Detection of the Level of Interleukin-8 in the Serum of Burn Patients by ELISA Technique.

Burn injuries are the most frequent injuries in the world, with a death rate of 2.3-3.6%. Children and people of working age constitute 85-90% of the burn cases. Burn injury results in metabolic problems, a generalized inflammatory response, inefficient energy use, and other physiological alternations that may cause organ and system dysfunction and sepsis. Sepsis is mostly caused by multiple organ failures and has unique characteristics in burn injuries, which make it the most dangerous complication of burn injuries. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between sepsis in burn patients and the level of interleukin 8 (IL-8) in their serum. In total, 60 patients with burn injuries were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained from 60 burn patients and 30 healthy individuals as controls. The BacT/Alert and Vitek2 systems were used to identify the bacteria and determine their susceptibility to these bacteria. Moreover, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine IL-8 serum levels. Based on the results, elevated levels of IL-8 were observed in the serum of burn patients, compared to healthy individuals. Concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in patients with sepsis, compared to healthy individuals without sepsis.

Human and animal brucellosis in Jordan between 1996 and 1998: a study.

Between 1996 and 1998, a total of 2,494 samples of blood from humans and animals were collected and tested for brucellosis. This total included 1,594 samples of animal blood, collected from 1,050 sheep from 20 flocks, and 544 goats from eight herds. The serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal test, the tube agglutination test, the complement fixation test and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, a complete history was compiled from each flock/herd. The rate of abortions in sheep due to brucellosis ranged from 0.5% to 56%, with a mean of 33.2%. The goats had a higher abortion rate. Thirty-four aborted sheep foetuses collected from these 20 flocks were bacteriologically and pathologically examined. A pure culture of Brucella melitensis biotype 3 was isolated from 21 of the aborted foetuses. The human blood samples were collected from two groups: first, from 800 apparently healthy people who were reporting to community hospitals for routine health checks and secondly, from 100 people from groups with a high-risk of contracting brucellosis, such as veterinarians, sheep-herders and laboratory technicians. The Brucella antibody titres for the 900 human serum samples were obtained using the microtitre agglutination test. The cumulative percentage of the serum samples showing a titre reading greater than 1:80 was higher in the at-risk group than among the normal population (7% compared to 4.1%). Although these results were not statistically significant, the higher percentage of positive reactors among the high-risk group may indicate an increased risk factor among professional agricultural and veterinary personnel in Jordan. It was concluded that brucellosis is common in sheep and goats in Jordan, subjecting the human population to high risks. Brucella melitensis Rev. 1 vaccination has been internationally recognised as the key to successfully controlling the disease. All animals in Jordan were repeatedly vaccinated between 1996 and 1998 on a trial basis, using a reduced dose of 1 x 10(5) colony-forming units (CFU). Cumulative data on the annual rate of human cases of brucellosis indicate that fewer people are affected each year. The same is true for the rate of abortions in animals. Such evidence strongly suggests that the vaccination programme has been successful. However, as wild strains of Brucella have also been isolated from vaccinated animals, the authors recommend increasing the amount of vaccine to a full dose of 1 to 2 x 10(9) CFU and vaccinating young female animals between the ages of three and eight months. To avoid brucellosis in humans, people should be educated about the dangers of contact with infected animals and the consumption of raw milk and milk products.

In situ measurements of muscle fiber conduction velocity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the muscle fiber conduction velocity in Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. METHODS: The muscle fiber conduction velocity of the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior was measured with the needle electrode. Eighteen controls and 32 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients were studied. Clinical neurological examination, serum cretin kinase level estimation, conventional electromyogram were carried out for every individual and 17 of the Duchene muscular dystrophy patients were biopsied for further histological and histochemical examination. RESULTS: The muscle fiber conduction velocity of the control group showed good reproducibility. The frequent distribution of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy data characterized by multi-peaks curve as compared to the control group. This is demonstrated as significant slowing (P < 0.005) of the muscle fiber conduction velocity in the two muscle examined of the patients group. CONCLUSION: The slowing of the muscle fiber conduction velocity is proposed to be due to the small size of the regenerating and splitting fibers. The multi-peaks frequency distribution curve indicates a great variability in the muscle fiber diameter. The muscle fiber conduction velocity is a useful tool for diagnosing myopathies.

