Yasser El-dessouky | Al-Azhar University (original) (raw)

Papers by Yasser El-dessouky

Research paper thumbnail of Extrapulomnary-extragastrointestinal manifestations in patients with COVID-19

International journal of health sciences

Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) is a multisystem disorder. In terms of severity, ... more Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) is a multisystem disorder. In terms of severity, the disease can manifest as mild, moderate, severe, or critical. Depending on the severity of the case, the patient may exhibit extrapulmonary or extragastrointestinal symptoms. Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the extrapulmonary and extragastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 infection in patients and to make accurate predictions for follow-up care. Patient and method: This prospective observational study was conducted on (404) COVID-19 infected patients with positive COVID-19 PCR at El-sheikh Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital from January 1st to June 30th, 2021. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the clinical severity of illness regrding patient demographic features such as older age, male gender, co morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension; extra pulmonary – extra gastrointestinal manifestations. Conclusion: There is a correlation betwe...

Research paper thumbnail of Relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic patients

Journal of Recent Advances in Medicine, 2021

Background: Cirrhosis is a great health problem worldwide and is associated with many complicatio... more Background: Cirrhosis is a great health problem worldwide and is associated with many complications. Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is one of its most common complications and in some patients may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and PHG is not clearly identified. Objective: This work aimed to study a possible association between H. pylori infection and PHG and to correlate the severity of PHG with H. pylori infection in cirrhotic patients. Methodology: A cross sectional comparative study included 90 cirrhotic patients, who were classified into 3 groups. G1: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with no PHG. G2: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with mild PHG. G3: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with severe PHG. Endoscopic examination was done to evaluate the presence and severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy and for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori infection by histopathology was detected in 61 studied patients (67.8%). H. pylori infection was more prevalent among cirrhotic patients with PHG (78.3%) than patients without PHG (46.7%) (P=0.0029). H. pylori infection was detected in 26(86.7%), 21(70.0%), 14(46.7%) in patients with severe, mild and no PHG respectively. H. pylori infection was more prevalent in patients with severe PHG relative to patients with no PHG (p-value = 0.001). Conclusion: The current study showed a significant relation between H. pylori infection and PHG in cirrhotic patients and it might have a role in the pathogenesis of severe PHG.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Fibroscan as a Non-Invasive Predictor for Oesophageal Varices in Post HCV Cirrhotic Egyptian Patients With or Without Bilhariziasis

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018

Background: Development of oesophageal varices is a major complication that may occur in up to 90... more Background: Development of oesophageal varices is a major complication that may occur in up to 90% of cirrhotic patients. The endoscopic screening is an invasive procedure. This is why the selection of patients with large oesophageal varices at high risk for bleeding has become an issue of growing importance. In this respect, several clinical, biochemical, ultrasonographic and elastrogarphic (transient elastography-TE) methods have been proposed (and some of them validated) as noninvasive alternatives to endoscopy. Objectives: It was to evaluate transient elastography by fibroscan in the prediction and determination of the grade of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients due to chronic hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection with or without bilharziasis. Patients and Methods: Sixty Egyptian patients with body mass index (BMI) <35, no history of: upper gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma, moderate and tense ascites or any other cause of liver cirrhosis. The...

Research paper thumbnail of IL28B-Gene Polymorphisms (rs12979860) in HCV Liver Parenchymal changes legitimize Screening for SNPs before DAAs Therapy

Background and objective: IL28B-gene polymorphisms show inconclusive relationships with CHCV DAAs... more Background and objective: IL28B-gene polymorphisms show inconclusive relationships with CHCV DAAs-treatment outcomes on evaluation by serum-PCR. Solitary intra-PBMCs HCV-RNA antisense-strands are independently found in naïve and experienced cases regardless to viremia or hepatic-parenchymal changes. We correlated frequencies of IL28B-gene SNPs and alleles with HCV induced liver-changes during SVR evaluation by PBMCs-PCR after DAAs-therapy. Methods: Twelve weeks after completing DAAs-therapy, the impacts of IL28B-gene-SNPs were evaluated in three groups of patients: group-I (n=25) with negative serum and PBMCs HCV-PCR, group-II (n=52) had solitary intra-PBMCs HCV-RNA, and group-III (n=25) had positive serum HCV-RNA. All cases were subjected to IL28B-gene-SNP analyses and correlated with their ultrasonographic liver changes.Results: IL28B-genotyping in post-DAAs-treatment HCV-SVR and viral relapse revealed: a) dominant CC-genotype and C allele in normal hepatic parenchyma in group-I c...

