Prevalence, Haematological and Molecular Studies of Haemonchus contortus Isolated from Goat at AL-Muthanna Province, Iraq.

Parasitic infections, especially helminthes infections of the gastrointestinal tract due to the latent symptoms, play a vital role in the growth and efficiency of ruminants. The current research was performed to determine the prevalence of haemonchosis in goats and the effect of some risk factors, such as age, sex, and months on the infection rate. Also, our study includes investigating the haematological and biochemical changes in the haemonchosis-infected goat, then utilizing the PCR technique to confirm the H. contortus diagnosis in goats. The result of the epidemiological study revealed that only 73 out of 693 examined goats were positive to infect with Haemonchus spp. at an infection rate of 10.53%. The incidence of Haemonchosis was related to climatic conditions, with the highest (23.07 %) and lowest (4.34 %) percentages occurring in October and June, respectively. Furthermore, the highest (14.01 %) and lowest (4.76 %) infection percentages were recorded in goats aged > 5 years and 9 months to 2 years old, respectively. According to sex, infection percentages were (14.24%) and (7.02 %) for females and males, respectively. Haematological and biochemical parameters results revealed that infected goats suffered from a gradual decline in Hb concentration, pocket cell volume, total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, lymphocyte, neutrophil, total serum protein and albumin, while eosinophil count was increased significantly. Also, serum enzymes ALP, ALT, and AST showed significant increases in infected goats. The result of PCR showed that specific primers (HcI-F, HcI-R) successfully amplify the ITS-2 rDNA gene with 295bp -long fragment to H. controtus. Due to the effect of age, sex and season on H. contortus infection, it is crucial to have control and prevention programs and treatment schedules in the herd.

Association of Vitamin D Gene Polymorphisms With HCV Infection Outcome.

Background: Vitamin D derivatives and their receptor (VDR) are immune-response modulators in many diseases including malignancies, metabolic conditions, and infections. We hypothesized that one or more variants of VDR single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in hepatitis C virus (HCV) cirrhotic patients. Materials and Methods: A total of 861 subjects were recruited and classified as spontaneous viral clearance (SVC, n = 127), chronic hepatic cirrhosis (CHC, n = 392), and HCC (n = 342). Standard routine laboratory tests were performed and clinical features noted. All individuals were genotyped for seven SNPs spanning the VDR using real-time PCR. Results: Genotype frequencies of SNPs rs7970376, rs11568820, rs4516035, rs2228570 (Fok1), rs1544410 (Bsm-1), and rs731236 (Taq1), but not rs739837, were variously altered in CHC and HCC compared with SVC, and in HCC compared to CHC (all p < 0.001). The most powerful was rs7970376, which brought an OR (95% CI) of 7.14 (4.64-10.98) for HCC compared to SVC (p = 0.001). The carriage of the AGTAC haplotype of five SNPs were linked to CHC compared to SVC at OR 2.88 [95% CI 1.2-6.9] (p = 0.017) and with HCC compared to CHC at OR 1.54 [95% CI = 1.04-2.27 (p = 0.031). Conclusion: SNPs in VDR may have a potential role in the outcomes of patients with HCV infection. VDR SNPs; rs7970376, rs11568820, rs4516035, rs2228570 (Fok1), rs1544410 (Bsm-1), and rs731236 (Taq1) could be used as molecular markers to predict the risk of HCC.

[Minimal change nephropathy and IgA deposits associated with a Sezary syndrome]. / Néphropathie à IgA et LGM au cours d'un syndrome de Sézary.

INTRODUCTION: The Sézary syndrome (SS) is an aggressive form of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) requiring a rapid diagnosis due to its poor prognosis. CASE REPORT: We report the first case of an eighty-nine-year-old woman who presented with concomitant Sezary syndrome and anasarca, revealing a nephrotic syndrome caused by a minimal change nephropathy associated with immunoglobulin A (IgA) deposits. Scarce literature described rare cases associating these two entities (nephrotic syndrome and nephropathy). However, the nephrotic syndrome was delayed from disease onset, secondary to immunosuppressive treatment of SS, or due to the weaning of SS therapy. Thus, the direct link between the glomerular lesion and the cutaneous lymphoma was difficult to establish. However, the synchronous occurrence of both SS and glomerulopathy in our patient, along with Sezary cells in both urines (urinary cytology) and biopsy, and resolution of nephropathy after treatment of SS, support the likely attributability of SS in glomerulopathy. CONCLUSION: Practitioners must acknowledge the possible occurrence of glomerular involvement in SS.

Comparison between Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Exopolysaccharides (EPS) Extracted from Lactobacillus reuteri and Streptococcus mitis against Oral Bacteria.

