Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2016
Fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease with approximately 2-4 million people infected worl... more Fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease with approximately 2-4 million people infected worldwide and a further 180 million at risk of infection. F. hepatica can survive within the bile ducts for many years through its ability to suppress the host immunity with Fasciola cathepsin L1 cysteine protease and Glutathione S transferase playing an important role. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro lympho-proliferative responses of hepatic hilar lymphocytes (HLN) of infected sheep in response to different F. hepatica antigens. The suppressive effects of Fasciola excretory/secretory (ES) and tegument (TEG) and their fractions were also investigated. Our results showed that both ES and TEG had significant suppressive effects on lymphoproliferation, up to 74% and 92%, respectively. When these antigens were fractionated, fraction 3 (MW of ˃10000-30000) of both ES (64%) and TEG (59%) in addition to fraction 4 (MW of ≤ 10000) of TEG (38%) inherited the suppressive effects. Identification of the potential molecule(s) with such suppressive effects on lymphocytes in TEG fraction 4 could reveal vaccine candidates.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2013
This study determined the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to allergens in patients with air... more This study determined the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to allergens in patients with airway allergy residing in Rabigh Area, based on data analysis of skin prick test results. Skin prick tests of 160 Saudi attended Al Nakheel Polyclinic between July, 2012 and April, 2013. Allergen extracts set was used to test them. Out 160 patients, 114 (71%) reacted to one or more allergens, who were 73 (64%) adults and 41(36 %) children. The majority of adults (17.8%) reacted to six allergens and children (19.5%) reacted to five ones. The most frequently reacting allergen was house dust mites followed by Candida albicans then Cladosporium spp. The maximum number of positive tests per patients was 13 in adults, compared to 10 in children. A significantly higher proportion of adults were reacting to house dust mites, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Sensitivity to allergens was common in patients with airway allergy residing in Rabigh area
Background: Ecchinococcal disease is still a serious problem in certain parts of the world, with ... more Background: Ecchinococcal disease is still a serious problem in certain parts of the world, with liver as the most affected organ. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment of hydatidosis, but the optimal surgical procedure remains unsettled. Objective: Safety and efficacy of major hepatic resection in multiple and giant hepatic hydatidosis. Patients & Methods: 63 patients had hepatic hydatidosis associated with spleen, lung, and suprarenal hydatidosis were managed by major hepatic resection between April 2005 to April 2011. 43 (68%) males and 20 (32%) females, age range 8-56 years. Cysts were found in the liver only in 51 (81%) patients, liver with spleen in 5 (8%), liver, spleen with lung in 2 (3.1%), liver and lung in 4 (6.3%), liver and suprarenal in one patient (1.6%). Results: Multiple cysts were found in 38 (60%) and solitary cyst in 25 (40%) with Cysts diameter ≤5 cm in 22 (35%), 5-10 cm in 16 (25%), and 10-38 in 25 (40%). Right hepatectomy in 24 (38%), right trisectionectomy in 2 (3.2%), right hepatectomy with Segment III in 4 (6.3%), right hepatectomy with Segment I in 2 (3.2%), left hepatectomy in 12 (19%), left lateral sectionectomy in 6 (9.5%), left hepatectomy with Segment VI in 3 (4.8%), left lateral sectionectomy with right posterior sectionectomy in 2 (3.2%), right hepatectomy with splenectomy in 7 (11%) and right hepatectomy with right suprarenal in one (1.6%) patient were performed. Hospital stay was 4.2 (3-13 days) There was one mortality and 12 (19%) morbidities. No recurrence on follow up period (8-60 months) was observed. Conclusion: Radical procedure is safe and effective option for hepatic hydatidosis and should be performed when the entire lobe is diffusely involved by huge or multiple hydatidosis with little healthy liver tissue.
Background/Aim: Interleukin (IL-10) plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease... more Background/Aim: Interleukin (IL-10) plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease pathogenesis, in particular in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) co-infected patients. Given that interindividual variations in IL-10 production are influenced by functional polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter, we determined the frequencies of common (À 1082, À 819 and À 592) IL-10 promoter polymorphisms in chronic HCV patients with and without S. mansoni co-infection and healthy controls, and investigated their association with the degree of histological activity index (HAI) and response to interferon-ribavirin therapy. Methods: Genomic DNA from 99 patients and 62 healthy controls, born in the same geographical hyperendemic area, was studied by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Sera were assessed for S. mansoni antibodies. Results: The frequencies of IL-10 polymorphisms at positions À 1082, À 819 and À 592 from the transcription start site were comparable between HCV patients and controls, as well as between HCV mono-infected and either S. mansoni co-infected patients or controls. The grade of inflammation and the stage of fibrosis showed no association with IL-10 polymorphisms. The frequencies of S. mansoni co-infection and IL-10 genotypes/haplotypes were insignificantly different between non-responders and responders to combination therapy. No effect of other factors like age, gender, HAI group scores and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels was observed on response to therapy in our patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that common IL-10 (À 1082, À 819 and À 592) genotypes/haplotypes do not influence the degree of HAI and response to combination therapy or susceptibility to HCV infection with and without S. mansoni co-infection.
