27 research outputs found
Identification of attenuation markers of a Theileria lestoquardi cell line to be used for the development of live vaccine against malignant ovine theileriosis
No full textTheileria lestoquardi is a tick-borne protozoan parasite and highly pathogenic for sheep. The disease caused by the pathogen is known as malignant ovine theileriosis (MOT) and is transmitted by Hyalomma ticks. Control of the disease can be achieved by immunization of sheep with attenuated T. lestoquardi schizont-infected ovine cells that provides the animal with solid immunity. The approach of using the attenuated vaccine against malignant ovine theileriosis has been carried out successfully in Iraq and Iran. Better characterization of attenuated cell lines could result in the identification of markers that would allow more rapid selection of attenuated vaccine and reduce the cost of vaccine production. Since no work has been reported regarding attenuation mechanisms in T. lestoquardi, the following study investigated potential attenuation markers of T. annulata infected cells in a T. lestoquardi cell line at different passages. Two markers associated with attenuation in T. annulata vaccine strains were analyzed, matrix metalloproteinase activity and TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Furthermore, differentially expressed genes
in higher passage and lower passage were analyzed using suppression subtractive hybridization in order to identify genes whose expression correlates with subculturing and thus potentially with attenuation. The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) and matrix metalloproteinase-2
(MMP2) in the investigated cell line was confirmed by using specific inhibitors. The results showed gradual reduction in the activity of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9)
with increasing passage number. Following the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha in different passages revealed down regulation of this cytokine from the low passage compared with high passage. Analysis of randomly selected clones in the suppression subtractive hybridization libraries identified nine differentially expressed genes, one from the parasite and eight from the host. Transcripts of retinoblastoma binding protein 7, Enolase-a (ENO 1), Ki-67 antigen and H2A histone from the host and vacuolar H+ATPase from the parasite were more plentiful in low passage culture. RAB14, a member of the RAS oncogene family, glucose transporter type 3, creatine kinase B, and cytochrome C oxidase transcripts from the host were more abundant in high passage culture. Quantitative real time-PCR confirmed mRNA expression of the parasite vacuolar H+ATPase to be downregulated at higher passages. The expression of the Ki-67 protein was clearly decreased with increasing passage number in western blot using specific antibody. Moreover, assessment of thymidine incorporation as a measure for the proliferation rate clearly showed that with increasing passage number, the proliferation rate of the T. lestoquardi infected cells decreases. This study revealed that the matrix metalloproteinase enzymes (9 and 2) and TNF-alpha could be potential molecular markers for identification of attenuation in the Theileria lestoquardi (Atbara) cell line. Also the down regulated parasite gene, vacuolar H+- ATPase could be considered as a molecular marker for attenuation. Immunization trials in sheep with different passages are required to provide in vivo evidence to support these findings
Survey on Eimeria spp.infecting Sheep in the Red Sea State,Eastern Sudan
No full textThis study was carried out to determine the prevalence of
Eimeria spp. that infect sheep in the Red Sea State, their prevalence
and the influence of age, season, sex and location on infection rate
and oocyst output.
One thousand and two hundred faecal samples were collected
from apparently healthy sheep in pasture and around water points
over a period of 12 months from January to December 2002. The
faecal samples were collected from three different geographical
areas viz., Halaib (in the northern part of the State), Port Sudan town
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(in the middle part) and Tokar delta (in the southern part of the
State).
Ten species of Eimeria were detected in this study; these are
E. ovina (75%), E. ovinoidalis (54%), E. parva (53%), E. faurei
(39%), E. ahsata (38%), E. marsica (26%), E. crandalis (16%), E.
intricata (12%), E. pallida (7%) and E. granulosa (5%).
One thousand and thirty seven samples were found to be
infected with the Eimeria spp. with an overall prevalence of 86%
throughout the year. The highest prevalence occurred in March
(98%) and the lowest prevalence occurred in June and Augast
(70%). No significance difference was shown between individual
months.
According to age, adult sheep had significantly lower
prevalence (63%) than lambs (93%) and yearlings (89 %.).
However, lambs expressed significantly higher mean of oocyst
output (5617 opg), while yearlings and adults showed lower means
of oocysts output 2989 and 2428 opg, respectively.
The study indicated that no significance difference on the
prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep during the cold wet season
and the hot dry season (94% and 71%, respectively). On the other
hand, cold wet season showed significantly higher mean of oocyst
output (4762 opg), when compared with hot dry season (2361 opg).
