Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC) is a birth defect characterised by multiple joint contractures and is associated with various other congenital abnormalities. Various systemic associations like cleft palate, low set ears, gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities, congenital heart defects, hypoplastic lungs and cryptorchidism have been described with this syndrome. A detailed clinical examination comprising of ophthalmic , orthopaedic, paediatric, orthoptic, ENT, haematologic and neurologic review of two babies with AMC was undertaken. These cases presented some never before described ocular and systemic abnormalities in association with AMC. We suggest a close multidisciplinary follow up on all cases of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita to detect, report and better understand these associations.
{"title":"Ophthalmological And Systemic Findings Associated With Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita","authors":"Rohit Sharma, Priyanka Sharma, J. Raina","doi":"10.5580/1296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1296","url":null,"abstract":"Arthrogryposis multiplex congenital (AMC) is a birth defect characterised by multiple joint contractures and is associated with various other congenital abnormalities. Various systemic associations like cleft palate, low set ears, gastrointestinal (GI) abnormalities, congenital heart defects, hypoplastic lungs and cryptorchidism have been described with this syndrome. A detailed clinical examination comprising of ophthalmic , orthopaedic, paediatric, orthoptic, ENT, haematologic and neurologic review of two babies with AMC was undertaken. These cases presented some never before described ocular and systemic abnormalities in association with AMC. We suggest a close multidisciplinary follow up on all cases of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita to detect, report and better understand these associations.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"6 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"117175239","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
N. Husain, Sowmya Sharma, R. Verma, N. Shukla, Ruchika Gupta, K. Prasad, M. Husain
A tertiary hospital based study comprising of a case series of 25 patients was carried out to evaluate various diagnostic modalities and arrive at a sensitive algorithm for diagnosis of brain abscess. Diagnostic efficacy of MRI scan, MR spectroscopy, PCR for tuberculosis & histological evaluation was assessed against a gold standard of Microbial diagnosis. The study group included 16 cases of pyogenic, 4 tubercular, 4 fungal and one actinomycotic abscess. Additionally, microvessel density and thickness of abscess wall was assessed by histo-morphometry. MRI was diagnostic in 92 % of the cases. MR spectroscopy revealed, lactate, lipids and amino acid metabolites all cases. Acetate and succinate indicated anaerobic etiology. Histological demonstration of microbes was possible in 6/16 cases of pyogenic abscesses, 3/4 cases of tubercular abscesses, in all 4/4 cases of fungal abscess and the 1/1 case had actinomycosis. M. tuberculosis was detected by PCR in all 4 cases of tubercular abscess. Morphometric analysis of the abscess wall showed prominent zone of inflammation in tubercular abscesses, which was significantly wider than in pyogenic abscesses (t=3.987, p= <0.001). This correlated well with the zone of enhancement inT1.weighted images in MR scans. Extent of microvessel proliferation in both groups was the same. Early diagnosis and accurate localization of brain abscess is possible by a combination of MRI & MR spectroscopy. Rapid diagnosis of tuberculous brain abscess can be achieved by PCR allowing initiation of therapy in the immediate postoperative period preventing fulminant infection.
