Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, Serum Amyloid A and C-reactive Protein Levels in Patients with Acute Brucellosis

To determine the levels of and the relationship between serum amyloid A [SAA], C-reactive protein [CRP] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR] in patients with acute brucellosis. SAA, CRP and ESR were measured with ELISA, nephelometry and Mix-Rate x100 vital diagnostic device, respectively, in serum samples of 30 patients diagnosed with acute brucellosis and 40 volunteers with no systemic diseases. Statistically significant difference was determined between patients and controls in terms of the levels of SAA, CRP and ESR [p < 0.05]. Although CRP levels and ESR were significantly correlated in the patient group [p < 0.05], there was no significant correlation between CRP and SAA or ESR and SAA [p > 0.05]. CRP levels are significantly elevated in bacterial infections, however the increase is minimal in viral infections. SAA increases sooner and to greater levels during the course of infections. In addition, contrary to CRP, SAA is markedly elevated in both bacterial and viral infection. Consequently, these three acute phase reactants should be used together in order to obtain more reliable results in the differential diagnosis of infections

survey of intestinal parasites in students of adult educational center in Sivas, Turkey

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in students of Adults Educational Center [Halk Egitim Merkezi] in Sivas, Turkey, was assessed. All of the students were females and their age ranged from 12 to 46 years with a mean age of 19 years. Diagnosis was made following examination of stool specimens and cellophane tape preparations [CTP]. From each stool specimen, only one preparation prepared in saline was searched for both protozoon and helminth parasites. A total of 524 stool specimens and 504 CTP was examined. One or more parasites were detected in 34.5% the former and 23.5% of the latter. When the findings in both specimens were combined, the infection rate raised to 48%. 176 of the 485 students harbored 1, whereas 57 had more than 1 parasite, 87 had only protozoa, 104 had only helminths, whereas 42 were infected with parasites of the 2 groups. The rate of parasites found was as follows: G. intestinalis 8.2%, E. histolytica 1.2%, E. coli 17.9%, A. lumbricoides 2.3%, T. trichiura 0.8%, E. vermicularis 12.6%, T. saginata 16.7%, H. nana 1% and others 0.6. The findings were evaluated from several points