Optimizing outcome of recurrent hepatitis C virus genotype 4 after living donor liver transplantation: moving forward by looking back.

PURPOSE: Recurrence of HCV after LDLT is almost universal. Different factors affect response to treatment. Few data are available regarding outcome of recurrent HCV genotype 4. The purpose of this study is to improve outcome of recurrent HCV genotype 4 after LDLT. METHODS: An IRB approved chart review of 243 patients transplanted for ESLD, HCV genotype 4 over 4 years were reviewed. Protocol liver biopsies were taken 6 months after transplant. Patients received pegylated interferon and ribavirin in case of histological recurrence. Five patients had FCH were excluded. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients were included. Sustained Virological Response (SVR) was achieved in 29 (78.3%). Patients with Metavir fibrosis stage (F0) and (F1) had SVR in 5/5 (100%) and 20/24 (83.3%). Two patients with F1 had to stop treatment because of thrombocytopenia and 2 were non responders. Three out of 6 patients (50%) with (F2) had SVR, 2 were non responders and one had to discontinue treatment because of severe depression. One of 2 patients (50%) with F3 had SVR and the other patient decompensated within 4 months before treatment and died. CONCLUSION: Protocol biopsies allow early detection of inflammatory changes in the graft before fibrosis occurs. Early treatment of recurrent HCV genotype 4 after LDLT results in better response.

Molecular detection of Babesia equi in infected and carrier horses by polymerase chain reaction.

Twenty-three blood samples were used in this study; five were from five naturally infected horses with Babesia equi (B. equi), while eighteen were from asymptomatic horses with equine babesiasis from different localities in Egypt. All samples were subjected to microscopic examination, indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The carrier animals were microscopically detected in 7 out of 18 samples (38.8%) and in 9 of 18 by using IFA (50%), whereas PCR revealed that 14 samples were positive (78%). Two synthetic oligonucleotide primers, based on the B. equi merozoite antigen gene (EMA-1) were used. A 819 bps DNA fragment is specifically amplified from the gene encoding EMA-1 of B. equi. Our results demonstrate that PCR is a valuable technique for routine detection of B. equi in chronically infected horses, even at low parasitaemia levels.

Microencapsulation of ketorolac tromethamine by means of a coacervation-phase separation technique induced by the addition of non-solvent.

Ketorolac tromethamine (KT) is a non-steroidal drug with potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity and is absorbed rapidly (Tmax < 1.0 h) with an efficiency > 87% following oral and intramuscular administration. The plasma half-life of ketorolac ranges from 1.1 to 6.0 h. Its oral bioavailability is estimated to be 80%. Ketorolac has been found 36 times more potent than phenylbutazone, approximately twice as potent as indomethacin, and three times more potent than naproxen in suppressing carrageenan-induced paw oedema in rat. In this study, microcapsules of KT were prepared by means of coacervation-phase separation technique induced by the addition of non-solvent, and release rates from microcapsules were studied. Eudragit S100 was used as the coating material. Coacervation was achieved by the addition of cyclohexane at 2 ml/min at 25 degrees C and 1:4 solvent: non-solvent ratio was used. The microcapsules were washed with cyclohexane to harden the wall and dried at room temperature. Microcapsules with core:wall ratio of 1:1 and 1:2 were prepared and the particles obtained by sieving with an average diameter of 177-500 microns were used. The yield was calculated and the release properties of KT were investigated by USP XXII paddle method and using UV spectrophotometry at 318 and 323 nm.

Efficiency of some technological processes on reducing the residues of malathion and pirimiphos methyl in mature broad bean seeds.

Residue study was performed on several insecticides which could contaminate local Egyptian beans. The effect of storage periods and various processing steps on lowering the residues of malathion and pirimiphos methyl in treated seeds and their processed products were investigated. The data indicated that malathion and pirimiphos methyl persisted for more than 90 days on and in stored mature dry broad beans after postharvest treatment. However, stored broad beans could be safely used for human consumption after 90 days when the insecticide residues reached safe levels. Washing removed 69 and 75% of malathion and pirimiphos methyl residues of treated broad beans, respectively. Malathion residue was not detected in various processed products. More than 89 and 99% of malathion residues were absent in dehulled and heated dehulled broad beans. In addition, pirimiphos methyl residues were reduced to 92, 97, 87, 99, 99, and 95% from the initial levels in treated beans following dehulling, cooking of dehulled beans, germination, cooking of germinated beans and cooking of the beans by the common method and under pressure, respectively.

Laboratory study of trachoma in Egyptian rural schoolchildren.

Cytological preparations from the conjunctiva of schoolchildren were examined by Giemsa staining and by an indirect fluorescent antibody (FA) technique. In addition, chlamydial group-specific antibodies in sera were measured with the complement fixation (CF) test. It has consistently been shown that the FA technique is more sensitive than Giemsa staining for the cytological demonstration of intracytoplasmic inclusions in conjunctival cells from trachoma patients, but reports differ regarding the degree of its superiority. The present study confirmed that the FA technique is more sensitive. Furthermore, the demonstration of intracytoplasmic inclusions by the FA technique correlated to a high degree with the intensity of the clinical signs of trachoma. With chlamydial (bedsonial) group antigen, the CF test yielded positive results in only a small proportion of cases. However, in areas where the disease is hyperendemic, a standardized CF test may show a correlation of positive results with the intensity of clinical signs. This is the case in the present study when low CF titres are considered as positive. The CF test may thus provide useful laboratory support for comparative studies of trachoma in large population groups.