Liposomes as an ocular delivery system for fluconazole: in-vivo study

The purpose of this study was to formulate topically effective controlled release ophthalmic fluconazole liposomal formulations using the reverse-phase evaporation technique. Soya bean phosphatidylcholine [PC] and cholesterol [Ch] in specific weight ratios were used. Selected formulations were tested for their in-vivo ocular antifungal effect. These included the neutral, the positively [using stearyl amine] and the negatively [using dicetyl phosphate] charged liposomes. A reproducible model of Candida keratitis in rabbits was performed and the effects of the prepared liposomes were better than a solution of fluconazole. The order of fluconazole liposomal formulations according to the time to achieve complete healing is arranged in a descending order: negatively charged liposomes > positively charged liposomes > neutral liposomes [7:4] > neutral liposomes [5:5] > fluconazole solution. The frequency of instillation was decreased; also, the time of ulcer healing was decreased. It was concluded that the use of liposomes as a drug delivery system could contribute to the enhancement of the effect of fluconazole in the eye

Performance of serodiagnosis in sheep infested with or vaccinated against some species of Trichostrongylidae worms using staphylococcus aureus protein A Cowan I strain

A trial on serodiagnosis of Ostertagia infection in sheep by indirect hemagglutination technique with addition of Staphylococcus aureus protein A Cowan I strain [SpA] was carried out. The data revealed that the addition of SpA increased the sensitivity of IHA technique by elevating the antibody titer in infected and immunized sheep. Also, the use of SpA in rapid slide agglutination in helminth diagnosis of pure Ostertagia and Haemonchus and mixed Trichostrongylus infection was successful, giving a result of 100% in the first, 90% in the second and 70% among the third case

Development and validation of a satellites based geographic information system [GIS] model for epidemiology of schistosoma risk assessment on snail level in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate

The aim of the present study was to test the accuracy of Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer [AVHRR] satellite derived temperature difference [dT] maps as a guide for the suitability of the environment for local snail hosts and Schistosoma development-transmission at the village level. The study provided field validation data from 13 villages in Kafr El-Sheikh in the Nile Delta, that sites present in wet zones of low dT value have more abundant snail populations than that present in the drier zones with high dT values. Results suggested that lower dT values were associated with wetter hydrologic regimes related to the level of underground water table and that this is reflected in the abundance of snail populations and Schistosoma snail infection rates at the village level. Water quality parameters on pH salinity and dissolved oxygen were not correlated with presence of Schistosoma infected snails. Results indicated that abundance of snail and S. mansoni prevalence are related to thermal- hydrology domains associated with surface water, that habitat suitability is related to depth to water table and that regional hydrology characteristics that affect snail host habitat suitability [i.e. Wet, moist, dry or very dry] can be evaluated using AVHRR dT maps

Serological investigation on ovine toxoplasmosis in Egypt

Sheep in Egypt were investigated serologically for toxoplasmosis. Examination of 915 apparently healthy sheep collected during slaughtering at Cairo and Giza abattoirs by IHAT revealed that 519 [56.7%] were Toxoplasma positive at titer of less than 1/32. Out of the 519 positive sera, 65 were positive at titer of 1/64, 92 at 1/128, 78 at 1/256, 66 at 1/512, 40 at 1/1024 and 68 at > 1/2048 with percentage of 12.25%, 17.73%, 15.02%, 121%, 72.7.7% and 13.10%, respectively. From this study it can concluded that the use of more than one serological test for diagnosis of ovine toxoplasmosis provide proper and accurate diagnosis

Testing a new formulation of ivermectin [ivomec pour-on and bolus] as broad spectrum parasiticide

The new formulations of invermectin [MSD AGVET], Ivomec pour-on used for cattle in a dose of 1 ml/10 kg b. wt. and Ivomec bolus used per mouth for sheep in a dose of 0.5 bolus for each 25 kg b. wt. [10 mg/50 kg b. wt.], were tested for control of natural infestation by gastrointestinal nematode parasites [GIN] in cattle and sheep as well as for treatment of mange infection in sheep. The two drugs showed promising results in the form of freeing the treated animals from the target parasites by a percentage varies from 60 to 100% [in a mean of 85%] and decrease in the mean egg/g feces [EPGF] from 695 on day zero to 15 EPGF on 35th day post-treatment [dpt] for the pour-on form and 80-100% in sheep GIN with marked decrease in the mean total EPGF from 765 on day zero to 8.3 EPGF in 28th dpt. The bolus form succeeded in eradication of mange from the treated sheep by an efficacy varying from 82.69 to 100%. The two drugs showed absolute protection for the treated animals till 21st dpt and very marked decrease in EPGF even for the still positive animals till end of the observation period. Cooperia, Nematodierus and Trichuris species appear slightly less Susceptible to be used dose of the drugs than the other gastrointestinal nematode larvae

