Naglaa Fathy Alhusseini

Do we need to screen Egyptian voluntary blood donors for toxoplasmosis

Abstract Objective To determine the value of voluntary blood donors screening in diagnosing asymptomatic toxoplasmosis in an attempt to reduce the risk of this infection in Egyptian immunocompromised recipients. Methods Serum samples from 300 healthy voluntary blood donors were analyzed for anti- Toxoplasma antibodies [immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM)] using ELISA and detection of Toxoplasma gondii ( T. gondii ) parasitemia was done by real-time quantitative PCR (qrtPCR). Results Frequency of T. gondii infection in 300 healthy blood donors was 101 (33.67%), 10 (3.33%), 18 (6.00%) by ELISA IgG, IgM and qrtPCR, respectively. It was found that 8 of 18 (44.4%) donor samples positive by qrtPCR contained IgM anti- T. gondii , conversely 8 of 10 (80%) IgM-positive samples were positive for T. gondii DNA. There was a highly significant increase in detection of recent Toxoplasma infection using PCR over IgM ELISA by 55.6%. At the same time, T. gondii parasitemia was detected in 11 of 101 (10.90%) donor samples positive by IgG ELISA and in 7 of 199 (3.50%) negative donor samples for anti- T. gondii IgG antibodies. On the other hand, the negative results obtained by both qrtPCR and ELISA in 192 (64%) subjects ruled out the infection in those donors. Conclusions It might be appropriate to include the screening of blood and blood products for T. gondii in the pre-transfusion blood testing schedule in Egypt. Also, molecular screening should be carried out on the blood being transfused to immunocompromised patients.

Renoprotective effect of a combination of garlic and telmisartan against ischemia/reperfusion-induced kidney injury in obese rats

Abstract Obesity enhances the frequency and severity of acute kidney injury (AKI). Telmisartan pre-treatment was used experimentally in the amelioration of ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced AKI. However, there is a lack of evidence regarding its beneficial effects on AKI in obese animals. The present study, therefore, aimed to explore the protective effects of garlic and/or telmisartan against renal damage induced by unilateral IR in obese rats. Meloxicam was used as a standard anti-inflammatory agent. Prophylactic oral administration of meloxicam (3 mg kg−1), garlic (500 mg kg−1) and/or telmisartan (5 and 10 mg kg−1) for 4 wk protected against renal function deterioration induced by IR in obese rats. Both doses of telmisartan significantly reduced serum total cholesterol and triacyglycerol levels as well as peri-renal adipocytes size and renal fibrosis. Renal nuclear factor-kappa B immunoreactivity, tumor necrosis factor-alpha content as well as interleukin-10, adiponectin receptor 1 and macrophages (M1, M2) polarization markers (CD11c, CD206) mRNA expressions were down-regulated in ischemic kidney tissues and white adipose tissues around them by all treatments. Moreover, garlic, telmisartan and their combinations significantly suppressed oxidative stress in renal ischemic tissues. Histological picture was also improved by these treatments. Interestingly, the combinations provided a greater protection than their monotherapy in a dose-dependent manner. We suppose that this combination may be a promising prophylactic regimen for managing AKI in case of obesity. Thus, future experimental and clinical large-scale studies are necessary.