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Abd-Elshafy DN, Nadeem R, Nasraa MH, Bahgat MM. Analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 nsp12 P323L/A529V mutations: coeffect in the transiently peaking lineage C.36.3 on protein structure and response to treatment in Egyptian records. Z NATURFORSCH C 2024; 79:13-24. [PMID: 38265042 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2023-0132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 nsp12, the RNA-dependent RNA-polymerase plays a crucial role in virus replication. Monitoring the effect of its emerging mutants on viral replication and response to antiviral drugs is important. Nsp12 of two Egyptian isolates circulating in 2020 and 2021 were sequenced. Both isolates included P323L, one included the A529V. Tracking A529V mutant frequency, it relates to the transience peaked C.36.3 variant and its parent C.36, both peaked worldwide on February-August 2021, enlisted as high transmissible variants under investigation (VUI) on May 2021. Both Mutants were reported to originate from Egypt and showed an abrupt low frequency upon screening, we analyzed all 1104 nsp12 Egyptian sequences. A529V mutation was in 36 records with an abrupt low frequency on June 2021. As its possible reappearance might obligate actions for a candidate VUI, we analyzed the predicted co-effect of P323L and A529V mutations on protein stability and dynamics through protein structure simulations. Three available structures for drug-nsp12 interaction were used representing remdesivir, suramin and favipiravir drugs. Remdesivir and suramin showed an increase in structure stability and considerable change in flexibility while favipiravir showed an extreme interaction. Results predict a favored efficiency of the drugs except for favipiravir in case of the reported mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina N Abd-Elshafy
- Department of Water Pollution Research, Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rola Nadeem
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H Nasraa
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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Bahgat MM, Nadeem R, Nasraa MH, Amer K, Hassan WA, ELGarhy FM, Reda S, Abd-Elshafy DN. Proinflammatory Cytokine Profiles in Both Mild Symptomatic and Asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2-Infected Egyptian Individuals and a Proposed Relationship to Post-COVID-19 Sequela. Viral Immunol 2023; 36:600-609. [PMID: 37831918 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2023.0060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is associated with proinflammatory cytokine release as mediators of host antiviral response to the infection. Cytokine persistent elevation leads to post-Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) post-COVID-19 sequela (PCS) reported in about 60% of patients affecting individual's normal life after recovery. This study evaluates relationship of cytokines and chemokines pattern during and postinfection to PCS events. Serum samples collected from 82 individuals with symptomatic, asymptomatic, or no SARS-CoV-2 infection were classified as recently or formerly infected groups according to levels of anti-2019nCoV Immunoglobulin G/Immunoglobulin M. Levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, interferon alpha (IFN-α), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 were assessed via ELISA for each individual. All asymptomatic groups showed nonsignificant differences in cytokines' levels than control group. Significant elevation of IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF levels were observed in recent symptomatic, while IFN-α and TNF-α levels were significant in former symptomatic groups. We observed an association between fever with IL-1α and IFN-α levels, fatigue with TNF-α and GM-CSF, dyspnea with IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF, and chest-wheezing with GM-CSF. Individuals were surveyed 12 months postsampling for PCS events. Among 35 responders to survey, 8 (22.8%) reported PCS events, 6 of which were females. Upon studying PCS events, IL-8, IFN-α, TNF-α, and GM-CSF levels showed significant elevation in active infection, that was not seen in a resolved state of infection. Cytokines patterns suggest that either a persistent elevation in levels or damage caused during infection contributes to PCS. Although with the limited sample size, our study emphasizes the importance to conduct medical approaches targeting the associated cytokines to improve the PCS symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rola Nadeem
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H Nasraa
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khaled Amer
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael A Hassan
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fadya M ELGarhy
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Salem Reda
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina N Abd-Elshafy
- Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection Research Group, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
- Department of Water Pollution Research, Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, The National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
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Rageot M, Hussein RB, Beck S, Altmann-Wendling V, Ibrahim MIM, Bahgat MM, Yousef AM, Mittelstaedt K, Filippi JJ, Buckley S, Spiteri C, Stockhammer PW. Biomolecular analyses enable new insights into ancient Egyptian embalming. Nature 2023; 614:287-293. [PMID: 36725928 PMCID: PMC9908542 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05663-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The ability of the ancient Egyptians to preserve the human body through embalming has not only fascinated people since antiquity, but also has always raised the question of how this outstanding chemical and ritual process was practically achieved. Here we integrate archaeological, philological and organic residue analyses, shedding new light on the practice and economy of embalming in ancient Egypt. We analysed the organic contents of 31 ceramic vessels recovered from a 26th Dynasty embalming workshop at Saqqara1,2. These vessels were labelled according to their content and/or use, enabling us to correlate organic substances with their Egyptian names and specific embalming practices. We identified specific mixtures of fragrant or antiseptic oils, tars and resins that were used to embalm the head and treat the wrappings using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses. Our study of the Saqqara workshop extends interpretations from a micro-level analysis highlighting the socio-economic status of a tomb owner3-7 to macro-level interpretations of the society. The identification of non-local organic substances enables the reconstruction of trade networks that provided ancient Egyptian embalmers with the substances required for mummification. This extensive demand for foreign products promoted trade both within the Mediterranean8-10 (for example, Pistacia and conifer by-products) and with tropical forest regions (for example, dammar and elemi). Additionally, we show that at Saqqara, antiu and sefet-well known from ancient texts and usually translated as 'myrrh' or 'incense'11-13 and 'a sacred oil'13,14-refer to a coniferous oils-or-tars-based mixture and an unguent with plant additives, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxime Rageot
- Institute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany. .,Department of Pre- and Protohistory, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
| | - Ramadan B. Hussein
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Egyptology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Susanne Beck
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Egyptology, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Victoria Altmann-Wendling
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XInstitute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany ,grid.8379.50000 0001 1958 8658Department of Egyptology, Julius-Maximilians University, Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mohammed I. M. Ibrahim
- grid.419725.c0000 0001 2151 8157The Central Laboratories Network, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M. Bahgat
- grid.419725.c0000 0001 2151 8157The Central Laboratories Network, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed M. Yousef
