Symptomatic and asymptomatic shedding of campylobacter among rural school children in Alexandria

An epidemiological study involving 200 rural schoolchildren was conducted to estimate symptomatic and asymptomatic shedding of Campylobacter. Risk factors were identified as well. Stool samples were collected and cultured on Blaser's selective agar plates. Campylobacter was isolated from 11 [27.5%] of children with diarrhea and from 33 [13.8%] asymptomatic ones. The overall isolation rate was 16.5%. Presence of pets, farm animals and chicken at home were highly associated with Campylobacter culture positive cases [p <0.001]. The same association was encountered, but at a lower level, with drinking unsafe water or raw milk [p <0.05]. These data indicated that Campylobacter is present in schoolchildren whether symptomatic or asymptomatic. Persistence of risk factors presents a great burden for persistence of infection

Antibodies to hepatic C virus in haemodialysis patients: relation to risk factors

The prevalence of antibodies to HCV among 30 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis at a private hospital in Alexandria was evaluated, using a commercially available second generation enzyme immunoassay. The results were correlated to different risk factors. Antibodies to HCV were positive in 9 patients [30%], seroconversion occurred in 6 [22.2%] cases during the study period. All patients were negative for HIV, drug abuse and kidney transplant. The mean rate for blood transfusions [6.16 +/- 4.2] and the duration of hemodialysis [in months] [17.5 +/- 4.2] were significantly increased among HCV antibodies positive cases [P <0.05]. Mean age was not significantly different [P >0.05]. The findings document blood transfusion and duration of hemodialysis as risk factors for HCV antibodies, with the possibility for nosocomial transmission

Morphotyping as a tool for characterization of candida albicans

A new morphological system was used to differentiate clinical [mainly diabetics] and environmental C. Albicans isolates. The numerical codes were assigned primarily on the basis of the nature and extent of marginal fringing and the surface topography of the streak colony. Such differentiation reveals special types that were confined to clinical isolates and others for environmental ones. While 2 types showed in both isolates, this may indicate the importance of environmental isolates in transmitting diseases. The system was a simple and reproducible means for epidemiological studies of Candida and Candidosis

Beta-hemolytic streptococcal carriage-with special reference to group G-among food handlers in Alexandria

Previous reports emphasized the role of food as a vehicle of transmission and spreading of group G-BHS infection. The study aimed to determine the rate of BHS carriage among food handlers in Alexandria with special reference to group G. Throat swabs were taken from 180 food handlers and cultured to isolate beta hemolytic streptococci. The results showed that 57 out of 180 [31.7%] food handlers were carriers for BHS. The highest percentage of carriage was for group A [13.3%], followed by group G [8.3%]