{"title":"Multimodal Diagnostic Approach to Brain Abscess","authors":"N. Husain, Sowmya Sharma, R. Verma, N. Shukla, Ruchika Gupta, K. Prasad, M. Husain","doi":"10.5580/129c","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/129c","url":null,"abstract":"A tertiary hospital based study comprising of a case series of 25 patients was carried out to evaluate various diagnostic modalities and arrive at a sensitive algorithm for diagnosis of brain abscess. Diagnostic efficacy of MRI scan, MR spectroscopy, PCR for tuberculosis & histological evaluation was assessed against a gold standard of Microbial diagnosis. The study group included 16 cases of pyogenic, 4 tubercular, 4 fungal and one actinomycotic abscess. Additionally, microvessel density and thickness of abscess wall was assessed by histo-morphometry. MRI was diagnostic in 92 % of the cases. MR spectroscopy revealed, lactate, lipids and amino acid metabolites all cases. Acetate and succinate indicated anaerobic etiology. Histological demonstration of microbes was possible in 6/16 cases of pyogenic abscesses, 3/4 cases of tubercular abscesses, in all 4/4 cases of fungal abscess and the 1/1 case had actinomycosis. M. tuberculosis was detected by PCR in all 4 cases of tubercular abscess. Morphometric analysis of the abscess wall showed prominent zone of inflammation in tubercular abscesses, which was significantly wider than in pyogenic abscesses (t=3.987, p= <0.001). This correlated well with the zone of enhancement inT1.weighted images in MR scans. Extent of microvessel proliferation in both groups was the same. Early diagnosis and accurate localization of brain abscess is possible by a combination of MRI & MR spectroscopy. Rapid diagnosis of tuberculous brain abscess can be achieved by PCR allowing initiation of therapy in the immediate postoperative period preventing fulminant infection.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"48 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121324790","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
M. Kagu, A. Ayilara, M. Kawuwa, B. Ali, G. Gadzama
Currently, the Sputum smear microscopy for acid fast bacilli is the corner stone of diagnosis of HIV associated active TB in Nguru, Northeastern Nigeria. This method has low sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we set out to compare the reliability of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit with the routine direct sputum microscopy for acid- fast bacilli (AFB). Using Ziehl-Neelsen stained sputum smear microscopy for AFB as the standard, sensitivity and specificity of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit was 96.7 % and 82.1 % respectively. These results show that the performance of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit was adequate in comparison with direct sputum smear microscopy by sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of active TB in HIV infected patients when alternative is just clinical suspicion.
{"title":"Comparison With The Smart Check Recombinant TB Serology Assay And Direct Sputum Microscopy For Acid Fast Bacilli Among Suspected HIV Positive Patients In Northeastern Nigeria","authors":"M. Kagu, A. Ayilara, M. Kawuwa, B. Ali, G. Gadzama","doi":"10.5580/10a3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/10a3","url":null,"abstract":"Currently, the Sputum smear microscopy for acid fast bacilli is the corner stone of diagnosis of HIV associated active TB in Nguru, Northeastern Nigeria. This method has low sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we set out to compare the reliability of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit with the routine direct sputum microscopy for acid- fast bacilli (AFB). Using Ziehl-Neelsen stained sputum smear microscopy for AFB as the standard, sensitivity and specificity of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit was 96.7 % and 82.1 % respectively. These results show that the performance of the Smart Check Recombinant TB rapid test kit was adequate in comparison with direct sputum smear microscopy by sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of active TB in HIV infected patients when alternative is just clinical suspicion.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114326956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
After discussing the links between cancer and tropical diseases, this article identifies some obstacles to closer and broader cooperation between cancer and tropical disease research, shows some common therapeutic uses and contributions and makes general recommendations on how to improve the quantity and quality of work in both specialties.
{"title":"Cancer and tropical disease therapeutic research: A call for deeper and wider ties","authors":"Y. Meunier","doi":"10.5580/392","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/392","url":null,"abstract":"After discussing the links between cancer and tropical diseases, this article identifies some obstacles to closer and broader cooperation between cancer and tropical disease research, shows some common therapeutic uses and contributions and makes general recommendations on how to improve the quantity and quality of work in both specialties.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124862087","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
A. F. Beyioku, W. Oyibo, Emeh S. U. Onuoha, Chidiadi B. Ukaegbu, O. Ojuromi
Trichome staining method was superior to other techniques in detecting opportunistic protozoan infections: 35.7% for Cryptosporidium sp, and 50% for Microsporidium sp. The Acid Fast (Carbol Fuchsin) stain was useful only in detecting the oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp.. With 35.7% positivity. Laboratories in developing countries can put Tricrome stain in their priority purchase.