- grid.419725.c0000 0001 2151 8157Packaging Materials Department, the National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Katja Mittelstaedt
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XInstitute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Stephen Buckley
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Pre- and Protohistory, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany ,grid.5685.e0000 0004 1936 9668BioArCh, University of York, York, UK
| | - Cynthianne Spiteri
- grid.10392.390000 0001 2190 1447Department of Pre- and Protohistory, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany ,grid.7605.40000 0001 2336 6580Department of Life Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Philipp W. Stockhammer
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XInstitute for Pre- and Protohistoric Archaeology and Archaeology of the Roman Provinces, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany ,grid.419518.00000 0001 2159 1813Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
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Nadeem R, Barakat AB, Bahgat MM. Cross-reaction between mouse and rat immunoglobulin G: does it matter in sandwich ELISA? J Genet Eng Biotechnol 2021; 19:119. [PMID: 34403025 PMCID: PMC8369443 DOI: 10.1186/s43141-021-00222-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Background Sandwich ELISA is an ideal antigen detection and quantification assay. Recently, it was used as the basic concept for high technology diagnostics. The specificity of the assay depends on the exclusion of detection cross-reactivity which arises from using two antibodies developed in different species. Since mice and rats are the common laboratory animals used to develop antigen specific antibodies. Therefore, the questions we addressed here were (1) can one use antigen-specific antibodies raised in mice and rats in the same assay to specifically detect/quantify antigens? and (2) which antibodies of the two rodents should be placed for capturing and for detection in the antigen-detection sandwich? Results Direct ELISA assay was used to assess for the specific reaction of the HRP-conjugated antibody to the target serum. First reaction was to compare between either conjugate anti-rat IgG (homologous) or anti-mouse IgG (heterologous) for the detection of rat sera IgG. Following the dilution factor optimization, the O.D. were 0.744±0.051 and 0.604±0.05, respectively (p= .004). The difference in mean O.D. of 0.14 reflected an unaccepted non-specific reaction. The second reaction was to compare between either conjugate anti-mouse IgG (homologous) and anti-rat IgG (heterologous) for the detection of mouse sera IgG. The recorded O.D. were 0.9414±0.14 and 0.317 ±0.141, respectively (p= .0002). The improved difference in mean O.D. of 0.624 reflecting a minimized cross-reaction. Conclusions Our results suggest that it is possible to use both Swiss albino mice and albino rats in a single sandwich ELISA, given that the captured antibody species to be from the Swiss albino mice and the detection antibody to be from the albino rat. The described working details are limited to the source of the antibodies used in the study. However, the approach stresses on the importance of such optimization steps before making any interpretations based on the antigen detection. To our knowledge, this study is the first to cover the optimal order of the capturing and the detection antibodies in a sandwich ELISA assay. In addition to addressing the possible interfering cross-reactivity that result from using mouse and rat serum antibodies in a single assay. Graphical abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Rola Nadeem
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, El Buhooth Street (Formerly El Tahrir), Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt
| | - Ahmed B Barakat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt. .,Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, El Buhooth Street (Formerly El Tahrir), Dokki, Cairo, 12622, Egypt.
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Bahgat MM, Nadeem R, Nasraa MH, Awad MA, Kamel S, Abd‐Elshafy DN. Impact of both socioeconomic level and occupation on antibody prevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in an Egyptian cohort: The first episode. J Med Virol 2021; 93:3062-3068. [PMID: 33547814 PMCID: PMC8014748 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We studied the impact of socioeconomic level on the anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies prevalence in an Egyptian cohort. The low socioeconomic standard group (LSS) included 51 humans, 30 females (F) and 21 males (M). The high socioeconomic standard group (HSS) included 55 subjects, 24 F and 31 M. Of the 30 LSSF, 6 were immunoglobulin M (IgM), 21 immunoglobulin G (IgG), and 6 double positive. Of the 21 LSSM, 5 were IgM, 12 IgG, and 5 double positive. Of the 24 HSSF, 6 were IgM, 11 IgG, and 5 double positive. Of the 31 HSSM, 6 were IgM, 14 IgG, and 4 double positive. Of the 51 LSS humans, 26 were symptomatic (S) and 25 asymptomatic (AS). Of the 26 S, 20 were IgG and 8 IgM/IgG double positive. Of the 25 AS, 13 were IgG and 3 IgM/IgG double positive. Of the 55 HSS humans, 38 were S and 17 AS. Of the 38S, 24 were IgG and 11 IgM positive of whom, 9 were double positive. Of the 17 AS, one was IgG and one IgM positive. The IgM prevalence was higher among the HSS humans. The IgG prevalence was significantly higher among the LSS humans. In the two different socioeconomic standards, the prevalence of either IgM or IgG was higher among F. An inverse correlation was observed between age and the anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies prevalence except for LSSF-IgG and LSSM-IgM. In conclusion, socioeconomic standard, gender, and age impact humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 with a clear heterogeneity in individualized responses to the infection in terms of symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M. Bahgat
- Research Group Immune‐ and Bio‐markers for Infection, The Centre of Excellent for Advanced Science, the National Research CentreGizaEgypt
- Department of Therapeutic chemistry, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries ResearchThe National Research CentreDokki, GizaEgypt
| | - Rola Nadeem
- Research Group Immune‐ and Bio‐markers for Infection, The Centre of Excellent for Advanced Science, the National Research CentreGizaEgypt
- Department of Therapeutic chemistry, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries ResearchThe National Research CentreDokki, GizaEgypt
| | - Mohamed H. Nasraa
- Research Group Immune‐ and Bio‐markers for Infection, The Centre of Excellent for Advanced Science, the National Research CentreGizaEgypt
- Department of Therapeutic chemistry, Division of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries ResearchThe National Research CentreDokki, GizaEgypt
| | - Mona A.‐E. Awad
- Department of Chemical and Clinical Pathology, Medical Research DivisionThe National Research CentreDokki, GizaEgypt
| | - Solaf Kamel
- Department of Chemical and Clinical Pathology, Medical Research DivisionThe National Research CentreDokki, GizaEgypt
| | - Dina N. Abd‐Elshafy
- Research Group Immune‐ and Bio‐markers for Infection, The Centre of Excellent for Advanced Science, the National Research CentreGizaEgypt
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Department of Water Pollution Research, Division of Environmental ResearchThe National Research CentreGizaEgypt
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Maghraby AS, Kamel SA, Fayed DB, Shawky H, Razin MA, Abd-Elshafy RN, Arafa AF, Abd-Elshafy DN, Bahgat MM. Seeking markers to distinguish HCV-Infected-autoimmune subjects from uninfected-autoimmune patients. Russ Open Med J 2019; 8:e0308. [DOI: 10.15275/rusomj.2019.0308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
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Bahgat MM, Shash AY, Abd-Rabou M, El-Mahallawi IS. Influence of process parameters in electrical discharge machining on H13 die steel. Heliyon 2019; 5:e01813. [PMID: 31198869 PMCID: PMC6556808 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
