Parasitological, Serological and Molecular Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi among Arabian Camels (Camelus dromedaries) with Evaluation of Antitrypanosomal Drugs.

PURPOSE: This study was carried out to assess the prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in naturally diseased Dromedary camels in Dammam, Eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The detection of Trypanosoma evansi was performed using the parasitological, serological, and molecular diagnosis and a comparison between such methods were analyzed. In addition, evaluation of therapeutic efficacy of selected antitrypanosomal drugs, cymelarsan and quinapyrmine (aquin-1.5), was trialed for treatment of diagnosed infected cases. METHODS: A total 350 randomly selected camels were evaluated using thin blood smear (TBS), RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques. RESULTS: The total prevalence was 6.9%, 7.7%, and 32.8% by TBS, RoTat1.2 PCR and CATT/T. evansi techniques, respectively. Although PCR detect T. evansi in more samples than TBS, the agreement was good (K = 0.9). Among the CATT/T. evansi results, PCR detect T. evansi in 12 and 15 CATT positive and negative camels, respectively, with low agreement (Kappa = 0.1). The use of cymelarsan and quinapyramine sulfate in the treatment of naturally infected cases demonstrated a very efficient therapeutic response. CONCLUSION: It was found that 1. Comparing the CATT/T. evansi and PCR results, the positivity of CATT was higher than PCR detection, while the agreement was poor (K = 0.1). 2. Cymelarsan and aquin-1.5 proved to be effective in the treatment of naturally infected camels, but cymelarsan presented with higher effectiveness (100%) than aquin-treated camels (83.3%). a 3. The use of cymelarsan and CATT is recommended for disease treatment and control.

Epidemiological investigations in Sarcoptic mange in camels with special reference in treatment.

This study was conducted in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia during the period from (August 2019 to August 2020) to investigate the sarcoptic mange infestation level in one humped camels (Camelus dromedarius), and to assess the effect of the age and season on the mange infestation, to assess the effect of the mange infestation on the appetite and body condition score (BCS) and to develop a good an applicable treatment protocol. 250 female camels were examined clinically and parasitologically, skin scraping revealed that Sarcoptes scabiei var. cameli mite was found in 28% of the examined animals, data analysis of the selected parameters showed that there was an effect for the age and season on the mange infestation, on the other hand there was no effect for the mange infestation on the appetite and BCS. Administration of Doramectin injection and Deltamethrin spray together founded to be the best treatment protocol for the sarcoptic mange infestation in camels, this finding indicates that using the acaricides alone is not enough for the disease eradication and must combined with treatment of the contaminated environment to prevent the reinfection from surrounding arears and achieve the highest cure level.

The value of endocervical and endometrial lidocaine flushing before office hysteroscopy: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of flushing the cervical canal and the uterine cavity with local anesthetic in order to reduce the pain felt by patients during office hysteroscopy. METHODS: A double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted between May 1, 2018, and February 28, 2019, involving 260 women undergoing office hysteroscopy at Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt. Women were randomized using a computerized random number generator to intrauterine and intracervical instillation 5 minutes before the procedure of either 5 mL lidocaine 2% diluted in 15 mL normal saline, or 20 mL normal saline alone. The primary outcome measure was the visual analog scale (VAS) pain score reported by women during the procedure. Secondary outcomes included VAS score at 10 and 30 minutes after the procedure, the need for analgesia, and occurrence of vasovagal attacks. RESULTS: Women in the lidocaine flushing group reported a significantly lower VAS score during the procedure (1.8 ± 1.1 vs 5.2 ± 1.8) and 10 and 30 minutes after it (1.3 ± 1.15 and 0.8 ± 0.9 vs 4.3 ± 2.1 and 2.98 ± 1.96) when compared with control women (P<0.001). More women without lidocaine flushing experienced vasovagal attacks (25/130 vs 9/130, P<0.001) and needed analgesia (84/130 vs 13/130, P<0.001) when compared with women with lidocaine flushing. CONCLUSION: Flushing of the cervical canal and uterine cavity with local anesthetic significantly decreased pain sensation in women undergoing office hysteroscopy. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03530488.

