Virulence factors of candida species isolated from patients with urinary tract infection and obstructive uropathy

Objective: Fungal urinary tract infections due to Candida have increased significantly in recent years. Our research objective was to study Candida species in urine samples of patients with urinary tract infections [UTIs] associated with obstructive uropathy and to investigate the virulence factors of the isolated Candida

Methods: Patients were divided into two groups: Group I [cases]: 50 patients with UTIs and obstructive uropathy. Group II [control]: 50 patients with UTIs but with no functional or anatomical obstruction of their urinary tract. Clinical histories and physical examinations, together with laboratory investigations of urine samples were carried out in all patients in this study. Mid stream urine samples were examined microscopically and by fungal cell culture. The isolated Candida species were identified by analytical profile index [API]. Candida Virulence factors were determined for the isolated Candida. The susceptibility to fluconazole was evaluated

Results: This study revealed an overall isolation rate of 27% of Candida species among all patient groups. The rate was 36% in cases, and 18% in controls, a difference found to be statistically significant [P<0.05]. By API, C.albicans was detected in 44% of Candida species in cases, and in 33% in controls. While C.glabrata was detected in 28% of Candida species in cases, and in 22% in controls. C.tropicalis was detected in 17% of Candida species in cases, and in 22% in controls. Both C.krusei and C.kyfr were detected in 5.5% of Candida species in cases, and in 11% in controls. In terms of virulence factors the study showed that 11 out of 27 [40.5%] of Candida isolates were biofilm positive by tube adherence. Phospholipase activity was demonstrated in 12 out of 27 [44.5%] of Candida isolates. Secretory aspartic proteinase activity was demonstrated in 13 out of 27 [48%] of the Candida isolates

Conclusion: Candida is an important cause of UTIs and obstructive uropathy is a major predisposing factor

Prevalence of wheat allergy in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia

Wheat allergy has been suggested to represent an important allergic disease. This study collates clinical and laboratory aspects in patients with wheat allergy in Al-Kharj city, Saudi Arabia. Total and specific IgE were measured in 15 suspected cases of wheat allergy. Protein allergenicity was assessed with Western blotting. Significant elevation of total and specific IgE was found in 4 cases. Basophlia was also demonstrated on blood film. Western blotting results showed 2 bands [83 and 40 kDa]. Wheat allergy must also be considered when planning treatment of asthma and eczema of adult patients

Animal allergy among husbandry personnel in Riyadh

The importance of specific animal allergy in immuno-pathology of asthma and atopic diseases remained to be defined. We measured total and specific IgE. Western blotting of some allergens was also characterised. There was a significant elevation of IgE in 3 persons among 15 samples collected. Western blotting showed common husbandry allergens from 3 sources that have common allergenicity. Exposure to animal products exacerbates allergic asthma in adults, suggesting that preventive measures should be taken to reduce their sensitivity

Study of some detection mechanisms for multidrug resistance P-gp and mRNA in acute leukemia and correlation to clinical outcome

Leukemic blast samples from 32 patients with acute leukemias [AML] were studied by / immunofluorescence/ flowcytometry [IFL/FCM] and by immunocytochemistry [ICH] with three monoclonal antibodies [MoAbs] to the multidrug resistance protein [P-glycoprotein, P-gp]. MDRI RNA levels in the same blasts were determined by RT-PCR. IFL/FCM staining with C219-FITC showed >5% positive cells in 14/32 cases [43.7%], the mean percentage of positive cells being 24.5%, In ICH staining, the percentages of positive cells varied with different MoAbs, but the results obtained with C219 and MRK16 correlated with those obtained with JSB1. No correlation could be demonstrated between the percentages of cells expressing P-gp and Mdrl-mRNA. Ninety one point seven% of patients with Mdrl RNA negative leukemia reached complete remission as compared to 9.3% expressing higher levels of MDRI mRNA [p<0.0001]. There was no correlation between the response to therapy and the results of IFL/ICH staining. We conclude that the results of immunostaining for P-gp must be interpreted cautiously and probably novel, more specific MoAbs should be raised before any therapeutic use can be made of the findings. Also, PCR detection of MDRI mRNA could be of prognostic value in AML