H13 die steel is characterized by its high hardness and need for special surface features that are obtained by nontraditional machining processes. Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is used to machine hard materials and to produce complicated shapes. In this work, different EDM process parameters are investigated on H13 die steel. Several experiments are conducted to study the effect of three process parameters: peak current (Ip), pulse on-time (Ton) and electrode material on the machining process of H13 die steel. The machining process is evaluated by material removal rate (MRR), electrode wear ratio (EWR%) and surface roughness (SR) as indicators of the process efficiency in terms of quality and cost. Taguchi method was used to investigate the significant effect of process parameters on the performance measurements and the optimal parameters of the EDM process. For analysis and explanations Minitab version 17 software was used. Different process parameters were experimentally investigated and statistically analyzed and the results showed that the copper electrode leads to the highest MRR and lowest EWR%; whereas the brass electrode leads to the lowest SR.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Bahgat
- Department of Manufacturing Engineering and Production Technology, Modern Academy for Engineering and Technology, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A Y Shash
- Department of Mechanical Design and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.,Faculty of Engineering and Materials Science, German University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Abd-Rabou
- Department of Mechanical Design and Production Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - I S El-Mahallawi
- Department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Loof TG, Sohail A, Bahgat MM, Tallam A, Arshad H, Akmatov MK, Pils MC, Heise U, Beineke A, Pessler F. Early Lymphocyte Loss and Increased Granulocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio Predict Systemic Spread of Streptococcus pyogenes in a Mouse Model of Acute Skin Infection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:101. [PMID: 29707522 PMCID: PMC5906586 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Group A streptococci may induce lymphopenia, but the value of lymphocyte loss as early biomarkers for systemic spread and severe infection has not been examined systematically. Methods: We evaluated peripheral blood cell indices as biomarkers for severity and spread of infection in a mouse model of Streptococcus pyogenes skin infection, using two isolates of greatly differing virulence. Internal organs were examined histologically. Results: After subcutaneous inoculation, strain AP1 disseminated rapidly to peripheral blood and internal organs, causing frank sepsis. In contrast, seeding of internal organs by 5448 was mild, this strain could not be isolated from blood, and infection remained mostly localized to skin. Histopathologic examination of liver revealed microvesicular fatty change (steatosis) in AP1 infection, and examination of spleen showed elevated apoptosis and blurring of the white pulp/red pulp border late (40 h post infection) in AP1 infection. Both strains caused profound lymphopenia, but lymphocyte loss was more rapid early in AP1 infection, and lymphocyte count at 6 h post infection was the most accurate early marker for AP1 infection (area under the receiver operator curve [AUC] = 0.93), followed by the granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio (AUC = 0.89). Conclusions: The results suggest that virulence of S. pyogenes correlates with the degree of early lymphopenia and underscore the value of peripheral blood indices to predict severity of bacterial infections in mice. Early lymphopenia and elevated granulocyte/lymphocyte ratio merit further investigation as biomarkers for systemic spread of S. pyogenes skin infections in humans and, possibly, related pyogenic streptococci in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten G Loof
- Research Group Infection Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Aaqib Sohail
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Aravind Tallam
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Haroon Arshad
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Manas K Akmatov
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Marina C Pils
- Mouse Pathology, Animal Experimental Unit, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Heise
- Mouse Pathology, Animal Experimental Unit, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Beineke
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frank Pessler
- Research Group Biomarkers for Infectious Diseases, TWINCORE Centre for Clinical and Experimental Infection Research, Hannover, Germany.,Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.,Centre for Individualized Infection Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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9
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Gewaid H, Mesalam AA, Ibrahim AA, Abdel Shafy DN, Abdel Shafy RN, Emara N, Hamdy SM, Gewaid M, Bahgat MM. Establishment of a platform for molecular and immunological characterization of the RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase NS5B of an Egyptian HCV isolate. J Med Virol 2017; 90:545-558. [PMID: 29064582 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.24977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The present work aimed at establishing a platform to enable frequent characterization of the HCV RNA-dependent-RNA-polymerase from Egyptian clinical isolates. Subjecting amplified HCV-NS5B coding gene from Egyptian patient's serum to sequencing, multiple alignment, and phylogenetic analysis confirmed its subtype 4a origin. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed presence of an additional start codon at the beginning of the NS5B gene. Peptide sequence alignment demonstrated presence of unique amino acid residues in our 4a-NS5B sequence distinct from the JFH-1-NS5B sequence as well as unique amino acids compared to other genotypes. The distinct molecular structure of the herein characterized 4a-NS5B from the 2a-JFH-1-NS5B was further demonstrated both in the built 3D models and the Ramachandran plots corresponding to each structure. Both the unique amino acid residues and 3D structure of the 4a-NS5B may influence both genotype 4a replication rate and response to therapy in comparison to other genotypes. Many resistance mutations to polymerase inhibitors were found both in ours and other genotypes' sequences. The presence of the required amino acid motifs for the RNA dependent RNA polymerase activity encouraged to clone the NS5B570-encoding sequence downstream CMV promotor in a mammalian expression vector. Such construct was used for both prokaryotic expression in bacteria and for DNA immunization. Successful mammalian expression and induction of specific immune response were demonstrated by ELISA and Western blotting. The potential of both the raised antibodies and the expressed NS5B to differentiate between HCV-infected and control human sera were demonstrated which reflect their diagnostic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam Gewaid
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Mesalam
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ahmed A Ibrahim
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Dina N Abdel Shafy
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Water Pollution Research Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Rola N Abdel Shafy
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Nahed Emara
- Clinical and Chemical Pathology Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Soha M Hamdy
- Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Fayoum University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Research Group Immune- and Bio-markers for Infection, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt.,Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt
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10