Background This study was conducted to determine characters and risk factors of Helicobacter pylo... more Background This study was conducted to determine characters and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and its relationship with recurrent abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms at the main children's intermediate school in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at a boys' intermediate school. A questionnaire for the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and relevant personal and socioeconomic risk factors related to H. pylori infection was distributed followed by H. pylori IgG antibody assay and 14C urea breath test to detect active infection. Results H. pylori was diagnosed by positive urea breath test in 51.5 % of students. H. pylori infection was symptomatic with at least one upper GI symptom in 89.7 % of infected students which was higher than symptomatic cases reported in any other study. H. pylori-infected students had significantly more association with the presence of any upper GI symptom (p<0.001), recurrent abdominal pain (p<0.001), anorexia (p<0.001), nausea (p<0.026), family history of peptic disease (p<0.001), drinking desalinated municipal water (p<0.001), lower income (p=0.02), and eating outside home (p=0.003) than uninfected students. Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant predictors of H. pylori infection were presence of any upper GI symptom (OR 5.3, 95 % CI 2.32-15.71), family history of peptic disease (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.11-3.9), and drinking desalinated municipal water (OR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.09-3.2). Conclusions This study presented unique features and risk factors of H. pylori infection in 12-15-year-old Saudi boys in Rabigh, and mainly supported the role of H. pylori in causing recurrent abdominal pain.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2016
Fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease with approximately 2-4 million people infected worl... more Fascioliasis is an important zoonotic disease with approximately 2-4 million people infected worldwide and a further 180 million at risk of infection. F. hepatica can survive within the bile ducts for many years through its ability to suppress the host immunity with Fasciola cathepsin L1 cysteine protease and Glutathione S transferase playing an important role. The aim of the present study is to investigate the in vitro lympho-proliferative responses of hepatic hilar lymphocytes (HLN) of infected sheep in response to different F. hepatica antigens. The suppressive effects of Fasciola excretory/secretory (ES) and tegument (TEG) and their fractions were also investigated. Our results showed that both ES and TEG had significant suppressive effects on lymphoproliferation, up to 74% and 92%, respectively. When these antigens were fractionated, fraction 3 (MW of ˃10000-30000) of both ES (64%) and TEG (59%) in addition to fraction 4 (MW of ≤ 10000) of TEG (38%) inherited the suppressive effects. Identification of the potential molecule(s) with such suppressive effects on lymphocytes in TEG fraction 4 could reveal vaccine candidates.
Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2013
This study determined the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to allergens in patients with air... more This study determined the pattern of skin prick test reactivity to allergens in patients with airway allergy residing in Rabigh Area, based on data analysis of skin prick test results. Skin prick tests of 160 Saudi attended Al Nakheel Polyclinic between July, 2012 and April, 2013. Allergen extracts set was used to test them. Out 160 patients, 114 (71%) reacted to one or more allergens, who were 73 (64%) adults and 41(36 %) children. The majority of adults (17.8%) reacted to six allergens and children (19.5%) reacted to five ones. The most frequently reacting allergen was house dust mites followed by Candida albicans then Cladosporium spp. The maximum number of positive tests per patients was 13 in adults, compared to 10 in children. A significantly higher proportion of adults were reacting to house dust mites, Aspergillus and Penicillium. Sensitivity to allergens was common in patients with airway allergy residing in Rabigh area
Background: Ecchinococcal disease is still a serious problem in certain parts of the world, with ... more Background: Ecchinococcal disease is still a serious problem in certain parts of the world, with liver as the most affected organ. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment of hydatidosis, but the optimal surgical procedure remains unsettled. Objective: Safety and efficacy of major hepatic resection in multiple and giant hepatic hydatidosis. Patients & Methods: 63 patients had hepatic hydatidosis associated with spleen, lung, and suprarenal hydatidosis were managed by major hepatic resection between April 2005 to April 2011. 43 (68%) males and 20 (32%) females, age range 8-56 years. Cysts were found in the liver only in 51 (81%) patients, liver with spleen in 5 (8%), liver, spleen with lung in 2 (3.1%), liver and lung in 4 (6.3%), liver and suprarenal in one patient (1.6%). Results: Multiple cysts were found in 38 (60%) and solitary cyst in 25 (40%) with Cysts diameter ≤5 cm in 22 (35%), 5-10 cm in 16 (25%), and 10-38 in 25 (40%). Right hepatectomy in 24 (38%), right trisectionectomy in 2 (3.2%), right hepatectomy with Segment III in 4 (6.3%), right hepatectomy with Segment I in 2 (3.2%), left hepatectomy in 12 (19%), left lateral sectionectomy in 6 (9.5%), left hepatectomy with Segment VI in 3 (4.8%), left lateral sectionectomy with right posterior sectionectomy in 2 (3.2%), right hepatectomy with splenectomy in 7 (11%) and right hepatectomy with right suprarenal in one (1.6%) patient were performed. Hospital stay was 4.2 (3-13 days) There was one mortality and 12 (19%) morbidities. No recurrence on follow up period (8-60 months) was observed. Conclusion: Radical procedure is safe and effective option for hepatic hydatidosis and should be performed when the entire lobe is diffusely involved by huge or multiple hydatidosis with little healthy liver tissue.
Background/Aim: Interleukin (IL-10) plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease... more Background/Aim: Interleukin (IL-10) plays a major role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) disease pathogenesis, in particular in Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni) co-infected patients. Given that interindividual variations in IL-10 production are influenced by functional polymorphisms in the IL-10 gene promoter, we determined the frequencies of common (À 1082, À 819 and À 592) IL-10 promoter polymorphisms in chronic HCV patients with and without S. mansoni co-infection and healthy controls, and investigated their association with the degree of histological activity index (HAI) and response to interferon-ribavirin therapy. Methods: Genomic DNA from 99 patients and 62 healthy controls, born in the same geographical hyperendemic area, was studied by the polymerase chain reaction, followed by restriction enzyme digestion. Sera were assessed for S. mansoni antibodies. Results: The frequencies of IL-10 polymorphisms at positions À 1082, À 819 and À 592 from the transcription start site were comparable between HCV patients and controls, as well as between HCV mono-infected and either S. mansoni co-infected patients or controls. The grade of inflammation and the stage of fibrosis showed no association with IL-10 polymorphisms. The frequencies of S. mansoni co-infection and IL-10 genotypes/haplotypes were insignificantly different between non-responders and responders to combination therapy. No effect of other factors like age, gender, HAI group scores and serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels was observed on response to therapy in our patients. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that common IL-10 (À 1082, À 819 and À 592) genotypes/haplotypes do not influence the degree of HAI and response to combination therapy or susceptibility to HCV infection with and without S. mansoni co-infection.
Background This study was conducted to determine characters and risk factors of Helicobacter pylo... more Background This study was conducted to determine characters and risk factors of Helicobacter pylori infection and its relationship with recurrent abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal symptoms at the main children's intermediate school in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted at a boys' intermediate school. A questionnaire for the gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and relevant personal and socioeconomic risk factors related to H. pylori infection was distributed followed by H. pylori IgG antibody assay and 14C urea breath test to detect active infection. Results H. pylori was diagnosed by positive urea breath test in 51.5 % of students. H. pylori infection was symptomatic with at least one upper GI symptom in 89.7 % of infected students which was higher than symptomatic cases reported in any other study. H. pylori-infected students had significantly more association with the presence of any upper GI symptom (p<0.001), recurrent abdominal pain (p<0.001), anorexia (p<0.001), nausea (p<0.026), family history of peptic disease (p<0.001), drinking desalinated municipal water (p<0.001), lower income (p=0.02), and eating outside home (p=0.003) than uninfected students. Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant predictors of H. pylori infection were presence of any upper GI symptom (OR 5.3, 95 % CI 2.32-15.71), family history of peptic disease (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.11-3.9), and drinking desalinated municipal water (OR 2.1, 95 % CI 1.09-3.2). Conclusions This study presented unique features and risk factors of H. pylori infection in 12-15-year-old Saudi boys in Rabigh, and mainly supported the role of H. pylori in causing recurrent abdominal pain.
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Papers by Mahmoud Amir