Operative cholecystectomy: a modern technical trend

Fifty patients suffering from chronic calcular cholecystitis underwent cholecystectomy through a minilaparotomy subcostal incision and the abdomen was closed without drain. The postoperative injectable analgesia was required for 24 hours only. There was a low incidence of pulmonary complications, subphrenic collection, and wound infection. The mean hospital stay was 2.8 days. The wound did not need redressing, except in two patients. The incisions looked cosmetically good. The patients returned back to their job with mild excretion after a mean of 20.2 days. Cholecystectomy through a 5 - 7 cm subcostal incision was safe and was accompanied by rapid recovery and short hospital stay for the patients. The closure of the peritoneum without drainage did not increase their morbidity, and it was even associated with low incidence of wound infection. There was no need for dressings and a better cosmetic appearance was noticed. The usage of retractors and special instruments may enable to do cholecystectomy through a smaller incision

Pro-aponeuroic versus pro-peritoneal mesh for huge incisional hernia

Fifteen patients suffering from supra and infra-umbilical midline and paramedium huge incisional hernia were managed by applying MeSH prosthesis over the external oblique aponeurosis or the anterior rectus sheath. It was found that applying the MeSH pro-aponeurotic had several advantages over the common application of it in properitoneal area. First, the MeSH was sutured to a stronger aponeurosis, second, it was quicker and was easier to be applied with proper stretch, third if a release incision was done in the aponeurosis, the MeSH could be sutured lateral to the incision which gave a better support. No postoperative mortality, two patients developed mild superficial skin infection, no recurrence was detected over one and half year follow-up in the patients. Moreover, the appliance of the MeSH pro-aponeurotic makes it easier to correct different types of incisional hernia in median or lateral abdominal defects in contrast to the common use of MeSH in the properitoneal area

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a better alternative to the open method

Two Hundred patients suffering from gall bladder disease were operated upon in the General Surgery Department, Zagazig University and General Surgery Department in El-Sahel Teaching Hospital. Patients were divided into two groups, group I [100 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy] and group II [100 patient underwent open cholecystectomy]. All patients were subjected to full clinical history and through examination, laboratory investigations, ultrasonography and radiological investigations [plainx-ray and cholecystography]. The results showed that the mean operative time was 76.2 + 28.9 minutes in group I and 63.6 + 19.9 minutes in group II. The success rate was 95% with 12% rate of complications in group I while in group II, the success rate was 100% with 17% postoperative complications. The mean duration of hospital stay after laparoscopic cholecystectomy was 1.2 + 0.6 days and after open cholecystectomy 4.7 + 1.1 days. The mean time to work was 10.6 + 1.9 days in group I and 22.5 + 6.0 days in group II. The cosmetic appearance was far more better after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and morality rate was 0% in both groups

effect of different peptic ulcer surgery on the prevalence of H pylori

One hundred and five patients with peptic ulcer disease [81 duodenal ulcer, 24 gastric ulcer] had been studied for the prevalence of H. pylori before and after ulcer surgery and the relation of its occurrence to the presenting symptoms, the healing of the ulcer or recurrence and persistence of them post-operatively. Clinical examination, Barium meal studies, fibroptic gastroduodonoscopy and bacteriological studies were performed for all cases. Different surgical procedures for these patient were done. The incidence of H. pylori found to be common with aging. Epigastric pain, nausea and vomiting were the main symptoms in H. pylori positive patients. H. pylori prevalence was higher in duodenal ulcer than gastric ulcer patients. H. pylori negative shift was higher after operations accompanied with drainage operations i.e. partial gastrectomy [PG], truncal vagotomy and drainage [TV + D], selective gastric vagotomy with drainage [SGV + D]. H. pyloric negative shift was very low in operations without drainage. i.e [highly selective vagotomy [HSV], anterior lesser curve seromyotomy with posterior truncal vagotomy. [ALS + PTV]. Operations removing, destroying or bypassing the pylorus can eradicate H. pylori due to the associated biliary reflux causing disruption of the mucosal layer and killing the H. pylori beneath it, leading to a some of reflux biliary gastritis. We advise to give a proper antibiotic and metronidazole for H. pylori positive patients pre and post-operatively especially in those operations without drainage in order to eradicate these motile bacilli to avoid persistence or recurrence of symptoms and ulcer

field evaluation of Stronglinject L against gastrointestinal nematodes in ruminants

One hundred and seven ruminant animals were found to harbour trichostrongy1, ascarid and trichurid nematodes. They were I/M injected with Stronglinject L [Levamisole hydrochloride, virbac] at a dose of 1 ml/10kg B.W. The drug caused a markedly significant drop in the mean feacal egg count particularly that of trichostronglyl worms. The efficacy rates were 85-100% against Haemonchus sp., Bunostomum sp., Cooperia sp., Nematodirus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. while stronglinject L proved to be highly effective against toxocara vitulorum in buffalo calves [91.7%] it was ineffective against Trichuris sp., in sheep or camels where the efficacy rates were 13.7% and 15.7% respectively. The drug was non ovicidal and there was no any untoward effect on the treated animals but unexpected improvement in the health conditions has been noticed

Serological diagnosis of babesia bigemina infecting Egyptian cattle and buffaloes

In the present study, the obtained results showed that a total incidence of 7.26%, 10.19%, 19.72% and 71.56% as well as 5.91%, 7.86%, 16.25% and 16.32% of B. bigemina infected cattle [1364] and buffalos [203] and that through examination by thin blood films, capillary tube agglutination test, indirect hemagglutination test and indirect ELISA technique respectively. Hence, the incidence of B. bigemina among buffalos was found to be lower than among cattle. Concerning the seasonal incidence of B. bigemina, it was noticed to be predominated in both summer and autumn and less in spring, while it reached its lowest peak in winter among both cattle and buffalos recording an incidence rate of 16%, 10%, 8.46% and 4.55% among cattle and 11.3%, 8%, 7.62% and 4% among buffaloes using the C. A. test respectively. Using the IHAT, the incidence rates were 28.81, 21.69%, 16.09% and 12.13% in cattle as well as 20.31%, 16.98%.13.33% and 12.19% in buffalos, respectively. While, 90.32%, 87.50%, 84% and 58.26% in cattle as well as 20%, 18.18%, 15.38% and 10.69% in buffalos were obtained by means of ELISA test, respectively

Nematode worm-burden of cattle in Egypt

A total number of 154 abomasi, 105 small intestine and 103 coeci of cattle collected from different slaughter houses in Egypt. The collected organs were examined for the occurrence of nematode wormburden. The study revealed the infestation with Haemonchus contortus, H. placei, Ostertagia. ostertagi, O. circumcincta, Bunostomum trigonocephalum, Mecistocirrus digitatus, Capillaria bovis, Histostrongylus coronatus, Toxocara vitulorum, Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, Cooperia punctata, C. pectinata, C. curticei, Nematodirus fillicollis, Oesophagostomum radiatum, O. columbianum, O. venulosum, Chabertia ovina, Trichuris ovis and Ternidens deminutus. The three nematode worms Mecistocirrus digitatus, Histostrongylus coronatus and Ternidens deminutus were recorded as new record in Egyptian cattle and were completely described

Post-appendectomy wound infection: the role of prophylactic systemic antibiotics

Three swabs were taken from 200 cases of acute appendicitis of different pathological types. The peritoneal, appendicular and wound swabs were cultured aerobically and anaerobically to identify the causative oragnisms. Escherichia coli and Bacteroides fragilis represented about 75% of the causative organisms. The antibiotic sensitivity tests for the isolated bacteria showed that cefoperazone followed by cefotaxime were the most effective antibiotics in 75.8% and 71.2% respectively.The value of prophylactic systemic antibiotics in non complicated [early] and complicated [late] appendicitis to decrease the incidence of post-appendicectomy wound infection, had been studied using metronidazole with ampicillin for a group, cefoperazone in another and the third group didn't receive any antibotics. The two groups received prophylactic antibiotics showed lower incidence of wound infection than the third group. The group that was depending on cefoperazone as a prophylaxis, had a lower incidence of wound infection compared to the group received combination of metronidazole and ampicillin. Our series showed that aerobic and anaerobic bacteria are responsible for post- appendectomy wound infection which is commonly association especially in high- risk cases. Prophylactic systemic antibiotics are of value to decrease its incidence and the antibiotic must cover the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. It is more effective and less economic to give a monotherapy covering the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria than to give a combination of double or even triple antibiotic regimen

significance of elevations of serum and urinary amylase levels after biliary surgery

