Pulmonary aspergillosis in chronic lung cavitary diseases

In this study, only one positive culture for Aspergillus fumigatus [1%] was detected, while the incidence of A. niger and A. flavus were 13% and 5%, respectively. Hemagglutination test showed a significant titer [1/320] in only 12 patients by using counter immunoelectrophoresis, serum of only one patient [1%] showed positive precepitation reaction against A. fumigatus antigen. None of these isolated aspergillus species showed a significant correlation with the underlying lung lesions [transient pulmonary aspergillus saprophytes] except A. fumigatus in one case suggesting aspergilloma. This type of A. fumigatus was found only in bronchoalveolar wash. However, clinical or histological diagnosis of any case of aspergilloma has never been confirmed. Therefore, this case of aspergilloma should be considered the first published Egyptian case. The proper diagnosis of such case and pulmonary aspergillosis still depends on competent mycological laboratory studies of patient's serum and bronchoalveolar wash samples. Surgical resection of aspergilloma affecting a lung lobe was the only way to save the patient from repeated hemoptysis attacks or other chest complications

Study of pericardial fluid in rheumatic heart patients

Fifteen patients of both sexes aged 20-35 years with clinically inactive rheumatic heart disease were chosen. Investigations were done on the sera of these patients compared with that of control, also a comparison was done between sera of patients and their pericardial fluid. Results of sera showed a significant increase in enzymatic activities, immunoglobulins, Cu and Zn with nonsignificant decrease in the level of Mg. Values of proteins, glucose, Na and K were not significantly changed. Readings of pericardial fluid showed significant increase in the level of Na with significant decrease in total and differential protein, immunoglobulin, K and Cu. Nonsignificant changes were found in enzymatic activities, glucose, Mg and Zn. The results were discussed

Evaluation of retrograde oesophageal dilatation in post potash oesophageal strictures

Twenty patients with post potash oesophageal strictures in whom prograde oesophageal dilatation had failed, were managed by retrograde dilatation using Tucker's dilators through a matured gastrostomy. The patients were followed up for a period of one year. Investigations included radiology and endoscopy. The technique was found to be satisfactory in 17 patients [85%], gave a fair result in one patient and two patients required a colon transplant

study of gastric acidity, mucus, serum gastrin and iron in post postach patients with chronic gastric affection

Gastric acidity, mucus, serum gastrin and iron were studied in fifteen post potash patients. Biopsies were obtained from the fundus and body of the stomach during the procedure of gastrostomy to prove corrosive gastric affection due to potash poisoning. The study included also fifteen volunteers as controls. The results indicated significant hypoacidity and decrease in gastric mucus in post potash patients compared to controls and this was attributed to gastric histopathological changes in the form of chronic inflammation, fibrosis and glandular distortion. On the other hand, serum gastrin was significantly higher in patients compared to controls and this increase might be due to hyperplasia of the antral G-cells and hypoacidity in those patients. Serum iron showed significant decrease level in post potash patients compared to controls and this was attributed to decrease in gastric absorption due to evidenced gastric histopathologic changes and hypoacidity in those patients