Research paper thumbnail of Penicillamine as radiation protector against gamma radiation effect on complete blood count parameters of guinea pigs

Al-Azhar Assiut Medical Journal, 2019

Background and aim The increasing use of nuclear technology has increased the risk of exposure to... more Background and aim The increasing use of nuclear technology has increased the risk of exposure to radiation. Exposure to radiation induces harms to human beings. The blood and blood-forming organs are one of the most sensitive to radiation. People exposed to high radiation doses had blood count changes, and death may occur owing to acute radiation syndromes. Therefore, radioprotective compounds are very important in clinical radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of penicillamine as a radiation protector agent against gamma radiation effects on complete blood count parameters of guinea pigs. Materials and methods Thirty healthy male guinea pigs were divided into three equal groups: treated irradiated (n=10), irradiated (n=10), and control (n=10) groups. The treated irradiated and irradiated groups were exposed to acute gamma radiation dose (9 kGy). The treated irradiated group received penicillamine (10 mg/kg) 1 h before exposure to radiation. Blood samples were collected soon after radiation and immediately placed in tubes containing EDTA, and these samples were used in the assessment of blood profile. Results Treated irradiated guinea pigs had significant higher red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P≤0.05). The treated irradiated guinea pigs had significant lower relative distribution width of red blood cells by volume coefficient of variation (%) and platelet count (P≤0.05). Relative width of the distribution of platelets in volume index of the heterogeneity of platelets (%) had no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Administration of penicillamine reduced radiation damage to red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of HCV Infection among Health Care Employee at Al Azhar University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2017

HCV-infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease among Egyptians, the most commonly infec... more HCV-infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease among Egyptians, the most commonly infected population with HCV genotype 4. Evidences of HCV-transmission that are associated with health-care settings have consistently accumulated over recent years worldwide. Therefore, healthcare workers (HCWs) are the target population of the current study. The study evaluated prevalence of HCV-infection among different sectors of HCWs at Al Azhar University Hospitals. The population (n=239) were divided into four groups. G1(n=59) included healthy controls who were not working at hospitals. Other subjects (n=180) consisted three equal groups (2, 3 & 4) who were working at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. Respectively, workers, nurses and physicians presented group 2, 3 & 4 (n=60 each) from different hospital wards. Based upon duration of employment at hospitals, subjects in each of the last three groups were subdivided into 3 subgroups (n=20 each). Risk-factors that were thought to have an impact on acquisition of HCVinfection were evaluated. The overall prevalence of HCV infection in study populations was 21.34% with the highest rate in nurses (38.3%) and workers (20%) when compared to controls (15.3%) and physicians (11.7%; P<0.05). The significantly increased HCV infection in nurses compared to physicians (P<0.05) was found during all employment periods. Needle stick injury, incidental exposure to blood and body fluid splashes were respectively prominent risk-factors among nurses (70%, 60% & 35%) and workers (35%, 21.7% & 18.3%). Nurses and hospital workers had high prevalence of HCV infection. Long duration of nurse employment was associated with increased frequency of needle sticks and subsequently high prevalence of HCVinfection, but not physicians.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Spouses of Chronic HCV Infected Patients

Ain Shams Medical Journal, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Rifaximin in Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2014

This study evaluated the efficacy of rifaximin versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encep... more This study evaluated the efficacy of rifaximin versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The study population included 50 patients who were diagnosed to have signs of the first to third degree HE, according to the West Haven criteria and classified into two groups. GI: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with lactulose syrup (laxolac) 90 ml daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. GII: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with rifaximin 1200 mg daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. Patients in both groups also received other measures of treatment of HE as daily enema and protein restriction. Rifaximin significantly improved various subjective and measurable components of HE including mental status, behavior, asterixis, and serum ammonia concentration. In acute HE of grade 1 to grade 3, rifaximin may be a good alternative to non-absorbable disaccharides as it is broad spectrum, non-absorbable antibiotic with rapid action and little side effects. It is better tolerated, associated with less frequent and shorter hospitalization in comparison to lactulose.

Research paper thumbnail of Natural Infection of Baboons by Entamoeba Histolytica Elicits Anti-Gal Lectin Heavy Subunit Iga and Igg Antibodies with Shared Epitope Specificity to That of Humans

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2013

Non-human primates, such as baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis), are natural hosts for Entamoeba spe... more Non-human primates, such as baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis), are natural hosts for Entamoeba species; infections can be asymptomatic or result in invasive lethal disease. It was sought to determine whether following natural infection by Entamoeba. histolytica, baboon anti-amebic antibodies recognized native Gallectin, a recombinant portion of the lectin heavy subunit (designated LC3) and specific heavy subunit epitopes; we compared the specificity of anti-amebic antibodies from baboons to that of humans following asymptomatic E. histolytica infection or cure of amebic liver abscess (ALA). Female baboons (n=54), aged one to three years of age and living in captivity were screened for infection by real time PCR. E. histolytica infection was found in 37 baboons and was associated with serum anti-LC3 IgG (73%) and anti-LC3 IgA (46%) or intestinal anti-Gal-Lectin IgA antibody responses (49%), p<0.021 for each compared to that observed with baboons having an E. dispar infection (n=10) or uninfected baboons (n=7). The ELISA OD reading for anti-LC3 or anti-lectin antibodies correlated strongly with the presence of a PCR CT value indicative of E. histolytica infection. In humans with asymptomatic E. histolytica infection or those recently cured of ALA, 63% and 57% had serum anti-LC3 IgA and 65% and 57% had serum anti-LC3 IgG antibodies respectively. Epitope-specific synthetic peptides were used as capture antigens in ELISA; for baboons that possessed anti-LC3 and anti-lectin antibodies, 74% had anti-peptide IgG or IgA antibodies, compared to 86% of asymptomatic humans and 92% of ALA subjects(P>0.05).

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic and Predictive Values of Meld Score , Platelet Count and Pre Albumin in Patients with Compensated and Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis with Acute Variceal Bleeding

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2012

The study included 190 patients divided in to 5 groups: 20 normal as healthy control complaining ... more The study included 190 patients divided in to 5 groups: 20 normal as healthy control complaining of dyspepsia, GERD etc., 20 patients positive HCV without cirrhosis or varices, 50 patients compensated cirrhosis with varices, 50 patients decompensated cirrhosis with varices and 50 patients with primary acute variceal bleeding. All were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, routine laboratory examinations including serum pre-albumin, abdominal ultrasonography, MELD score was calculated for all patients, Child classification for all patient and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The results showed that platelet count was lowest in patients with varices, decrease of platelet count with increase of grading of esophageal varices. Platelet count was lowest in patients with early bleeding esophageal varices at 6 weeks in comparison to patients with bleeding esophageal varices at 4 months and patients with bleeding esophageal varices at 6 months. MELD score proved to be sensitive and specific in differentiation between patients with and without varices. The increasing of MELD score with increase of grade of varices pre albumin (PA) was lowest in patient with esophageal variceS and decrease of PA level with increase of grade of varices.

Research paper thumbnail of Neurophysiological Assessment of Peripheral Nerve Functions in a Sample of Egyptian Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018

Background: peripheral neuropathy is damage to or disease affecting nerves which may impair sensa... more Background: peripheral neuropathy is damage to or disease affecting nerves which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organs function or other aspects of health depending on the type of nerve affected. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of liver cirrhosis either due to viral (mostly HCV), NASH, Alcoholic or mixed. Objectives: the aim of this study was to define the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in a sample of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis and to determine any etiologic correlation. Patients and Methods: this descriptive study was conducted on 47 Egyptian liver cirrhotic patients. Patients were subjected to history taking, detailed neurological examination and clinical and neurophysiological assessment. Results: viral hepatitis was the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis 59.6% while non viral causes 25.5% e.g. NASH, the main duration of liver cirrhosis was 10 + 3.98 yrs ranging from 3-23 yrs. The majority of patients were asymptomatic, 48.9%, while the m...