{"title":"Evaluation Of Microscopic Staining Techniques For The Diagnosis Of Opportunistic Protozoan Infections In A Developing Country","authors":"A. F. Beyioku, W. Oyibo, Emeh S. U. Onuoha, Chidiadi B. Ukaegbu, O. Ojuromi","doi":"10.5580/9f6","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/9f6","url":null,"abstract":"Trichome staining method was superior to other techniques in detecting opportunistic protozoan infections: 35.7% for Cryptosporidium sp, and 50% for Microsporidium sp. The Acid Fast (Carbol Fuchsin) stain was useful only in detecting the oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp.. With 35.7% positivity. Laboratories in developing countries can put Tricrome stain in their priority purchase.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"59 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128373905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The study compared results of one direct smear and one formol-ether concentration examination executed on each of 103 stool samples from patients attending a hospital and a medical diagnostic laboratory in Owerri. Formol-ether concentration technique detected 65.26% of positive specimens for one or more intestinal parasites. Direct smear was 34.74% effective. A significant number of the infected population was missed by direct smear method. This accounts for the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the studied population, part of which is ensuing from misdiagnosis. Soft stool exposed most of the intestinal parasites encountered in the study more than other consistency types. Hookworm bears the highest occurrence (15.79%) in soft stools and in the entire study (24.21%) as revealed by concentration method. This study furthermore showed that the age group (9-13) has the highest prevalence for intestinal parasites. Formol-ether detected 23.16% prevalence in this age group while direct smear found 14.74%.
{"title":"The Need For A Better Method: Comparison Of Direct Smear And Formol-Ether Concentration Techniques In Diagnosing Intestinal Parasites","authors":"V. Oguoma, C. Ekwunife","doi":"10.5580/17","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/17","url":null,"abstract":"The study compared results of one direct smear and one formol-ether concentration examination executed on each of 103 stool samples from patients attending a hospital and a medical diagnostic laboratory in Owerri. Formol-ether concentration technique detected 65.26% of positive specimens for one or more intestinal parasites. Direct smear was 34.74% effective. A significant number of the infected population was missed by direct smear method. This accounts for the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the studied population, part of which is ensuing from misdiagnosis. Soft stool exposed most of the intestinal parasites encountered in the study more than other consistency types. Hookworm bears the highest occurrence (15.79%) in soft stools and in the entire study (24.21%) as revealed by concentration method. This study furthermore showed that the age group (9-13) has the highest prevalence for intestinal parasites. Formol-ether detected 23.16% prevalence in this age group while direct smear found 14.74%.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"16 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131040665","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
We report in the rare case of a 52 year old man who presented to our surgical unit with duodenal mantle cell lymphoma presenting as bleeding duodenal ulcer. Only two cases have been reported worldwide.
我们报告一例罕见的52岁男性十二指肠套细胞淋巴瘤,表现为十二指肠溃疡出血。全世界只报告了两例。
{"title":"Lymphoma Presenting As A Bleeding Duodenal Ulcer: A Case Report","authors":"Basavaraj Mundasad, M. Hawe","doi":"10.5580/1a0f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1a0f","url":null,"abstract":"We report in the rare case of a 52 year old man who presented to our surgical unit with duodenal mantle cell lymphoma presenting as bleeding duodenal ulcer. Only two cases have been reported worldwide.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"10 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115348729","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The lack of an objective way of assessing the severity of sickle cell painful crises prompted this study. Adult sickle cell disease patients who presented to a tertiary hospital with acute painful episodes over a nine-month period were studied. The patients' vital signs at presentation, the pain scale and the effect of pain on the patients' daily activities were used in association with the doctor's clinical assessment of severity. The effect of the pain on daily activities was closely associated with the doctors' and the patients' assessments (p=0.02).The systolic blood pressure and the respiratory rate were good indicators of the severity of pain. We suggest that the pain scale, the effect of pain on daily activities and the the vital signs be used in conjunction with the doctor's assessment in determining the severity of the painful crises.
