Identification of the diagnostic and epidemiological potential of camel strain G6 in human cystic echinococcosis

Recent molecular studies detected the presence of camel G6 genotype in human samples in different countries including Egypt. However, none of them studied the diagnostic and epidemiological role of camel G6 genotype in patients' sera with cystic echinococcosis [CE]. Detection of camel G6 strain in patients' sera by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and determination of changes in the genotype profile that might be influenced by the predominant transmission cycle during a certain time. Eighty subjects were divided into 2 main groups with 3 subgroups in each: Group I [31 CE cases with positive G6 PCR in parasite material obtained from their cysts] subdivided into Group IA [21 hepatic CE], Group IB [5 pulmonary CE], Group IC [5 multiple organ CE], Group II [49 control subjects] including Group IIA [29 patients with other parasitic diseases], Group IIB [10 patients with space occupying lesions] and Group IIC [10 healthy individuals]. DNA was extracted from CE patients' sera for amplification and sequencing. Hot-start specific G6 PCR for patients' sera [PCRs] revealed that all CE cases [100%] were of G6 genotype, with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity and a specific band at 254 bp. Indirect hemagglutination test [IHAT] showed 61.29% sensitivity and 95.92% specificity. DNA sequencing of the amplified DNA fragments of patient's sera showed 100% homology with extracts from parasite materials taken from their own cysts [Gen Bank under the accession no. from GQ476732 to GQ476735], as well as with that of an Argentinean reference strain [provided from WHO reference laboratory]

DRB1 alleles in Egyptian children with idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome [INS] of children has been reported to be associated with serologically detected HLA-DR antigens. To investigate the association of INS and genes, 22 patients with INS and 20 control subjects were typed for HLA DRB1 during reverse hybridization technique. The study have found that the frequency of children positive for DRB1*03 alleles was significantly increased among patients with INS. The frequency of DRB1 01* alleles was also increased; however it was not significant. The frequency of DRB1*11 alleles was low in INS patients, but it was not significant when corrected to the number of antigens tested. These findings suggested that DRB1*03 genes, or closely associated unknown genes confer susceptibility to INS. The DEB1*03 genes are not involved in the response of INS patients to steroid therapy. The protective effect of DRB1*11 genes remains to be elucidated due small number of patients

Parathyroid allotransplantation in patients with post-thyroidectomy severe hypocalcemia without antirejection therapy

In this study, 10 patients with manifestations of severe hypoparathyroidism were treated with allograft transplantation of parathyroid tissue from unrelated donors. Prednisolone was given one day preoperatively and was maintained for two days after operation. In the first two weeks after transplantation, gradual elevation of the serum calcium level was noticed in most of the patients and it was maintained for a period of three months. From this study, it was shown that allotransplantation of the parathyroid gland is a very effective method to improve the symptoms and lessen the medications of patients with post thyroidectomy manifestations of hypoparathyroidism

Neutrophil chemotaxis and killing function in patients with recurrent furunculosis

Furuncle is an acute, usually necrotic, infection of a hair follicle with Staph. aureus. Chemotaxis in one of the initial host responses to staphylococcal invasion. Disorders of PMNs motility are rare but when present are associated with recurrent infections. In the present study, PMNs chemotaxis and killing function were assessed in 40 patients with recurrent furunculosis and 10 controls. This study revealed that, the chemotactic response of PMNs to zymosan activated serum was significantly higher in patients with active furunculosis than controls. However, there was no significant statistical difference between neutrophil killing function of patients and controls. Therefore, it was concluded that there is no basic cellular defect of the neutrophil in the studied patients

Some immuno physiological parameters in geriatrics

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from 20 apparently healthy males and females aged from 50-75 years were studied for age related changes in a number of immunological parameters. The results show some changes in these immunological parameters compared to young aged subjects determined in helper OKT[4] reduction [P 0.001] and OKT[4]/OKT[8] ratio. Also delayed type hypersenstivity more presented in less positive reactions in old than young subjects. Immunoglobulins study showed significantly elevated IgG [P 0.01] no statistically significant changes in complement and in immune complex in old age compared to young age. Comparison of results between males and females showed no difference in both cellular and humoral immunity. A programed involution of immune system [A biological Clock] in aged individual is accompanied by an increase in cancer, auto-immune diseases and an impairment of immunologic surveillance. It appears that malnutrition, thymic involution or an intracellular defects may be the main factors contributing to senile immunodeficiency

Preliminary assessment of prevalence of toxoplasmosis in patients with chest diseases

Frequency of Toxoplasma antibodies in chest disease patients was assessed by IFAT. An overall positivity of 20.5% was recorded which is the range of prevalences reported in Egypt. The majority [90.3%] were positive at titre 1/16 and one case of atypical pneumonia showed titre of 1/256. The implications are discussed