Ultrasound-assisted preparation of anise extract nanoemulsion and its bioactivity against different pathogenic bacteria

The present work aimed to characterize the nanoemulsion of anise seed extract and to compare its efficacy with the bulk extract against pathogenic bacteria. The anise seeds extract was prepared by cold solvent extraction method using ethanol. Nanoemulsion of anise extract was formulated using ultrasound assisted method and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV-visible spectrophotometry. The antimicrobial activity of the nanoemulsion was tested against seven foodborne pathogenic bacterial species. Results showed that the extract contained anethole (37%), naringenin (21%), and taxifolin (13%) as the major phytochemical components. The average droplet size of the nanoemulsion droplets was measured by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and confirmed by transmission electron microscope to be about 400 nm. Anise extract nanoemulsion showed higher antimicrobial activity against most of the tested pathogens. Anise extract nanoemulsion performed better than bulk extract as an antimicrobial agent against some foodborne pathogenic bacteria.

REVIEW ON BONE DISEASE (OSTEOPOROSIS) IN DIABETES MELLITUS

Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease known, affecting an estimated 200 million people worldwide. Approximately 30% of all postmenopausal women are affected and up to 40% developed a fragility fracture within their lifetime. Over time, a number of risk factors have been associated with osteoporosis and are useful when used in screening tools and treatment algorithms. Diabetes, although identified more than half a century ago as being associated with bone frailty, has come to the forefront only within last decade as an important osteoporosis risk factor. While both type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) diabetes increased fracture risk, the link is far more profound with DM1. DM1 accounts for approximately 5% of all cases of diabetes in the USA and is associated with a 6.4-6.9-fold increase in the relative risk of hip fracture compared to individuals without diabetes. As life expectancy continues to increase for those living with DM1, an increase in number of fractures occurring in this population is expected in the future. For understanding of bone fragility in DM1 calls for an update of diabetes guidelines, better screening tools, and more research into the use of therapeutic strategies in these patients.

A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NURSING STAFF REGARDING BLOOD PARASITES ACQUIRED BY NEEDLE STICK INJURY IN A MILITARY HOSPITAL

Nurses are likely to be exposed to microorganisms during their daily practice due to their close and frequent direct contact with patients. This could be one of the main causes of transmitting infection to the patients. Therefore, nurses should demonstrate the ability to effectively utilize principles of infection control, nurses should have professional and ethical responsibilities to make sure that their knowledge and skills regarding infection control are up-to-date and they practice safely and competently at all times.

AIM

At assessing the effect of a training program for Military nursing staff knowledge, performance and attitude related to blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury.

SETTING

The study was carried out at two military hospitals. Design An interventional study (pre-post study) was used.

SUBJECT

The studied subjects were 90 nursing staff who accepted to participate in the study (10) of them pilot study were excluded from the study sample, (30) from The Military Fever Hospital and (50) from The Military General Hospital. Tools: The study tools used were composed of five tools as follows: (1) Educational needs assessment tool. (2) Knowledge questionnaire sheet (pre / post-test) (3) Observation check list (4) Attitude tool and (5) Participants 'evaluation Questionnaire sheet.

RESULTS

Educational the intervention showed statistically significant improvements in nursing staff knowledge, performance and attitude.

RECOMMENDATION

Continues training programs about blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury must be developed and provided on regular basis, this will enable nursing staff to improve their knowledge, performance and attitude about blood parasites acquired by needle stick injury.

PROTOZOA CAUSING FOOD POISONING

Food poisoning also called foodbome illness, or illness caused by eating contaminated food is a term used to cover an unpleasant range of illnesses. Food poisoning symptoms vary with the source of contamination. Most types of food poisoning cause one or more of the following signs and symptoms: nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps and fever Signs and symptoms may start within hours after eating the contaminated food, or they may begin days or even weeks later. Sickness caused by food poisoning generally lasts from a few hours to several days.

AN OVERVIEW OF OSTEOMYELITIS WITH REFERENCE TO TREATMENT IN PARTICULAR MAGGOT DEBRIDEMENT THERAPY (MDT)

Osteomyelitis occurs either as a result of hematogenous seeding, contiguous spread of infection to bone from adjacent soft tissues and joints, or direct inoculation of infection into the bone as a result of trauma or surgery. Hematogenous'osteomyelitis is usually monomicrobial, while osteomyelitis due to contiguous spread or direct inoculation is, usually polymicrobial. Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci and aerobic grani-negative bacilli are the most common organisms; other pathogens including streptococci, enterococci, anaerobes, fungi and mycobacteria have also been implicated. Acute osteomyelitis typically presents with gradual onset of pain over several days. Local findings (tenderness, warmth, erythema and swelling) and systemic symptoms (fever, rigors) may. also be present. Chronic osteomyelitis tends to occur in the setting of previous osteomyelitis and presents with recurrent pain, erythema or swelling, sometimes in association with a draining sinus tract. Treatment of osteomyelitis often requires both surgical debridement of necrotic material and antimicrobial therapy for eradication of infection. The optimal duration of antibiotic therapy is not certain; but continuing parenteral antimicrobial therapy at least six weeks from the last debridement.. Maggot therapy is an effective and environmentally friendly treatment of complicated necrotic wounds that are resistant to conventional reatment and should also be considered in earlier. stages of treatment. The history of maggot therapy, and the mechanisms by which it works, is discussed..

ZOONOTIC CUTANEOUS LESHMAIASIS THREE YEARS FEVER HOSPITAL RECORDS: WITH GENERAL DISCUSSION

Leishmaniasis is widely present in more than 88 countries worldwide, resulting in up to 80,000 deaths annually. Leishmaniasis occurs as visceral, cutaneous, or mucocutaneous variants. Mucosal involvement can occur secondarily to the cutaneous or visceral varieties.

