Pattern of certain enzyme activities in serum and urine in different types and stages of bilharzial patients

The study comprised 116 bilharzial adult male patients with age range 18-65 years. None of the selected individuals was complaining from other diseases and proved to have no treatment for bilharziasis prior to their inclusion in this study. Data for age, weight and degree of liver and /or spleen enlargement were registered. Besides the bilharzial cases, 15 healthy adult normal individuals [group C] with the same age range as control, were included in the study. The bilharzial cases were: a] 15 patients with hematobiasis [group H], b] 74 subjects of mansoniasis, further subdivided into 4 subgroups [23 cases in the early stage of the disease where the liver was not enlarged and the spleen was not palpable [m1], 21 subjects in the 2nd stage of the disease [m2], the main clinical feature was the occurrence of hepatomegaly, the spleen was not enlarged, 15 cases in the 3rd stage of the disease [m3], the hepatosplenomegalic stage of bilharziasis without ascites, 15 subjects in the 4th stage of the disease [m4], hepatosplenomegaly with ascites], c] 27 cases with mixed schistosomiasis were subdivided into 4 subgroups: 14 cases of mixed infection in early stage of mansoniasis [Mix1], 5 cases with hepatosplenomegalic stage of the disease [Mix2], 4 bilharzial subjects presented the hepatosplenomegaly without ascites [Mix3], 4 patients with hepatosplenomegaly and ascites [Mix4]. The results of this study were given in detail

effect of bilharzial infection on electrophoretic pattern of serum protein in various experimental animals

With a method by which the penetration of cercariae of S. mansoni can be quantitated separately from their subsequent development with worms, a comparative study was performed in hamster, mouse, guinea pig and rabbit. The infection remained constant in the hamster and mice for at least 16 weeks but diminished gradually in rabbit and guinea pig. Serum electrophoretic pattern in the 4 species of rodents studied showed that guinea pigs and rabbits are better animals for the study of acquired immunity, since good infection develops in them as in the mice, hamster, and is lost at moderate rate

Routine use of protein components for preparation of anti-albumin

The present technique of simple agarose gel electrophoresis proved to be of great value in protein biochemistry in general. The technique is also very suitable for clinical routine analysis in the hospitals, for evaluation of proteins in plasma and other body fluids. A good separation of about 11 components can be obtained. Beside the routine use the technique could serve as a valuable aid in the preparation of anti-body [e.g. Anti-albumin]

Pattern of iron metabolism in different types and stages of bilharzial patients

Anaemia associating both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis was studied. Data showed a marked drop in blood haemoglobin level in all groups included in this study, which was more aggravated in case of intestinal mansoniasis associated with moderate or severe liver affection and particularly in the ascitic cases. This drop in haemoglobin was associated with a concomitant drop in serum iron. The total iron binding capacity was more or less normal in cases of urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis without complications. In intestinal mansoniasis with slight liver affection, the total iron binding capacity showed slight elevation, while in moderate liver affection the total iron binding capacity was significantly increased. A marked drop was observed in case of severe liver affection and particularly in ascitic case. The percent transferrin saturation in all the cases was subnormal and was markedly diminished in case with slight or moderate liver affection. The percent transferrin saturation was near normal level in intestinal mansoniasis with severe liver affection. The rate of intestinal iron absorption was enhanced in urinary and non-complicated intestinal cases and also in those with slight liver affection, but was markedly diminished in cases with severe liver affection, particularly in ascitic group

Serum transferrin, albumin and IgG levels in hepatosplenic bilharziasis in Egypt

Serum transferrin, IgG, and albumin levels were measured in 76 patients with chronic schistosomiasis and 37 controls. Comparison was established between cases with and without hepatosplenomegaly and cases with [0 to 1+] and [2+ to 4+] circumoval precipitin tests. Patients without hepatosplenomegaly showed chronic iron deficiency anaemia and an apparent M-spike deformity of beta globulin zone of the serum electrophoretic pattern which was found to have hyper-transferrinemia. The beta peak was proportional, in height, to the concentration of transferrin. Iron deficiency anaemia was considered mainly due to intestinal blood loss over a prolonged period which depletes the body iron stores. Gamma globulin increase was associated with increase in the amount of precipitate formed around the eggs incubated in immune serum of patients. Circumoval precipitins were considered as stage specific IgG antibodies present in the serum as long as the host harbours the living parasite