Application of High-Resolution Melting PCR to Detect the Genomic Fungal ITS 2 Region.

BACKGROUND: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) are a main cause of morbidity and mortality. High-resolution melting polymerase chain reaction (HRM PCR) is promising for the identification of fungal species via the detection of internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2). OBJECTIVES: To assess the sensitivity and specificity of HRM PCR in diagnosing IFIs, compared with blood culture. METHODS: Our study included 100 patients who were suspected of having IFIs; we analyzed their specimens via blood culture and HRM PCR. RESULTS: Blood culture results were positive in 57 cases and negative in 43 cases. HRM PCR results were positive in 14 cases and negative in 86 cases. The 14 cases with positive results included 4 with Candida tropicalis, 4 with Candida glabrata, and 6 with Candida krusei. HRM PCR sensitivity was 24.6%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 100%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: HRM PCR is specific but not sensitive. Blood culture is more sensitive and cannot be replaced by HRM PCR.

Predictors of patient responses to ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome experiencing infertility.

OBJECTIVE: To identify predictors of clomiphene citrate-induced ovulation in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A prospective observational study of patients 18-40 years of age with PCOS experiencing infertility was conducted at Menoufia University Hospital between January 2011 and January 2013. A range of potential predictors of ovulation were recorded before patients received a 50-mg dose of clomiphene citrate. Following ovulation or no response to increasing clomiphene-citrate doses, correlations between predictors and treatment responses were analyzed. RESULTS: In total, 150 patients with PCOS experiencing infertility were enrolled. Following treatment, 110 (73.3%) patients ovulated. Highly significant differences were observed between treatment responders and non-responders in baseline amenorrhea, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, total testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, and visceral fat area (P<0.001). Significant differences in mean ovarian volume (P<0.009) and ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index (P<0.003) were also observed. Total testosterone was the best individual predictor of clomiphene citrate treatment response. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in a multivariate prediction model was 0.98. CONCLUSIONS: A combination of patient amenorrhea, BMI, total testosterone, anti-Müllerian hormone, ovarian volume, ovarian stromal artery pulsatility index, and visceral fat area could be used to predict clomiphene-citrate treatment response in patients with PCOS experiencing infertility. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02269306.

An experimental study for evaluating the efficacy of cercarial vaccine against Schistosoma mansoni.

This study assessed the effectiveness of autoclaved cercarial vaccine (ACV) in protection against Schistosoma mansoni infection in 125 Swiss albino mice classified into two main groups: GI: a control group. GII: a test vaccinated with ACV, in a single dose of 0.1 ml of 10(4) ml ACV (G.IIa), double dose; 0.2ml (G.IIb) and two single doses 2 weeks apart (G.IIc). Four weeks later, all mice were challenged with S. mansoni cercariae and sacrificed 10 weeks post infection (P.I.). The results revealed that the vaccine in a single dose (G.IIa) induced a high level of protection against S. mansoni infection. There was a significant reduction in the mean number of adult worm (91.12%), ova/gram liver (91.87%), ova/gram intestine (89.09%) and number & size of granulomas in liver (92.92% & 43.53% respectively). Besides, ACV induced a significant increase in the level of IL-10 mRNA expression as compared to the control group.