A survey of camel (Camelus dromedarius) diseases in Jordan.

Information on incidences of camel (Camelus dromedarius) diseases in Jordan is scarce. In this survey, 369 live and 156 slaughtered camels were examined in four Jordanian geographic regions and the proportion of diseased camels was calculated. Intestinal parasite ova were detected in 98% of camels; one or more species of external parasites were found on the skin of all camels; 33% had nasal myiasis; and hydatid cysts were identified in 44% of the slaughtered animals. Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli) and trypanasomiasis, two diseases of economic importance, were also diagnosed in 83% and 33% of the 32 and 257 examined camels, respectively. Rabies virus was detected in eight camels by use of fluorescent antibody examination of brain tissues. Foreign-body accumulation within the first and second stomach compartments was the predominant gastrointestinal disease of slaughtered adult camels (22%). Ten percent of slaughtered camels had bacterial pneumonia, with Pasteurella hemolytica most often isolated (56% of pneumonic lungs). Further investigation into the relationship between parasite burden and health in camels is required to assess the significance of the high prevalence of parasites.

Power spectrum analysis and conventional electromyogram in Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

OBJECTIVE: A comparative study of automatic electromyogram analysis (power spectral analysis) and manual measurements of the individual motor units potentials parameters in normal and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients was performed to assess the diagnostic yield of both methods. METHODS: The analysis of 20 motor unit potentials elicited at weak effort manually by visual assessment and by power spectrum analysis at 1400 Hz Haning window were performed with concentric needle electrode in the biceps brachii and tibialis anterior. The study includes 18 healthy controls and 32 Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients. The primary diagnosis of the patients was based on the clinical criteria, family history and serum creatin kinase activity estimation. Seventeen patients were biopsied for further histological and histochemical examination. RESULTS: The conventional electromyogram of the patient group characterized by condensed, low mean amplitude of the recruited pattern and an increase in the percentage of polyphasic potentials of short duration and low amplitude in comparison to the normal subjects. About 74% of the patients were identified as myopathic patients with this method. Power spectrum analysis showed significant increase (P<0.0005) in the mean power frequently and the relative power at 1400 Hz and a significant decrease (P<0.0005) in accumulated power. About 95% of the patients were identified as being myopathic patients by this method. Statistical correlation analysis revealed no relationship between the power spectrum analysis and motor unit potentials parameters. CONCLUSION: The electromyogram power spectra was shifted to the higher frequencies in the Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients as compared to the control. The diagnostic yield of the electromyogram power spectrum analysis was higher than the measurement of the motor unit potential parameters. The best parameter of the electromyogram power spectrum is the relative power at 1400 Hz than the other two parameters. The net result of this study is that the electromyogram power spectrum has diagnostic possibilities in the muscles, which showed normal, or few motor unit potential changes.

Epizootic lymphangitis in horses: a review of the literature.

Epizootic lymphangitis is a relatively common infectious disease of horses and other liquids in certain parts of the world. The infection rate varies according to the geographic area and the age of the animal. The disease is most commonly characterised by a cord-like appearance of the subcutaneous lymphatic and cutaneous pyogranulomas, the discharge from which contains spherical or pear-shaped bodies of the causal agent, Histoplasma farciminosum. Diagnosis can be made by the demonstration of typical organisms in stained smears, culture and tissue sections. Serological tests and a skin hypersensitivity test have been described. Amphotericin B is the drug of choice for the treatment of clinical cases. An attenuated vaccine and a killed formalized vaccine are available and can be used in endemic areas to control the disease.

Efficacy of closantel plus albendazole liquid suspension against natural infection of gastrointestinal parasites in camels.