Randomized controlled trial of the effect of endometrial injury on implantation and clinical pregnancy rates during the first ICSI cycle.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether endometrial injury in the cycle preceding controlled ovarian hyperstimulation during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) improves the implantation and pregnancy rates. METHODS: Between January 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, a randomized controlled trial was conducted at a center in Egypt among 300 women who met inclusion criteria (first ICSI cycle, aged <40 years, day-3 follicle-stimulating hormone <10 IU/L, normal serum prolactin, no uterine cavity abnormality). The women were randomly allocated using a web-based system to undergo endometrial scratch in the cycle preceding controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (n=150) or to a control group (n=150). Only data analysts were masked to group assignment. The primary outcomes were the implantation and clinical pregnancy rates at 14 days and 4 weeks after embryo transfer, respectively. Analyses were by intention to treat. RESULTS: The implantation rate was significantly higher in the endometrial scratch group (41.3% [90/218]) than in the control group (30.0% [63/210]; P<0.001). The clinical pregnancy rate was also significantly higher in the endometrial scratch group (44.2% [61/138]) than in the control group (30.4% [41/135]; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Endometrial injury in the cycle preceding the stimulation cycle improved implantation and pregnancy rates during ICSI. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT02660125.

Carbetocin versus syntometrine for prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after cesarean section.

OBJECTIVE: To compare effectiveness and tolerability of carbetocin versus syntometrine in prevention of postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) after cesarean section (CS). METHODS: A double-blind randomized study conducted on 300 pregnant subjected randomly either to single 100 µg IV dose of carbetocin (150 women) or combination of 5 IU oxytocin and 0.2 mg ergometrine (150 women) after fetal extraction and before placental removal. Primary outcome parameter was the occurrence of PPH. Other parameters were hemoglobin and hematocrit changes, the need of additional oxytocic, hemodynamic changes and occurrence of side effects. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two study groups regarding hemoglobin and hematocrit at start of CS and after 2 days of surgery and mean blood loss during the operation (p > 0.05). There was a highly significant difference between the two study groups regarding incidence of primary PPH (2.7% versus10%) and the need of additional oxytocic (3.3% versus17.3%). Women in oxytocin group showed a statistically significant lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 1, 5 and 30 min than women in carbetocin group. Women in carbetocin group experienced more metallic taste, flushing, headache, dizziness, dyspnea and itching, while women in oxytocin methergine group experienced more palpitations. CONCLUSIONS: Carbetocin is a reasonable effective alternative to syntometrine in prevention of PPH after cesarean delivery.

The role of prophylactic use of low dose aspirin and calheparin in patients with unexplained recurrent abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of prophylactic use of low dose aspirin and heparin on patients with recurrent unexplained pregnancy loss. METHODS: Prospective case control study conducted on 180 pregnant women randomized into two equal groups. Group 1 received low-dose aspirin 75 mg and heparin 5000 IU subcutaneous every 12 h. Group 2 received no treatment. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between the two study groups regarding number of patients who completed their first trimester (66 versus 39) (p values 0.018). The outcome regarding completion of first trimester was not related to age, BMI or number of previous abortions in both the study groups. Complications of the use of aspirin calheparin occurred in 60% of the patients. The most common complication was bruising at injection site occurring in 60% of the patients followed by bleeding gums (14.4%), gastrointestinal troubles (12.2%), epistaxis (10%) and transient thrombocytopenia in only 2.22% of the patients (Table 4). CONCLUSION: The use of prophylactic dose of calheparin and aspirin is associated with increased chance of passing 1st trimester safely regardless the age, body mass index or number of abortion in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.

The effect of loading dose of magnesium sulfate on uterine, umbilical, and fetal middle cerebral arteries Doppler in women with severe preeclampsia: A case control study.

UNLABELLED: SYNOPSIS IV MgSO4 administration in women with severe preeclampsia resulted in a decrease in umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler indices. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Doppler parameters of the umbilical artery (UmA), uterine artery (UA), and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) before and after MgSO4 administration in women with severe preeclampsia. METHODS: A case control study included 100 pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler were measured before and 20 minutes after intravenous administration of 6 g of magnesium sulfate. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between maternal systolic blood pressure (173.20 ± 22.72 vs. 156.60 ± 19.18), diastolic blood pressure (109.60 ± 9.14 vs. 101.90 ± 10.05), and heart rate (80.52 ± 11.52 vs. 88.48 ± 12.08) before and after administration of MgSO4 in the studied patients (p value < 0.001). There was a significant difference between umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, and uterine artery Doppler parameters before and after administration of MgSO4 in the studied patients (p value < 0.001). There was no significant difference between umbilical artery/middle cerebral artery with regard to RI and PI. However, there was significant difference with regard to the S/D ratio (p value < 0.001). The decrease in the values of Doppler parameters before and after administration of MgSO4 was more in the middle cerebral artery than in the umbilical artery. CONCLUSION: Intravenous administration of magnesium sulfate in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia resulted in a decrease in umbilical artery, uterine artery, and fetal middle cerebral artery Doppler indices with reduced resistance to blood flow in these vessels.