Research paper thumbnail of Extrapulomnary-extragastrointestinal manifestations in patients with COVID-19

International journal of health sciences

Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) is a multisystem disorder. In terms of severity, ... more Background: COVID-19 (coronavirus disease-2019) is a multisystem disorder. In terms of severity, the disease can manifest as mild, moderate, severe, or critical. Depending on the severity of the case, the patient may exhibit extrapulmonary or extragastrointestinal symptoms. Objective: The purpose of this research was to evaluate the extrapulmonary and extragastrointestinal symptoms of COVID-19 infection in patients and to make accurate predictions for follow-up care. Patient and method: This prospective observational study was conducted on (404) COVID-19 infected patients with positive COVID-19 PCR at El-sheikh Zayed Al-Nahyan Hospital from January 1st to June 30th, 2021. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the clinical severity of illness regrding patient demographic features such as older age, male gender, co morbidities such as diabetes and hypertension; extra pulmonary – extra gastrointestinal manifestations. Conclusion: There is a correlation betwe...

Research paper thumbnail of Relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic patients

Journal of Recent Advances in Medicine, 2021

Background: Cirrhosis is a great health problem worldwide and is associated with many complicatio... more Background: Cirrhosis is a great health problem worldwide and is associated with many complications. Portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG) is one of its most common complications and in some patients may lead to gastrointestinal bleeding. The relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and PHG is not clearly identified. Objective: This work aimed to study a possible association between H. pylori infection and PHG and to correlate the severity of PHG with H. pylori infection in cirrhotic patients. Methodology: A cross sectional comparative study included 90 cirrhotic patients, who were classified into 3 groups. G1: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with no PHG. G2: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with mild PHG. G3: included 30 age and sex-matched cirrhotic patients with severe PHG. Endoscopic examination was done to evaluate the presence and severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy and for diagnosis of H. pylori infection. Results: H. pylori infection by histopathology was detected in 61 studied patients (67.8%). H. pylori infection was more prevalent among cirrhotic patients with PHG (78.3%) than patients without PHG (46.7%) (P=0.0029). H. pylori infection was detected in 26(86.7%), 21(70.0%), 14(46.7%) in patients with severe, mild and no PHG respectively. H. pylori infection was more prevalent in patients with severe PHG relative to patients with no PHG (p-value = 0.001). Conclusion: The current study showed a significant relation between H. pylori infection and PHG in cirrhotic patients and it might have a role in the pathogenesis of severe PHG.

Research paper thumbnail of The Role of Fibroscan as a Non-Invasive Predictor for Oesophageal Varices in Post HCV Cirrhotic Egyptian Patients With or Without Bilhariziasis

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018

Background: Development of oesophageal varices is a major complication that may occur in up to 90... more Background: Development of oesophageal varices is a major complication that may occur in up to 90% of cirrhotic patients. The endoscopic screening is an invasive procedure. This is why the selection of patients with large oesophageal varices at high risk for bleeding has become an issue of growing importance. In this respect, several clinical, biochemical, ultrasonographic and elastrogarphic (transient elastography-TE) methods have been proposed (and some of them validated) as noninvasive alternatives to endoscopy. Objectives: It was to evaluate transient elastography by fibroscan in the prediction and determination of the grade of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients due to chronic hepatitis c virus (HCV) infection with or without bilharziasis. Patients and Methods: Sixty Egyptian patients with body mass index (BMI) <35, no history of: upper gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) bleeding, hepatocellular carcinoma, moderate and tense ascites or any other cause of liver cirrhosis. The...

Research paper thumbnail of IL28B-Gene Polymorphisms (rs12979860) in HCV Liver Parenchymal changes legitimize Screening for SNPs before DAAs Therapy

Background and objective: IL28B-gene polymorphisms show inconclusive relationships with CHCV DAAs... more Background and objective: IL28B-gene polymorphisms show inconclusive relationships with CHCV DAAs-treatment outcomes on evaluation by serum-PCR. Solitary intra-PBMCs HCV-RNA antisense-strands are independently found in naïve and experienced cases regardless to viremia or hepatic-parenchymal changes. We correlated frequencies of IL28B-gene SNPs and alleles with HCV induced liver-changes during SVR evaluation by PBMCs-PCR after DAAs-therapy. Methods: Twelve weeks after completing DAAs-therapy, the impacts of IL28B-gene-SNPs were evaluated in three groups of patients: group-I (n=25) with negative serum and PBMCs HCV-PCR, group-II (n=52) had solitary intra-PBMCs HCV-RNA, and group-III (n=25) had positive serum HCV-RNA. All cases were subjected to IL28B-gene-SNP analyses and correlated with their ultrasonographic liver changes.Results: IL28B-genotyping in post-DAAs-treatment HCV-SVR and viral relapse revealed: a) dominant CC-genotype and C allele in normal hepatic parenchyma in group-I c...