Oral administration of closantel in a dose of 10 mg/kg plus albendazole in a dose of 5 mg/kg liquid suspension was studied in 75 camels naturally infected with various types of gastrointestinal parasites. The camels involved were 15 pregnant she-camels, 20 non-pregnant she-camels and 40 male camels of various ages. Each camel received a single oral dose of closantel (10 mg/kg) plus albendazole (5 mg/kg) orally. Two weeks later, 20 camels of this group were re-dosed again with the same dose of the anthelmintic. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from all camels at the time of treatment and again 14 and 42 days post treatment. Fecal egg counts and generic determination of third stage larvae was performed. Results indicated that six different species of gastrointestinal tract parasites were identified in camels. Single treatment of closantel plus albendazole mixture reduced egg counts in camels by 100%, 100%, 98% and 77% for Haemonchus longistipes, Ascaris spp., Monezia expansa and Fasciola hepatica, respectively. However, administration of the drug twice on the base of 2 weeks apart significantly raised the efficacy of the drug for clearance of the parasites from 92.5% to 100% in camels infected with various parasites. Camels were not adversely affected by treatment.

Equine babesiosis associated with strenuous exercise: clinical and pathological studies in Jordan.

Clinical, haematological and pathological studies were undertaken in Jordan in a stud of 103 racing horses clinically suffering from babesiosis and apparently healthy animals. Out of 47 horses which participated in strenuous exercise, three mares showed sudden onset of immobility and reluctance to move and two mares died. Clinical examination revealed that these five horses (group 1) had fever, anorexia, weakness and severe icterus and, in two mares, haemoglobinuria. Haematological examination revealed that all five horses were heavily parasitized with Babesia equi. This was also found in four horses (group 2) with no evidence of clinical babesiosis. In group 3 (94 horses), neither clinical signs nor B. equi were observed in the blood. The horses in group 1 and 2 recovered after treatment with imidocarb. When the mean values of white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin and packed cell volume in group 1 were compared with those for groups 2 and 3, a significant difference was found (P < 0.05). A significant difference was also found when the mean values were compared before and after treatment. Examination of serum total protein, bilirubin and serum enzymes revealed a significant decrease in the mean value of total serum protein (P < 0.05), and a significant increase in the mean values of bilirubin (P < 0.05) in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3. A significant elevation in the mean value of aspartate aminotransaminase, gamma-glutamyltransferase and creatine phosphokinase and a substantial elevation in the mean value of alkaline phosphatase was also observed in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3. Postmortem examination of the dead horses showed that the animals had icterus, hepatomegaly and full urinary bladder with deep-red urine. Histopathological examination of the liver showed massive centrilobular degeneration and necrosis. The bile canaliculi and bile ducts were prominent and plugged with dark-brown to canary-coloured bile pigments. The lungs had congestion, oedema, and thrombosis of pulmonary veins. Our results suggest that the horses suffered from B. equal with clinical manifestation following exercise. The clinical, haematological and pathological findings indicate that the animals suffered from haemolytic anaemia which responded to imidocarb therapy.

Foetal anasarca in Awassi sheep.

Two anasarcous foetuses of Awassi sheep are described. The foetuses were removed from the dams by caesarean section because of dystocia due to failure of cervical dilation. Uterine incision was made in situ because uteri were so distended they could not be brought out from the site of incision. Large quantities of uterine fluids and abnormal thick placentas were found. One foetus weighed about 7 kg and the other 13 kg. The foetal heads were deformed: the upper jaw was prognathic and the left ear of the small foetus was cystic. Necropsy revealed subcutaneous musculature was soft and flabby and abdominal and thoracic cavities contained serosanguinous fluid. Histopathological examination revealed that only the larger foetus had focal aggregates of basophilic nucleated red blood cells and scattered megakaryocytes in the liver. We conclude that anasarca can occur in Awassi sheep, with and without associated extramedullary haematopoiesis.

Udder edema in cattle: effects of diuretics (furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, acetazolamide, and 50% dextrose) on serum and urine electrolytes.