EGYPTIAN EOSINOPHILIC AND INFECTIOUS MENINGOENCEPHA- LITIS AND THEIR IMPACT ON PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS

Meningoencephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain and spinal cord & their covering protective membranes. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore, the condition is classified as a medical emergency. The commonest symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia). Children often exhibit only nonspecific symptoms, such as irritability and drowsiness. If a rash is present, it may indicate a particular cause of meningitis; for instance, meningitis caused by meningococcal bacteria may be accompanied by a characteristic rash. A broad variety of allergic, infectious, neoplastic, and idiopathic diseases are associated with increased blood and/or tissue eosinophilia and range in severity from self-limited conditions to life-threatening disorders. Although accepted upper limits of normal blood eosinophil numbers vary somewhat, a value above 600 eosinophils /microL of blood is abnormal in the vast majority of cases. Generally speaking, there are several possible causes of eosinophils in the CSF; undoubtedly parasitic infection is one of the main causes.

ASEPTIC MENINGITIS IN ADULTS CAUSING BY VIRUS, BACTERIA, DRUG WITH SPECIAL REFERENCES TO ZOONOTIC PARASITES

Diagnosis of a patient with aseptic meningitis may be so-difficult because of the large vanety of potential etiologic agents as viruses, fungi, parasites and some drugs and the overlap between self-limited viral illnesses and potentially fatal bact~nial infections.

TICK-BORNE INFECTIOUS DISEASES WITH REFERENCE TO EGYPT

Ticks are hematophagous ectoparasites of man, domestic and street animals, and birds of health and economic hazard worldwide. They transmit many micro-organisms and protozoan infectious diseases and their toxins cause different signs and symptoms that may be fatal according to the infesting tick saliva protein. In Egypt where there are many rural and urban areas, so many genera and species of ticks are encountered. The Egyptian veterinary and agricultural authorities deal with ticks from econom- ic point of view. But from medical point of view, ticks have specific role in transmission of zo- onotic infectious diseases as well as their saliva causes tick paralysis. When dealing with chil- dren from tick infested areas, tick paralysis should be considered in differential diagnosis of the clinically confused diseases as poliomyelitis, myasthenia gravis; Guillain-Barre; paralytic rabies botulism; transverse myelitis and /or the diphtheritic polyneuropathy. Tick-borne relapsing fever is a zoonosis and is endemic in many countries. The two main Borrelia spp. involved in. North America are B. hermsii (in the mountainous West) and B. turicatae (in the southwest). Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), babesiosis and infantile tick paralysis were identified as emerging diseases disaster. Also, Lyme disease is the commonest worldwide and encountered in Egypt since a long tilne. And now what about other tick-borne diseases, taking into consideration the tick populations is endemic riot only in Egypt but worldwide vectors.

MAGGOT DEBRIDEMENT THERAPY (MDT): IT IS SAFE AND ECONOMIC FOR TREATING A DIABETIC FOOT ULCER

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is the major global and devastating complication of diabetes mellitus that affects at least 20% of diabetic patients during their lifetime. This article presents an overview of the research evidence on maggot debridement therapy that serves as a guide to health professionals who may be users of this form of treatment now and in the future. It is a time to apply this sample and safe worldwide approved method for diabetic foot ulcer to save money and avoid surgical intervention.

MALARIA: A GENERAL MINIREVIEW WITH REFERENCE TO EGYPT

The majority of world's population-live in areas at risk of malaria transmission. Malaria is a serious Anopheles-borne disease that pauses symptoms like the flu, as a high fever, chills, and muscle pain also, anemia, bloody stools, coma, convulsion, fever, headache, jaundice, nausea, sweating and vomiting. Symptoms tend to come and go in cycles. Apart from Anopheles vector, malaria could be transmitted nosocomial, blood transfusion or needle-stick injury Some types of malaria may cause more serious damage problems to heart, lungs, kidneys, or brain. These types can be deadly. The primary factors contributing to the resurgence of malaria are the appearance of drug-resistant strains of the parasite, the spread of insecticide-resistant strains of the mosquito and the lack of licensed malaria vaccines of proven efficacy. In rare cases, people can get malaria if they come into contact with infected blood as in blood transfusion or needle-stick injury also nosocomial and congenital malaria was reported. This is a mini-review of malaria with information on the lethal to humans, Plasmodium falciparum, together with other recent developments in the field.

THE EFFICACY OF THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS; GARLIC, GINGER AND MIRAZID AND A CHEMICAL DRUG METRONIDAZOLE AGAINST CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM: II-HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES

Cryptosporidiosis parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite infects intestinal epithelial cells of man and animals causing a major health problem. This study was oriented to evaluate the protective and curative capacity of garlic, ginger and mirazid in comparison with metronidazole drug (commercially known) against Cryptosporidium in experimental mice. Male Swiss Albino mice experimentally infected with C. parvum were treated with medicinal plants extracts (Ginger, Mirazid, and Garlic) as compared to chemical drug Metronidazole. Importantly, C. parvum-infected mice treated with ginger, Mirazid, garlic and metronidazole showed a complete elimination in shedding oocysts by 9th day PI. The reduction and elimination of shedding oocysts in response to the treatments might be attributable to a direct effect on parasite growth in intestines, sexual phases production and/or the formation of oocysts. The results were evaluated histopathological examination of ideum section of control mice (uninfected, untreated) displayed normal architecture of the villi. Examiination of infected mice ileum section (infected, untreated) displayed histopathological alterations from uninfected groups. Examination of ileum section prepared from mice treated with garlic, ginger, mirazid, and metronidazole displayed histopathological alterations from that of the control groups, and showed marked histologic correction in the pattern with the four regimes used in comparison to control mice. Garlic successfully eradicated oocysts of infected mice from stool and intestine. Supplementation of ginger to infected mice markedly corrected elevation in the inflammatory risk factors and implied its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory capabilities. Infected mice treated with ginger, mirazid, garlic and metronidazole showed significant symptomatic improvements during treatment.

