Value of PCR in the detection of occult hepatitis B virus infection in chronic end stage liver disease

Persistence of Hepatitis B virus [HBV] DNA in HBV surface antigen [HBsAg] negative individuals is termed occult HBV infection. Occult HBV infection has frequently been identified in patients with chronic HCV infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of occult HBV infection among late stage liver diseased patients and apparently healthy household contacts who may be used as potential donors for their liver transplantation. Also, prevalence of occult l-TBV infection in HCV-Ab and HBcAb seropositive subjects was evaluated. The study included 500 individuals distributed as 100 patients from National Liver Institute, 300 household contacts, and 100 apparently healthy subjects as a control group. All studied individuals were subjected to: full history taking, complete clinical examination, abdominal ultrasonography, liver biopsy if possible and laboratory investigations including: liver function tests, anti- HCV and HBV serological markers, as well as HBV- DNA detection using nested PCR. HBV-DNA was detected in 54% of patients, 18% of household contacts and 6% of control group. The prevalence of occult HBV infection in HBcAb seropositive subjects was; 75% in patients, 31.6% in household contacts, 46.2% in control group. The prevalence of occult HBV infection in HCV-Ab seropositive subjects was 55.8% in patients, 8.2% in contacts and 10% in control group. In conclusion, there is a high prevalence of occult HBV infection in patients with end stage liver disease, particularly those who are HCV-Ab and or HBcAb seropositive. The results of the current study indicate the need for a sensitive investigation for potentially infected relatives among family members of HBsAg carriers. On the other hand, apparently recovered people, are considered to be at risk for disease complications or for transmission of the infection till proved HBV-DNA negative

Antithyroglobulin antibody level in vitiligo patients

Vitiligo is an acquired depigmenting disorder characterized by the loss of melanocytes from the epidermis affecting 1-2% among whites, higher among blacks. Its etiology and pathogenesis are as get not completely clarified, many hypotheses have been put forward, auto immune hypotheses is one of the most accepted theories. The association with autoimmune diseases, and organ -specific autoantibodies is well known. The aim of this work is to detect the association of vitiligo with autoimmunelhyroid diseases by estimation of antithyroglobulin antibodies [anti TG], in addition to assess the thyroid function in vitiligo patients. Thirty vitiligo patients and twenty healthy volunteers were selected and after obtaining their consent, blood sample were collected for measurement of T3, T4 and anti TG levels. Results showed that antithyroglobulin antibodies were significantly increased in vitiligo patients. Also we found significant difference between vitiligo patients with progressive course and those with stationary course in T3, T4 and anti TG levels. We conclude that Autoimmunity is one of the important theories that have been put for detecting the pathagenesis of vitiligo as evidenced in this study by finding of elevated antithyrolglobulin antibody titre. There is a significant correlation between anti-TG level and progression of the disease. This means that antibodies increase in the patient serum during activity of the disease with more evidence that autoimmunity plays a major role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. So, we recommended that Thyroid function should be assessed annually in all vitiligo patients as screeJwig testes of thyroid function for early detection

value of measurement of non-enzymatic antioxidants: ceruloplasmin and transferrin at different degrees of total cholesterol risk

With the increased level of serum total cholesterol, there is an increase in lipid peroxidation and lipid peroxidation products such as malondialdehyde [MDA]. The aim of This study is to detect the value of estimation of non-enzymatic antioxidants: transferrin and ceruloplasmin at different levels of serum total cholesterol. 60 individuals at different total cholesterol risk levels were included in this study, they were 38 males and 22 females divided into three groups depending on the level of serum total cholesterol: Group A: included 20 subjects with normal serum total cholesterol level [150-200 mg/ dl], Group B [risky group]: included 20 subjects with serum total cholesterol ranged from 200 to 250 mg/dl and group C: included 20 hypercholesterolemic patients with serum total cholesterol level above 250 mg/dl. All subjects were submitted to full history taking, clinical examination and laboratory investigations including serum total cholesterol, triglycerides [TG], high density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDLc], low density lipoprotein [LDLc], transferrin, ceruloplasmin and malondialdehyde [MDA]. This study reported significant statistical difference between normocholesterolemic group and each of risky and hypercholesterolemic groups regarding total cholesterol, TG, LDLc, transferrin, ceruloplasmin and MDA. Significant statistical difference existed also between risky and hypercholesterolemic groups regarding all parameters. There is significant negative correlation between serum transferrin levels and each of total cholesterol, LDLc and MDA in the three studied groups. Significant positive correlation was existed also between serum ceruloplasmin and each of total cholesterol, LDLc and MDA in the three studied groups. In conclusion, oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of hypercholesterolemia and is associated with enhancement of the process of lipid peroxidation. Measurement of serum ceruloplasmin and transferrin may reflect the degree of oxidative stress caused by increased serum total cholesterol level