The adjuvant effect of metformin and N-acetylcysteine to clomiphene citrate in induction of ovulation in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the adjuvant effect of metformin and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to clomiphene citrate (CC) in induction of ovulation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) patients. STUDY DESIGN: 120 women with PCOS were randomly divided into three equal groups: group I received CC only, group II received CC plus NAC and group III received CC plus metformin. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding average number of ovulatory follicles >18 mm (2.25 versus 1.75 and 1.89, respectively), but no significant difference between the three study groups regarding number of intermediate follicles 14-18 mm (4, 10 and 4, respectively). There was no significant difference between the three study groups regarding occurrence and laterality of ovulation, pregnancy rate per cycle but a significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding pregnancy rate per patient (20% versus 10% and 10%, respectively, p value 0.05). There was a highly statistically significant difference between group II and other two groups regarding peak endometrial thickness (7.3 ± 1.1 versus 5.4 ± 0.6 and 5.3 ± 0.6, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: NAC as an adjuvant to CC for induction of ovulation improves ovulation and pregnancy rates in PCOS patients with beneficial impacts on endometrial thickness.

Third-trimester uterine artery Doppler measurement and maternal postpartum outcome among patients with severe pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between uterine artery Doppler measurements and maternal complications among women with severe pre-eclampsia. METHODS: As part of a cross-sectional study, women with a single intrauterine pregnancy of more than 28 weeks and a diagnosis of severe pre-eclampsia were enrolled at a unit in Cairo, Egypt, between December 2012 and September 2014. Uterine artery Doppler was evaluated and maternal complications were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 100 participants, 76 (76%) experienced maternal complications. There were significant differences in resistance index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) between women who experienced no complications and those who had accidental hemorrhage, HELLP syndrome, and acute pulmonary edema (P<0.001 for all), and postpartum hemorrhage (P=0.004 and P<0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in RI for women with postpartum fits (P=0.360). There was a statistically significant difference regarding RI (P<0.001) and PI (P=0.005) between cases presenting with complications and those without. There was a significant negative correlation between PI and gestational age (r=-0.988; P<0.001) and between RI and gestational age (r=-0. 854; P<0.001), but no significant correlation between PI or RI and age, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: Increased uterine artery resistance in the third trimester of pregnancy could be used to predict postpartum maternal complications.

Delayed Start Versus Conventional GnRH Antagonist Protocol in Poor Responders Pretreated With Estradiol in Luteal Phase: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the new delayed start protocol against the conventional gonadotropin (Gn)-releasing hormone antagonist protocol in poor responders (PORs). STUDY DESIGN: A total of 160 women with poor response to previous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle were randomized either to start Gn then Cetrotide 0.25 subcutaneously (sc) added when leading follicle (DF) reach >12 mm or Cetrotide 0.25 mg sc started first from day 2 to day 8 then Gn therapy was added and Cetrotide restarted when DF reach >12 mm. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between conventional and delayed start protocols regarding the needed dose of Gn for stimulation (4368 ± 643 and 3798 ± 515), level of estradiol (E2; 778 ± 371 and 1076 ± 453), and endometrial thickness at human chorionic gonadotropin triggering (8.6 ± 1.8 and 9.8 ± 1.9), the number of DF (3.4 ± 1.5 and 4.9 ± 2.1), the number of retrieved follicles (2.4 ± 2.1 and 4.3 ± 2.5), and successful embryo transfer (13 vs 16), respectively (P < .05). There was a highly statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups regarding the number of oocytes fertilized (1.2 ± 2.0 vs 3.3 ± 1.4), metaphase II oocytes (0.9 ± 1.0 vs 2.7 + 1.6), and grade I embryos (0.7 ± 0.9 vs 2.1 + 1.1; P < .001). The chemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and abortion rate showed a statistically significant difference between the 2 study groups (P value .003 and .006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Delayed start protocol significantly improved clinical pregnancy rate and IVF cycle parameters in PORs.