Due to the increased resistance to antibiotics and chemical biocides, the use of bacterial exopolysaccharides has been considered. The objective of the current study was to investigate the strength of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of EPS extracted from Lactobacillus reuteri and Streptococcus mitis because previous studies showed there were structural differences between EPS, during this study, EPS extracted from Lactobacillus reuteri and Streptococcus miti by ethanol precipitation method and estimated antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against several Oral Bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus hominis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Raoultella ornithinolytica, Streptococcus thoraltensis in different concentration as (100,150,200,250,300 mg/ml ), the results showed carbohydrates rate in extracted EPS from L. reuteri and S. mitis were recorded was 85, 80 % respectively.The concentration 100 and 150 mg/ml for EPS from L. reuteri and S. mitis, there was no inhibitory effect, except in S. aureus (1.1±0.10) and S. hominis (1.0±0.10) at 100 mg/ml, 3.1±2.01, 2.1±0.54 mg/ml respectively at 150 mg/ml concentration but no significant differences (P≤0.05). However, the antibacterial effect of that EPSs started at the concentration of 200 and upwards, where different results were recorded between the concentrations of both EPSs against all bacteria isolated (P≤0.05), On the other hand, the effect of EPS from L. reuteri and S. mitis was clear against the formation of biofilm compared with the control, worth mentioning that EPS from L. reuteri was more effective compared with EPS from S. mitis in all isolates (P≤0.05) except for S. thoraltensis where it was noted that the EPS from S. mitis is more effective than EPS from L. reuteri. Through the results obtained in this study, it was noted that the difference in the structural nature of EPS has an important role in its effectiveness as an antibacterial and anti-biofilm formation and, as it was found that the EPS from L. reuteri showed more effectiveness than EPS from S. mitis and thus the mechanism of preventing and inhibiting bacteria depending of the structural nature of EPS.

Infection control measures in neonatal units: implementation of change in the Gaza-Strip.

Introduction: Low-income countries rarely report infection control measures although they are key to reducing mortality and morbidity in healthcare. This audit examined healthcare personnel's adherence to infection control measures before entry to the NICU and in both minor and major procedures' bundles. Furthermore, it examined the effect of subsequent authorization and dissemination of infection control guidelines followed by education and training sessions on the adherence of healthcare personnel to infection control policies.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in two NICUs at two separate hospitals in the Gaza-Strip, Palestine. The initial observation period was June-August 2016 during which healthcare professionals' adherence to infection control policies was assessed by direct observation. This was followed by NICU feedback dissemination and on-site educational and training sessions. Then, the reaudit, following the same protocol, was carried out throughout February 2017.Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in the adherence to infection control measures among healthcare personnel. Significant improvements were found in both minor and major procedure infection control protocols' adherence rates. However, when comparing the general neonatal handling adherence rate between both audits, no significant change was noted.Discussion: This study highlights the effectiveness of using audit feedback and on-site educational and training sessions in the enhancement of adherence to infection control policies, demonstrating significant improvement in areas covered by the staff training program. Therefore, including regular infection control training combined with feedback in the curriculum of healthcare professionals can improve the sustainability of infection control programs. Further studies must examine the impact of such training also on the incidence of healthcare-associated infection rates as well as morbidity and mortality within neonatal units.

Impact of leaching conditions on constituents release from Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum (FGDG) and FGDG-soil mixture.

The interest in using Flue Gas Desulfurization Gypsum (FGDG) for land applications has increased recently. This study evaluates the leaching characteristics of trace elements in "modern" FGDG (produced after fly ash removal) and FGDG-mixed soil (SF) under different environmental conditions using recently approved EPA leaching methods (1313-1316). These methods employ various pH and liquid-solid (LS) ratios under batch leaching, column percolation and diffusion controlled release scenarios. Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Protocol (TCLP) and Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Protocol (SPLP) were used for comparison. The data obtained from new EPA methods provide broad insight into constituent release from FGDG and SF when compared to TCLP and SPLP. The release of toxic elements such as Hg, As, Pb, Co, Cd and Cr from SF was negligible. High release of B from FGDG was observed under all tested conditions; however, its release from SF was low. Both FGDG and SF released Se under all pH conditions (2-13) and LS ratios (1-10) in low concentrations (0.02-0.2mg/L). The data from this study could be used to investigate potential use of "modern" FGDG for new beneficial land applications.

[Dermatomyositis associated with anti-MDA5 antibodies and pneumocystis pneumonia: Two lethal cases]. / Dermatomyosite associée aux anticorps anti-MDA5 et pneumocystose pulmonaire : deux cas d'évolution fatale.

