Michael N. Agban

Pattern of hepatitis virus infection among pregnant women and their newborns at the Women's Health Center of Assiut University, Upper Egypt

To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and rate of vertical transmission of HBV and/or HCV infection among pregnant women in Upper Egypt, and assess the preventive efficacy of administering hepatitis B immunoglobulin and vaccine to newborns on their carrier status at 8 months.

Patterns of Candida biofilm on intrauterine devices.

Biofilms are colonies of microbial cells encased in a self-produced organic polymeric matrix and represent a common mode of microbial growth. Microbes growing as biofilm are highly resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs. We aimed to screen and characterize biofilm formation by different isolates of Candida on removed intrauterine devices (IUDs), to perform experimental biofilm formation with isolated strains, and to examine biofilm by the crystal violet and XTT reduction assays and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A total of 56 IUDs were examined for biofilm formation using Sabourauds dextrose chloramphenicol agar. Suspected colonies were identified by different methods. Antifungal susceptibility testing with fluconazole (FLU) and amphotericin B for the isolated strains and in vitro experimental biofilm formation was carried out. The biofilm was quantified by crystal violet, XTT reduction assay and SEM. Among the 56 IUDs investigated, 26 were Candida positive (46.4 %). Candida albicans was recovered from 15 isolates. The biofilm MIC of FLU was increased 64 to 1000 times compared to the MIC for planktonic cells. The XTT method results were dependent on the Candida species; biofilm formation was highest in Candida krusei and Candida glabrata strains, followed by C. albicans and Candida tropicalis. SEM of Candida biofilm revealed a heterogeneous thick biofilm with a mixture of micro-organisms. The main conclusion from this study was non-albicans Candida represents more than a half of the Candida biofilm. Better understanding of Candida biofilms may lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of fungal infections, especially resistant ones among IUD users.

The Enviromental Contamination in Some Intensive Care Units of Assiut and Sohag University Hospitals

The hospital environment may contribute with the dissemination of pathogens. There are no meaningful standards for permissible levels of microbial contamination of inanimate surfaces in hospital environment, but an increased microbial load on surfaces may imply the possibility of finding a pathogen. During a 18 months study, 1153 bacterial isolates were recovered from 1063 enviromental samples(beds, door handle, trash basket , door surface, floors, and medial equipments) in trauma and chest ICUs of Assuit University Hospital and trauma ICU of Sohag university hospital. In vitro susceptibility of environmental bacterial isolates to 12 antimicrobial agents Ampicilin; Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline, Bacitracin, Amoxclav, Gentamicin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Imipenem, Meropenem and Chloramphenicol (as commercial antimicrobial agents). Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Entercoccus spp, Acinetobacter baumannii, Serratia marcescens and Coagulase negative Staphylococcus were identified in three intensive care units. The most prevalent organism was Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus in trauma and chest ICUs of Assuit University Hospital, Escherichia coli in trauma ICU of Sohag University Hospital. Vancomycin, linezolid, gentamicin and ciperofloxcin were highly effective to gram positives while imipenem and meropenem to gram negatives

Correction to: Genetic aberrations of the K-ras proto-oncogene in bladder cancer in relation to pesticide exposure

The original publication of this paper contains a mistake. Line 6 in the abstract, line should read “One hundred patients were diagnosed with bladder cancer and two hundred controls attended the outpatient clinic;”

Genetic aberrations of the K-ras proto-oncogene in bladder cancer in relation to pesticide exposure

In Egypt, bladder cancer is one of the most popular cancers, accounting for 31% of all cancer cases. It ranks first in males about 16.2% of male cancer. The incidence in rural areas among males is near 32 per 100,000. The exact etiology of bladder cancer is still unknown; K-ras gene is known as a critical DNA target for chemical carcinogens such as pesticide. Some occupational hazard exposure is thought to be directly genotoxic, while others might enhance the mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of directly acting genotoxic agents. Analysis of the relationship between pesticide exposure and mutation in the K-ras gene in human bladder cancer. One hundred patients were diagnosed with bladder cancer and two hundred controls attended the outpatient clinic; after taking consent and filling a questionnaire for age, sex, occupation and pesticide exposure, surgically resected specimens were collected and the samples were used to determine the k-ras mutation. Blood samples were taken to analyze the level of acetylcholinesterase enzyme and level of P53. The present study indicated that pesticide exposure may play a great role in malignant transformation of the bladder cells through mutation in the K-ras gene; there was a significant correlation between the acetylcholinesterase enzyme level and k-ras mutation (p < 0.001). The results revealed that the level of P53 was significantly high in comparison with the control group (p < 0.001). These findings give an alarm to decrease the amount of pesticides used in our area; also, p53 may be used as an indicator to bladder cancer.

Nosocomial Infection by Multidrug Resistant Bacteria in Intensive Care Units of Assiut and Sohag University Hospitals

Nosocomial infections are the most common complications affecting hospitalized patients. The main purpose of this study was to determinate the frequency of nosocomial microorganisms obtained from intensive care unit patients admitted throughout 48 h and to detect the most common organisms and their susceptibility patterns to commercial antimicrobial agents and natural products (essential oils). Resistance gene was determinate. During 18 months study, 894 bacterial isolates were recovered from 682 clinical samples(urine, blood, sputum, wound) in trauma and chest ICUs of Assuit University Hospital and trauma ICU of Sohag University Hospital. API 20E test was performed for Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates (as the commonest organisms). In vitro susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to 12 antimicrobial agents Ampicilin; Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, Tetracycline, Bacitracin, Amoxclav, Gentamicin, Cefotaxime, Ceftazidime, Imipenem, Meropenem and Chloramphenicol (as commercial antimicrobial agents) and to Rosmarinus officinalis and Cymbopogen citrates essential oils was performed using the Kirby-Bauers disk diffusion method. PCR Testing for resistance gene for Klebsiella pneumoniae to carbapenems (imipenem and meropenem). Out of 894 bacterial isolates 210 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were detected and confirmed by API 20E. Lowest resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae to imipenem and meropenem (1%, 1% in trauma ICU of Assiut university hospital) (17.6%, 11.8%in chest ICU of Assiut university hospital) (3.1%, 4.1% in trauma ICU of Sohag university hospital). cymbopogen citrates essential oils had the positive effect on carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates rather than Rosmarinus officinalis essential oil. bla CTX-M gene, bla TEM gene and bla SHVgene were detected as resistance gene for imipenem and meropenem.