Sex didn't show significant difference neither on prevalence nor on
oocyst output. The prevalence in male and female was 90% and 84%
and the mean oocyst output was 4736 and 3627opg, respectively.
Tokar area showed high rate of infection (90%), followed by
Port Sudan (86%) and Halaib area (80%). No significance difference
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in prevalence of Eimeria spp. was found to occur between the three
locations. However, Halaib showed significantly lower mean of
oocyst output (2679 opg) when compared with Tokar and Port
Sudan 4909 and 4412 opg respectively.
Temperature, relative humidity and rain fall were found to
affect prevalence of Eimeria infection in sheep. The results indicated
that the high prevalence of infection occurred when ambient
temperature is low and relative humidity is high.
Eighty three percent of examined sheep showed mixed
infection with more than one species of Eimeria, while 17% showed
pure infection (one species of Eimeria).
Molecular identification of sheep Eimeria spp. based on PCR
assay and DNA sequencing indicated that multiple infection is the
common type in natural infection. As PCR products showed
amplification of more than one species and DNA sequence was not
possible to be read. These results just confirmed the infection with
sheep Eimeria spp
Study of Hall Effect Sensor and Variety of Temperature Related Sensitivity
No full textHall effect sensors are used in many applications because they are based on an ideal magnetic field sensing technology. The most important factor that determines their sensitivity is the material of which the sensor is made. Properties of the material such as carrier concentration, carrier mobility and energy band gap all vary with temperature. Thus, sensitivity is also influenced by temperature. In this study, current-related sensitivity and voltage-related sensitivity were calculated in the intrinsic region of temperature for two commonly used materials, i.e. Si and GaAs. The results showed that at the same temperature, GaAs can achieve higher sensitivity than Si and it has a larger band gap as well. Therefore, GaAs is more suitable to be used in applications that are exposed to different temperatures.</jats:p
Large inclusion cyst complicating female genital mutilation
No full textWe report a case of an inclusion cyst, resulting from female genital mutilation (FGM), which enlarged to such a degree that it restricted the patient’s movement. This report aims to raise the awareness of the medical community to the dangers that arise from a common remote complication of FGM
Sonographic Findings in Posterior Segment of the Eye in Sudanese Adult Patients Examined with Cataract
No full textLarge inclusion cyst complicating female genital mutilation
No full textWe report a case of an inclusion cyst, resulting from female genital mutilation (FGM), which enlarged to such a degree that it restricted the patient's movement. This report aims to raise the awareness of the medical community to the dangers that arise from a common remote complication of FGM
Population Genetic Analysis and Sub-Structuring of Theileria annulata in Sudan
No full textTheileria annulata, which causes tropical theileriosis, is a major impediment to improving cattle production in Sudan. Tropical theileriosis disease is prevalent in the north and central regions of Sudan. Outbreaks of the disease have been observed outside the known endemic areas, in east and west regions of the country, due to changes in tick vector distribution and animal movement. A live schizont attenuated vaccination based on tissue culture technology has been developed to control the disease. The parasite in the field as well as the vaccine strain need to be genotyped before the vaccinations are practiced, in order to be able to monitor any breakthrough or breakdown, if any, after the deployment of the vaccine in the field. Nine microsatellite markers were used to genotype 246 field samples positive for T. annulata DNA and the vaccine strain. North and central populations have a higher multiplicity of infection than east and west populations. The examination of principal components showed two sub-structures with a mix of all four populations in both clusters and the vaccine strain used being aligned with left-lower cluster. Only the north population was in linkage equilibrium, while the other populations were in linkage disequilibrium, and linkage equilibrium was found when all samples were regarded as single population. The genetic identity of the vaccine and field samples was 0.62 with the north population and 0.39 with west population. Overall, genetic investigations of four T. annulata populations in Sudan revealed substantial intermixing, with only two groups exhibiting regional origin independence. In the four geographically distant regions analyzed, there was a high level of genetic variation within each population. The findings show that the live schizont attenuated vaccine, Atbara strain may be acceptable for use in all Sudanese regions where tropical theileriosis occurs
Maternal near-miss in a rural hospital in Sudan