Research paper thumbnail of Penicillamine as radiation protector against gamma radiation effect on complete blood count parameters of guinea pigs

Al-Azhar Assiut Medical Journal, 2019

Background and aim The increasing use of nuclear technology has increased the risk of exposure to... more Background and aim The increasing use of nuclear technology has increased the risk of exposure to radiation. Exposure to radiation induces harms to human beings. The blood and blood-forming organs are one of the most sensitive to radiation. People exposed to high radiation doses had blood count changes, and death may occur owing to acute radiation syndromes. Therefore, radioprotective compounds are very important in clinical radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of penicillamine as a radiation protector agent against gamma radiation effects on complete blood count parameters of guinea pigs. Materials and methods Thirty healthy male guinea pigs were divided into three equal groups: treated irradiated (n=10), irradiated (n=10), and control (n=10) groups. The treated irradiated and irradiated groups were exposed to acute gamma radiation dose (9 kGy). The treated irradiated group received penicillamine (10 mg/kg) 1 h before exposure to radiation. Blood samples were collected soon after radiation and immediately placed in tubes containing EDTA, and these samples were used in the assessment of blood profile. Results Treated irradiated guinea pigs had significant higher red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (P≤0.05). The treated irradiated guinea pigs had significant lower relative distribution width of red blood cells by volume coefficient of variation (%) and platelet count (P≤0.05). Relative width of the distribution of platelets in volume index of the heterogeneity of platelets (%) had no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Administration of penicillamine reduced radiation damage to red blood cell count, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration.

Research paper thumbnail of Prevalence of HCV Infection among Health Care Employee at Al Azhar University Hospitals in Cairo, Egypt

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2017

HCV-infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease among Egyptians, the most commonly infec... more HCV-infection is the main cause of chronic liver disease among Egyptians, the most commonly infected population with HCV genotype 4. Evidences of HCV-transmission that are associated with health-care settings have consistently accumulated over recent years worldwide. Therefore, healthcare workers (HCWs) are the target population of the current study. The study evaluated prevalence of HCV-infection among different sectors of HCWs at Al Azhar University Hospitals. The population (n=239) were divided into four groups. G1(n=59) included healthy controls who were not working at hospitals. Other subjects (n=180) consisted three equal groups (2, 3 & 4) who were working at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. Respectively, workers, nurses and physicians presented group 2, 3 & 4 (n=60 each) from different hospital wards. Based upon duration of employment at hospitals, subjects in each of the last three groups were subdivided into 3 subgroups (n=20 each). Risk-factors that were thought to have an impact on acquisition of HCVinfection were evaluated. The overall prevalence of HCV infection in study populations was 21.34% with the highest rate in nurses (38.3%) and workers (20%) when compared to controls (15.3%) and physicians (11.7%; P<0.05). The significantly increased HCV infection in nurses compared to physicians (P<0.05) was found during all employment periods. Needle stick injury, incidental exposure to blood and body fluid splashes were respectively prominent risk-factors among nurses (70%, 60% & 35%) and workers (35%, 21.7% & 18.3%). Nurses and hospital workers had high prevalence of HCV infection. Long duration of nurse employment was associated with increased frequency of needle sticks and subsequently high prevalence of HCVinfection, but not physicians.

Research paper thumbnail of Detection of Occult Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Apparently Healthy Spouses of Chronic HCV Infected Patients

Ain Shams Medical Journal, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of Rifaximin in Management of Hepatic Encephalopathy

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2014

This study evaluated the efficacy of rifaximin versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encep... more This study evaluated the efficacy of rifaximin versus lactulose in the treatment of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). The study population included 50 patients who were diagnosed to have signs of the first to third degree HE, according to the West Haven criteria and classified into two groups. GI: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with lactulose syrup (laxolac) 90 ml daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. GII: included 25 patients who had HE and were treated with rifaximin 1200 mg daily divided into 3 doses for 7 days. Patients in both groups also received other measures of treatment of HE as daily enema and protein restriction. Rifaximin significantly improved various subjective and measurable components of HE including mental status, behavior, asterixis, and serum ammonia concentration. In acute HE of grade 1 to grade 3, rifaximin may be a good alternative to non-absorbable disaccharides as it is broad spectrum, non-absorbable antibiotic with rapid action and little side effects. It is better tolerated, associated with less frequent and shorter hospitalization in comparison to lactulose.