INTERVENTION PROGRAM FOR NURSING STAFF REGARDING APPROACH TO A PATIENT WITH SPIDER PHOBIA AND/OR BITE

Spider bites are uncommon medical events, since there are limited number of spiders world-wide with fangs strong enough to pierce human skin, and most spiders bite humans only as a final defense when being crushed between skin and another object. Thus, most lesions attributed to spider bites are caused by some other etiology. The spiders that can cause medically significant bites include widow and false widow spiders (worldwide), recluse spiders (mostly North and South America), Australian funnel web spiders (eastern coastal Australia) and Phoneutria spiders (Brazil). Acute spider bites most commonly result in a solitary papule, pustule, or wheal. Systemic symptoms can accompany envenomation of widow; funnel web, and Phoneutria spiders, and less often, those of recluse spiders.

THE ARTHROPOD-BORNE ONCHOCERCIASIS: IS IT DESERVED TO BE NEGLECTED?

Onchocerciasis a filarial parasitic nematode, also known as river blindness and Robles disease, is a neglected tropical disease infecting more than 18 million people mainly in sub-Saharan of Africa, the Middle East, South and Central America and many other countries. Disease infectivity initiates from Onchocerca volvulus (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) transmitted by the blackfly, Simulium sp. which introduces the infective stage larva with its saliva into the skin. Within human body, adult females (macrofilaria) produce thousands of larvae (microfilariae) which migrate in skin and eye. Infection results in severe visual impairment or blindness for about 2 million, as being the world's second-leading cause of blindness after trachoma, as well as skin onchocercomata.

THE EFFICACY OF THREE MEDICINAL PLANTS: GARLIC, GINGER AND MIRAZID AND A CHEMICAL DRUG METRONIDAZOLE AGAINST CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM. I-IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE

Cryptosporidisis parvum is a zoonotic protozoan parasite infects intestinal epithelial cells causing a major health problem for man and animals. Experimentally the immunologic mediated elimination of C. parvum requires CD4+ T cells and IFN-gamma. But, the innate immune responses also have a significant protective role in both man and animals. the mucosal immune response to C. parvum in C57BL/6 neonatal and GKO mice shows a concomitant Thl and Th2 cytokine mRNA expression, with a crucial role for IFN-gamma in the resolution of the infection. NK cells and IFN-gamma have been shown to be important components in immunity in T and B cell-deficient mice, but IFN-gamma-dependent resistance is demonstrated in alymphocytic mice. Epithelial cells may play a vital role in immunity as once infected these cells have increased expression of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines and demonstrate anti-infection killing mechanisms. C. parvum immunological response was used to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cryptosporidisis agents of Garlic, Ginger, Mirazid and Metronidazole in experimentally infected mice.

SAND-FLY PHLEBOTOMUS PAPATASI (PHLEBOTOMINAE): A GENERAL REVIEW WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO ZOONOTIC CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN EGYPT

Leishmania are digenetic protozoa which inhabit two hosts, the sandfly where they grow as promastigotes in the gut, and the mammalian macrophage where they grow as amastigotes. Sandfly (or sand fly) is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking Dipteran encountered in sandy areas. In the United States, sandfly may refer to certain horse flies that are also known as "greenheads" (family Tabanidae), or to members of the family Ceratopogonidae, also known in Florida and elsewhere as a sand gnat, sandflea, no-see-um (no-see-em, noseeum), granny nipper, chitra, punkie, or punky. Outside the United States, sandfly may refer to members of the subfamily Phlebotominae within the Psychodidae. Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are sometimes called sand flies or no-see-ums (no-see-em, noseeum). New Zealand sandflies are in the Austrosimulium genus, a type of black fly. Of 500 known phlebotomine species, only some 30 of them have been positively identified as vectors of the disease. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is a protozoan disease well documented not only in Egypt, but in nearly all the East Mediterranean Countries. It is prevalent in the Egyptian Sinai Peninsula with at least three identified foci.

ALLERGIC REACTIONS CAUSED BY VENOM OF HYMENOPTEROUS STINGING INSECTS AND THE ROLE OF HEALTH CARE WORKERS

The Hymenoptera are the third largest order of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees and ants. Worldwide, over 150,000 species are recognized, with many more remaining to be described. The name refers to the wings of the insects, but the original derivation is ambiguous. The Ancient Greek υμην (hymen) for membrane provides a pLusible etymology for the term because these insects have membranous wings. However, a key characteristic of this order is that the hind wings are connected to the fore wings by a series of hooks called hamuli. Thus, another plausible etymology involves, Hymen, the Ancient Greek god of marriage, as these insects have "married wings" in flight. Stinging insects and the medical risk associated with their venoms are complex topics, and presentation of information pertaining to them requires the use of technical terms. The most common reactions to these stings are transient pain and redness at the site lasting a few hours (local reaction), and exaggerated swelling lasting a few days (large local reaction). The most dangerous immediate reaction is anaphylaxis, which is potentially fatal.

A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR NURSING STAFF ON HEALTH HAZARDS OF CHEMICAL INSECTICIDES EXPOSURE IN A PRACTICAL FIELD

An insecticide is an agent used against insects, ticks, mites and other animals affecting human welfare. Exposure to Insecticides is one of the most important occupational risks among staff worker in Military camp, veterinary medicine, industry and household as well as schools and hospitals. This study Aimed to improve nursing staff knowledge regarding adverse health effects of chemical insecticides exposure in a military field.

SETTING

The study was conducted in one of the Main Military Hospital.

RESEARCH DESIGN

was used a quasi-experimental research design to conduct this study.

SUBJECT

all nursing staff who work in a Military Hospital (n=55) who accept to participate in the research study.

RESULTS

A significant improvement in the Nurses' Total knowledge score was found in post-test as compared to that in pre-test. All nurses obtained a satisfactory level of knowledge after the 1st & 2nd post-tests; all of them evaluate the program in relation to trainees' exnectations as "excellent".