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Shawky H, Maghraby AS, Solliman MED, El-Mokadem MT, Sherif MM, Arafa A, Bahgat MM. Expression, immunogenicity and diagnostic value of envelope proteins from an Egyptian hepatitis C virus isolate. Arch Virol 2015; 160:945-58. [PMID: 25631616 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2334-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The present work aimed at 1) characterization of the E1 and E2 proteins (HCV-E) from an Egyptian hepatitis C virus genotype 4a (HCV-4a) isolate at the molecular and immunological level, 2) in silico identification of the B- and T-cell epitopes responsible for the immunogenicity of HCV-E, and 3) evaluation of the diagnostic potential of both the recombinant HCV-E and antibodies raised using mammalian expression constructs encoding the protein. The region encoding the E1 and E2 proteins was amplified by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from blood of a human infected with HCV-4 and cloned into the pSC-TA plasmid, and the sequence was verified and used to construct a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. The translated nucleotide sequence was used to predict the HCV-E secondary structure using the PREDICT-PROTEIN server and PSI-PRED. A 3D model of HCV-E was generated using the online tool 3Dpro. B- and T-cell epitopes were predicted using the online tools BCPred and Epijen v1.0, respectively. The HCV-E-encoding sequence was later subcloned into the mammalian expression plasmid pQE, and the constructs that were generated were used to immunize mice in the absence and presence of adjuvants of plant origin. The maximum sequence identity obtained by nucleotide and protein BLAST analysis with previously published HCV-E sequences was 85 and 77 %, respectively. The B-cell epitope CFTPSPVVV at position 203 and the T-cell epitope ALSTGLIHL at position 380 were found to be highly conserved among all HCV genotypes. Both ELISA and Western blotting experiments on crude and purified recombinant HCV envelope proteins using mouse antisera raised using the HCV-E mammalian expression construct confirmed the specific antigenicity of the expressed protein. The antibodies raised in mice using the HCV-E-encoding construct could efficiently capture circulating antigens in patients' sera with good sensitivity that correlated with liver enzyme levels (r = 0.4052, P < 0.0001 for ALT; r = -0.5439, P = 0.0019 for AST). Moreover, combining the HCV-E-encoding construct with extracts prepared from Echinacea purpurea and Nigella sativa prior to immunizing mice significantly (P < 0.05) increased both the humoral (14.9- to 20-fold increase in antibodies) and the cellular (CD4(+) and cytotoxic CD8(+)- T lymphocytes) responses compared to mice that received the DNA construct alone or PBS-treated mice. Both recombinant HCV-E protein preparations and antibodies raised using the HCV-E-encoding mammalian expression construct represent useful diagnostic tools that can report on active HCV infection. Also, the immunostimulatory effects induced by the two plant extracts used at the cellular and humoral level highlight the potential of natural products for inducing protection against HCV infection. The neutralizing capacity of the induced antibodies is a subject of future investigations. Furthermore, the predicted B- and T-cell epitopes may be useful for tailoring future diagnostics and candidate vaccines against various HCV genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Shawky
- The Immunology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Therapeutic Chemistry Department, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt,
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Bahgat MM. Interaction Between the Neglected Tropical Disease Human Schistosomiasis and HCV Infection in Egypt: a Puzzling Relationship. J Clin Transl Hepatol 2014; 2:134-9. [PMID: 26356794 PMCID: PMC4521266 DOI: 10.14218/jcth.2013.00028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2013] [Revised: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Egypt has the highest prevalence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and seropositivity worldwide, and it has been proposed that this enhanced susceptibility to HCV is related to coinfection with schistosomiasis. Although currently, there are no studies regarding the actual prevalence of both human schistosomiasis and schistosomiasis/HCV coinfection evidences strongly support that eliminating human schistosomiasis from Egypt is necessary to reduce both HCV prevalence and liver pathology. The present review highlights the significant impact of the neglected tropical disease human schistosomiasis on both susceptibility of Egyptians to HCV coinfection, severity of the resulting liver pathology, and poor response to antiviral therapy. The immune evasion mechanisms exerted by the HCV-NS3/4A protease domain, and the possible impact of immune evasion mechanisms exerted by proteases of larval, worm and egg stages of the parasite Schistosoma on human susceptibility to HCV infection are discussed. In addition, schistosome immune evasion mechanisms may include immunosuppression that in turn prevents clearance of HCV viremia and leads to relapsing HCV infection and severe liver pathology. I propose the generation of a replicon system from the most prevailing genotype (HCV-4a) in Egypt and establishing its replication on hepatoplastoma or immune cells in presence of bilharzial antigens. Finally, the use of a humanized small animal model that can acquire both HCV and S. mansoni infections will be important to further understand in real time the impact of coinfection on both the immune system and liver pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M. Bahgat
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases Group, Therapeutic Chemistry Department, the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Research Group of Biomarkers for Infection and Immunity, Institute of Experimental Infection Research, TWINCORE Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
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El-Mowafy M, Bahgat MM, Bilitewski U. Deletion of the HAMP domains from the histidine kinase CaNik1p of Candida albicans or treatment with fungicides activates the MAP kinase Hog1p in S. cerevisiae transformants. BMC Microbiol 2013; 13:209. [PMID: 24044701 PMCID: PMC3848655 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2180-13-209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microorganisms use two-component signal transduction (TCST) systems to regulate the response of the organism to changes of environmental conditions. Such systems are absent from mammalian cells and are thus of interest as drug targets. Fungal TCST systems are usually composed of a hybrid histidine kinase, comprising the histidine kinase (HisKA) domain and a receiver domain, a histidine phosphotransfer protein and a response regulator. Among the 11 groups of fungal histidine kinases, group III histidine kinases are of particular relevance as they are essential for the activity of different groups of fungicides. A characteristic feature is the N-terminal amino acid repeat domain comprising multiple HAMP domains, of which the function is still largely unknown. In Candida albicans, a fungal human pathogen, three histidine kinases were identified, of which CaNik1p is a group III histidine kinase. Heterologous expression of this protein in Sacchromyces cerevisiae conferred susceptibility to different fungicides. Fungicide activity was associated with phosphorylation of the mitogen activated protein kinase Hog1p. Results We have constructed mutated versions of CaNik1p, from which either all HAMP domains were deleted (CaNik1pΔHAMP) or in which the histidine kinase or the receiver domains were not-functional. Expression of CaNIK1ΔHAMP in S. cerevisiae led to severe growth inhibition. Normal growth could be restored by either replacing the phosphate-accepting histidine residue in CaNik1pΔHAMP or by expressing CaNIK1ΔHAMP in S. cerevisiae mutants, in which single genes encoding several components of the HOG pathway were deleted. Expression of proteins with non-functional histidine kinase or receiver domains resulted in complete loss of susceptibility to antifungals, such as fludioxonil. Conditions leading to growth inhibition of transformants also led to phosphorylation of the MAP kinase Hog1p. Conclusion Our results show that functional histidine kinase and receiver domains of CaNik1p were essential for antifungal susceptibility and for activation of the Hog1p. Moreover, for the first time we show that deletion of all HAMP domains from CaNik1p led to activation of Hog1p without an external stimulus. This phenotype was similar to the effects obtained upon treatment with fungicides, as in both cases growth inhibition correlated with Hog1p activation and was dependent on the functionality of the conserved phosphate-accepting histidine residue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed El-Mowafy
- AG Biological Systems Analysis, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Inhoffenstr, 7, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany.
