosamente examinados para C. ovis. A prevalência geral de infecção foi de 2,02%. A maior taxa de infecção foi observada em animais adultos com mais de 4 anos de idade (44,73%). Não houve efeito significativo do sexo nas taxas de infecção. A análise filogenética de isolados egípcios de C. ovis mostrou uma similaridade muito próxima ao isolado da Nova Zelândia (AB731675). Este é o primeiro relato mostrando a análise genética de C. ovis no Egito, fornecendo uma ferramenta para taxonomia e diagnóstico definitivo de C. ovis, podendo ser útil para programas preventivo e de controle.

HLA-DRB1 in Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients and its association with anti-CCP antibody and disease activity

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a multifactorial disease involving environmental and genetic components. A complex group of human leucocyte antigen [HLA] class II alleles are associated with an increased risk of developing RA, but their exact role in its pathogenesis remains unclear. Many studies examined the hypothesis that shared epitope [SE]-containing HLADRBl alleles can account for these associations. The presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody [anti-CCP] has been associated with RA development. We aimed to assess presence of HLADRBl in RA patients and its association with anti CCP and disease activity. Forty rheumatoid arthritis patients were assessed clinically with disease activity score [DAS]. Serum rheumatoid factor [RF] and anti CCP antibodies level were assessed. HLA-DRBl typing was done with sequence specific oligonucleotide probe [SSOP] technique and was compared with normal Egyptian population. HLA-DRBl 04 were the most frequent allele followed by HLADRBl 10 in RA patients [30.2%, 7.9% respectively]. HLA-DRBl 03 and HLA-DR Bl 02 were found to be protective alleles as they are less frequent in the patients than the controls. HLA-DRBl 04 showed a significant positive association with both positive anti-CCP antibodies and RF level. Concerning the disease activity, HLA-DRBJ 04, HLA-DRBl 08 and HLA-DRBl 01 showed a significant association with higher disease activity. HLA-DRBl 04 gene may be not only an indicator for the development of rheumatoid arthritis but also associated with positive anti-CCP antibody production and higher disease activity

Features of Egyptian type 1 diabetic toddlers clinico-epidemiological study of Egyptian toddlers and preschool children with type 1 Dm

The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide especially in toddlers and preschool children in whom the disease appears to run a more accelerated course than the elder age group. To determine the epidemiological and clinico-pathological features of type 1 diabetes in Egyptian toddlers and preschool children. 120 diabetic patients were included divided into two groups: according to age at presentation: group I [N = 60], aged < 5 years at presentation [32 males and 28 females] diagnosed in the period from January 1[st] 2006 till December 31[st] 2006; group II [N = 60], aged > 5 years at presentation [30 males and 30 females]. They were diagnosed in the period from January 1[st] 2000 to December 31[st] 2005. Patients were subjected to thorough history, and examination. Laboratory investigations included; random blood sugar [RBS], glycated hemoglobin [HbA[1c]] every 3 months as well as C-peptide assessed initially and after 6 months. Structured questionnaire was filled by parents for assessment of diabetic risk factors. There was a steady increase in the percentage of diabetic toddlers and preschool children in relation to total number of diabetic patients diagnosed in the 6 years period, increasing from 16% in the year 2000 to 23.3% in year 2005. The median duration of exclusive breast feeding was 2 months in patients with early onset versus 4 months in patients with late onset of diabetes. The median duration of total breast feeding was 9.5 months versus 11.2 months in patients with early onset diabetes mellitus and late onset respectively. Median age of introduction of cow milk was 2.5 months in early onset diabetics [range 1-5.3] compared to 4 months in late onset diabetics [range 2-7]. History of preceding clinical infection [febrile illnesses] occurred in 73.3% and 33.3% in diabetic toddlers and older age group respectively [p<0.0001]. 50% of young diabetics were diagnosed in winter and autumn versus 25% of older group [< 0.05]. More aggressive disease presentation in the toddler group as 75% had diabetic ketoacidosis [DKA] as a presenting symptom compared to 38.3% of the older diabetics [p<0.0001]. Higher initial RBS, higher incidence of hypoglycemia attacks in diabetic toddlers compared to older age group [p<0.0001]. Higher mean insulin dose and mean random blood sugar follow up values were found in young diabetics [p<0.01]. Young diabetics had significantly lower initial C-peptide values [p<0.0001] as well as significantly lower 6 months follow up values [p<0.0001] compared to older age. Initial C-peptide values were negatively correlated with initial RBS [r = -0.335; p<0.05] and mean insulin dose [r = -0.609; p<0.0001] while it positively correlated with age at presentation [r = 0.538; p < 0.0001]. The role of environmental factors in triggering type 1 DM was highlighted especially in toddlers with more aggressive presentation and disease course which was related to lower beta-cell reserve

Angibgemesis imbalance in systemic sclerosis

Objective: to identify angiogenesis imbalance in systemic sclerosis [SSc] by measuring serum level of the main angiogenic inducer marker [vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF] and the main angiogenic inhibitor marker [endostatin] in order to find out their possible role in the pathogenesis of the disease

Methodology: this study was conducted on twenty five SSc patients, 15 with limited SSc [LSSc] and 10 with diffuse SSc [DSSc]. They were further classified into early LSSc, late LSSc, early DSSc and late DSSc according to Medsger and Steen, 1996, as well as 15 apparently healthy controls participated to this study. Skin involvement was assessed using the modified Rodnan Skin Score, nailfold Video Capillaroscopy [NVC] and pulmonary function tests [PFTs] were done. Serum VEGF and endostatin levels were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]

Results: there was a statistically highly significant increase in the mean values of both serum VEGF and serum endostatin in SSc patients compared to control subjects [p<0.001]. Early DSSc and early LSSc patients had a statistically highly significant increase in the serum levels of VEGF compared to late DSSc and late LSSc patients [p<0.001]. Late LSSc patients had a statistically significant increase in the mean value of serum endostatin compared to early LSSc patients [p<0.01], as well as late DSSc patients had a statistically highly significant increase in the mean value of serum endostatin compared to early DSSc patients [p<0.001]. A highly significant positive correlation was found between serum levels of endostatin and modified Rodnan Skin Score in SSc patients [r=0.69, p<0.001], while no significant correlation was found between serum VEGF and modified Rodnan Skin Score [r=0.293, p>0.05]. SSc patients without ischemic manifestations had a statistically significant higher level of serum VEGF compared to those with ischemic manifestations [p<0.01], while SSc patients with ischemic manifestations had a statistically highly significant increase in the mean value of serum endostatin compared to those without ischemic manifestations [p<0.001]. SSc patients with early NVC pattern had highly significant increase in the mean value of serum VEGF compared to those revealing late NVC pattern [p< 0.001], while SSc patients with late NVC pattern had highly significant increase in the mean value of serum endostatin compared to those revealing early NVC pattern [p<0.001]. SSc patients with restricted PFTs had a statistically significant higher level of serum endostatin in comparison to those without pulmonary affection [p<0.001], while no significant difference regarding mean levels of serum VEGF in patients with or without restricted PFTs [p>0.05]

Conclusion: we may conclude that angiogenic inhibitor [endostatin] is induced and outweighs angiogenic inducer [VEGF] in late disease. Increased serum endostatin level is associated with skin sclerosis severity, ischemic manifestations and pulmonary fibrosis in SSc patients. This angiogenesis inhibitor favors disease progression and it is a good candidate for further evaluation of disease severity and treatment purposes