Clinical and immunological pattern and outcome of Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients: a single center experience.

Objective The objective of this study was to describe the clinical and immunological pattern and disease outcome in Egyptian systemic lupus erythematosus patients. Patients and methods The medical records of 770 systemic lupus erythematosus patients who were followed from 2002-2015 at Kasr Alainy Hospital, Cairo University, were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 707 (91.8%) females. The mean age at disease onset was 22.1 ± 8.6 and the disease duration was 6.1 ± 4.5 years. The main clinical manifestations were mucocutaneous (90.8% with oral ulcers affecting 52.5%), arthritis (80.3%), nephritis (67.8%), hematologic involvement (64.9%), serositis (55.2%) and neuropsychiatric manifestations (44.3%). The frequencies of antinuclear antibodies were 94.3%, anti-dsDNA 74.8%, anti-Smith 11%, anticardiolipin antibodies 29.5% and lupus anticoagulant 19.8%. Infections, predominantly bacterial, affected 337 (43.8%) patients. Thirty-three (4.3%) patients died. The main causes of death were sepsis and disease activity. The five- and 10-year survival rates for the total cohort were 97.4% and 96.3%, respectively, and were 96% and 92%, respectively for those with nephritis ( p = 0.008). Autoimmune hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, elevated serum creatinine, a higher damage index, infections, a higher glucocorticoid dose and cyclophosphamide use ≥ six months were associated with an increased risk of mortality with odds ratios of 3.69, p < 0.01; 4.12, p < 0.001; 1.54, p < 0.001; 1.43, p < 0.001; 5.08, p < 0.001; 5.04, p < 0.001 and 2.25, p = 0.03, respectively. Conclusion Compared to other cohorts, a relatively lower mean age at systemic lupus erythematosus onset and higher frequencies of oral ulcers, serositis and nephritis were found.

Efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based, interferon-free therapy : The Management of rheumatologic extrahepatic manifestations associated with chronic hepatitis C virus infection.

BACKGROUND: The use of pegylated interferon alpha (IFN) has been of concern in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients with rheumatologic extrahepatic manifestations (EHM) due to the immunostimulatory effects of IFN. AIM: To study the efficacy and safety of sofosbuvir-based, IFN-free antiviral therapy in chronic HCV patients with rheumatologic EHM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Group A included 24 patients with arthropathy (arthralgia or arthritis, n = 15) or vasculitis (n = 9) who received sofosbuvir and ribavirin (n = 17) or sofosbuvir and simeprevir (n = 7). Group B comprised 15 historical controls suffering from arthropathy who had received IFN and ribavirin. All patients were clinically evaluated and by detection of HCV viremia at baseline (V0), at the end of treatment (V1), 12 weeks after end of treatment (V2) and 24 weeks after end of treatment (V3). RESULTS: Sustained viral response was obtained in all patients of group A (100%) versus 12 out of 15 of group B (80%). In group A, the tender joint count (TJC) and visual analogue scale for pain (VAS) improved (p = 0.001 for both) while the swollen joint count (SJC) decreased at V1 (p = 0.001) but returned to baseline values at V3. All vasculitis patients improved. Purpura, arthralgia and leg ulcers disappeared, but peripheral neuropathy persisted. In group B, TJC, SJC and VAS increased from baseline values (p = 0.034, 0.03 and 0.001, respectively). Side effects in group A were generally mild, but one patient developed deterioration of arthralgia. CONCLUSION: The use of IFN-free regimens is safe and effective in the treatment of most HCV-related rheumatologic EHM.