{"title":"Acute Painful Crisis In Sickle Cell Disease: Severity Assessment","authors":"T. Kotila, S. Ocheni","doi":"10.5580/1313","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/1313","url":null,"abstract":"The lack of an objective way of assessing the severity of sickle cell painful crises prompted this study. Adult sickle cell disease patients who presented to a tertiary hospital with acute painful episodes over a nine-month period were studied. The patients' vital signs at presentation, the pain scale and the effect of pain on the patients' daily activities were used in association with the doctor's clinical assessment of severity. The effect of the pain on daily activities was closely associated with the doctors' and the patients' assessments (p=0.02).The systolic blood pressure and the respiratory rate were good indicators of the severity of pain. We suggest that the pain scale, the effect of pain on daily activities and the the vital signs be used in conjunction with the doctor's assessment in determining the severity of the painful crises.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"649 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"116181585","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study investigated the effect of vitamin A and iron on the treatment of malaria, when they are given as supplements to infected preschool children. In a placebo-controlled supplementation trial, 132 children aged between 6 and 60 months were recruited and divided into 4 groups: the first group received 68mg (6-30 months) or 102mg (30-60 months) iron daily and the second, 30mg (6-12 months) or 60mg (12-60 months) of vitamin A in single dose at the beginning of the treatment. The third group received both vitamin A and iron while the placebo received no supplement. Completed data was obtained on parasitaemia, clinical (weight, vitality) and haematological parameters ( red blood cells, white blood cells and haemoglobin) using WHO (1982) methods, and micronutrients status (serum vitamin A and iron) respectively by spectrofluorimetry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. From this study, it was observed that about 40.15% of the children suffering of malaria were anaemic (haemoglobin level from 9.02 ± 1.60 to 10.72 ± 1.21 g/dl and red blood cells level less than 3500000/ mm3 among 40.15% of infants recruited). They also had moderate to severe vitamin A deficiency (serum vitamin A between 0.53 ± 0.14 and 0.66 ± 0.24μmol/l). Compared with placebo group, infants receiving supplements improved considerably, for clinical and sub clinical parameters (weight gain from 0.49 ± 1.48 to 0.64 ± 1.97Kg, as against – 0.76 ± 2.17Kg in placebo group), iron status (haemoglobin level varied from 0.63 ± 1.33 to 0.94 ± 1.2.10 g/dl as against – 0.68 ± 0.98 g/l). A significant improvement of vitamin A status was observed within groups receiving vitamin A supplementation (serum level 0.08 ± 0.20 to 0.11 ± 0.17μmol/l), while there was a notable decrease in the non supplemented group (– 0.04 ± 0.05μmol/l within the group that received iron, and – 0.07 ± 0.13μmol/l in the placebo group). The improvement was most important in the group receiving either vitamin A or iron supplements than those who received iron or vitamin A alone. This study showed that vitamin A and iron could remarkably improve the treatment of malaria when they are given as supplements to infected children.
{"title":"Effects Of Vitamin A And Iron Supplementation On The Treatment Of Malaria In Cameroonian Preschool Children","authors":"C. T. Mofor, Denis Zofou, P. Zollo","doi":"10.5580/f1f","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/f1f","url":null,"abstract":"This study investigated the effect of vitamin A and iron on the treatment of malaria, when they are given as supplements to infected preschool children. In a placebo-controlled supplementation trial, 132 children aged between 6 and 60 months were recruited and divided into 4 groups: the first group received 68mg (6-30 months) or 102mg (30-60 months) iron daily and the second, 30mg (6-12 months) or 60mg (12-60 months) of vitamin A in single dose at the beginning of the treatment. The third group received both vitamin A and iron while the placebo received no supplement. Completed data was obtained on parasitaemia, clinical (weight, vitality) and haematological parameters ( red blood cells, white blood cells and haemoglobin) using WHO (1982) methods, and micronutrients status (serum vitamin A and iron) respectively by spectrofluorimetry and atomic absorption spectrophotometry. From this study, it was observed that about 40.15% of the children suffering of malaria were anaemic (haemoglobin level from 9.02 ± 1.60 to 10.72 ± 1.21 g/dl and red blood cells