Blood and urine chemical values at parturition in clinically normal Holstein cows (n = 12) were compared with the same values in Holstein cows developing udder edema (n = 12). There was no statistically significant mean difference between the 2 groups for the serum and urine chemical data. Furosemide (500 mg) given IV caused a significant increase in serum calcium and sodium, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretional ratio of chloride, potassium, and sodium. There was a significant mean decrease in the serum potassium, urine creatinine, osmolality, pH, and specific gravity. Hydrochlorothiazide (250 mg) given IV caused a significant mean increase in serum chloride, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of chloride, potassium, and sodium. There was a significant mean decrease in serum potassium and sodium, urine osmolality, pH, and specific gravity. Acetazolamide (500 mg) given IV caused a significant mean increase in blood urea nitrogen, serum chloride and glucose, urine sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of sodium, while causing a significant mean decrease in serum potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, and urine creatinine. Dextrose (500 g) given IV as a 50% solution caused a statistical mean increase in serum glucose, urine chloride, potassium, and sodium, and fractional excretion ratio of chloride and potassium. A statistical mean decrease occurred in the packed cell volume, blood urea nitrogen, serum calcium, potassium, sodium, and phosphorus, urine creatinine, osmolality, and pH.

Absence of mutagenic activity of acidity regulators in the Ames Salmonella/microsome test.

The activities of various concentrations of 4 acidity regulators (anhydrous citric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid and lactic acid) used in food industries in Iraq was assayed using the Salmonella/microsome mutagenicity assay. None of the samples was mutagenic in the absence or in the presence of S9 to any of the tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium.

Purification and characterization of pyocins R from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Five types of pyocins were found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 112. Production of these types was induced by UV irradiation. The pyocin activity was found to be resistant to trypsin treatment. Their molar mass was found to be 282, 251, 112, 89.1 and 54.9 kg/mol, respectively. The pyocins obtained were different from any known type (such as R, S, F) in their chemical and physical properties.

Udder edema in cattle: effect of furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, acetazolamide, or 50% dextrose on venous blood pressure.

Before injection of diuretic drugs, blood pressures were determined in the cranial superficial epigastric veins (milk vein) and jugular veins of 15 Holstein cows with udder edema at parturition and of 15 healthy (control) cows at parturition. Cows with udder edema had a significant (P less than or equal to 0.05) mean increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure at parturition, compared with that of control cows. After IV administration of 500 mg of furosemide in cows with udder edema, the mean cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) decreased within 5 minutes, remained at the decreased pressure for 90 minutes, and then returned to near pretreatment pressures by 210 minutes after furosemide injection; however, furosemide did not significantly affect the jugular venous blood pressure of these cows. Furosemide injection did not significantly affect the cranial superficial epigastric or jugular venous blood pressure in the control cows. After IV administration of hydrochlorothiazide (250 mg), acetazolamide (500 mg), or 50% dextrose (500 g), the cranial superficial epigastric and jugular venous blood pressures in cows with udder edema at parturition were not significantly different from those in cows without udder edema at parturition during the 210-minute evaluation period after injection of the drugs.

Pyocyanin preparation from Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from heterogeneous clinical materials.

Pure pyocyanin was prepared from 120 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from different clinical specimens. The modified method used increased the purification 425-fold. The spectra of pyocyanin of all strains were found to be identical with a single major peak at 363 nm. The only difference between these spectra appeared to be the level value absorbance. Strains recovered from different clinical specimens differ in their ability for pigment production. The strains isolated from urine produced higher amounts of pyocyanin than other isolates.

Blood flow parameters associated with udder oedema in Jersey cattle affected with rectovaginal constriction.

Udder oedema was studied in eight Jersey cows with rectovaginal constriction (RVC) and three normal Jersey cows. A complete physical examination was performed at least two weeks before parturition, at parturition and two weeks after parturition. Jersey cows with RVC developed udder oedema as early as 14 days before parturition, and condition persisted for three to 10 days following parturition. Mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure were measured in three Jersey cows with RVC with udder oedema and three normal Jersey cows. The former with udder oedema had a significant decrease in mammary blood flow at parturition compared to the normal Jersey cows (P less than 0.05); there was no significant difference in mammary blood flow between Jersey cows with RVC and normal Jersey cows two weeks before parturition (P greater than 0.05). A significant mean increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous blood pressure occurred at parturition when compared to two weeks before parturition in Jersey cows with RVC (P less than 0.05), but normal Jersey cows had no significant increase in cranial superficial epigastric vein pressure during these two periods of measurement (P greater than 0.05). There was no significant increase in jugular vein blood pressure during the two periods of measurement in Jersey cows with RVC or normal Jersey cows (P greater than 0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric pressure at parturition (r = 0.733, P less than 0.05).