Research paper thumbnail of Natural Infection of Baboons by Entamoeba Histolytica Elicits Anti-Gal Lectin Heavy Subunit Iga and Igg Antibodies with Shared Epitope Specificity to That of Humans

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2013

Non-human primates, such as baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis), are natural hosts for Entamoeba spe... more Non-human primates, such as baboons (Papio hamadryas anubis), are natural hosts for Entamoeba species; infections can be asymptomatic or result in invasive lethal disease. It was sought to determine whether following natural infection by Entamoeba. histolytica, baboon anti-amebic antibodies recognized native Gallectin, a recombinant portion of the lectin heavy subunit (designated LC3) and specific heavy subunit epitopes; we compared the specificity of anti-amebic antibodies from baboons to that of humans following asymptomatic E. histolytica infection or cure of amebic liver abscess (ALA). Female baboons (n=54), aged one to three years of age and living in captivity were screened for infection by real time PCR. E. histolytica infection was found in 37 baboons and was associated with serum anti-LC3 IgG (73%) and anti-LC3 IgA (46%) or intestinal anti-Gal-Lectin IgA antibody responses (49%), p<0.021 for each compared to that observed with baboons having an E. dispar infection (n=10) or uninfected baboons (n=7). The ELISA OD reading for anti-LC3 or anti-lectin antibodies correlated strongly with the presence of a PCR CT value indicative of E. histolytica infection. In humans with asymptomatic E. histolytica infection or those recently cured of ALA, 63% and 57% had serum anti-LC3 IgA and 65% and 57% had serum anti-LC3 IgG antibodies respectively. Epitope-specific synthetic peptides were used as capture antigens in ELISA; for baboons that possessed anti-LC3 and anti-lectin antibodies, 74% had anti-peptide IgG or IgA antibodies, compared to 86% of asymptomatic humans and 92% of ALA subjects(P>0.05).

Research paper thumbnail of Prognostic and Predictive Values of Meld Score , Platelet Count and Pre Albumin in Patients with Compensated and Decompensated Liver Cirrhosis with Acute Variceal Bleeding

Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology, 2012

The study included 190 patients divided in to 5 groups: 20 normal as healthy control complaining ... more The study included 190 patients divided in to 5 groups: 20 normal as healthy control complaining of dyspepsia, GERD etc., 20 patients positive HCV without cirrhosis or varices, 50 patients compensated cirrhosis with varices, 50 patients decompensated cirrhosis with varices and 50 patients with primary acute variceal bleeding. All were subjected to full history taking, clinical examination, routine laboratory examinations including serum pre-albumin, abdominal ultrasonography, MELD score was calculated for all patients, Child classification for all patient and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The results showed that platelet count was lowest in patients with varices, decrease of platelet count with increase of grading of esophageal varices. Platelet count was lowest in patients with early bleeding esophageal varices at 6 weeks in comparison to patients with bleeding esophageal varices at 4 months and patients with bleeding esophageal varices at 6 months. MELD score proved to be sensitive and specific in differentiation between patients with and without varices. The increasing of MELD score with increase of grade of varices pre albumin (PA) was lowest in patient with esophageal variceS and decrease of PA level with increase of grade of varices.

Research paper thumbnail of Neurophysiological Assessment of Peripheral Nerve Functions in a Sample of Egyptian Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine, 2018

Background: peripheral neuropathy is damage to or disease affecting nerves which may impair sensa... more Background: peripheral neuropathy is damage to or disease affecting nerves which may impair sensation, movement, gland or organs function or other aspects of health depending on the type of nerve affected. Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of liver cirrhosis either due to viral (mostly HCV), NASH, Alcoholic or mixed. Objectives: the aim of this study was to define the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in a sample of Egyptian patients with liver cirrhosis and to determine any etiologic correlation. Patients and Methods: this descriptive study was conducted on 47 Egyptian liver cirrhotic patients. Patients were subjected to history taking, detailed neurological examination and clinical and neurophysiological assessment. Results: viral hepatitis was the commonest cause of liver cirrhosis 59.6% while non viral causes 25.5% e.g. NASH, the main duration of liver cirrhosis was 10 + 3.98 yrs ranging from 3-23 yrs. The majority of patients were asymptomatic, 48.9%, while the m...