No full textAbstract Background Investigation of maternal near-miss is a useful complement to the investigation of maternal mortality with the aim of meeting the United Nations' fifth Millennium Development Goal. The present study was conducted to investigate the frequency of near-miss events, to calculate the mortality index for each event and to compare the socio-demographic and obstetrical data (age, parity, gestational age, education and antenatal care) of the near-miss cases with maternal deaths. Methods Near-miss cases and events (hemorrhage, infection, hypertensive disorders, anemia and dystocia), maternal deaths and their causes were retrospectively reviewed and the mortality index for each event was calculated in Kassala Hospital, eastern Sudan over a 2-year period, from January 2008 to December 2010. Disease-specific criteria were applied for these events. Results There were 9578 deliveries, 205 near-miss cases, 228 near-miss events and 40 maternal deaths. Maternal near-miss and maternal mortality ratio were 22.1/1000 live births and 432/100 000 live births, respectively. Hemorrhage accounted for the most common event (40.8%), followed by infection (21.5%), hypertensive disorders (18.0%), anemia (11.8%) and dystocia (7.9%). The mortality index were 22.2%, 10.0%, 10.0%, 8.8% and 2.4% for infection, dystocia, anemia, hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, respectively. Conclusion There is a high frequency of maternal morbidity and mortality at the level of this facility. Therefore maternal health policy needs to be concerned not only with averting the loss of life, but also with preventing or ameliorating maternal-near miss events (hemorrhage, infections, hypertension and anemia) at all care levels including primary level.</p
Ultrasound Imaging in Subjects with Sickle Cell Disease: The Saudi Arabia Experiences
No full textMohamed Adam,1 Mustafa J Musa,2 Saleh M Al-Qahtani,3 Magbool Alelyani,1 Alamin Musa,1 Maisa Elzaki,4 Amel FH Alzain,4 Sarra Ali,5 Afaf Medani,1 Emadeldedin Mohamed Mukhtar,1 Awadia Gareeballah4 1Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Applied Radiologic Science, University of Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Child Health, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Diagnostic Radiology Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taibah University, Al-Madianah Al-Munawwarrah, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Diagnostic Radiography Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Mohamed Adam, Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, Asir, Saudi Arabia, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: Abdominal organ sonography is a crucial part of the workup for treating sickle cell disease (SCD) patients.Objective: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the abdominal organs in SCD patients using ultrasonography.Methodology: A non-interventional descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Asir region Saudi Arabia from April 2019 to July 2020. The study was conducted in 78 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). Data were gathered using a data collection sheet included demographic information, clinical information including medication types, and complications linked to SCD. Furthermore, the study evaluated abdominal ultrasound findings pertaining to the liver, gall bladder, spleen, and kidneys. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).Results: More than half of the study participants 43 (55.1%) were females. About 53.8% of the study participants received blood transfusions, and (11.5%) receive extra-vaccine. Concerning ultrasound findings, hepatomegaly was found in seventeen (21.8%), focal liver lesions in four (5.1%), gallstones in five (6.4%), splenomegaly in fifteen (19.3%), and the presence of splenic focal lesions was found in seven (9.0%). The most frequent complication associated with SCD was osteomyelitis sepsis in six cases (7.7%). The study revealed a significant correlation between the type of crisis and type of medication used and the size of the spleen (P-value 0.05).Conclusion: Abdominal sonography in SCD patients revealed a wide range of alterations in the liver, gallbladder, and spleen. The most frequently observed complications in SCD were hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, localized lesions in both organs, and the presence of gallstones.Keywords: sickle cell disease, ultrasonography, abdominal organ, echo-textur
Seroprevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women in eastern Sudan
No full textSummaryWe conducted a cross-sectional survey to determine the prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among pregnant women attending a major hospital in Kassala state, eastern Sudan. Unlinked anonymous testing of residual blood specimens, which were originally collected for other routine clinical purposes, was performed using rapid immunochromatographic assays. In total, 430 residual blood specimens were consecutively collected over a 6-week period (April–May 2010). Specimens from the antenatal clinic (ANC) constituted 50.7% (218/430) of the total whereas specimens from the labour ward accounted for the remaining 49.3% (212/430). The median age of pregnant women was 29 years (range 16–40). The prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 0.23% (1/430) [95% confidence interval=0.01–1.29%]. The only reactive specimen came from a 20-year-old ANC attendee. We report low HIV prevalence among pregnant women in eastern Sudan but further research is needed to confirm our findings. An integrated framework to diagnose and treat maternal HIV infection should be developed in order to prevent transmission to infants