Fetal middle cerebral and umbilical artery Doppler after 40 weeks gestational age.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of fetal Doppler indices named middle cerebral artery (MCA)-PI, umbilical artery (UA)-PI and MCA-PI/UA-PI ratio, and amniotic fluid volume assessment in pregnancies 280-294 d and their correlation with the mode of delivery and perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study conducted on 100 whose gestational age (GA) from 40 to 42 weeks. MCA and UA Doppler and MCA-PI/UA-PI ratio, amniotic fluid volume (AFV) were assessed. They were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of adverse perinatal outcome. RESULTS: Women with adverse perinatal outcome showed lower MCA-PI (0.92 versus 1.29), MCA-PI:UA-PI ratio (1.04 versus 1.83), lower gestational age when assessed by ultrasound (37.82 versus 39.48 weeks), lower neonatal birth weight (2705 versus 3108 g), fetal biophysical profile (BPP) (4.55 versus 7.21) when compared to women with normal perinatal outcome. They also had higher cases with oligohydramnios (34 versus 5), and higher UA-PI (0.89 versus 0.72). CONCLUSION: Women with adverse neonatal outcome had higher UA-PI and lower MCA-PI, MCA-PI:UA-PI ratio, GA (by US), AFV, BPP, estimated fetal weight, neonatal birth weight when compared to those with normal perinatal outcome. Women with adverse neonatal outcome had a higher rate of cesarean section mostly due to fetal distress and induced VD due to oligohydraminos compared to the normal outcome group.

Measuring the rate of fetal urine production using three-dimensional ultrasound during normal pregnancy and pregnancy-associated diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To establish a nomogram of fetal urine production according to gestational age as a predictor for fetal well-being in normal and diabetic women. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study included 180 pregnant women classified into two groups: Group I (120 women) without any medical complications and Group II (60 women) with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The fetal bladder is measured by the virtual organ computer-aided analysis VOCAL 3D ultrasound scanner. RESULTS: There was a significant positive correlation between gestational age and fetal urine production rate (UPR) (the mean UPR rate in normal pregnancy at 25, 30, 35, 40 weeks were 12.3, 14.38, 56.13 and 90.73 ml/h, respectively). There was no significant difference regarding UPR ml/h between women with normal pregnancy and those with controlled GDM (p = 0.9). There was a statistically significant difference regarding UPR ml/h between women with normal pregnancy and those with uncontrolled GDM (p = 0.012) and a statistically significant difference between women with controlled GDM and those with uncontrolled GDM (p = 0.03). CONCLUSION: Fetal UPR is considered to be more reliable as an assessment method for fetal well-being and shows significant increase in patients with uncontrolled gestational DM.

Comparative study between different biomarkers for early prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To study various biomarkers in prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study included 400 pregnant women. Maternal serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), uric acid, creatinine and albumin were measured before 15 weeks of gestation. Patients were followed-up for development of GDM. RESULTS: A total of 269 women were eligible for analysis. GDM complicated 27 (10.03%) of pregnancies. Hs-CRP levels were significantly higher and SHBG levels were significantly lower among women who subsequently developed GDM compared with normoglycemics. Uric acid, albumin and creatinine levels were not significantly different between both groups. For prediction of GDM, hs-CRP at a cutoff value of 2.55 mg/l showed a sensitivity and a specificity of 89% and 55%, respectively. SHBG at a cutoff value of 211.5 nmol/l showed a sensitivity and a specificity of 85% and 37%, respectively. Low SHBG with high hs-CRP predicted GDM with a sensitivity and specificity of 74.07% and 75.62%, respectively with an overall accuracy of 75.46%. CONCLUSION: Hs-CRP and SHBG are important early predictors of GDM. Adding SHBG to hs-CRP improves specificity and serves good overall accuracy. Uric acid, creatinine and albumin have no role in GDM prediction.

Combined contraceptive ring versus combined oral contraceptive (30-µg ethinylestradiol and 3-mg drospirenone).

OBJECTIVES: To compare the adverse effects, cycle control, and metabolic effects of NuvaRing and a combined oral contraceptive (COC). METHODS: Women seeking contraception received NuvaRing (n = 300) or a COC (n = 300) for 12 cycles in a randomized, open-label trial. RESULTS: The total number of women with adverse effects did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. Leucorrhea, vaginitis, decreased libido, and ring-related problems were more common with NuvaRing, whereas weight increase, acne, and emotional lability were more common with the COC. Breakthrough bleeding occurred in 11.3% of women receiving NuvaRing and in 14.7% of women receiving the COC; 2.1% and 2.9% of women, respectively, had no withdrawal bleeding. Differences in blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, liver enzyme activity, and anticoagulant activity were not statistically significant, with the exception of low-density lipoprotein levels measured at 6 and 12 months, which were significantly lower in the NuvaRing group than in the COC group. CONCLUSIONS: NuvaRing is a good alternative to a COC. It is associated with a slightly reduced incidence of breakthrough bleeding and there were no clinically relevant adverse effects or changes in blood pressure, blood sugar levels, lipid profile, or anticoagulant activity when compared with the COC.