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Dengler L, May M, Wilk E, Bahgat MM, Schughart K. Immunization with live virus vaccine protects highly susceptible DBA/2J mice from lethal influenza A H1N1 infection. Virol J 2012; 9:212. [PMID: 22992381 PMCID: PMC3502422 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-9-212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mouse represents an important model system to study the host response to influenza A infections and to evaluate new prevention or treatment strategies. We and others reported that the susceptibility to influenza A virus infections strongly varies among different inbred mouse strains. In particular, DBA/2J mice are highly susceptible to several influenza A subtypes, including human isolates and exhibit severe symptoms after infection with clinical isolates. FINDINGS Upon intra-muscular immunization with live H1N1 influenza A virus (mouse-adapted PR8M, and 2009 pandemic human HA04), DBA/2J mice mounted virus-specific IgG responses and were protected against a subsequent lethal challenge. The immune response and rescue from death after immunization in DBA/2J was similar to those observed for C57BL/6J mice. CONCLUSIONS DBA/2J mice represent a suitable mouse model to evaluate virulence and pathogenicity as well as immunization regimes against existing and newly emerging human influenza strains without the need for prior adaptation of the virus to the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonie Dengler
- Department of Infection Genetics, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Inhoffenstr. 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
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Bahgat MM, Saad AH, El-Shahawi GA, Gad AM, Ramzy RM, Ruppel A, Abdel-Latif M. Cross-reaction of antigen preparations from adult and larval stages of the parasite Setaria equina with sera from infected humans with Wuchereria bancrofti. East Mediterr Health J 2011; 17:679-686. [PMID: 21977571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Crude antigenic preparations from Setaria equina were used in ELISA and Western blotting to examine cross-reaction with human sera from areas endemic for bancroftian filariasis. Sera from normal subjects from non-endemic areas were included as negative controls. Cross-reaction was found between S. equina antigens and antibodies in the sera of Wuchereria bancrofti-infected patients, with the highest levels observed between sera of chronic infected patients and Setaria spp. crude female worm surface antigen (CFSWA). In the absence of active transmission of Setaria spp. infection, CFWSA is useful to detect chronic W. bancrofti infection before patients become symptomatic, particularly when chronic patients are known to be amicrofilaraemic. In the presence of active S. equina infection, antigens from the adult and microfilaraemic stages showed the highest degree of cross-reaction with human sera.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Bahgat
- Department of Therapeutic Chemistry and Infectious Diseases and Immunology Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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Bahgat MM, Błazejewska P, Schughart K. Inhibition of lung serine proteases in mice: a potentially new approach to control influenza infection. Virol J 2011; 8:27. [PMID: 21251300 PMCID: PMC3034701 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2010] [Accepted: 01/20/2011] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Host serine proteases are essential for the influenza virus life cycle because the viral haemagglutinin is synthesized as a precursor which requires proteolytic maturation. Therefore, we studied the activity and expression of serine proteases in lungs from mice infected with influenza and evaluated the effect of serine protease inhibitors on virus replication both in cell culture and in infected mice. RESULTS Two different inbred mouse strains were investigated: DBA/2J as a highly susceptible and C57Bl/6J as a more resistant strain to influenza virus infection. The serine proteases from lung homogenates of mice exhibited pH optima of 10.00. Using the substrate Bz-Val-Gly-Arg-p-nitroanilide or in zymograms, the intensities of proteolysis increased in homogenates from both mouse strains with time post infection (p.i.) with the mouse-adapted influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1; PR8). In zymograms at day 7 p.i., proteolytic bands were stronger and numerous in lung homogenates from DBA/2J than C57Bl/6J mice. Real-time PCR results confirmed differential expression of several lung proteases before and after infecting mice with the H1N1 virus. The most strongly up-regulated proteases were Gzma, Tmprss4, Elane, Ctrl, Gzmc and Gzmb. Pretreatment of mouse and human lung cell lines with the serine protease inhibitors AEBSF or pAB or a cocktail of both prior to infection with the H1N1 or the A/Seal/Massachusetts/1/80 (H7N7; SC35M) virus resulted in a decrease in virus replication. Pretreatment of C57Bl/6J mice with either AEBSF or a cocktail of AEBSF and pAB prior to infection with the H1N1 virus significantly reduced weight loss and led to a faster recovery of treated versus untreated mice while pAB alone exerted a very poor effect. After infection with the H7N7 virus, the most significant reduction of weight loss was obtained upon pretreatment with either the protease inhibitor cocktail or pAB. Furthermore, pretreatment of C57BL/6J mice with AEBSF prior to infection resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of both the H1N1 and H7N7 nucleoproteins in mice lungs and also a significant reduction in the levels of the HA transcript in the lungs of the H1N1--but not the H7N7-infected mice. CONCLUSION Multiple serine protease activities might be implicated in mediating influenza infection. Blocking influenza A virus infection in cultured lung epithelia and in mice by the used serine protease inhibitors may provide an alternative approach for treatment of influenza infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Department of Infection Genetics and University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany.
