Serum interleukin 27: a possible biomarker of pediatric systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE] is a complex autoimmune disease; different cytokines play a role in the immunopathogenesis of SLE. IL-27 has both immunosuppressive and pro-inflammatory roles and its role is unclear in SLE. To measure serum interleukin [IL]-27 among a group of patients with pediatric SLE [pSLE] and whether it varies with SLE clinical and laboratory features or with therapy. Fifty patients with pSLE and 25 healthy subjects were included. Routine laboratory and immunological markers of SLE were done. Serum IL-27 was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for both patients and healthy subjects. Serum IL-27 was significantly lower in patients when compared to healthy subjects [p< 0.001]; 17 patients [34%] had low serum IL-27 [serum IL-27 < 160 pg/ml]. Patients in lupus flare and those in remission had comparable levels [p> 0.05]. Serum IL-27 did not vary significantly between patients with lupus nephritis [LN] and those without evident LN, moreover, it was comparable among different histological classes of LN [p> 0.05]. The disease status in terms of SLE disease activity index was comparable among lupus patients with normal serum IL-27 and those with decreased serum IL-27 [p> 0.05]. Serum IL-27 was not affected significantly with the cumulative doses and the types of the immunosuppressive drugs used [p> 0.05]. Decreased serum IL-27 in SLE might support its involvement in the immune alteration underlying SLE but its exact role remains unclear

Nosocomial bacterial infections and antimicrobial resistance among the elderly in geriatric unit of Ain Shams university hospital

Increasing numbers of elderly people are being treated in hospitals and are additionally at particular risk of acquiring nosocomial infections [Nl] with antibiotic-resistant organisms. Prevalence of Nl had been evaluated in this study in all inpatients in Geriatric Medicine Unit, EL Demerdash Hospital of Ain Shams University from March 2004 till September 2006. The association of Nl with intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors was also assessed, as well as the emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains. All specimens were processed by routine methods and their antibiotic sensitivity was performed using the disc diffusion method in accordance with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] guide lines. A total of 107 NIs were found among 100 of the 1202 hospitalized patients [prevalence 8.2% prevalence varied greatly from 3.3% in the internal ward to 14.2% in the ICU]. Respiratory tract as well as urinary tract infections was the most common NIs [43% each]. The most commonly isolated pathogens from ICU and the internal ward were Klebsiella spp.[25%], Candida spp.[12%], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [12%] and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] [9%]. They were followed by Escherichia coli and Enterobacter spp. [7.5% each], coagulase negative Staphylococci [6%] and Proteus spp. [5%]. Depending on infection site, the most frequent isolates were Klebsiella spp. [41%], MRSA [22%] for respiratory tract infection; Candida spp. [28%], Klebsiella pneumonie [15%], E.coli and Pseudomonas auruginosa [13% each] for urinary tract infection. Our results showed that 61.9% of studied patients with lower respiratory infections were due to endotracheal intubation and 95.2% of patients had urinary catheters and developed urinary tract infections. About 82.0% of the elderly patients were taking antibiotics, for at least 1 month prior to admission, which have contributed to the emergence of highly resistant pathogens among geriatric patients, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, penicillin-resistant Streptococcus spp., and multiple-drug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli and coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains. Colonization and infection with antibiotic resistant bacteria [ARB] is a rising menace in geriatric medicine. Establishing a surveillance system and developing an antibiotic policy provide the basis for antibiotic therapy and controlling antimicrobial resistance

Immunological identification of fasciola hepatica antigens containing major human T - cell and B - cell epitapes

Fasciola hepatica whole worm homogenate [Fhwwh] separated fractions were used in enzyme linked immunoelectro-transfer blot [EITB] to identify the antigen[s] which induce antibody formation in human fascioliasis. The immuno-reactive antigens recognized by the infected patients were 25-29 kDa and 12 kDa. The antigens were biochemically purified by model 491-prep cell fraction [BIO-RAD]. The capability of the purified antigens to induce humoral and cellular responses with cells and sera of infected patients was investigated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and lymphoproliferative responses techniques. The 25-29 kDa cluster of the antigen[s] were found to be more efficient in inducing lymphoproliferative response than 12 kDa; thus, it was considered as the target antigens used in the generation of human monospecific polyclonal immunopurified antibody probes [IPAb]. The specificity and immuno-reactivity of the IPAb with Fhwwh, F. hepatica excretory secretory products [FhESP] and S. mansoni adult worm antigen [SAWA] were evaluated by using EITB. The results showed that IPAb was immuno-reactive with 25-29 and 12 kDa antigens of both Fhwwh and FhESP

Cloning and sequence analysis of genes encoding Fasciola hepatica immunodominant antigens

An immuno-screening of fusion protein produced in lambda plaques was done using IPAb. Two clones were isolated and identified as Fh lambda 400 and Fh lambda 800. Both clones were sequenced, Fh lambda 400 contained 305 translated bases encoding 11.509 kDa and designated as SFh12, while Fh lambda 800 contained 311 translated bases encoding protein of 11.058 kDa designated as SFh11. The DNA sequence homology search of Fh lambda 400 revealed a relatively high degree of identity with F. hepatica amoebapore-like protein mRNA. However, Fh lambda 800 revealed the highest similarity with F. hepatica tegumental antigen [T1] mRNA. The protein homology search of SFh12 gave 100% identity with amoebapore-like protein [APLP], while SFh11 showed 75% identity with F. hepatica tegumental antigen [TA]. The biochemical analysis of the deduced proteins was identified. In addition, the predicted T- and B- cell epitopes were also evaluated. However, a histological localization of the identified antigens was achieved using the IPAb in an indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay [FA]. The results revealed that the IPAb labeled the outer glycocalyx in a characteristic pattern, which proved that the identified antigens were tegumental in origin and the infected fasciola subjects induced antibodies directed mainly against tegumental components

Efficacy of flouroquinolone [Pefloxacin] on mycoplasma infection in chickens

The efficacy of the newer flouroquinolone [pefloxacin] given alone or in-combination with levamisole against Mycoplasma gallisepticum [MG] in experimentally infected chickens was investigated. Two hundred one day old chicks were used. The use of levamisole as a non-specific immunostimulant with pefloxacin 10 mg/kg body weight showed good curative effect which was indicated by decrease in mortality rates, increase in the body weight gain, high feed conversion as well as low rate of re-isolated MG and low titre in HIT as compared with those received pefloxacin alone 10 mg/kg body weight or levamisole 2.5 mg/kg body weight alone