Lassa fever or lassa hemorrhagic fever risk to humans from rodent-borne zoonoses

Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) typically manifest as rapidly progressing acute febrile syndromes with profound hemorrhagic manifestations and very high fatality rates. Lassa fever, an acute hemorrhagic fever characterized by fever, muscle aches, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and chest and abdominal pain. Rodents are important reservoirs of rodent-borne zoonosis worldwide. Transmission rodents to humans occur by aerosol spread, either from the genus Mastomys rodents' excreta (multimammate rat) or through the close contact with infected patients (nosocomial infection). Other rodents of the genera Rattus, Mus, Lemniscomys, and Praomys are incriminated rodents hosts. Now one may ask do the rodents' ectoparasites play a role in Lassa virus zoonotic transmission. This paper summarized the update knowledge on LHV; hopping it might be useful to the clinicians, nursing staff, laboratories' personals as well as those concerned zoonoses from rodents and rodent control.

Beyond immunization: travelers' infectious diseases. 1--Diarrhea

Travelers' diarrhea is the most common illness in persons traveling from resource-rich to resource-poor regions of the world. The fear of developing diarrhea while traveling is common among travelers to any part of the developing world. This concern is realistic; 40 to 60% of travelers to these countries may develop diarrhea. Diarrheal diseases represent one of the five leading causes of death worldwide. Morbidity and mortality are significant even in the United States where diarrhea is more often than not a "nuisance disease" in the normally healthy individual.

Influence of Sunflower Whole Seeds or Oil on Ruminal Fermentation, Milk Production, Composition, and Fatty Acid Profile in Lactating Goats

This study aimed to investigate the effect of sunflower seeds, either as whole or as oil, on rumen fermentation, milk production, milk composition and fatty acids profile in dairy goats. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats were divided randomly into three groups (n = 5) fed a basal diet of concentrate feed mixture and fresh Trifolium alexandrinum at 50:50 on dry matter basis (Control) in addition to 50 g/head/d sunflower seeds whole (SS) or 20 mL/head/d sunflower seeds oil (SO) in a complete randomized design. Milk was sampled every two weeks during 90 days of experimental period for chemical analysis and rumen was sampled at 30, 60, and 90 days of the experiment for ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids (tVFA), and ammonia-N determination. Addition of SO decreased (p = 0.017) ruminal pH, whereas SO and SS increased tVFA (p<0.001) and acetate (p = 0.034) concentrations. Serum glucose increased (p = 0.013) in SO and SS goats vs Control. The SO and SS treated goats had improved milk yield (p = 0.007) and milk fat content (p = 0.002). Moreover, SO increased milk lactose content (p = 0.048) and feed efficiency (p = 0.046) compared to Control. Both of SS and SO increased (p<0.05) milk unsaturated fatty acids content specially conjugated linolenic acid (CLA) vs Control. Addition of SS and SO increased (p = 0. 021) C18:3N3 fatty acid compared to Control diet. Data suggested that addition of either SS or SO to lactating goats ration had beneficial effects on milk yield and milk composition with enhancing milk content of healthy fatty acids (CLA and omega 3), without detrimental effects on animal performance.

An interventional program for nursing staff on selected mass gathering infectious diseases at Hajj

This work improved military nursing staff knowledge on selected mass gathering infectious diseases at Hajj. The results showed that only (20%) of the participating nurses attended training program about health hazard during pilgrim. But only (40.0%) of them found the training programs were specific to nurses. Majority found the program useful (70.0%), and the average duration of this training program in weeks was 3.5+1.1. There was significant improvement P = < 0.001, of correct knowledge about meningitis regarding causes, organisms, mode of spread, people at risk, transmission, prevention and treatment, the highest improvement was in causes of meningitis the lowest was in adult vaccination. 25% of participants had adequate knowledge (> 60% from total score) in pre-test 93% in post-test 72% after 3 month with significant difference among tests regarding adequate knowledge. There was significant improvement of correct knowledge P = <0.001 about seasonal influenza and respiratory diseases during pilgrim, the highest improvement was in influenza vaccine strains the lowest was in antiviral drugs. 23% of nurses had adequate knowledge (> 60% from total score) in pre-test 94% in post-test 66% after 3 month with significant difference among tests regarding adequate knowledge. There was significant improvement P = < 0.001 of correct knowledge about gastrointestinal diseases and food poisoning during pilgrim among nurses at military hospital, the highest improvement was in risk factors of food poisoning the lowest was in what GE patient should do. 22% of participants had adequate knowledge (> 60% from total score) in pre-test 91% in post-test 58% after 3 month with significant difference among tests regarding adequate knowledge. There was significant improvement P = < 0.001 of correct knowledge about heat exhaustion during pilgrim among nurses at military hospital, the highest improvement was in non-communicable diseases the lowest was in sun stroke prevention. 27% of participant had adequate knowledge (> 60% from total score) in the pre-test 94% in the post-test 74% after 3 month with significant difference among pre, post and FU regarding adequate knowledge. Also, there were significant improvement P = < 0.001 of correct knowledge about hypertension, dengue fever, skin scalding & others diseases during pilgrim among nurses at military hospital, the highest improvement was in skin scalding prevention the lowest was in first aid bag. 28% of participant had adequate knowledge (> 60% from total score) in the pre-test 92% in the post-test 61% after 3 month with significant difference among pre, post and FU regarding adequate knowledge. There was a significant difference between total knowledge score according to education, and work experience (P > 0.05). in the pre, post and after 3 month in age and in all intervention time in department the highest was ICU then ward then operation room.

Screening of Toxoplasma gondii infection among childbearing age females and assessment of nurses' role in prevention and control of toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite, with a worldwide distribution particularly in Arab countries including Egypt. The study evaluated toxoplasmosis infection among childbearing age Egyptian females and assessed the military nursing staff knowledge, attitude and compliance to toxoplasmosis prevention and control measures. The study was conductedin a general military hospital.

RESEARCH DESIGN

CROSS-section descriptive research design was used to conduct this study. The subjects consisted of 14 young females (11 were in-patients undergoing gynecological treatment in a military hospital and 3 were staff nurses. On the other hand, 44 staff nurses were available for assessment who met the inclusion criteria.