level less than 3500000/ mm3 among 40.15% of infants recruited). They also had moderate to severe vitamin A deficiency (serum vitamin A between 0.53 ± 0.14 and 0.66 ± 0.24μmol/l). Compared with placebo group, infants receiving supplements improved considerably, for clinical and sub clinical parameters (weight gain from 0.49 ± 1.48 to 0.64 ± 1.97Kg, as against – 0.76 ± 2.17Kg in placebo group), iron status (haemoglobin level varied from 0.63 ± 1.33 to 0.94 ± 1.2.10 g/dl as against – 0.68 ± 0.98 g/l). A significant improvement of vitamin A status was observed within groups receiving vitamin A supplementation (serum level 0.08 ± 0.20 to 0.11 ± 0.17μmol/l), while there was a notable decrease in the non supplemented group (– 0.04 ± 0.05μmol/l within the group that received iron, and – 0.07 ± 0.13μmol/l in the placebo group). The improvement was most important in the group receiving either vitamin A or iron supplements than those who received iron or vitamin A alone. This study showed that vitamin A and iron could remarkably improve the treatment of malaria when they are given as supplements to infected children.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"31 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"121813536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Male BALB/c mice were infected with a single cercarial dose of Schistosoma mansoni and later treated curatively with praziquantel on Day 42 post-infection. Serum from the animals was studied for changes in concentration of haptoglobin, albumin, iron, zinc and copper. The infection resulted in significant decreases in serum albumin, iron and zinc, and increases in serum haptoglobin and copper. Haptoglobin showed the most sensitive responses with a peak increase of 257% of pre-infection levels achieved. Copper, however, showed only very gradual increases, which peaked, at 16% of pre-infection concentrations. Albumin levels showed a gradual but steady decrease to reach 48.7% of pre-infection concentrations. Iron showed similar trends with maximal decrease of 48.9%. Zinc levels dropped fairly rapidly following infection and were decreased maximally to 66.4%. The post-infection changes demonstrated recovery following treatment, though pre-infection concentrations were not achieved. The protein and cation changes correlated well with the degree of tissue damage and inflammation evidenced in the histopathological studies of infected mice. The study demonstrated that elevation in serum haptoglobin and copper, and depression in serum albumin, iron and zinc concentrations occur in the acute phase of S. mansoni infection of mice, and that these changes recover with reducing tissue damage and inflammation, and are therefore good indicators of tissue pathology.
{"title":"Assessment Of The Acute Phase Response In Experimental Infection Of Mice With Schistosoma Mansoni","authors":"N. K. Mungatana, S. Kariuki, D. Yole, R. Ngure","doi":"10.5580/7af","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5580/7af","url":null,"abstract":"Male BALB/c mice were infected with a single cercarial dose of Schistosoma mansoni and later treated curatively with praziquantel on Day 42 post-infection. Serum from the animals was studied for changes in concentration of haptoglobin, albumin, iron, zinc and copper. The infection resulted in significant decreases in serum albumin, iron and zinc, and increases in serum haptoglobin and copper. Haptoglobin showed the most sensitive responses with a peak increase of 257% of pre-infection levels achieved. Copper, however, showed only very gradual increases, which peaked, at 16% of pre-infection concentrations. Albumin levels showed a gradual but steady decrease to reach 48.7% of pre-infection concentrations. Iron showed similar trends with maximal decrease of 48.9%. Zinc levels dropped fairly rapidly following infection and were decreased maximally to 66.4%. The post-infection changes demonstrated recovery following treatment, though pre-infection concentrations were not achieved. The protein and cation changes correlated well with the degree of tissue damage and inflammation evidenced in the histopathological studies of infected mice. The study demonstrated that elevation in serum haptoglobin and copper, and depression in serum albumin, iron and zinc concentrations occur in the acute phase of S. mansoni infection of mice, and that these changes recover with reducing tissue damage and inflammation, and are therefore good indicators of tissue pathology.","PeriodicalId":331725,"journal":{"name":"The Internet Journal of Tropical Medicine","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2005-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131098480","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}