Evaluation of rabbit antibody response against 8 and 16 kDa recombinant subunits of antigen B from Echinococcus granulosus

ObjectiveTo immunize rabbits with 12 and 16 kDa recombinant subunits of antigen B from Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) and measuring polyclonal antibody and humoral immune response using ELISA and gel diffusion.MethodsTwo mentioned antigens were cloned and expressed in expression vector and purified by affinity chromatography. Four young rabbits were selected and challenged intradermally with yielded recombinant antigens. Rabbits' sera were collected post infection and were tested using ELISA and gel diffusion for polyclonal antibody detection 10 days after last injection.ResultsThe specific antibody against the recombinant peptides was efficiently produced within 4 weeks post infection.ConclusionsProduced recombinants proteins could induce the immune response of the rabbits successfully. This process might improve the clarification of diagnosis and vaccination as regards hydatidosis.     

Traumatic Coronary Artery Fistula Closure with Stent Graft

We present a rare case of a symptomatic acquired large coronary fistula and aneurysm secondary to chest trauma that was successfully closed using stent graft. This case is followed by review of the literature.     

Association of IL28B SNP With Progression of Egyptian HCV Genotype 4 Patients to End Stage Liver Disease

Background

IL28B single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) play important roles in the management of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections and are strongly associated with spontaneous and treatment-induced HCV clearance.

Objectives

In the present study, the association between IL28B variants and the progression of HCV infection in Egyptian patients infected with type 4a virus will be examined.

Patients and Methods

Frequencies of the protective genotype C/C of SNP, rs12979860 were determined in healthy subjects, spontaneous resolvers, and chronic HCV type 4 patients with low F scores and in patients with end stage liver disease (ESLD). This study included a total of 404 subjects. Patients infected with HCV type 4a (n = 304) were divided into; chronic hepatitis C (CHC) with low F scores (CHC, n = 110), end stage liver disease (n = 110), liver cirrhosis (LC) (n = 35) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients (n = 75), spontaneous resolvers of HCV infection (n = 84) were also included. A healthy group representing the Egyptian population (n = 100) was also included in the genotyping of IL28B. The later was typed via a polymerase chain reaction based restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay analysis on purified genomic DNA extracted from all individuals.

Results

A significant increase (P < 0.0005) was observed in frequencies of IL-28B rs12979860 C/C genotypes in the healthy population, than in the CHC, LC and HCC groups (C/C = 48%, 13%, 0%.and 0% respectively). On the other hand the C/C genotype was significantly higher (P < 0.0005) in spontaneous resolvers than in healthy subjects. A comparable significant increase in the frequency of C/T allele accompanied by mild elevation of T/T allele frequency, were detected along the progression towards ESLD.

Conclusions

Genotype C/C is associated with viral clearance during acute infection. The sharp decline in the C/C genotype from healthy to CHC subjects and the total absence of the C/C genotype in ESLD suggests a central role of this genotype against HCV disease progression.     

Metabolic syndrome in collection and disposal of solid waste sector

Objectives  

This study aims to assess the frequency and factors relevant to metabolic syndrome in workers employed in the collection and disposal of solid waste sector.     

Survey of environmental exposure to asbestos in the town of Buyuktatlar, Turkey

Asbestos-related cases admitted to Chest Diseases Clinic of Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Medical Faculty generally came from Buyuktatlar, a town adjacent to the Afsin district of Kahramanmara? city. This led us to screen for lung pathologies due to exposure to environmental asbestos in the town of Buyuktatlar. Six hundred and eighty-five inhabitants older than 30 years living in the town were identified as the study group and 488 persons (71·2%) were accepted for evaluation. Then, chest X-rays of these cases were taken and bilateral pleural plaque, bilateral pleural thickening, reticular lung infiltrations, and costophrenic angle obliteration were evaluated as asbestos-related disorders (ARD). ARD were diagnosed in 56 (11·5%) of the 488 chest X-rays that were assessed and no differences were observed between genders. Twenty-five of the cases were investigated by high-resolution computed tomography. Twenty-four were confirmed as ARD. In addition, chrysotile fiber was found in two of four soil samples taken from the town.