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Kim JK, Kayali G, Walker D, Forrest HL, Ellebedy AH, Griffin YS, Rubrum A, Bahgat MM, Kutkat MA, Ali MAA, Aldridge JR, Negovetich NJ, Krauss S, Webby RJ, Webster RG. Puzzling inefficiency of H5N1 influenza vaccines in Egyptian poultry. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:11044-9. [PMID: 20534457 PMCID: PMC2890765 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1006419107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In Egypt, efforts to control highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus in poultry and in humans have failed despite increased biosecurity, quarantine, and vaccination at poultry farms. The ongoing circulation of HP H5N1 avian influenza in Egypt has caused >100 human infections and remains an unresolved threat to veterinary and public health. Here, we describe that the failure of commercially available H5 poultry vaccines in Egypt may be caused in part by the passive transfer of maternal H5N1 antibodies to chicks, inhibiting their immune response to vaccination. We propose that the induction of a protective immune response to H5N1 is suppressed for an extended period in young chickens. This issue, among others, must be resolved and additional steps must be taken before the outbreaks in Egypt can be controlled.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong-Ki Kim
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
- Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon 305-806, Republic of Korea
| | - Ghazi Kayali
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - David Walker
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Heather L. Forrest
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Ali H. Ellebedy
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Yolanda S. Griffin
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Adam Rubrum
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Mahmoud M. Bahgat
- Department of Infection Genetics, the Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Inhoffenstrasse 7, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | | | - M. A. A. Ali
- Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Center, 12311 Dokki, Giza, Egypt; and
| | - Jerry R. Aldridge
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Nicholas J. Negovetich
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Scott Krauss
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
| | - Richard J. Webby
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
- Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38106
| | - Robert G. Webster
- Division of Virology, Department of Infectious Diseases, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38105
- Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38106
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Gaber HM, Maghraby AS, Ahmed MB, Ruppel A, Bahgat MM. Immune responses in mice after immunization with antigens from different stages of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 65:289-302. [PMID: 20469651 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2010-3-419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Mice responses to immunization with Schistosoma mansoni antigens were investigated. Priming with cercarial antigen preparation (CAP) induced significant (P < 0.05) IgM, IgG, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgA increases, while booster caused a significant IgG1 increase. A soluble worm antigen preparation (SWAP) caused significant IgG elevation. Priming with soluble egg antigen (SEA) caused significant IgM and IgG2a increases, while booster induced significant IgM, IgG and IgA increases. CAP-immunized mice sera (IMS) recognized CAP peptides ranging from 23-78 kDa. SWAP-IMS recognized SWAP peptides ranging from 40-75 kDa. SEA-IMS recognized SEA peptides ranging from 33-101 kDa. The cross-reactive peptides among the 3 antigens were identified. CAP caused significant increases in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) CD(4,8)+, B lymphocytes, CD8+ thymocytes, CD4+ T and B splenocytes. SWAP priming caused significant increases in MLNs CD(4,8)+ thymocytes and B splenocytes. SWAP booster caused significant increases in MLNs CD8+ T and B lymphocytes, CD(4,8)+ thymocytes and CD4+ T and B splenocytes. SEA caused significant increase in CD4+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanaa M Gaber
- Therapeutical Chemistry Department, Immunology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, the Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, the National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt
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Maghraby AS, Shalaby N, Abd-Alla HI, Ahmed SA, Khaled HM, Bahgat MM. Immunostimulatory effects of extract of Pulicaria crispa before and after Schistosoma mansoni infection. Acta Pol Pharm 2010; 67:75-79. [PMID: 20210082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The immunostimulatory effects of methanolic extract from Pulicaria crispa were investigated in mice before and after infection with Schistosoma mansoni. Mice were subjected for daily intra-peritoneal injection by the extract (33 ng/mouse) for 10 successive days followed by infecting every mouse with 100 S. mansoni cercariae. Treatment with the extract induced significant increase (p < 0.05) in sera-IL-2 before and after infection. Upon using soluble worm antigen preparation or cancer bladder homogenates as antigens in ELISA, the detected levels of IgG were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in sera from treated-infected mice than untreated P. crispa infected mice. Using crude Escherichia coli lysate as an antigen in ELISA, it was detected a significant (p < 0.05) increase in IgG levels in sera from the extract-treated mice before and after infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amany S Maghraby
- Therapeutic Chemistry Department, National Research Center, Dokki, Cairo 12311, Egypt
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Jolly ER, Chin CS, Miller S, Bahgat MM, Lim KC, DeRisi J, McKerrow JH. Gene expression patterns during adaptation of a helminth parasite to different environmental niches. Genome Biol 2007; 8:R65. [PMID: 17456242 PMCID: PMC1896014 DOI: 10.1186/gb-2007-8-4-r65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2006] [Revised: 01/29/2007] [Accepted: 04/24/2007] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosome bloodflukes are complex trematodes responsible for 200 million cases of schistosomiasis worldwide. Their life cycle is characterized by a series of remarkable morphological and biochemical transitions between an invertebrate host, an aquatic environment, and a mammalian host. We report a global transcriptional analysis of how this parasite alters gene regulation to adapt to three distinct environments. RESULTS Utilizing a genomic microarray made of 12,000 45-50-mer oligonucleotides based on expressed sequence tags, three different developmental stages of the schistosome parasite were analyzed by pair-wise comparisons of transcript hybridization signals. This analysis resulted in the identification of 1,154 developmentally enriched transcripts. CONCLUSION This study expands the repertoire of schistosome genes analyzed for stage-specific expression to over 70% of the predicted genome. Among the new associations identified are the roles of robust protein synthesis and programmed cell death in development of cercariae in the sporocyst stages, the relative paucity of cercarial gene expression outside of energy production, and the remarkable diversity of adult gene expression programs that reflect adaptation to the host bloodstream and an average lifespan that may approach 10 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmitt R Jolly