TOOLS

4 tools were used for data collection: first consisted of self-administered questionnaires to assess nurses' socio-demographic data and knowledge, second rating scale to assess nurses' attitude towards toxoplasmosis infection and its prevention, third performance check list to measure nurses' compliance to infection control measures, and fourth measured the anti-Toxoplasma antibodies by commercial indirect hemagglutination test (IHAT). The results showed that almost half of the nurses had satisfactory levels of knowledge, attitude, and compliance to toxoplasmosis infection control measures. 22.2% of the pregnant women and 20% of non-pregnant ones showed antibodies against T. gondii. Thus health education about toxoplasmosis should be tailored to women whether married or single to help in avoiding the risk of infection. Frequent periodic IHAT should be done for people who continuously contact with cats. Adherence to strict infection prevention measures is a must to eliminate exposure to toxoplasmosis infection. Training intervention should be implemented to achieve successful improvement in knowledge, attitude, and compliance of toxoplasmosis control measures.

Zoonotic myiasis in Egypt: with reference to nosocomial or hospital-acquired myiasis

The most important insects from medical point of view are the blood suckers or the insect- borne diseases. Still others, almost non-blood>suckers, but may attack man and animal to depos it their eggs or larvae of myiasis producing flies in skin, nose, eye, lung, ear, anus, vagina, and oral cavity as well as accidental gastrointestinal ones causing pathogenic condition known as myiasis causing different pathogenic conditions. Nosocomial myiasis must be noted carefully, especially in case of hospitalized patients. Myiasis is a real welfare problem and many myiasis . producers are zoonotic parasites, The nosocomial myiasis illustrates an unusual problem that may,confront those responsible for infection control programs. However, still little is known about such an important subject in Egypt. This review would assist in designing appropriate prevention: protocols and devising suitable control strategies to overcome zoonbtic and nosocomial myliasis and alleviate the economic losses.

Assessment of nurses' performance related to control of some parasites acquired from fresh vegetables as a patient safety measure in a military hospital

Foodborne parasitic infection in the hospital constitutes a major health problem particularly for patients who are more vulnerable than healthy subjects to parasitic risks. Parasitic infection. represents an area of concern for advanced practice nurse. The work assessed the military nursing staff performance regarding the nosocomial food-borne parasitic infection control.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Research design; A descriptive research design was used to identify knowledge, attitudes and practice of nurses related to nosocomial food-borne parasitic infection control measures.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a general military hospital.

SUBJECTS

50 nurses, the whole available number who covered the inclusion, criteria. DATA COLLECTION TOOLS: It included; (1): Structured interview sheet was constructed after reviewing the relevant literature to elicit information, it included two parts a) subjects' sociodemographic characteristics b) nurses' knowledge regarding nosocomial parasites infections. (2): RATING SCALE: to assess attitude of nursing staff towards nosocomial parasites infections and its prevention. (3): Obselrvational CHECKLIST: to assess the nurses' practice of self-protection and' control of nosocomial parasitic' infections control measures..

RESULTS

A statistically insignificant difference between knowledge levels about nosocomial parasites infection among military nurses. More than half of participant nurses had positive attitude towards nosoconijal parasite infection control and prevention without significant difference between all topics (P>0.056). That most participant nurses had unsatisfactory practice to infection control measures with significant lower score for procurement, storage and preparation of raw material followed by personal hygiene (P<0.05).

RECOMMENDATIONS

Nurses in all roles and settings can demonstrate leadership in infection prevention. and control by using their knowledge, skill and judgment to initiate appropriate and immediate infection control procedures.

African trypanosomiasis with special reference to Egyptian Trypanosoma evansi: is it a neglected zoonosis?

Trypanosomes (including humans) are blood and sometimes tissue parasites of the order Kinetoplastida, family Trypanosomatidae, genus Trypanosoma, principally transmitted by biting insects where most of them undergo a biological cycle. They are divided into Stercoraria with the posterior station inoculation, including T. cruzi, both an extra- and intracellular parasite that causes Chagas disease, a major human disease affecting 15 million people and threatening 100 million people in Latin America, and the Salivaria with the anterior station inoculation, mainly African livestock pathogenic trypanosomes, including the agents of sleeping sickness, a major human disease affecting around half a million people and threatening 60 million people in Africa. Now, T. evansi was reported in man is it required to investigate its zoonotic potential?

Farmers health and safety at Sharkia Governorate and the influencing environmental factors

Agriculture is one of the most hazardous of all economic sectors and many agricultural workers suffer occupational accidents and ill health each year. This study explored the most significant factors that impact on the health of farmers and the interrelationship between these factors. Cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 521 of farmers at Dawar-Gihenna village, Faqous District, Sharkia Governorate. Tools were used for data collection are an interview questionnaire consists of six parts to collect data socio-demographic characteristics of farmers, Economical status and home environment, Medical history, Knowledge regarding health and safety, Attitude regarding health and safety and Practice regarding health and safety. The fieldwork was executed in three months. It started in March 2013 to till the end of June 2013. The results revealed that (58.2%) of participants had unsatisfactory knowledge, while (61.4%) had Positive attitude towards agricultural hazards and (51.1%) of participants had adequate practices towards agricultural hazards.

Hydrocarbon insecticides: their risks for environment and human health

Insecticides are used to control diseases spread by arthropods, but theys vary greatly in toxicity. Toxicity depends on the chemical and physical properties of a substance, and may be defined as the quality of being poisonous or harmful to animals or plants. Poisons have many different modes of action, but in general cause biochemical changes which interfere with normal body functions. Toxicity can be either acute or chronic. Acute toxicity is the ability of a substance to cause harmful effects which develop rapidly following absorption, i.e. a few hours or a day. Chronic toxicity is the ability of a substance to cause adverse health effects resulting from long-term exposure to a substance. There is a great range in the toxicity of insecticides to humans. The relative hazard of an insecticide is dependent upon the toxicity of the pesticide, the dose received and the length of time exposed. A hazard can be defined as a source of danger. The great majority of insecticides are poisonous to man and his beneficial insects and animals and are carcinogenic agents particularly, the halogenated hydrocarbons containing benzene ring.

