Comparative investigation in detection of anti-ribosomal P protein antibodies in diagnosis of neuropsychiatric manifestations in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

The present study aims to compare the detection of anti-ribosomal P antibodies in SLE patients by western blotting and ELISA. Additionally, we examined the association between cerebral lupus and anti-ribosomal P antibodies using these techniques. Thirty-two of consecutive patients with SLE diagnosed according to the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] criteria for the diagnosis of SLE were included in this study. These patients were either outpatient attenders or inpatients of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department as well as the Internal Medicine Department of El-Minia University Hospital. Anti ribosomal P antibodies were investigated in patients serum by immuno blotting and Enzyme-Linked Immnuo Sorbant Assay [ELISA] techniques. Neuropsychiatric manifestation systemic lupus erythematosus [NPLSLE] were diagnosed in 81.7% of SLE cases. 16 cases [50%] had neuropsychiatric manifestation. Psychiatric manifestations were found in 6 cases [18.8%], whileneurological manifestations were found only in only 4 cases [12.5%]. On measuring anti ribosomal P antibodies in patients serum by using western blotting, they were detected in 7 cases [21.9%], while by using ELISA technique, they were detected in only 5 cases [15.6%]. Among 18 patients suffered from mood disorders, anti-ribosomal antibodies were detected in 7 cases [38.1%] by using immuno blotting, whereas by ELISA only 5 cases [24.8%] were identified. Among 10 cases, which were suffered from cognitive dysfuntions, anti ribosomal P antibodies were detected in only 2 cases [20%] by using ELISA and by immune blotting techniques. In each of anxiety disorders and psychosis, in only 1 case [50%], anti ribosomal P antibodies were detected by the use of both techniques. Among patients with headache complications, 4 from 16 cases [25%] serum samples were found positive for the presence of anti ribosomal P antibodies using western blotting, whereas ELISA detected just 2 positive samples [12.5%]. From 5 cases presented by seizures, 1 positive serum sample [20%] for anti-ribosomal P antibodies were detected using both techniques. In conclusion, immuno blotting is much more detectable technique in comparison with ELISA for detection of anti P ribosomal antibodies in the serum of patients with SLE

Comparative diagnostic methods of tuberculosis in blood samples

Despite the availability of effective preventive measures and chemotherapy, the prevalence of tuberculosis [TB] is increasing in the developing world and in much of the industrialized world as well. Children are among the most vulnerable and the most difficult to diagnose with tuberculosis. Early and precise diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis is necessary in order to prevent mortality and morbidity and unjustified chemotherapy. One of the main objectives of the research in the field of mycobacteriology is the development of new methods that will improve and expedite the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections. HealthTech, in collaboration with DynaGen, Inc., in the United States, developed the MycoDotTM serological assay. Several techniques have been developed to improve the diagnosis of tuberculosis including newer radiometric methods; DNA probes mycolic acid chromatography polymerase chain reaction. We aimed in our work to diagnose active tuberculosis either pulmonary or extra pulmonary by different new diagnostic methods. In this study included 58 children ranged from 5 to 7 years old and suspected to have tuberculosis, based on the findings of history taking, clinical examination, PPD skin test, chest X-ray, and sputum examination by Zeil-Nielsen staining for acid fast bacilli. These patients were classified into four classes class 0: no known recent exposure, no infection [PPDnegative], no disease; class I: latent infection as defined by a positive PPD [>/= 10 mm in duration] and no clinical or radiographic evidence of active TB; class II: active TB confirmed by positive clinical pictures and radiographic evidence of active TB with positive sputum staining; Class III: PPD-positive [>/= 5 mm in duration] with evidence of past disease by history or compatible chest radiograph [e.g., upper lobe fibronodular disease] but negative sputum smear [treated patients]. All patients sera were subjected to TB identification by rapid test and MycoDot tests and PBMC separated from blood for PCR reaction. The positive results of the three tests for diagnosis of TB in the four groups of classes were detected as followings: By PCR the four classes were diagnosed as: Class 0 [5.3%], Class I [50%], Class II [70%] and Class III [14.3%]. By MycoDot diagnosis of the four groups was as: Class 0 [0%], Class I [4.5%], Class II [50%] and Class III [0%]. Diagnosis of the four groups by +ve rapid test was as: Class 0 [0%], Class I [0%], Class II [30%] and Class III [0%]. As a conclusion, PCR is a sensitive and rapid method for detection of latent and active TB within few hours, while in anti-LAM IgG was quite specific detection of active disease. The assay can be performed without sophisticated instrumentation with minimal training, which make the assay for random detection of active TB