BACKGROUND: Dermatomyositis associated with anti-MDA-5 autoantibodies is a recently-described clinical entity. Herein we report two lethal cases involving pneumocystis pneumonia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Case no 1. A 56-year-old male patient developed cutaneous symptoms consistent with dermatomyositis without muscular involvement. Antinuclear antibodies were present and anti-MDA5 auto-antibodies were identified. The scan showed interstitial lung disease without infection. Significant improvement was obtained with corticosteroids. One month later, the patient presented acute respiratory illness (hypoxemia: PaO2 60mmHg, exacerbation of lung disease evidenced by a scan, and diagnosis of pneumocystis pneumonia on bronchoalveolar lavage). He died despite appropriate antibiotic therapy and immunosuppressant therapy. Case no 2. The second case concerned a 52-year-old Vietnamese man who developed more atypical cutaneous symptoms of dermatomyositis without muscular involvement. ANAb responses were positive (1/400) and MDA5 was present. The patient was treated with corticosteroids (40mg/d), hydroxychloroquine, and intravenous immunoglobulin. After significant improvement, the patient developed an acute respiratory illness due to superinfection with pneumocystis and he died despite specific treatment and cyclophosphamide bolus. CONCLUSION: In dermatomyositis, anti-MDA5 antibody screening is essential for the prognosis since the disease carries a risk of complication with severe lung disease. Bronchial fibroscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage should be considered at the time of diagnosis. Our two cases suggest the need for early screening for pneumocystis pneumonia in the event of respiratory distress and possibly for prophylactic treatment at the start of immunosuppressant therapy.

[A case of donovanosis acquired in France]. / Donovanose contractée en France.

INTRODUCTION: Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) is a bacterial infection caused by Klebsiella granulomatis that occurs mainly in the genital area and is primarily sexually transmitted; it is seen predominantly in the tropics. Herein, we report a case of the disease contracted in metropolitan France. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 47-year-old man presented with painless ulceration of the glans, present for one month, with progressive extension; there was no history of any recent trip abroad. Skin biopsy with Whartin-Starry and Giemsa staining revealed Donovan bodies in the cytoplasm of macrophages. Based on these findings, further questioning of the patient revealed unprotected sexual contact two months earlier in France. Treatment was initiated with azithromycin 1g on the first day followed by 500mg per day for three weeks. The clinical outcome was spectacular, with almost complete regression of the ulcer at 7 days. DISCUSSION: This case demonstrates that donovanosis can occur in metropolitan France.

[Covering of parotid and cervical lymph nodes metastasis of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head, about 18 cases]. / Prise en charge des métastases cervico-parotidiennes des carcinomes épidermoides de la face, discussion à partir d'une série de cas.

AIM: To describe 18 cases of patients treated for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the head metastasing to cervical lymph nodes and parotid gland. To estimate their survival and the risk factors of metastases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 18 cases of patients affected by CSCC of the head, metastatic to parotid and cervical lymph nodes were afterward analyzed. Two populations were differentiated: the patients already treated for their CSCC, with secondary appearance of metastases in the Population A, the patients by whom the metastase is concomitantly discovered to the CSCC in the Population B. RESULTS: The treatment consisted of a parotidectomy and neck dissection, possibly associated with excision of the primary tumour. Adjuvant radiotherapy was systematic. Metastatic progression was on lungs most of the time (57%), in patients of the population B (80%), or of whom primitive CSCC was of bad forecast (group 2) (78%). The mortality was bound to the complications induced by distant metastases (63%), at 5 years it was superior in the population B (100%) than in the population A (77%). CONCLUSION: CSCC of the head, metastatic to parotid and cervical lymph nodes have a severe prognosis for survival in spite of an optimal curative treatment applied to fragile old patients.

Domino effect of hypomagnesemia on the innate immunity of Crohn's disease patients.

Digestive diseases play major role in development and complications of other disorders including diabetes. For example, Crohn's disease (CD) is an inflammatory bowel disease associated with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. The inflammation is a complex process that involves the activity of both innate and adaptive immune responses. CD lesions are primarily due to T cell response, however; innate immune response has a significant role in initiating its pathogenesis. Toll-like receptors and NOD-like receptors promote the activity of nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway for cytokines production. This results in the production of high levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6. Moreover, intestinal inflammation of CD is related to increased activity of NMDA receptors and the release of substance P. Imbalanced magnesium homeostasis in CD is a frequent finding in CD, Diabetes and others. The loss of such a major mineral affects many physiological processes in the body including its role as an immunomodulator. This review aims to (1) describe the significance of hypomagnesemia in the release of pro-inflammatory mediators in CD; (2) demonstrate effects of magnesium on pathways like NF-κB; (3) address the role of hypomagnesemia in the activity of CD; and (4) examine possible future research to establish a standard magnesium supplementation strategy; helping patients with CD or other disorders to maintain a sustained remission.