Adrenal gland abnormalities detected by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with antiphospholipid syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Adrenal infarction is a rare complication of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the current study is to detect and study the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of adrenal glands in APS patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, the data of 20 patients with primary or secondary APS were compared to 20 SLE patients without antiphospholipid antibody (aPL) syndrome (controls). MRI of the abdomen showing the adrenal glands was performed. RESULTS: Of the patients, 80% were females with a mean age 32.45 ± 9.93 years, and mean disease duration of 46.65 ± 58.71 months. Adrenal gland abnormalities in the MRI study were detected in 35 % of APS patients vs. no abnormalities detected in the SLE controls. Adrenal gland enlargement was found in all patients (35 %). Capsular enhancement (infarction or hemorrhagic infarction) was found in 5 patients, increased stranding of the surrounding fat planes (inflammatory process) in 4 patients and increased signal on T1WI and T2WI (hemorrhage) in 3 patients. In patients with adrenal gland involvement, 71.4 % had triple aPL positivity compared to 23.1 % in patients with normal adrenal findings (p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Adrenal gland abnormalities on MRI were detected in 35 % of the APS patients (whether primary or secondary); thus, increased focus on management is needed. This percentage is not small and needs to be focused on in terms of management.

Ink jet printing of bio-treated linen, polyester fabrics and their blend.

Cellulosic fabrics were surface modified using Brewer's yeast filtrate and cellulase enzymes (Valumax A828, Valumax A356) to enhance its affinity to ink jet printing. The effect of enzymes on the surface structure and morphology of the cellulosic fabrics used has been illustrated using scanning electron microscope. Related test as tensile strength have been measured. The bio-treated cellulosic fabrics were digitally printed and the colour strength (K/S) and % increase in K/S were measured. Effect of different conditions (enzyme concentration, temperature and time) was investigated to obtain the optimum condition of each enzyme for each fabric that or which was indicated by higher colour strength. Results show a noticeable increase in the K/S especially for cellulosic linen and its blend compared to the standard samples. The optimum conditions to obtain the higher K/S by using Brewer's yeast filtrate and the other two cellulase enzymes in the pre-treatment of ink jet samples were obtained.

Utilization of biopolymer in resist printing of linen fabrics using reactive dyes.

A novel utilization of chitosan as a cationic biopolymer in the chemical resist printing of linen fabrics and its polyester blend using reactive dyes. The effects of ratio and concentration of various resist-printing agents and processing conditions are observed and discussed. The concentration of chitosan, type of resist agent, and the ratio of chitosan to resist agent were varied to determine their effects on the efficiency of resist-printing. Regardless of the type of fabric, the resist effect on printed fabrics expressed as % decrease in K/S was obtained at optimal chitosan concentration of 1% with a mixture of chitosan/maleic acid as a resist salt at a ratio of 25:75. Thus, chitosan can be used pure or in admixture with different resist salts successfully in chemical resist printing.

Preparation, characterization and technological evaluation of CMC derived from rice-straw as thickening agents in discharge, discharge-resist and burn-out printing.

Carboxymethyl cellulose samples of different D.S. values were prepared from rice straw via pulping followed by etherification with monochloroacetic acid under the catalytic action of sodium hydroxide. The prepared derivatives were assessed for D.S., rheological properties as well as suitability as thickening agents in different printing styles. It was found that carboxymethyl cellulose derived from rice straw is characterized by a non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and its apparent viscosity at any specific rate of shear depends on the D.S. All the prepared derivatives could be used successfully as thickening agents in discharge and/or discharge/resist printing of cotton fabrics. Furthermore, they could be used also as thickening agent for burn-out printing style of wool/polyester blended fabrics using sodium hydroxide. Attractive samples could be obtained via using these techniques.

Symptomatic thrombotic events among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: special consideration for renal vein thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of symptomatic thrombotic events among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to evaluate the frequency and the risk factors associated with renal vein thrombosis in those patients. METHODS: Fifty-four patients with SLE, 51 (94.4%) females, were involved in this study. All of them were submitted for abdominal sonography, chest X-ray, echocardiography, and Doppler of renal, abdominal and lower limb veins, with examination of data on clinical and laboratory profile. Abdominal CT, brain MRI, MRI both hips, CT chest and pulmonary scintigraphy were used when needed. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (29.6%) were diagnosed with symptomatic thrombotic events. Eight patients had more than one type of thrombosis. Two patients (3.7%) were diagnosed by Doppler as having renal vein thrombosis (RVT). This was confirmed by abdominal CT. One of them presented with nephrotic syndrome, graded by renal biopsy as World Health Organization (WHO) class V, and had positive anticardiolipin antibodies (ACL). The other patient had RVT and inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis, nephrotic syndrome, positive ACL, and died before renal biopsy was performed. Both of them were without history of peripheral thrombotic events. One patient was diagnosed with IVC thrombosis, lupus nephritis grade II, positive ACL, and diagnosed by abdominal CT. One patient was diagnosed with portal vein thrombosis and had positive ACL. One patient with retinal vessel thrombosis and positive ACL. Four patients had deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Recurrent miscarriages were reported in 4 patients (7.4%), skin ulcerations in 3 (5.6%), avascular necrosis of the hips in 4 (7.4%), stroke in 1 (1.9%), and pulmonary hypertension in 2 patients (3.7%). CONCLUSION: Sixteen SLE patients (29.6%) were diagnosed with symptomatic thrombotic events. RVT was detected in 2 patients representing 3.7% of all patients, and 12.5% of patients with thrombosis. Both patients with RVT presented with nephrotic syndrome.

