Lithogenesis: induction of renal calcifications by nanobacteria

Nanobacteria have been isolated from kidney stones and it has been suggested that they may act as a nucleus for the initiation of the renal stones. In the present study, we examine their role in biocrystallization and their in vivo effects on kidney pathology. Calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) assay was carried out in the presence of nanobacteria to study biocrystallization. Wistar rats were given an intravenous injection of nanobacteria and the kidneys were examined for pathological changes. The COM assay showed accelerated biocrystallization of ¹⁴C-oxalate in the presence of nanobacteria, indicating them to be efficient candidates for biomineralization. Histopathological studies revealed bacteria induced renal tubular calcifications and various manifestations of infection. Our studies confirm that nanobacteria may be involved in the pathogenesis of renal tubular calcification.     

The epidemiology of Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni infections in the Egypt-49 project area. 4. Measurement of the incidence of bilharziasis

The measurement of incidence, or the rate at which people become positive, for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni was carried out in four parts of the Egypt-49 project area near Alexandria. For S. haematobium, rates as high as 22.8% per year were found for children 0-6 years old in a rural area; in the same area, the incidence of S. mansoni was 8.5% per year. The true incidence is underestimated because many cases become negative spontaneously. This loss rate of S. haematobium cases is 0.476 per year for children 0-4 years old, and 0.049 per year for those aged 5 and 6 years; for S. mansoni, the rates are 0.580 and 0.327, respectively. Despite the error, incidence is the most accurate and sensitive method of assessing the success of control operations, and is an important measurable parameter in epidemiology.     

Colorectal cancer presenting with dysarthria and ataxia: a case of isolated leptomeningeal metastasis

We report the case of a 72-year-old man who presented with weight loss, anorexia and a change in bowel habit. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest, abdomen and pelvis demonstrated widespread thoracic and abdominal lymphadenopathy and a lesion within the splenic flexure. This was confirmed as an adenocarcinoma after a colonoscopic biopsy. A CT guided biopsy of the abdominal lymph node confirmed the adenocarcinoma. Within three days of admission, the patient developed worsening, progressive cerebellar symptoms that left the patient aphasic and bed bound. CT of the head was reported as normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the head demonstrated widespread leptomeningeal metastases. We describe a case of isolated leptomeningeal metastasis from a colorectal primary tumour.