Variations in protein and fat contents and their fractions in milk from two species fed different forages

This study aimed at determining the variations in milk constituents which could be varied by feed and animal species. To achieve this goal, two groups of homoparity Baladi cows and Egyptian buffaloes (n = 20 per species) were used. Each group was divided into two subgroups (n = 10): subgroup I received legume forage (Egyptian clover) and subgroup II received grass forage (sorghum forage). All experimental animals were fed the diet consisting of concentrate, forage and rice straw as 50, 25 and 25% of dry matter intake respectively. Milk samples were taken for analysis. The trial lasted until the 3rd month of parturition. The main results indicated that lactating cattle fed legume forage significantly (p ≤ 0.01) had more content of casein nitrogen (513 mg/100 ml milk), lower content of glutamic acid (23.56 g/100 g milk protein) and more content of cis-9, trans-11 18:2 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) (0.77 g/100 g milk fat) compared with 433, 26.67 and 0.53, respectively, for cattle fed grass forage. With regard to the species effect, results showed that buffalo milk appeared to contain significantly higher (p ≤ 0.01) contents of casein nitrogen, phenylalanine, glutamic and arachidonic acid compared with cow's milk. However, the latter was significantly (p ≤ 0.01) more in the cis-9, trans-11CLA (0.59 g/100 g milk fat) than that in buffalo milk (0.47 g/100 g milk fat). The results revealed that not only forage type played a critical role in determining the variations of milk nitrogen distribution, milk amino acids and fatty acids but also animal species had a significant effect on these parameters.

Phenolic content of some selected Lamiaceous Egyptian medicinal plants: antioxidant potential and ecological friend mosquito-larvicldal

Phenol compounds are naturally occurring biologically active compounds existing in all plants had received major medical concern so development in research focused on their extraction, identification and quantification have occurred over the last 25 years; they constitute an important source of antioxidants and were used to help human body to reduce oxidative damage. Mosquitos-borne diseases constitute one of the major health problems worldwide. Control strategies involving pinpointing natural ecological friend, cheap and safe mosquitocides, mainly larvicides to stop their life cycle. Quantitative estimation of total phenol, flavonoids, phenylethanoid and iridoid contents of sixteen selected Lamiaceous Egyptian plants for screening of their antioxidant and mosquito larvicidal effects was carried out. The results showed that the most suitable medicinal plants used as antioxidants were Lavendula dentata L., Thymus capitatus L. and Thymus bovei Benth., which contain adequate mixture of total phenol, flavonoid and phenylethanoid contents, with distinct larvicidal effect in a descending order was T. capitatus L., T. bovei Benth. and L. dentata L. by their adequate mixture of total phenol, flavonoid, iridoid and phenylethanoid glycoside content.

Selected infectious disease disasters for nursing staff training at Egyptian Eastern Border

Infectious disease disasters are events that involve a biological agent, disease and that result in mass casualties, such as a bioterrorism attack, an emerging outbreak of infectious disease; all disasters pose a risk of infection transmission. But, infectious disease disasters pose the great-risk to illness or death from an infectious disease. This study raised the awareness and improved knowledge by educational program for Military Nursing Staff on selected infectious disease disasters acquired at Egyptian Eastern Border. The selected arthropod-borne diseases were Anthrax, Tick borne relapsing, Louse borne replasing fever and liver fluke; Clonorchis sinensis. An interventional study was used, for 125 staff nurse who accepted to participate. The tools dealt with four questionnaires: (1) Some sociodemographic characteristics data (2) Educational needs assessment a structured questionnaire. (3) Knowledge test (pre/post-test) and (4) Participants' reactions questionnaire. The results showed that educational intervention significantly improvements the nursing staff knowledge, which were achieved at the immediate post intervention phase, and retained via three months post-test phase. In the service training programs about infectious disease disasters at Egyptian Eastern Border must be established and continued on regular basis. This would improve their knowledge about the epidemiology of these infectious disease disasters.

Botulism as a food poisoning: what is it?

Botulism is a rare but potentially life-threatening neuroparalytic syndrome resulting from the action of a neurotoxin elaborated by the microorganism Clostridium botulinum. This disease has a lengthy history; the first investigation of botulism occurred in the 1820s with a case report on hundreds of patients with "sausage poisoning" in a southern German town. Several decades later in Belgium, the association was demonstrated between a neuromuscular paralysis and ham infected by a spore forming bacillus that was isolated from the ham. The organism was named Bacillus botulinus after the Latin word for sausage, botulus.

House dust mites: a risk factor to be considered for occupational safety or source of work-related allergens

House dust mites (HDM) can be found worldwide where human beings live independent from the climate and are a major source of multiple allergens. Mite allergens sensitize and induce perennial rhinitis, asthma, or atopic dermatitis in a large portion of patients with allergic disease particularly children. There is convincing evidence that avoidance of mite allergen can effectively reduce allergic symptoms. This study examined dust from a military hospital and the private home of some nursing staff. A total of seven species of mites belonging to six genera were recovered. The commonest species was Dermatophagoides farinae followed by D. pteronyssinus and the lowest Laelaps nuttalli. Besides, the 7th mite or Parasitus consanguineous live free on dust as a bio-control agent of mites. The presence of mites in and out doors in a hospital and dwellings of medical personnel pave the way to consider HDM as occupational or nosocomial Allergens.

Oral cavity myiasis in children: first demonstration in Egypt with general review

Myiasis is a problem of medical veterinary and real economic importance which affects the human welfare worldwide particularly in animal raising countries. Myiasis of man and animals is a real welfare problem of worldwide distribution. The most important insects from medical point of view are the blood suckers or the insect-borne diseases. Still others, almost non-blood suckers, but may attack man and animal to deposit their eggs or larvae causing pathogenic conditions in skin, nose, eye, lung, ear, anus, and vagina but oral manifestation is exceptional. This study focused on the clinical pictures and pathogenesis of human oral cavity myiasis. Thirteen cases were demonstrated for the first time in Egypt, ten children and the parents of three children. The extracted larvae were Lucilia sericata (four cases), Wohlfahrtia magnifica (three cases), Oestrus ovis (three children and their parents) and Musca domestica vicina (one case). The presence of O. ovis in three children and their parents recommended zoonotic myiasis. The predisposing factors were mouth breathing, incompetent lips, low socioeconomic condition, malnutrition, and inability of a child to perform daily activities due to the neurodegenerative disease.

