Premarital genetic investigations: effect of genetic counselling.

Over a period of 2 years, 86 couples (172 cases) were referred to the genetics clinic of the National Research Centre for premarital genetic counselling. About 73.25% had a family history of different genetic disorders. Consanguinity was found in 86.04%. Genetic investigations revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 26 cases (15.11%); 23 cases (13.37%) had other abnormal results. After genetic counselling, postconceptional follow-up was carried out for 30 couples; 10 of them required amniocentesis that showed abnormal fetuses in 2 mothers. Other couples had normal offspring. We conclude that premarital genetic counselling is of great use in the detection of genetic disorders and is an essential step in changing attitudes towards premarital testing and reducing consanguineous marriage.

Screening of dystrophin gene deletions in Egyptian patients with DMD/BMD muscular dystrophies.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are allelic disorders caused by mutations within the dystrophin gene. Our study has identified 100 Egyptian families collected from the Human Genetics Clinic, National Research Center, Cairo. All cases were subjected to complete clinical evaluation pedigree analysis, electromyography studies, estimation of serum creatine phosphokinase enzyme (CPK) levels and DNA analysis. Multiplex PCR using 18 pairs of specific primers were used for screening of deletion mutations within the dystrophin gene. A frequency of 55% among the families. Sixty per cent of detected deletions involved multiple exons spanning the major or the minor hot spot of the dystrophin gene. The remainder 40% which mainly involved exon 45. Comparing these findings with frequencies of other countries it was found that our figures fall within the reported range of 40%- distribution of deletions in our study and other different studies was variable and specific ethnic differences do not apparently account for specific deletions. In addition this study concluded that employment of the 18 exon analysis is a cost effective and a highly accurate (97% to launch a nationwide program.

Premarital genetic investigations: effect of genetic counselling

Over a period of 2 years, 86 couples [172 cases] were referred to the genetics clinic of the National Research Centre for premarital genetic counselling. About 73.25% had a family history of different genetic disorders. Consanguinity was found in 86.04%. Genetic investigations revealed chromosomal abnormalities in 26 cases [15.11%]; 23 cases [13.37%] had other abnormal results. After genetic counselling, postconceptional follow-up was carried out for 30 couples; 10 of them required amniocentesis that showed abnormal fetuses in 2 mothers. Other couples had normal offspring. We conclude that premarital genetic counselling is of great use in the detection of genetic disorders and is an essential step in changing attitudes towards premarital testing and reducing consanguineous marriage

Neu Laxova syndrome in two Egyptian families.

We report on 2 Egyptian girls from 2 families with 8 affected relatives, 4 in each family. The 2 propositae had unusual facial appearance, severe microcephaly, generalized edema, contractures of limbs, and generalized ichthyotic skin lesions. Findings in the present 2 patients were compared with those in previously reported cases of Neu Laxova syndrome. In our cases, consanguinity, affected sibs, and affected cousins were noted. Autosomal recessive inheritance and lethality are emphasized. A high frequency of the Neu Laxova syndrome in Egyptians is suspected as a result of the increased consanguinity rate.

The use of cytoenzymological changes in some parasitic protozoa for screening the carcinogenicity of chemicals.

Changes in the Golgi bodies and in hydrolytic enzymes were observed in parasitic ciliates (Nyctotheroides puytoraci) and flagellates (Opalina sudafricana and Protoopalina sp.) after the administration of a single dose of 0.5 mg beta-naphthylamine (BNA) to their host, Bufo regularis. The experiment was carried out during the host's pre-breeding season, from November to February (when only trophozoites are available); the trophozoites were examined 21 days after the injection of BNA. Use of the silver impregnation technique showed an increase in the size of the granular argentophilic Golgi bodies in all three trophozoites after administering BNA to their host. In addition, a larger number of acid phosphatase and nonspecific esterase granules was found in the endoplasm of the three parasites after the injection. The localization of acid phosphatase and nonspecific esterase was found to be similar to the distribution of the Golgi bodies in both the control and the treated preparations. The results could be useful, in that some protozoans could be employed for the quick detection of chemical carcinogenicity if changes in their hydrolytic enzyme content are used as a diagnostic feature.