The influence of environmental factors upon induced compensatory hyperplasia in the rat liver.

This study has examined the influence of a controlled environment upon the nature of the compensatory hyperplasia which occurs in the rat liver after two-thirds partial hepatectomy. Rats were adapted to a reversed lighting schedule (lights off 09.30 to 21.30 h), and food was only available during the first 8 h of the dark period. Partial hepatectomies were performed at either 10.00, 16.00 or 20.00 h, and the response over the first 36 h monitored by 2-hourly measurements of the flash tritiated thymidine labelling index and the mitotic index. DNA synthesis was initiated within 16-18 h of operation, irrespective of when hepatectomies were performed, though the ensuing patterns of DNA synthesis were rather different. On the other hand, the initiation of mitotic activity was very much dependent upon the time of day that resections were carried out. Hepatectomy at 20.00 h resulted in a rise in mitotic activity some 22-24 h later, but hepatectomy at 10.00 h caused a further 6 h delay in this rise. The onset of mitotic activity appeared to be related to recent feeding, and it is proposed that in the absence of recent nutrition, DNA-synthesizing hepatocytes may have an extended tS and/or tG2.

Venous blood pressure relative to the development of bovine udder edema.

Cranial superficial epigastric (milk vein) and jugular venous blood pressure were measured in 8 cows with udder edema and in 3 normal control cows at least 2 weeks before parturition, at parturition, and 2 weeks after parturition. Cows with udder edema had a significant mean increase (P less than or equal to 0.05) in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure at parturition when compared with pressures 2 weeks prepartum and 2 weeks postpartum. Unaffected control cows had an insignificant increase in cranial superficial epigastric venous pressure during these 3 periods of measurement. There was an insignificant increase in jugular venous blood pressure during the 3 periods of measurement in affected and control cows. A correlation was observed between mammary blood flow and cranial superficial epigastric blood pressure at parturition (r = -0.659, P less than or equal to 0.05).

In vitro pyocin activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains pretreated with antibiotics.

Fifty-six selected strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa belonging to 8 different pyocin types (H, I, 15, 6, PTI-1, PTI-2, PTI-3, PTI-4) were treated with subinhibitory concentrations (MIC/2) of either gentamicin or carbenicillin. Both treatments induced changes in pyocin patterns for all types but at different levels. The percentage of strains that retained their pyocin pattern were more or less equal in both treatments. In treated and untreated producers, the growth inhibition ability for 5 different strains of Enterobacteriaceae (Escherichia coli K12, E. coli EB, Proteus vulgaris, Salmonella typhi, Shigella flexneri) was also investigated. In all pyocin patterns the number of producers that inhibit the growth of these strains was lower after treatment with gentamicin or with carbenicillin, a smaller decrease was detected in the latter treatment. It appeared that the subinhibitory concentrations of these antibiotics are capable of protecting the Enterobacteriaceae strains from the action of the pyocins.

Purification and characterization of pyocins from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Three types of pyocins were found in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain 986 and named pyocin type P25, P50, and P70. Production of these types was inducible by UV irradiation. Their molar mass was estimated. The pyocins obtained were different from the known pyocins R, S, and F in their chemical and physical properties. No immunological cross reaction was observed among these pyocins.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis syndrome (CAE): a review.

Caprine arthritis-encephalitis syndrome (CAE) is a viral disease of domestic goats characterized by chronic proliferative synovitis and periarthritis of adult goats while acute afebrile leukoencephalomyelitis is characteristic in goat kids. The causative agent, a Lentivirus, is transmitted from adult goats to kids via the colostrum or lateral transmission also occurs. The CAE virus is worldwide in distribution. All breeds and ages of goats are susceptible to infection, and once established it persists throughout the animal's life. A diagnosis can be based on the clinical signs, pathological changes, and demonstration of serum antibody levels. A vaccine is not available. Control or eradication of the disease is based on periodic serological testing, culling of all CAE antibody-positive animals, and separation of kids from adults following birth.