Helicobacter pylori infection in developing countries: the burden for how long?

Approximately 50% [over 3 billion] of the world populations are known to be infected with Helicobacter pylori, mainly in the developing countries. Among those, hundreds of millions of people develop peptic ulceration during their lifetime and still tens of millions might progress to gastric cancer. Possible modes of H. pylori transmission generally described are through direct contact between family members and also through contaminated water and food. Because the high prevalence of infection occurs mainly in developing countries and because the test-and-treat strategy puts a huge economic burden on many of these countries, it is time to take an immediate action toward this bacterial infection and adopt a strategy to prevent it. To address this issue, an updated prevalence of infection, modes of transmission, economics of infection and preventative measures to block the infection process have been discussed

Rubella immune status of preganant and non-pregnant women in istanbul, Turkey

Rubella immunization rates are not optimal and infections during pregnancy still occur since many countries incorporate no rubella vaccine in their national immunization program. The evaluation of immunity to rubella virus relies on the presence of specific antibodies. This study was undertaken to determine in a cross-sectional survey whether rubella virus circulation in the Istanbul city, induces detectable immunoglobulin G [IgG] antibodies with a protective level, in a r and om group of pregnant and non-pregnant women. One hundred and sixty women of 20-41-years of age [average 24-years] were grouped as follows: 1. Forty-eight married women. Among these were 41 pregnant women [33 delivered normally, 8 aborted]. 2. One hundred and twelve single women. Samples were collected during the periods from October 2000 through to March 2001 and from November 2001 through to May 2002. Rubella specific IgG antibodies were detected [by the ELISA test] in all women tested. Quantitative analysis of the IgG levels showed noticeable variability that ranged between 24-143 IU/ml [average 94]. One hundred and forty-five [91%] out of 160 women had rubella IgG levels of above 50 IU/ml with a range of 54-143 IU/ml [average 92] while 15 [9%] had a level between 24-46 IU/ml [average 38]. Rubella IgG-avidity test revealed that 116 [73%] of women had high IgG avidity, 22 [14%] had intermediate avidity and 20 [13%] showed low avidity. Two women who were IgM positive, each had either high or intermediate IgG avidity. All women tested were seropositive for rubella specific IgG antibodies suggestive of natural virus circulation within the community. Although the majority appeared to possess protective level of such antibodies, screening for protective immunity appears always to be a necessity for future protection against reinfection

role of the putative virulence markers [CagA and VacA] of Helicobacter pylori in peptic ulcer disease

Helicobacter pylori is genetically diverse and certain strains are more virulent and cause more severe diseases than others and such diversity is reflected on the clinical outcome. The cytotoxin-associated gene [cagA] and vacuolating cytotoxin [vacA] gene are 2 putative markers that were associated with peptic ulcer disease. The basis for the epidemiological association between the cagA and vacA genes is not known. In this review, the molecular characteristics of these markers, and its role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer are discussed

Prions mysterious in fectious agents

Prions, a novel biological entity are causative agents of fatal neurodegenerative diseases. Such diseases gain importance because of its effect on both humans and animals and because of the unique biological features of the infectious agent. Since its discovery the agent responsible has remained mysterious in its mechanism of action, pathogenesis and the ability to produce disease. In this review, the considerable evidence regarding the molecular biology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, diagnosis and therapeutic approaches are being discussed. The advances in understandings of fundamental biology of prion diseases may open the possibilities for the prevention and treatment of these unusual diseases

Frequency of helicobacter pylori infection in dyspeptic patients in Libya

Helicobacter pylori infection is a very common infection worldwide particularly in the developing countries. The organism plays an important role in peptic ulcer diseases. The aim of the study was to detect and correlate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori with such diseases and to evaluate the histopathological grading of gastritis. One hundred thirty two patients of 15-83 years of age [average 38] attending the endoscopy unit at the El-Jamahiria Hospital, Binghazi, Libya, mainly complaining from epigastric pain were randomly selected. Three antral biopsies for rapid urease test, direct smear stain and histology together with serum samples were obtained from each patient. Grading of gastritis and the presence of Helicobacter pylori was scored according to the Sydney system. Patients were considered infected when 2 of the biopsy-based tests were positive. Helicobacter pylori was detected in 108 [82%] of 132 patients examined [86% by rapid urease test, 77% by direct smear stain, 95% by histology]. The endoscopic findings revealed that 77 [77%] of 100 patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia, 26 [96%] of 27 with duodenal ulcer, 4 [100%] of 4 with gastric ulcer and in one patient with gastric cancer were Helicobacter pylori positive. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test showed 94% sensitivity and 88% specificity. Histopathological sections from the majority of duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer patients revealed higher grade [II and III] of gastritis than non-ulcer dyspepsia patients. Helicobacter pylori infection is significantly correlated with peptic ulcer diseases than with non-ulcer dyspepsia. Patients with duodenal ulcer and gastric ulcer had a significantly higher grade of gastritis than patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia