Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in children with malignancy

The study aimed at the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in 73 children with malignancy; 31 with lymphoma [22 with Hodgkin's and 9 with non- Hodgkin's lymphoma] and 42 with leukemia [34 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 8 with acute myelogenic leukemia]. In positive cases, toxoplasmosis was manifested by any of the following; fever, lymph node enlargement, neurological manifestations and/or hepatosplenomegaly. The indirect hemagglutination test [IHA] for toxoplasmosis detected four [5.4%] positive cases with malignancy [two with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and one with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. The immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [IgM ELISA] detected only one [1.4%] case with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Immunoglobulin G [IgG] ELISA detected six [8.2%] positive cases [three with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and two cases with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. Polymerase chain reaction for detection of parasite DNA in blood [PCR] was the most useful in diagnosing toxoplasmosis with malignancy, as it was able to detect nine [12.3%] positive cases [five [6.8%] with Hodgkin's lymphoma, one [1.4%] with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and three [4.1%] with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. No positive toxoplasmosis cases were detected with acute myelogenic leukemia by any of the above methods

effect of calcium modifying agents on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation

In this study, preparation of heart mitochondria was isolated from the heart of adult female Wistar rats. The integrity of mitochondrial preparation was assessed by application of the following tests: Respiratory activity, respiratory control index [RCI], ADP: O ratio [relationship between phosphorylation and respiration] and inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation. The determination of mitochondrial protein concentration and measurement of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation using Clark-type oxygen electrode were assessed for isolated mitochondria. Verapamil [100-200mu M], bepridil [50-200muM] and palmitoyl DL-carnitine [50-200 muM] produced a significant inhibition of rat heart mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. The results demonstrated the ability of calcium antagonists to modify mitochondrial integrity and function under physiological conditions and provided a further evidence of potential ability of these compounds to be effective in the prophylactic treatment of ischemia in vivo condition