ABSTRACT
AIM: The current study aimed to assess the practicability of a simple loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) about real-time quantitative PCR to diagnose primary toxoplasmosis among high-risk pregnant women. METHODS: Cloned Toxoplasma samples were used to calculate the analytical sensitivity while specificity was assessed using pooled DNA samples extracted from other parasitic stages. RESULTS: Both techniques showed 100% sensitivity and specificity and then applied to detect recent Toxoplasma infection in peripheral blood of 77 IgG negative women out of a total 139 women lately experienced spontaneous abortion. The 2 techniques obtained positive results in 8 samples confirming primary toxoplasmosis. CONCLUSION: Generally, LAMP assay is a simple, cost-effective molecular technique can be completed in less than half an hour to diagnose primary Toxoplasma infection. The technique can be applied in a minimally equipped laboratory by ordinary workers to screen the vulnerable groups. Further analysis using larger samples with the quantitative approach is recommended to confirm the sensitivity of this emergent molecular technique.
ABSTRACT
Estimated 500,000 - 1 million cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are reported to occur yearly worldwide, with a mean annual incidence of around 3 - 4% of global population. HCC is rapidly fatal in most patients; that makes its incidence and mortality rates almost equal. In the last 5-10 years there were many alarming reports of sharply increased incidence of HCC. In Egypt, HCC reported to account for about 4.7% of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients, which has tremendous impact on socio-economic development in the country. Available data suggests indirect evidence of an association between Schistosoma mansoni and hepatocellular carcinoma, possibly through potentiation of hepatitis infections. The present study was conducted case control analysis of 60 HCC patients. Chronic schistosomiasis cases were confirmed by finding Anti-Schistosoma mansoni antibodies IgG by ELISA. Hepatitis C viral infection was proved by detection of viral load by quantitative Real time PCR. Among the study group 56.6% (34/60) were dweller in rural in Al-Fayoum governorate. Within hepatocellular carcinoma cases 26.7% (16/60) and 33.3% (20/60) suffered mono chronic schistosomiasis and mono hepatitis C (HCV) infections respectively, with no statistically significant differences (p=0.37), indicating comparable risk value of both infections in predisposing directly to HCC. Additionally; frequency of HCC patients with assumed potentiated HCV infection by chronic Schistosoma mansoni 6.7% (4/60) were statistically significant (p<0.05) less among total HCC patients included in this study, when compared to HCC patients preceded by either pure chronic schistosomiasis 26.7% (16/60) or pure HCV infection 33.3% (20/60). Our present study is one of few, addressing the possibility of direct relation between S. mansoni & hepatic carcinoma, concluding an initial indication of equal risk value of both human chronic S. mansoni infection and hepatitis C viral infections in precipitating hepatocellular carcinoma among Egyptian patients.
