A pilot study of the role of green tea use on oral health.

INTRODUCTION: An increasing number of people all around the world are turning to the nature by using the natural herbal products in both prophylaxes and treatment of different diseases. Green tea with active chemical ingredients posses diverse pharmacological properties that include anti-inflammatory, anticariogenic, antioxidant and antibacterial effects. AIMS: To assess the possible protective properties of green tea on oral health. METHODS: The researchers used the following measurements: Streptococcus mutans count in saliva and plaque, Salivary and plaque pH values, Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI). The above-mentioned measurements were applied to a sample consists of 25 subjects before and after rinsing with green tea for 5 min (short-term study). While, S. mutans count for saliva and plaque and GBI measurements, this experimental intervention study was carried out in the El-Azhar University dental clinic. RESULTS: The results of this study showed that there was a statistically significant difference among subjects pre- and post-rinsing with 2% green tea for 5 min concerning S. mutans count in saliva and plaque, salivary and plaque pH values and GBI. CONCLUSION: This study supports the effectiveness of local application of green tea as antibacterial and anticariogenic material as it decreases the acidity of the saliva and plaque, so it is a cost-effective caries prevention measures especially in developing countries.

Study of the high prevalence of HCV in Egypt.

The correlation of schistosomiasis and other variables as a risk factor behind the remarkable high rates of HCV seropositivity in Egypt was studied by examining the sera of 188 subjects (94 apparently healthy villagers and 94 non professional blood donors) for schistosoma antibodies by Falcon assay screening test enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (FAST-ELISA) and for HCV antibodies by the application of screening (ELISA) and confirmatory (RIBA) techniques. The results showed that the overall prevalence of HCV antibodies was 29.8% by ELISA reduced to 21.8% i.e. 73.2% confirmation by RIBA test. HCV-RNA (HCV viraemia) was detected in 76% of 25 ELISA anti-HCV positive sera by P.C.R. technique. After adjustment for age, there was no statistical significant correlation between the remarkable high rates of HCV seropositivity in Egypt and risk factors studied other than blood transfusion, and schistosomiasis.

Collagen type III in normal and prematurely ruptured amniotic membranes.

This study was performed on two groups of parturient women. The first group included 20 parturient women with premature rupture of membranes (PROM) and the second group included 20 parturient women with intact membranes. From each case a specimen was taken by a sterile swab from the posterior fornix for bacteriological examination to isolate and identify both aerobic and anaerobic vaginal organisms. Also a specimen 4 x 4 cm was cut from chorioamniotic membrane at site of rupture for histological examination including routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and silver impregnation technique (Gordon & Sweet method) for identification of reticular-argyrophilic fibers (collagen III). It has been found that collagen type III was significantly decreased in amniotic membranes in cases with PROM, its decrease can be considered as a predisposing factor of PROM. The beta-hemolytic streptococci showed a significant increase in vaginal swabs taken from cases with PROM. No linking correlation was found between types of organisms in vagina and decreased collagen type III in amniotic membrane with premature rupture. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes showed no significant increase in amniotic membrane belonging to cases of PROM.

Role of Chlamydia trachomatis and herpes simplex virus in cervicitis and female infertility.

A population of infertile women attending the infertility clinic of Ain Shams university hospital were studied with the purpose of assessing the possible role of C. trachomatis and Herpes simplex virus as factors related to their infertility and coexisting Cervicitis. A control group of fertile women was also examined. C. trachomatis antigen detected by ELISA was found in 2 patients with tubal obstruction and one patient with infertility with normal tube and 3 patients of Control group. The difference between the 3 groups is statistically insignificant. No Cases were recorded positive for Herpes simplex virus infection. C. trachomatis antibodies titer was statistically significant between the 3 groups at titer 1/16, 1/64, 1/256. This study suggests the possibility that high titer of IgG antibody, may serve as a marker of deeply seated infection of C. trachomatis.

Hepatitis C virus infection in blood donors in Egypt.

A study was carried out on 90 serum samples from non-professional blood donors to find out the relative prevalence of HBV and HCV among those blood donors. Results demonstrated overall positivity rate of 14.4% for anti-HCV by RIBA test. The percentage of reactive sera was 6% for the age group of 20 to below 30 years, and 37.5% in those aged above 30 years, and this difference was statistically significant. Considering the combined reactivity of the tested 90 sera for anti-HBs and anti-HCV, the results showed that 41.1% of the sera were positive for anti-HBs; 10% reacted positively with both anti-HBs and anti-HCV, and 4.4% of the sera were positive for anti-HCV only. The high prevalence of anti-HCV in this study (14.4%) exceeds that reported in other countries, and is comparable with that of Saeed and associates (1991). These results may indicate endemicity of HCV in Egypt and/or a possible role of the endemic schistosomiasis. On the basis of data, suggesting that anti-HCV reflects persistent infection rather than immunity, screening for anti-HCV should be included in all blood transfusion services to exclude HCV which is responsible for 90% of PTH (Van der Poel et al., 1990; Weiner et al., 1990; and Esteban et al., 1991). The remarkably high seroprevalence of anti-HCV among Egyptian volunteer blood donors, which has not so far been reported from other countries, should be thoroughly studied. This should cover many aspects including large epidemiological studies, factors pertinent to Egypt as schistosomiasis, and other possible factors that might enhance HCV transmission in Egyptian population. High risk groups as the polytransfused and renal dialysis patients should be studied. Needless to say that, an accurate measure of HCV prevalence depends on specificity and sensitivity of the employed laboratory diagnostic tests; development of new tests for the detection of antibodies to HCV, together with development of tests for other markers such as HCV antigen and the polymerase chain reaction to detect HCV DNA in blood, will be of great help.

Degeneration of adrenergic nerves in the urinary bladder during pregnancy.

The adrenergic innervation of the urinary bladder of normal female and pregnant rats has been studied using a fluorescence histochemical method. The bladder is richly innervated by adrenergic nerve fibres as is evidenced by the presence of numerous adrenergic nerves in the adventitia, musculosa and submucosa. However, adrenergic nerve cells could not be observed. During pregnancy, adrenergic nerve fibres showed signs of degeneration, as most of the nerve fibres disappeared and the surviving fibres were much swollen. 10 days after parturition the pattern and density of adrenergic innervation became almost similar to those of the control animals.