Prolactin and thyroid hormones in patients with systemic sclerosis: correlations with disease manifestations and activity.

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum levels of prolactin (PRL) and thyroid hormones and to investigate the correlation between these hormones and different disease manifestations in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). METHODS: Twenty four patients with SSc (23 women, mean age 37.7+/-12.7) were subjected to thyroid hormones assessment. Prolactin (PRL) was assessed in 23 female patients. The patients were evaluated regarding different disease manifestations. Fifteen normal female volunteers were involved as controls. RESULTS: Serum levels of PRL in all patients was significantly higher than controls (16.75+/-9.06 for patients vs. 11.6+/-4.5 for controls with p<0.001). Eight patients out of 23 (34.8%) showed hyperprolactinemia. In patients with diffuse SSc (dSSc), PRL levels showed significant correlation with the rate of skin tethering (r = +0.72, p<0.01) and abnormal left ventricular filling pattern (decreasing E/A ratio), i.e., occurrence of diastolic dysfunction (r = +0.65, p<0.05). Hyperprolactinemia in all patients correlated significantly with disease duration (r = -0.42, p<0.05). Mean serum levels of free thyroxin (FT4) in all patients were significantly lower than the control group(7.46+/-2.7 for patients vs 10.47+/-2.5 with p<0.001). Eight out of all 24 patients (33.3%) showed hypothyroidism. In group A (duration<3 years); FT4 levels correlated significantly with Dlco% (r = +0.90, p<0.01). While in group B (duration>3 years), T4 hypothyroidism correlated significantly with hand joint restriction of motion (r = +0.66, p<0.01). Serum levels of triiodothironine (FT3) in all patients were nonsignificantly lower than the control group (4.8+/-2.3 for patients vs 5.3+/-1.9 for controls, P = NS). Three patients out of 24 (12.5%) showed T3 thyrotoxicosis. Serum levels of T3 correlated significantly with liver enzyme elevations (r = +0.46, p<0.05) and ESR (r = +0.41, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the close association between PRL or thyroid hormones and some organ involvement in SSc.

Thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone in Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: correlation between secondary hypothyroidism and neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus syndromes.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the serum levels of thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), in addition to antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies and to investigate the correlation between these hormones and various disease manifestations among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). A group of 45 patients with SLE (43 women and 2 men with a mean age of 27.57 ± 9.89 years) underment assessment of their thyroid hormones. Antithyroglobulin and antimicrosomal antibodies were assessed in 27 patients. Various disease manifestations were evaluated. A group of 20 normal female volunteers were involved as controls. The mean serum free triiodothyronine (FT3) levels in all patients were significantly lower than in controls (1.89 ± 1.14 vs. 3.15 ± 0.93 pg/ml; P < 0.05). Patients with a history of intravenous pulsed cyclophosphamide therapy showed significantly decreased levels of FT3 compared to those in other patients (1.17 ± 0.5 vs. 2.05 ± 0.95 pg/ml; P = 0.04). The mean serum free thyroxine (FT4) levels in all patients were significantly less than in the control group (1.24 ± 1.22 vs. 1.4 ± 0.3 mg/dl; P < 0.001). Of the 45 patients, 2 (4.4%) were considered to have primary hypothyroidism. Five of six patients (83.3%) with decreased FT4 levels developed fibromyalgia compared to 7 of 39 (17.9%) patients with normal T4 (P = 0.003). The mean serum TSH levels in all patients were significantly higher than in the controls (4.82 ± 22.2 vs. 2.65 ± 1.18 µIU/ml; P < 0.001). Six patients with decreased TSH levels were considered to have secondary hypothyroidism (13.3%); one of them showed decreased T3 and T4, two had decreased T4 only, and the other three were euthyroid. Comparing patients with and without secondary hypothyroidism, showed acute confusion in four (66.7%) in the former group versus four (10.3%) in the latter group (P = 0.006), anxiety in four (66.7%) in the former group versus six (15.4%) in the latter group (P = 0.016), and cognitive disorders in five (83.3%) in the former group versus nine (23.1%) in the latter group (P = 0.008). This study demonstrated evidence of secondary as well as primary hypothyroidism in SLE patients and revealed a close association between thyroid hormones or TSH and some organ involvement in SLE.

