Defect in cellular immunity [CD4, IL2] in persistent pulmonary tuberculosis

The objective of this study was to know the consequence of some immunological factors such asCD4 cells counts, and serum IL-2 level in persistent pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was carried out on 200 subjects from Egypt and Yemen. These subjects were divided into two main groups; patients group which farther subdivided into three subgroups, and control group that represented the healthy individuals. Blood samples were collected from all subjects and tested for CD4 counting and IL-2 level. To enumerate CD4 cells, blood lymphocytes were incubated with monoclonal antibodies to count CD4 epitope [anti-CD4] then the processing of CD4 T-cells counts was performed using immunofluorescence technique. Cytokine enzyme immunoassay [ELISA] was used to determine IL-2 level. The findings of this study revealed that patients group [tuberculosis and other pulmonary diseases] had the low CD4 count comparing with healthy controls, this decrease in count was statistically significant. In addition IL-2 level in patient group was significantly lower than that of healthy control group. It could be concluded that, the decrease of CD4 cells counts and IL-2 level among persistent tuberculosis patients in comparing with healthy individuals, and newly healed tuberculosis patients might be attributed to the defect in the cellular immunity and indicated that, there is a correlation between persistent of TB infection and depressed cellular immunity in our study

Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection in Yemen: incidence, presentation and antibiotic susceptibility

To determine the incidence, clinical presentation and antibiotic susceptibility of Mycoplasma pneumoniae at the main hospitals in Sana'a, we studied 405 patients clinically and radiographically diagnosed with lower respiratory tract infections aged 10-60 years. M. pneumoniae was identified by 3 different methods: culture, antigen detection and IgM serology. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed for confirmed isolates by macro-broth dilution technique. There were 125 patients [30.9%] with current infection, mostly among younger age groups, with bronchopneumonia the most common underlying clinical condition. All tested isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics in the in vitro antibiogram, with erythromycin the most active. The results indicate the need for different approaches in the diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infection in Yemen

study of 235 cases of human brucellosis in Sana'a, Republic of Yemen

We studied the clinical characteristics of brucellosis among all patients with brucellosis referred to the Central Health Laboratory from the main hospitals in Sana'a during a 2-year period [1992-93] [235 adults and children]. A history was taken from each patient and clinical examination, general laboratory tests and brucellosis laboratory tests carried out. The overall clinical picture of brucellosis in this study is very similar to that reported by other workers in this geographical area. Awareness of the presenting features and the realization that brucellosis should be part of the differential diagnosis of febrile patients with enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes will lead to an increasing index of suspicion for this disease