Human pediculosis: a critical health problem and what about nursing policy?

Lice infestation on the human body (also known as pediculosis) is very common. Cases number in the hundreds of millions worldwide. Three distinct presentations of lice infection exist and each is caused by a unique parasite. Head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis) is by far and away the most common infestation and favors no particular socioeconomic group. A genetically close "cousin," Pediculus humanus corporis, is responsible for body lice and is more commonly associated with poverty, overcrowding, and poor hygiene. Pubic lice (crabs) are caused by Pthirus pubis and is transmitted by intimate and/or sexual contact. No doubt, human lice infestation is an increasing problem worldwide, Apart from being an irritating and a shaming human ecto-parasite, they transmit serious infectious diseases; epidemic or classical typhus, epidemic relapsing fever as well as Trench fever. Eradication of lice infestation prevents transmission of infectious diseases. People who live and work in close proximity to louse-infested individuals may secondarily acquire lice even if they regularly wash their clothes and have good hygiene. Thus, all louse-infested persons and workers in close contact with such persons should periodically inspected and use long-acting safe insecticides. Human lice can be treated with agents such as DDT, malathion, and lindane, but reports of resistance to one or more of them have recently appeared. Pyrethroid permethrin when applied as a dust or spray to clothing or bedding is highly effective against lice and is the delousing agent of choice. Fabric treated with permethrin retains toxicity to lice even after 20 washings, thereby offering significant long-term passive protection against epidemic typhus. Itching may continue even after all lice are destroyed. This happens because of a lingering allergic reactionto their bites. Over-the-counter cortisone (corticosteroid) creams or calamine lotion may help.

Zoonoses from pets horses, donkeys and mules: with special references to Egypt

A zoonosis is an animal disease that is transmissible to humans. Humans are usually an accidental host that acquires disease through close contact with an infected animal, who may or may not be symptomatic. Children are at highest risk for infection because they are more likely to have close contact with pets. Pets are responsible for transmission of an extensive array of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic zoonotic pathogens. The route of transmission can be through the saliva (e.g., bites or contaminated scratches), feces, respiratory secretions, direct contact, or by the animal acting as a vehicle and source of tick or flea exposure. Although pets have been implicated in transmission of zoonoses to their owners, risk of transmission from contact with pets is low and may be further reduced by simple precautions.

Mosquito vectors of infectious diseases: are they neglected health disaster in Egypt?

In spite of the great technological progress achieved worldwide, still arthropod borne infectious diseases is a puzzle disturbing the health authorities. Among these arthropods, mosquitoes from medical, veterinary and economic point of view top all groups. They are estimated to transmit disease to more than 700 million people annually worldwide mainly in Africa, South America, Central America, Mexico and much of Asia with millions of deaths. In Europe, Russia, Greenland, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and other temperate and developed countries, mosquito bites are now mostly an irritating nuisance; but still cause some deaths each year. Mosquito-borne diseases include Malaria, West Nile Virus, Elephantiasis, Rift Valley Fever, Dengue Fever, Yellow Fever and Dog Heartworm....etc. Apart from diseases transmission, mosquitoes can make human life miserable. The successful long term mosquito control requires the ecological and biological knowledge of where and how they develop. The importance of mosquitoes is given herein to clarify the problem and to think together what one must do?

Management of hearing impairment in children

Hearing loss in children is often a silent and hidden handicap. Children with hearing loss frequently appear to be normal, and often their handicaps are not apparent. Hearing loss that is undetected and untreated can result in speech, language, and cognitive delays. Early identification and intervention with hearing inquired child improve language, communication, and cognitive skills. Sudden or progressive sensorineural hearing loss accompanied by dizziness following barotrauma should prompt consideration of traumatic perilymph fistula. Early surgical exploration is recommended to improve hearing and vestibular symptoms.

Arsenic pesticides and environmental pollution: exposure, poisoning, hazards and recommendations

Arsenic is a metalloid element. Acute high-dose exposure to arsenic can cause severe systemic toxicity and death. Lower dose chronic arsenic exposure can result in subacute toxicity that can include peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, skin eruptions, and hepatotoxicity. Long-term effects of arsenic exposure include an in Due to the physiologic effects of the arsenic on all body systems, thus, chronic arsenic-poisoned patient is a major nursing challenge. The critical care nurse provides valuable assessment and interventions that prevent major multisystem complications from arsenic toxicity.

The tick-borne Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Africa, Asia, Europe, and America: what about Egypt?

Globally, the recognized number of distinct and epidemiologically important diseases transmitted by ticks has increased considerably during the last 4 decades. Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease caused by an arbovirus, which was first recognized during a large outbreak among agricultural workers in the mid-1940s in the Crimean Peninsula. Humans become infected through the bites of ticks, by contact with haemorrhage from nose, mouth, gums, vagina, and injection sites of a CCHF patient during the acute phase or follow-up, or by contact with blood or tissues from viremic livestock. This paper reported three human Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever cases, one in Almaza fever hospital and two in Gharbia Governorate. No doubt, distribution of tick-vector (Hyalomma spp.) worldwide including Egypt and presence of CCHF in regional countries must be considered by the Health and Veterinary Authorities.

Insect bites and what is eating you?

Most insect bites cause local inflammatory reactions that subside within a few hours. However, more severe local symptoms, transmission of a disease-causing pathogen, and systemic allergic reactions are also possible. Mosquito bites can cause varying degrees of local swelling, papular urticaria in children, and rare systemic allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Papular urticaria is a hypersensitivity reaction most often seen in children following mosquito and flea bites, although a variety of other bites have been implicated in smaller numbers of reports. Systemic allergic reactions can occur in response to the bites of mosquitoes, several types ofblood-sucking flies, fleas, kissing bugs, lice, and ticks.