Human leucocytic antigen status in Egyptian pregnant women with preeclampsia

Sixty preeclamptic together with one hundred and fifty normal Egyptian pregnant women were invtstigated as regards the human leucocyuc antigen [HLA] system. Out of the sixty women with pree-clampsia, 7 [11.66%] had only one identical detectable antigen [i.e. homozygous] at B locus while 42 [28%] out of the one hundred and fifty normal control had one identical antigen detected. This tendency of preeclamptic, than normal control, to be heterozygous at the B locus did not apply to the A or D related loci. No specific HLA, A, B, or DR antigen occurred more commonly in the preeclamptic patitnts

value of detection of HBVDNA in hepatocellular carcinoma patients using PCR technique

Thirty patients with primary HCC and 10 healthy controls were subjected to the study. Serological markers and HBV DNA were detected. In the patient group, HBsAg was positive in 21/30 [70 perecent] of cases,while anti-HBc was positive in 19/30 [63 percent] of cases. Both markers were positive in 17/30 [56,7 percent] of cases while both markers were negative in 7 of the cases. Only one patient of the control group was positive for HBsAg. Using the PCR technique to detect HBV. DNA in PBMC 27/30 [90 percent] of the patients group had detectable amounts, while none of the control group had HBV, DNA. This showed the close association between chronic HBV infection and disintegration of viral DNA which causes disarrangement of host DNA and produce malignant changes. The aim of this present work is to confirm the correlation between HBV and Hcc by detecting HBV-DNA by the polymerase chain reaction technique [PCR]

Hepatitis markers in primary and secondary hepatic malignancies

Fifty patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma [Hcc], 50 patients with secondary hepatoma and 30 apparently healthy blood donors were assayed for hepatitis B virus [HBV] markers by the enzyme linked immunosorbant assay [ELISA].All patients and controls were chosen from the National Cancer Institute, Cairo University [NCI].The results showed that the hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]was positive in 72 percent [36 out of 50 Hcc patients],Anti-HBc was positive in 74 percent [37 out of 50 Hcc patients],and HBeAg was positive in 34 percent [17/50] Hcc patients. While in the other secondary hepatoma patients group, HBsAg was positive in 18 percent[9/5O], anti-HBc in 16 percent [8/50] and HBeAg in 10 percent [2/20] of the patients. The control group showed 10 percent [3/30] positive HBsAg, anti-HBc and HBeAg, These results showed the close association between HBV infection and Hcc .Alpha-fetoprotein level was also estimated in both groups before and after treatment. It showed decrease in the level after treatment

Intraoperative bacteriological study of stone and urine

Fifty patients selected for this study were subjected to bacteriological examination of urine, preoperatively and intraoperatively of a sample of pelvic urine and the stones. It was found that E. coli represented 50%, Proteus 70%, Pseudomonas 4% and Staphylococci 16%. It was found that bacterial culture from the stone was the same as the culture from urine in renal pelvis. Ureoplasma ureoliticum can not be detected by the usual mean of culturing. This paper helped in the eradication of infection, which in turn helps in the prevention of stone formation

Biliary bacteria and the value of cefoperazone as a prophylactic measure against postoperative sepsis in biliary tract operations

Fifty patients [20 males and 30 females], who were operated upon biliary tract diseases were included in this study to define the type of biliary bacteria, post-operative infections and its causative organisms, and relation between bilkiary bacteria and bacteria causing infections. In 25 patients 3 doses of cefoperazone [cefobid] were given as a prophylactic measure against post-operative sepsis, in another 25 control patients, no antibiotic was given. Post-operative cultures [aerobic and anaerobic] from aspirated bile sample were taken during surgery from all patients. Cultures were found positive in 60% of cases. post-operative sepsis occurred in 48% of the control patients who were not covered by antibiotic prophylaxis, but it occurred in 16% only of the patients who received cefoporazone as a prophylactic measure. The concentration of cefoprazone in the serum of the patients ranged from 35-230 micro g/ml while its concentration in the aspirated bile was 90-430 micro g/ml [tube dilution method was used for the assay]. Cefoperazone proved to be a good prophylactic measure in biliary tract surgery and help to reduce significantly post-operative sepsis