Anaemia among Egyptian adolescents: prevalence and determinants

We aimed to estimate the nationwide prevalence of anaemia among adolescents in Egypt and to study possible risk factors. A cross-sectional approach was used. Blood samples were collected from 1980 adolescents for haemoglobin estimation. The overall prevalence of anaemia was 46.6%, most of which was mild or moderate, with severe cases in less than 1.0% of the sample. Gender difference was almost nonexistent. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the level of anaemia and age [especially among boys], socioeconomic level and educational level. Anaemia was more prevalent in rural areas and in Upper [southern] Egypt. Anaemia is a major public health problem among Egyptian adolescents and wide-scale public health education is warranted

integrated programme for control of childhood schistosomiasis in Egypt

This study applies a community-based intervention with the objective of protection of children aged 6-14 years and decreasing transmission of Schistosomiasis through a variety of approaches [including health education, behavioural and small scale environmental approaches] which empower communities to decrease infection and reinfection. The study is implemented in two selected villages in Beheira governorate. One is considered an intervention village, while the other is considered as a control village. A baseline survey was carried out, in which data was collected using both interview and observational methods.Indicators investigated included: KAP, parasitological [stools analysis], biological [snails], clinic-based [economic] markers Thus, data concerning household conditions [architecture, refuse and sewage disposal, latrine and safe water availability, crowding index, etc.], socio-demographic [family and personal characteristics], morbidity [schisto prevalence and intensity of infection], KAP [concerning schisto infection, transmission, prevention] were collected. A multi-pronged intervention, based on the results of base-line survey, was then applied to the intervention village. It comprised school-based interventions [promoting healthy behaviours such as: safe water contact, early treatment, and responsible sanitation practices]; community-based interventions [promoting healthy conditions through effective sanitation, sewage disposal, mollusciciding]; and clinic-based interventions [focusing on early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and promoting preventive practices] A post-intervention survey is currently carried out. Results of the base-line survey and approaches used for intervention will be presented

Self medication practices and the forces which shape it

Little consideration has been given to self-care/self-medication, a basic level of health care. This study focuses on self-medication, its practices, forces which shape it and defines areas in which future research could be directed. Sixty nine studies from different countries have been reviewed and carefully analyzed. They are chiefly concerned with descriptive information, offering little exploration of the successful use of self-medication, its common ailments, sources of information and regulations. Nevertheless, they do provide an information base on the extent and practices of self-medication in different communities and cultures. The study indicated that self-medication is a very popular practice all over the world. A striking feature is the uniformity of the types of ailments in self-medication, but the rationale in its practice differs. Developed countries generally adopt a more appropriate approach, supported by adequate drug provisions control and consumer's information. In developing countries, inappropriate drug use appears to be the rule rather than exception. In these countries pharmaceuticals are widely available through formal and informal outlets, and large numbers of people usually have little access to drug information. In conclusion, there is shortage of both quantitative and qualitative assessments of self-medication. The study findings help define areas in which future research could be directed

Environmental determinants of trachoma infection in a rural community of Egypt

The purpose of this work was to study the magnitude of the problem of trachoma associated factors in rural Egypt. Three villages were chosen randomly for the present study. The villages had a population of 3,485 persons. House to house environmental survey has been performed to collect data regarding presumed risk factors for trachoma. Following the survey and observation, a team of ophthalmologists conducted clinical examination for trachoma status of all children aged 10 years or younger [973]. Conjunctival smears for direct fluorescent antibody testing were also taken. A high point prevalence of active trachoma [31.3%] was found among children. In multivariate analysis the following were significantly associated with active trachoma; soil floor in the house [OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.21-2.34], animal room in the house [OR-1.56, 95% CI :1.11-2.12], files on a child face during examination [OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.29-2.02], and nasal discharge on a child face during examination [OR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.16-1.76]. These factors may relate to the transmission of the disease. Having latrine available for use was protective for acute trachoma [OR=0.68, 95% CI : 0.52-0.91]

Do anticardiolipin antibodies predict therapeutic response of nephrotic syndrome children?

In this study, IgG and IgM anticardiolipin antibodies [aCL] were determined in 25 children with nephrotic syndrome [NS] showing different underlying kidney pathology. The study also included ten matched healthy children as controls. Significant higher levels of both IgG and IgM aCL were detected in NS patients compared with the controls. However, no relation was found between aCL levels and age, renal histological pattern or renal function. Unlike serum creatinine level, which appeared to have a predictive value for response to therapy, no association was detected between aCL level and therapeutic response of NS children

Melatonin, the hormone of the pineal body: its role as an endogenous biological marker in major depression and breast cancer

The present study was designed to assess the relation of melatonin to two important pathological conditions namely; major depression [MD] and breast cancer [BC], with the intention of evaluating its role as an endogenous biological marker of both conditions and its potential clinical significance in follow-up of such cases. For this purposes 50 female patients with major depression [20 patients before treatment and 30 patients under treatment] in addition to 73 female patients with breast cancer [28 in stages I and II : early BC; 25 in stages III and IV late BC and 20 after radical mastectomy] were chosen for assessment of the serum melatonin levels. Nocturnal blood samples were collected from the MD group. whereas morning samples were collected from the BC group. Results were compared to those of an age-matched control group consisting of 20 healthy females. Nocturnal serum melatonin levels were significantly decreased in MD patients before the start of therapy as compared to the control group [P < 0.0001]. Meanwhile, the results of patients under antidepressant therapy [monoamine oxidase inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants] showed no significant difference from the control group [P>0.05]. In cases of cancer breast, morning serum melatonin levels were significantly decreased in the early stages of the disease [P<0.0001], but became significantly elevated with progress of cancer and the occurrence of metastasis [P<0.0001]. Following radical mastectomy, the level of melatonin was insignificantly different from the control group [P >0.05]. Hence, we can conclude that decreased nocturnal melatonin could be considered an endogenous marker of major depressive illness, with such a decrease being masked by antidepressant therapy. Meanwhile, morning melatonin levels are of value in assessment and staging of breast cancer as well as post-operative follow-up of these patients. hopefully, aiming at early detection of recurrence

Improved resolution of liver and bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes using wheat germ lectin or neuraminidase pretreatment with the introduction of some technical modifications

This study aims to establish a routine reliable electrophoresis method with improved separation of liver and bone alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes, which allows for their quantitation. Modifications of the already available techniques will also be studied. Samples were collected from patients with liver diseases [n = 26], with bone diseases and from children [n = 24] and from pregnant females in the third trimester [n = 10]. Control sera containing liver and intestinal isoenzymes were also used. Samples were subjected to liver function tests, calcium and phosphorus determination, cellulose acetate electrophoresis : ordinary, with germ wheat lectin and with neuraminidase pretreatment. Agarose gel electrophoresis was done with and without lectin. Samples were also subjected to sequential heat inactivation. Results showed that cellulose acetate electro-phoresis gave better separation of liver and bone fractions when done with germ wheat lectin or when samples were pretreated with neuraminidase. Several modifications were suggested to improve the technique. Agarose gel affinity electrophoresis [i.e., with lectin] gave the best separation of liver and bone isoenzymes into sharply defined bands. Sequential heat inactivation was tedious and needed scrupulous control of time and temperature. It overestimated the liver isoenzyme due to inclusion of biliary and intestinal fractions in its estimation. Excellent correlation was found between the different methods used for both bone and liver isoenzymes, Biliary isoenzyme was best separated by ordinary electrophoresis whether on cellulose acetate or agarose gel. Placental isoenzyme separation required preheating the sample at 65°C for 10 minutes to destroy the bone fraction which had the same migration mobility as placental isoenzyme. It was concluded that agarose affinity gel electrophoresis gave the sharpest and clearest separation of liver and bone fractions. On the other hand, cellulose acetate electrophoresis was less expensive, more sensitive and precise. Both methods were more suitable than the heat separation analysis method

Does anticardiolipin antibodies predict therapeutic response of nephrotic syndrome patients?

Anticardiolipin antibodies [aCL] were measured in 29 patients with nephrotic syndrome [NS] showing different underlying kidney pathology. 8 healthy volunteer persons were taken as a control group. A significantly higher levels of both IgG and IgM aCL were detected in NS patients compared to control. However, no relation was found between aCL levels and age, renal histological pattern or renal function. Unlike serum creatinine level which appear to have predictive value for response to therapy, no association was detected between aCL level and therapeutic response of NS patients

Thermophilic bacteria in market raw milk at Giza city

Fifty random samples of market raw milk, collected from different retail outlets in Giza city were examined for the presence of thermophilic bacteria. The obtained results revealed contamination of 84% of the examined samples with thermophiles, with a mean count of 8.50 X10[2] +/- 2.57 X 10[2] /ml. The highest frequency distribution [57.14%] lies within the range 10[2] - 10[3]. B.subtilis, B.stearothermophilus, B.pumilis, B.lichen formis, B.coagulans, B.alvei, Strept. thermophilus, L.bulgaricus and L.acidophilus could be isolated from the examined samples at different percentages [5-21.25%]. The economic and public heath importance of the isolated organisms, as well as the suggested control measures were discussed

Comparison between two methods for measuring serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol

Two methods for low density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C]. estimation were compared at different triglycerides [TG] levels. These were the quantitative determination by Helena cellulose acetate electrophoresis methods and the indirect calculation using Friedwald formula. Eighty fasting samples were selected and classified into 4 groups according to their TG levels. LDL-C was determined in each sample by both methods. Strongly significant correlation coefficients, between the 2 methods were obtained at normal, slightly, and moderately increased TG levels [r = 0.99, 0.97 and 0.94 respectively]. At TG levels >350 mg/dl the correlation became much weaker [r =0.77]. Thirty samples at different TG levels, were examined in duplicate for accuracy and precision. The electrophoretic quantitation of LDL-C was, much more precise [CV = 2.6%] than the indirectly calculated one. The latter depends on the imprecision of methods used in measuring total cholesterol, TG and HDL-C by precipitation method [CV = 2.7%, 3.8% and 8.5% respectively]. Paired t test showed no significant difference between LDL-C values obtained by both methods [P>0.05] However, in all cases of hypertriglyceridemia, the calculated LDL-C values showed constant insignificant lower values [6 - 12% lower] which might be sufficiently erroneous to cause misinterpretation of hypercholesterolemia at the critical LDL-C levels when medical interventions required. We recommended using the Fridewald formula as a screening test for LDL-C estimation and the electrophoresis method at TG levels> 350 mg/dl, LDL-C levels> 200 mg/dl or when abnormal lipoproteins are present

Microbiological studies on market hen eggs

One hundred and fifty market hen eggs collected from different localities in Cairo and Giza were examined microbi logically. Obtained results revealed that the mean values of aerobic bacterial count, coliform content [MPN/ml], staphylococcal count and mold and yeast count were 52.17 x 10[4], 96.25, 168.57 and 115.71/ml respectively. S. pullorum, proteus vulgaris and P. mirabilis could be isolated from 0.66, 6.66 and 5.33 percent of examined samples respectively, while Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella oxytoca, K. ozoenae and Pseudomonas spp could be isolated at varying percentages [2%-12%]. Staphylococcus aureus and Staph. epidermidis could be isolated from 3.33% and 23.33% respectively, while the genera Penicillium, Asperigillus, Cladosporium, Ascopularsis, Helmenthosporium and Mycelia sterilia could be isolated at different percentages ranging from 2.66% to 40%. Strict hygienic measures should be adopted in the farm during production and handling to improve the quality of produced eggs

Study of intrahepatic lymphatics in bilharzial hepatic fibrosis and their role in ascites formation

Hepatic lymphography and thoracic duct lymph flow and pressure study were done in 11 patients with pure bilharzial hepatic fibrosis and 5 cases of mixed cirrhosis. In mixed hepatic cirrhosis visualization of lymphatics of the liver and increased thoracic duct lymph flow and pressure can confirm that the liver shares in the formation of ascities. In pure bilharzial fibrosis hepatic lymphatics are not visualised because of the abscence of the outflow obstruction and in addition from the increased thoracic duct lymph flow and pressure, we can conclude that the liver is not responsible for excess lymph production in presinusoidal obstruction