Preliminary study on the prevalence and risk of mother-to-fetal transmission of hepatitis B and C in asymptomatic Egyptian women

The sera of 52 pregnant Egyptian women were tested for hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV antibodies [Ab] by ELISA. Neonatal cord blood sera were similarly tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV Ab. The results showed that HBsAg was detected in 28/52 women. Sixteen HBsAg positive babies were born vaginally to the 28 HBsAg- positive mothers. Anti-HCV Ab was detected in 6/52 women. Four anti- HCV Ab positive babies were born to the six anti-HCV Ab-positive mothers. The prevalence of HBV was significantly higher than that of HCV, but both were very high in Egyptian women. No significant difference was found between mother-to-fetal transmission of HBV and that of HCV

Estrogen replacement therapy, and serum lipid values

To examine the effect of estrogen replacement therapy [ERT] on lipid values in postmenopausal women, lipid profiles were obtained in 50 postmenopausal women. Women were divided into two groups, group [1] [20 women] were not receiving any hormonal treatment and group [2] [30 women] were receiving unopposed ERT. Fifteen women [subgroup A] of the ERT users were receiving oral estrogen [0.625 mg daily] and fifteen women [sub group "B"] were receiving transdermal patches with estrogen [delivering 0.1 mg daily]. The two groups were matched for the same age group, years after menopause, socioeconomic class and body mass index. The Mean high-density liporotein [HDL] cholesterol level was significantly higher [70 +/- 5 vs 60 +/- 7 P< 0.05] and mean total / HDL cholesterol ratio significantly lower in women receiving estrogen than in those who were not [3.7 +/- 0.3 vs 4.9 +/- 0.6]. Total cholesterol level [263 +/- 35 vs 295 +/- 33] and LDL cholesterol level [169 +/- vs 200 +/- 25] were significantly lower in women receiving ERT than those who were not. These results are in agreement with those of Paganini et al [1996] and Hong et al [1992]. Triglycerides levels showed no significant differences between group [1] and group [2]. Women of subgroup [A] had a significant higher level of triglycerides than women in subgroup [B] [221 +/- 35 vs 189 +/- 25] and than women in group [1] [221 +/- 35 vs 194 +/- 23]. Denek [1995] and Hong et al [1992] reported the same results in their studies. With exception of triglycerides no significant difference in lipid values was found between the two subgroups. The study showed that women taking ERT have a more favorable lipid profile than those who were not. The triglyceride levels was augmented by oral ERT and not affected by transdermal estrogen

Antiestrogenic effect of induced cycles on endometrial growth and texture

The adequacy of the induced endometrial cycles were evaluated by hormonal, sonographic and histological studies. The study was under taken at Al-Zahraa University Hospital. It included 30 infertile women in whom anovulation was suspected and proved. Serum progesterone, premenstrual endometrial biopsy and vaginal ultrasonography were done to all patients before and after clomiphene citrate [CC] therapy. All patients received CC for induction of ovulation and followed for 6 consecuative months. Whilst CC was successful in inducing ovulation in 70% of women, pregnancy only occurred in 40% by 6 months of treatment. This can be explained by decreased receptivity of the endometrium as an antiestrogenic effect of CC. There was no statistically significant difference in the endometrial thickness in periovulatory period between the out-of-phase histologic endometrium and the in-phase endometruim during CC therapy [8.8 +/- 1.8 Vs 9.8 +/- l.5][p<0.05]. But there was a statistically significant difference in the endometrial thickness in the pen-implantation period between the two groups [11.0 +/- 1.9 Vs 12.9 +/- 2.1] [p<0.05]. No trilaminar pattern III endometrial texture was observed with endometrial thickness less than 10 mm in late luteal period. Serum progesterone level [at 21st day of the cycle] of 10 ng/ml is the cut off of normal corpus luteum function