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Chen-Shan Chin
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Steve Miller
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Theraputic Chemistry Department, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Laboratory, the Road to Nobel Project, the National Research Center, Dokki, 12311 Cairo, Egypt
| | - KC Lim
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - Joseph DeRisi
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
| | - James H McKerrow
- California Institute for Quantitative Biomedical Research (QB3) of the University of California, San Francisco, 4th Street, San Francisco, CA 94158 USA
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El Awady MK, El Abd YS, Shoeb HA, Tabll AA, Hosny AEDMS, El Shenawy RM, Atef K, Bader El Din NG, Bahgat MM. Circulating viral core and E1 antigen levels as supplemental markers for HCV chronic hepatitis. Virol J 2006; 3:67. [PMID: 16948845 PMCID: PMC1586018 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-3-67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2005] [Accepted: 09/01/2006] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The performance of polyclonal monospecific rabbit anti-sera raised against synthetic peptides derived from conserved HCV sequences of genotype 4 was evaluated for efficient detection of viral core and E1 antigens in circulating immune complexes (ICs) precipitated from 65 serum samples of HCV patients. The infection was established in those patients by the presence of HCV RNA in their sera. A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of HCV core and E1 antigen in serum samples. Western blot analyses were used to demonstrate the presence of the core and E1 target antigen in serum samples. The mean OD readings of both core and E1 antigens were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among the viremic patients when compared to controls. Also a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05, r = 0.98) between the values of both core and E1 was recorded. Western blot analysis based on monospecific antibodies against core and E1 recognized the 38-kDa and 88 -kDa bands respectively in the sera of all infected patients. No specific reaction was observed with the sera from uninfected individuals. Interestingly the results of core and E1 antigen levels displayed no positive correlation with the HCV copy number as measured by bDNA. Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.44 and 0.47 respectively) with the viral core antigens level. The same trend holds true for E1 (r = 0.43 and 0.64 for ALT and AST respectively). HCV load in infected patients revealed extremely poor correlation with serum ALT and AST levels (r = 0.022 and 0.002 respectively). In conclusion we present a new combination of serological tools correlating with liver enzyme levels that could be utilized as supplemental tests to viral load testing. Also, a sensitive and specific immunoassay was developed for the detection of HCV core and E1 in human serum. This test can be applied for laboratory diagnosis of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K El Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Yasmine S El Abd
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Hussein A Shoeb
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf A Tabll
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | | | - Reem M El Shenawy
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Khaled Atef
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Noha G Bader El Din
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Bahgat
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, the National Research Center, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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El Awady MK, El Abd YS, Shoeb HA, Tabll AA, Hosny AEDMS, El Shenawy RM, Atef K, Bader El Din NG, Bahgat MM. Circulating viral core and E1 antigen levels as supplemental markers for HCV chronic hepatitis. Virol J 2006. [PMID: 16948845 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-3-67.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The performance of polyclonal monospecific rabbit anti-sera raised against synthetic peptides derived from conserved HCV sequences of genotype 4 was evaluated for efficient detection of viral core and E1 antigens in circulating immune complexes (ICs) precipitated from 65 serum samples of HCV patients. The infection was established in those patients by the presence of HCV RNA in their sera. A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of HCV core and E1 antigen in serum samples. Western blot analyses were used to demonstrate the presence of the core and E1 target antigen in serum samples. The mean OD readings of both core and E1 antigens were significantly higher (P < 0.05) among the viremic patients when compared to controls. Also a significant positive correlation (P < 0.05, r = 0.98) between the values of both core and E1 was recorded. Western blot analysis based on monospecific antibodies against core and E1 recognized the 38-kDa and 88 -kDa bands respectively in the sera of all infected patients. No specific reaction was observed with the sera from uninfected individuals. Interestingly the results of core and E1 antigen levels displayed no positive correlation with the HCV copy number as measured by bDNA. Liver enzymes (ALT and AST) showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.44 and 0.47 respectively) with the viral core antigens level. The same trend holds true for E1 (r = 0.43 and 0.64 for ALT and AST respectively). HCV load in infected patients revealed extremely poor correlation with serum ALT and AST levels (r = 0.022 and 0.002 respectively). In conclusion we present a new combination of serological tools correlating with liver enzyme levels that could be utilized as supplemental tests to viral load testing. Also, a sensitive and specific immunoassay was developed for the detection of HCV core and E1 in human serum. This test can be applied for laboratory diagnosis of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K El Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, the National Research Center, Dokki, Egypt.