Eighty patients were exposed to different operation of biliary tract in Department of Surgery, Zagazig University. Their mean age were 51.4 years and they were 52 females and 28 males. The control group included 40 patients, performing non abdominal surgery, 24 females and 16 males with mean age 48.5 years. Serum and urinary amylase were measured preoperatively and 6, 24 and 48 hours postoperatively in patients undergoing biliary surgery as well as the control group. The amylase creatinine clearance ratio [ACCR] was also calculated in all 120 patients pre-and postoperatively. The serum and urinary amylase as well as ACCR were exhibited a highly significant changes preoperatively and post-operatively in patients undergoing cholecystectomy with exploration for common bile duct [CBD], choledecoduodenostomy and biliary duct reconstruction. However the urinary amylase and ACCR were highly significantly changed post-operatively in emergency cholecystectomized patients, while serum amylase level was not changed significantly in them.Two patients [25%] from 80 patients performing biliary surgery, developed postoperative pancreatitis. The diagnosis was detected by elevations in serum and urinary amylase as well as ACCR and was confirmed by computed tomography [CT]. One of them died and the other respond to supportive measures. It was evident that the measurement of urinary amylase as well as the calculation of ACCR can give a better reliable diagnosis if it is combined with serum amylase estimation. Moreover, we advice to measure serum and urinary amylase as well as ACCR preoperatively and post-operatively in all patients undergoing biliary surgery, being they are susceptible to develop post-operative pancreatitis.The diagnosis of pancreatitis early depending on the screening method of serum amylase, urinary amylase and ACCR can improve its mortality and morbidity

New inventory for measurement of parental rearing patterns: an Arabic form of the EMBU

Despite the importance of parental rearing patterns in psychiatric research, there are almost no acceptable standardised inventories available. An Arabic language version of the Swedish EMBU Inventory is presented, which has subscales measuring the degree to which each parent was abusive, depriving, punitive, shaming, rejecting, overprotective, over involved, tolerant, affectionate, performance-oriented, guilt-engendering, stimulating, favoured siblings, and favoured the subject. Results indicate high and comparable reliability and item-scale correlations in the Arabic version, and a similar factor structure. It .would appear that the EMBU has both cross-cultural reliability and stable structure in the Arabic translation

Post-splenectomy subphrenic infection: the value of closed suction drainage system

This series was carried out for 90 patients underwent splenectomy [60 splenectomy only + 30 splenectomy with oesophago-gastric devascularization]. They were 76 males and 14 females and their age was ranging from 13 to 45 years. The patients were divided into three groups each one included 20 patients performing splenectomy and 10 patients operated upon for splenectomy and devascularization. The splenic bed was drained in the first group by closed suction drainage system, in the second group by corrugated drain and in the third group, the abdomen was closed without drain. The development of subphrenic abscess was diagnosed by X-ray [plain and screening], ultrasonography, as well as clinically [temperature, pain, toxaemia] and by leucocytic count. The incidence of subphrenic abscess was correlated to the type of drainage, its duration and the type of operation. It was observed that the usage of closed suction drain for short duration [2 days], had the value to decrease the incidence of subphrenic infection. The suction drain allows the egress of blood and serous fluid from the splenic bed with minimal chance of ingress of bacteria in comparison to ordinary corrugated drain. The usage of closed suction drainage system provides the most reliable and acceptable means of splenic bed drainage

Helminths of stray cats in Behera Governorate with special reference to their zoonotic importance

Autopsies of 67 stray cats collected from different localities of Behaira Governorate, Egypt, revealed the presence of endoparasites among all of them [100%]. The cestode parasites were represented by Dipylidium caninum [71.7%], Taenia taeniaeformis [35.8%]. The nematodes were Toxocara cati [29.8%], Trichinella spiralis [8.9%] and Ancylostoma caninum [4.5%], while the recorded trematodes were Heterophyes heterophyes [56.7%], Prohemistomum vivax [19.4%] and Phagicola longicollis [4.5%]. Some cats harbored a single parasite, while others had more than one. Most of these parasites were potentially transmissible to man as a result which indicated that cats could considered from the zoonotic side to be one of the most common reservoirs of many serious parasitic diseases