Arthritis and osteonecrosis in a patient with thrombophilia.

This case report describes a very rare entity of thrombophilia manifesting as persistent arthritis and digital ulcers. A 9-year-old Egyptian girl presented with a 2-year history of persistent arthritis and digital ulcers. The case was followed up after 4 years. The clinical manifestations and laboratory investigations are recorded. Thrombophilia with partial protein C deficiency appeared to be responsible for the clinical manifestations with underlying ipsilateral osteonecrosis of patella and calcaneum and resorption of the terminal phalanges. Her older sister showed the same picture with additional pulmonary hypertension. In conclusion, arthritis and osteonecrosis appear as a rare presentation of thrombophilia and protein C deficiency, and ignorance of this may lead to misdiagnosis or confusion with other childhood rheumatic diseases.

Power Doppler sonography in the evaluation and follow-up of knee involvement in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

INTRODUCTION: This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of ultrasound (US), conventional color (CD) and power Doppler (PD) in the detection and quantification of inflammatory signs of the knee in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to correlate these findings with patient history, clinical, laboratory and radiological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients with JIA who had clinical signs of knee involvement as well as 15 healthy children as a control group where subjected to full clinical examination and laboratory investigations on the same day of US examination. The knee joints were evaluated with plain radiography, US, and color Doppler in 13 patients, while the remaining 17 were assessed with power Doppler. Fourteen patients were subjected to follow-up assessment. RESULTS: A highly significant difference in synovial thickening and cartilage thickness detected by US between JIA affected knees and those of controls (p < 0.0001). Knee effusion was demonstrated in 93% of patients. Synovial vessels were detected by Doppler in 76.7% of patients. A significant correlation was detected between the degree of vascularity detected by PD and knee score (p < 0.05), and JAFAR score (P < 0.05). On comparing the findings of the follow-up with those of the initial examination, a significant positive correlation was detected between the differences in the knee score and those in synovial thickness (p < 0.05), and with the vascularity scale detected by PD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests the Doppler sonography as a non-invasive, low-cost, and readily available tool for the evaluation and follow-up of articular involvement in knees of JIA patients.

Protective effect of folinic acid on low-dose methotrexate genotoxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic agent widely used in low dose to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Its side effects can partly be explained by folate antagonism. Folinic acid (Leucovorin) is generally administered with MTX to decrease MTX-induced toxicity. However information regarding the inhibitory effect of folinic acid against cytogenetic damage caused by MTX is limited. The aim of this study was to assess the protective effect of folinic acid against MTX-genotoxicity. METHODS: This study was done on Wistar albino rats and in patients with RA. Forty rats of both sexes were randomized into four equal groups and dosed in the following way: Group-I, distilled water vehicle; Group-II, 0.5 mg/kg folinic acid; Group-III, 0.5 mg/kg MTX; Group-IV, 0.5 mg/kg folinic acid plus 0.5 mg/kg MTX. Doses were given i.p., once daily for 8 consecutive days. A bone marrow chromosomal study and a micronucleus test were performed for each rat. Twenty patients with RA (5 males and 15 females) on a 10 mg weekly dose of MTX, i.m., for one month, were administered the same dose of MTX in addition to 10 mg of folinic acid as a single dose 4 hours after MTX administration, i.m., every week for another 4 weeks. Chromosomal studies as well as a micronucleus test were evaluated for each patient. RESULTS: MTX produced a significant genetic injury as proved by the increased incidence of chromosomal aberration and micronuclei formation in Group-III animals. Inversely, folinic acid (group IV) produced a significant protection against genetic damages induced by MTX. In RA patients, folinic acid provides satisfactory improvement of MTX-induced genetic damage. CONCLUSION: Folinic acid has a protective affect against MTX genotoxicity in human as well as in animal models.

Pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computerized tomography, alpha1-antitrypsin measurement, and early detection of pulmonary involvement in patients with systemic sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Pulmonary disease represents a major complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc). However, pulmonary involvement is commonly silent. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum alpha1-antitrypsin and other means of assessing pulmonary involvement. METHODS: Twenty-two patients affected by SSc were studied (mean age 37.6+/-14.3 years, mean duration of disease 9.9+/-11.9 years). Fourteen had the diffuse form of disease (dSSc) and eight had the limited form (lSSc). All patients underwent pulmonary function tests, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the lungs, echocardiography, and serum assessment of alpha1-antitrypsin. RESULTS: Mean percentage of predicted values of forced vital capacity was lower in patients with dSSc than with lSSc (72.3+/-17.8 vs 74.5+/-8, P=NS). Mean percentage of predicted values of forced expiratory volume in 1-s forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) was lower in patients with lSSc (79.8+/-7.5 for lSSc vs 84.4+/-7.8 for dSSc, P= NS). The overall HRCT score was 5.6+/-5.9 with no significant difference between disease subgroups. Pulmonary hypertension was detected in two cases, both with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin was significantly higher in patients than in controls (P < 0.01), with no significant difference between disease subgroups, and correlated significantly with ground glass opacities in H RCT (P < 0.05) and the detection of diffusion defects (r= -0.61, P<0.01). No significant correlation was observed between skin score or degree of dyspnea with HRCT score, lung volume, or carbon monoxide diffusing capacity. CONCLUSION: Restrictive lung disease was more pronounced in patients with dSSc. Alpha1-antitrypsin levels correlated significantly with ground glass opacities, an early finding of pulmonary involvement in SSc. Extent and severity of skin involvement and degree of dyspnea were not related to pulmonary involvement.

Ultrastructural changes in the muscles, midgut, hemopoietic organ, imaginal discs and Malpighian tubules of the mosquito Aedes aegypti larvae infected by the fungus Coelomomyces stegomyiae.

Fungi belonging to the genus Coelomomyces can infect mosquito larvae and develop within the larval hemocoel. To examine fungal development, Aedes aegypti larvae infected with Coelomomyces stegomyiae Keilin were fixed, embedded and sectioned for both light and electron microscopy. While fungal hyphae of C. stegomyiae did not invade cells other than the cuticular epithelial cells, they did penetrate a number of tissues including muscles, midgut, hemopoietic organ, imaginal discs, and Malpighian tubules.

A comparative analysis of the rate of meiosis, chiasma frequency and terminalization in the Jerboas Allactaga and Jaculus (Rodentia: Dipodidae) in Egypt.

The rate of seven meiotic stages (zygotene-pachytene, diplotene-diakinesis, metaphase I, anaphase I, metaphase II, anaphase II, and quartet) was studied in the jerboas Jaculus jaculus jaculus, Jaculus orientalis, and Allactaga tetradactyla, chiasma frequency and terminalization being examined only in J. jaculus and J. orientalis, and compared with the previous data concerning A. tetradactyla. Significant differences in the rate of meiosis, frequency of bivalent types, and frequency of interstitial and distal or terminal chiasmata per genome length were observed between A. tetradactyla and the two congeneric species J. jaculus and J. orientalis. Differences of these parameters among individuals within each species are also discussed in detail.

Role of the free radical release process in the pathogenesis of morphea in contrast to systemic sclerosis.

Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the importance of the free radical release process in the pathogenesis of localized scleroderma and compare it with that in systemic sclerosis. The study was conducted on 20 randomly collected cases of morphea (4 single plaque, 7 linear, and 9 disseminated), 16 cases of systemic sclerosis, and 10 age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. Blood samples and homogenized skin biopsies from lesional and nonlesional skin of patients and controls were examined for superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity using spectrophotometric assay, and for lipid peroxide level using the thiobarbituric acid assay. Morphea and systemic sclerosis cases showed significant elevation of blood, lesional, and nonlesional skin lipid peroxide levels and SOD activity compared with normal controls. When each of the subtypes of morphea were compared with the controls, a significant elevation of SOD was found in lesional skin in all groups, in plasma of linear and disseminated morphea, and in nonlesional skin of cases of disseminated morphea. A comparison of systemic sclerosis and morphea cases revealed no significant differences in blood or tissue SOD activity or lipid peroxide level. In both groups, the degree of skin induration could be correlated with changes in lesional SOD activity and lipid peroxide levels, respectively, but no correlation could be found between SOD or lipid peroxide and antinuclear antibody titer. The free radical release process is as important in the pathogenesis of morphea as it is in systemic sclerosis, where it appears to be involved in the development of skin induration.

Correlation of growth and aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus with some essential metals in gamma irradiated crushed corn.

The effects of gamma irradiation and some essential metals on growth and aflatoxin B1 production by Aspergillus flavus in crushed corn were investigated. The production of aflatoxin by A. flavus was influenced by the addition of zinc, copper or iron and the effect gradually decreased with increasing metal concentration from 0 to 300 ppm. A. flavus grew and depleted zinc, copper and iron at initial concentration of 100, 200 or 300 ppm. Presence of 100 ppm zinc, copper or iron plus gamma irradiation (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 kGy) enhanced the growth of A. flavus and the production of aflatoxin in contrast with irradiated samples alone. A. flavus was able to metabolize and deplete elements in all gamma-irradiated samples. These results suggest that stricter control of element levels in gamma irradiated grains could control aflatoxin contamination.

Circulating soluble adhesion molecules in patients with systemic sclerosis: correlation between circulating soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and impaired left ventricular diastolic function.

The objective of this paper is to investigate the relation between circulating soluble adhesion molecules and cardiac involvement, as assessed by echocardiography in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Nineteen patients with SSc were submitted for assessment of serum levels of circulating soluble intercellular adhesion molecules (sICAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecules-1 (sVCAM-1), and echocardiography. Abnormal left ventricular filling patterns (down E/A ratio) were detected in ten patients (52.6%) with significant negative correlation with sVCAM-1 (r = -0.484, P < 0.05). It was also significantly correlated with age (r = -0.791, P < 0.01), age of onset (r = -0.468, P < 0.05), degree of dyspnea (r = -0.687, P < 0.01), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r = -0.489, P < 0.05). Our findings suggest an important role for sVCAM-1 as a marker of disease severity and impaired left ventricular filling pattern in SSc.

Influence of gamma rays and sodium chloride on aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus.

The rate of Aspergillus flavus growth and production of aflatoxin in yeast extract sucrose medium generally decreased as the concentrations of NaCl increased from 2 to 12%. Maximum production and accumulation of aflatoxin at 28 degrees C occurred after 7 days in the presence of NaCl concentrations. The number of colony forming units of A. flavus after 1.0 or 2.0 kGy irradiation was lower than in the unirradiated controls and the mould was eliminated at 3.0 kGy. Aflatoxin B1 decreased from the control level of 46 micrograms kg(-1) to 10 micrograms kg(-1) at an irradiation dose level of 2.0 kGy. Viable gamma irradiated conidia (2.0 kGy) of A. flavus showed increased sensitivity to NaCl concentrations, indicating gamma-ray injury. The levels of aflatoxin produced by 2.0 kGy irradiated conidia of A. flavus decreased in the presence of 2, 4 or 6% NaCl, and the detoxification rate was 94.1, 100 and 100%, respectively, after 21 days of incubation at 28 degrees C compared with the effect of gamma-rays or sodium chloride alone.