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el-Awady MK, Tabll AA, el-Abd YS, Bahgat MM, Shoeb HA, Youssef SS, Bader el-Din NG, Redwan ERM, el-Demellawy M, Omran MH, el-Garf WT, Goueli SA. HepG2 cells support viral replication and gene expression of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in vitro. World J Gastroenterol 2006; 12:4836-42. [PMID: 16937465 PMCID: PMC4087617 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i30.4836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To establish a cell culture system with long-term replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome and expression of viral antigens in vitro. METHODS HepG2 cell line was tested for its susceptibility to HCV by incubation with a serum from a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Cells and supernatant were harvested at various time points during the culture. Culture supernatant was tested for its ability to infect naive cells. The presence of minus (antisense) RNA strand, and the detection of core and E1 antigens in cells were examined by RT-PCR and immunological techniques (flow cytometry and Western blot) respectively. RESULTS The intracellular HCV RNA was first detected on d 3 after infection and then could be consistently detected in both cells and supernatant over a period of at least three months. The fresh cells could be infected with supernatant from cultured infected cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed surface and intracellular HCV antigen expression using in house made polyclonal antibodies (anti-core, and anti-E1). Western blot analysis showed the expression of a cluster of immunogenic peptides at molecular weights extended between 31 and 45 kDa in an one month old culture of infected cells whereas this cluster was undetectable in uninfected HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION HepG2 cell line is not only susceptible to HCV infection but also supports its replication in vitro. Expression of HCV structural proteins can be detected in infected HepG2 cells. These cells are also capable of shedding viral particles into culture media which in turn become infectious to uninfected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K el-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center, Tahrir Street, PO 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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el-Awady MK, Tabll AA, el-Abd YS, Bahgat MM, Shoeb HA, Youssef SS, Bader el-Din NG, Redwan ERM, el-Demellawy M, Omran MH, el-Garf WT, Goueli SA. HepG2 cells support viral replication and gene expression of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in vitro. World J Gastroenterol 2006. [PMID: 16937465 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i30.4836.] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM To establish a cell culture system with long-term replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome and expression of viral antigens in vitro. METHODS HepG2 cell line was tested for its susceptibility to HCV by incubation with a serum from a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Cells and supernatant were harvested at various time points during the culture. Culture supernatant was tested for its ability to infect naive cells. The presence of minus (antisense) RNA strand, and the detection of core and E1 antigens in cells were examined by RT-PCR and immunological techniques (flow cytometry and Western blot) respectively. RESULTS The intracellular HCV RNA was first detected on d 3 after infection and then could be consistently detected in both cells and supernatant over a period of at least three months. The fresh cells could be infected with supernatant from cultured infected cells. Flow cytometric analysis showed surface and intracellular HCV antigen expression using in house made polyclonal antibodies (anti-core, and anti-E1). Western blot analysis showed the expression of a cluster of immunogenic peptides at molecular weights extended between 31 and 45 kDa in an one month old culture of infected cells whereas this cluster was undetectable in uninfected HepG2 cells. CONCLUSION HepG2 cell line is not only susceptible to HCV infection but also supports its replication in vitro. Expression of HCV structural proteins can be detected in infected HepG2 cells. These cells are also capable of shedding viral particles into culture media which in turn become infectious to uninfected cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mostafa K el-Awady
- Department of Biomedical Technology, National Research Center, Tahrir Street, PO 12622, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt.
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Ahmed SA, Bahgat MM. Comparative study on the levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in different pathological cases. J Egypt Soc Parasitol 1995; 25:81-92. [PMID: 7541433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The research represents a trial to demonstrate the changes which probably took place in AFP levels as a tumor marker among pregnant egyptian women suffering from bilharzial and cancerous infestations. It was found that combination of schistosomal infection with pregnancy leads to obvious high significant increase in AFP in late pregnancy (6-8 months) compared to unpregnant patients. Although the combination between bilharzial infestation and early pregnancy leads to increase in AFP level, the differences were non significant compared to unpregnant ones. There is an extremely significant increase in AFP levels among urinary and intestinal schistosomal pregnant patients compared with healthy pregnant women which was higher in intestinal infection and more pronounced in early pregnancy than late ones. Malignancy in combination with pregnancy caused markable greatly significant increase compared to unpregnant patients, and the increases were slightly higher in bladder than colonic cancerous cases and their AFP levels were gradually increased with progress of both pregnancy and malignancy. In combination of malignancy with pregnant schistosomal infested women to study the effect of schistosomal infection the detected increase in AFP was statistically non significant at early pregnancy and malignancy, turned to significancy at late ones either in bladder or colonic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Ahmed
- Department of Medical Chemistry, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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Salah-Eldin M, Peyman GA, el-Aswad M, Bandok B, Bahgat MM, Niesman MR. Evaluation of toxicity and efficacy of a combination of antineoplastic agents in the prevention of PVR. Int Ophthalmol 1994; 18:53-60. [PMID: 7529215 DOI: 10.1007/bf00919240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
The retinal toxicity of a combination of antineoplastic drugs in free and liposome-encapsulated form was determined in the rabbit eye. Bleomycin sulfate and 5-fluorouridine were evaluated by clinical observation, electroretinogram, and histological study. Forty-five eyes were injected with combinations of various doses of bleomycin and 5-FUR in free and encapsulated form; 10 eyes served as controls. The nontoxic free dose was found to be 3.5 micrograms bleomycin and 150 micrograms 5-FUR. Liposome encapsulation increased the nontoxic dose to 4.7 micrograms bleomycin and 200 micrograms 5-FUR. Four groups of rabbits in which proliferative vitreoretinopathy had been induced were used for the efficacy study; the control group received an injection of PBS; the second group was injected with a combination of 3.5 micrograms bleomycin and 150 micrograms 5-FUR in free form; the third group was injected with the identical doses in liposome-encapsulated form; and the fourth group received encapsulated bleomycin (4.7 micrograms) and 5-FUR (200 micrograms). The dose used in Group 4 was significantly more effective (P < 0.01) in preventing tractional retinal detachment and marginally more effective (P = 0.054) in preventing neovascularization.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Salah-Eldin
- LSU Eye Center, Louisiana State University Medical Center School of Medicine, New Orleans
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Abstract
We present a case of rheumatoid arthritis that affected the right shoulder and was associated with chondromatosis and multiple loose body formation. The arthritis was treated arthroscopically with satisfactory results after a follow-up period of 15 months. In our case, arthroscopic debridement and partial synovectomy not only relieved the pain but also improved the range of motion the night after surgery. The multiple loose bodies irritating the synovium and causing effusion, crepitus, and locking were also removed. One may need to change portals of the scope and suction cannula to remove loose bodies in different joint spaces. The subacromial space must be searched for loose bodies. Thorough cleaning, lavage, and synovectomy are important parts of this surgery. The continuous passive motion (CPM) machine in the immediate postoperative period was helpful.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Witwity
- Clinic of Arthroscopic Surgery and Sports Medicine, Germany
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Bahgat MM. Retinal haemorrhages in vacuum extraction deliveries. Indian J Ophthalmol 1987; 35:117-20. [PMID: 3507403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Bahgat MM. Precorneal tear film changes due to soft contact lens wear. Indian J Ophthalmol 1985; 33:177-9. [PMID: 3841865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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