The mosquito borne West Nile virus infection: is it threating to Egypt or a neglected endemic disease?

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic arbovirus belonging to the genus Flavivirus in the family Flaviviridae. The virus is found in temperate and tropical regions worldwide, but first identified in the West Nile sub-region in the East African nation of Uganda in 1937. Prior to the mid-1990s WNV infection was sporadically and considered a minor risk for humans, until an outbreak in Algeria in 1994, with cases of WNV-caused encephalitis, and the first large outbreak in Romania in 1996; with a high number of cases with neuroinvasive disease. WNV has now spread globally to Europe beyond the Mediterranean Basin and the United States, is now considered to be an endemic pathogen in worldwide especially in Africa The WNV transmission is mainly b y v a rious mosquitoes species, also tickswere incriminated The birds especially passerines are the most commonly infected animal and serving as the prime reservoir host In Egypt more than 110 mosquito species and subspecies and more than 32 genera of ticks were identified. Besides, not less than 150 species of migratory birds visit Egypt annually in addition to 350 resident ones. This review provided an overview of the current understanding flaviviruses mainly WNFV. Primary care physician and senior nurse should be able to include the disaster diseases in differential diagnosis of various clinical conditions. They should take a thorough history to request specific dependable laboratory test(s) as soon as possible, and positive patient should be transferred to the fever hospital.

Impact of fibrosis on response to interferon therapy in Egyptian HCV patients

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a global health problem which can lead to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma in one-fifth of chronically infected patients. HCV-4 infection is common in the Middle East and Africa, with an extraordinary high prevalence in Egypt. Interferon is a cytokine, a specific protein that is no stranger to the human body. In fact, the human body is constantly making interferon, and makes even greater amounts when trying to fight off an intruder, such as a virus. This work studied the impact of liver fibrosis on the efficacy of interferon in treating HCV.

Is plague a problem in the Egyptians returning back from Libya?

Many employees return home with fever with or without other accompanying symptoms. Fever can be a manifestation of a minor, self-limited process or can herald a progressive, life-threatening illness. The assessment of this group is often hampered by the clinician's lack of familiarity with the types of infections that the patient may have encountered while traveling. The evaluation of such patients should focus on: What infections are possible given where the patient has lived or traveled and the time when exposures may have occurred? Which of these infections is more probable given the patient's clinical findings and potential exposures? Which of these infections is treatable or transmissible or both? On the other hand, the outbreak of plague at the Libyan-Egyptian borders and the high density rodents and their ecto-parasitic fleas in many Egyptian governorates should be embarked a control program to rodents and fleas and to raise the awareness of the concerned authorizes.

Louse and tick borne relapsing fevers

Relapsing fever, caused by spirochaetes belonging to the genus Borrelia, was once the cause of worldwide epidemic zoonotic disease. This was largely through infection with the louse-borne form of the disease, caused by Borrelia recurrentis [(louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF)]. Another form of replasing fever is caused by Borrelia duttonii [(tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF)]. The introduction and the wide use of DDT in the last century, which is forbidden now, the incidence and prevalence of both LBRF and TBRF markedly decreased. However, with the increase of rapid transportation, crowdedness and poverty, as well as abundance of lice and ticks, replasing fever is still endemic to some countries. Besides, with the appearance of others closely related Borrelia species that begins to emerge, the threat or the burden of these arthropod-borne zoonotic may be unpredicted or underestimated.

Zoonoses from dogs with special reference to Egypt

A zoonosis is an animal disease that is transmissible to humans. Humans are usually an accidental host that acquires disease through close contact with an infected animal, who may or may not be symptomatic. Children are at highest risk for infection because they are more likely to have close contact with pets. Dogs are responsible for transmission of an extensive array of bacterial and parasitic zoonotic pathogens. The route of transmission can be through the feces, urine, saliva (eg, bites or contaminated scratches), or respiratory secretions of the animal, or by the dog or cat acting as a vehicle and source of tick or flea exposure or reservoir for vector borne disease. Although dogs have been implicated in transmission of zoonoses to their owners, risk of transmission from contact with dogs is low and may be further reduced by simple precautions.

The causes of skin lesions in the returning travelers: with special reference to Egypt

Often people yearn of a greater travel adventure like a year in Africa to get away from their routine situations and locations, for a quick vacation or as a means of finding one's self, to enjoy new experiences, to learn and experience new languages, new food, and new cultures. While most people associate Sub-Saharan Africa with safaris, there are endless other possibilities for adventure. Some African countries have actual entry requirements and won't let you in unless you have proof you've been vaccinated against a specific disease. Every African country is unique in the quality of its parks and reserves, roads and other infrastructure, visitor accommodations and receptivity to tourists. Creating an itinerary and arranging travel logistics can intimidate even the most enthusiastic tourist. Others travel more nowadays for the better economy and the advancements in transportation make it easier to do so. If family members do not reside in the same country or are probably working abroad, other family members would want to visit them and would do so as frequently as their resources would allow. Visiting families and friends in different states or countries are probably the most important reasons for taking time off to travel. No doubt, travelling to different climates, cultures and environments abroad can expose to tropical infectious diseases and health risks. This review dealt with skin lesions in the returning travelers.

Tick paralysis: first zoonosis record in Egypt

Tick paralysis caused by the secretion of toxin with saliva while taking a blood meal is an important veterinary disease, but is rare in humans. Although it has certain geographical proclivities, it exists worldwide. Tick paralysis was demonstrated for the first time in Egypt among four children living in rural area at Giza Governorate. The clinical pictures were confused with rabies; myasthensia gravis; botulism; diphtheritic polyneuropathy encountered in rural areas. The recovery of tick infesting the four little children and negative clinical and laboratory data of all diseases denoted tick paralysis. The encountered ticks infesting their animals were Rhipicephalus sanguineus on dogs, Hyalomma dromedarii on camels and Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum and Haemaphysalis sp. on goats. The case was recognized as first record of tick paralysis in Egypt.