RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: The role of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) during apparently normal pregnancy is still unclear. IgA aPL are prevalent in populations of African origin. Our aim was to measure all isotypes of anticardiolipin (anti-CL) and anti-ß2 glycoprotein I (anti-ß2GPI) in healthy pregnant and non-pregnant women of different ethnicities. METHODS: Healthy Sudanese pregnant women (n = 165; 53 sampled shortly after delivery), 96 age-matched Sudanese female controls and 42 healthy pregnant and 249 non-pregnant Swedish women were included. IgA/G/M anti-CL and anti-ß2GPI were tested at one time point only with two independent assays in Sudanese and serially in pregnant Swedes. IgA anti-ß2GPI domain 1 and as controls IgA/G/M rheumatoid factor (RF), IgG anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti-CCP2) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) were investigated in Sudanese females. RESULTS: Pregnant Sudanese women had significantly higher median levels of IgA anti-CL, IgA anti-ß2GPI (p < 0.0001 for both antibodies using two assays) and IgM anti-ß2GPI (both assays; p < 0.0001 and 0.008) compared with non-pregnant Sudanese. IgA anti-CL and anti-ß2GPI occurrence was increased among Sudanese pregnant women compared with national controls. No corresponding increase during pregnancy was found for IgA anti-ß2GPI domain 1 antibodies. Both IgG anti-CL and IgG control autoantibodies decreased during and directly after pregnancy among Sudanese. Serially followed Swedish women showed no changes in IgA aPL, whereas IgG/M anti-CL decreased. CONCLUSIONS: IgA aPL are increased in Sudanese but not in Swedish women, without corresponding increase in IgA domain 1. Whether due to ethnicity and/or environmental influences the occurrence of IgA aPL during Sudanese pregnancies, and its clinical significance, is yet to be determined.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Anticardiolipina/sangre , Anticuerpos Antifosfolípidos/sangre , Síndrome Antifosfolípido/inmunología , Inmunoglobulina A/sangre , beta 2 Glicoproteína I/inmunología , Adulto , Síndrome Antifosfolípido/complicaciones , Síndrome Antifosfolípido/diagnóstico , Femenino , Humanos , Embarazo , Complicaciones del Embarazo/diagnóstico , Complicaciones del Embarazo/inmunología , Factor Reumatoide , Sudán , Suecia , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
African patients with Leishmania donovani infections have signs of strong systemic inflammation and high levels of circulating immune complexes (IC) and rheumatoid factor (RF), all serologic markers of rheumatic disease. As inflammation in general is associated with citrullination, we sought to investigate ACPA responses in Sudanese Leishmania patients. Serum samples were collected from Sudanese patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) as well as from ACPA-positive Sudanese rheumatoid arthritis patients and compared to healthy Sudanese controls. Levels of circulating C1q-binding IC and anticyclic citrullinated peptide 2(CCP2) were investigated using ELISA, and RF was measured with nephelometry. C1q adsorption was carried out to investigate anti-CCP2 content in IC. Citrulline specificity was evaluated with control plates with cyclic arginine-containing control peptides. Leishmania-infected patients had elevated levels of RF and circulating IC but also a significant increase in anti-CCP2 (12%) as compared to healthy controls. Anti-CCP2-positive Leishmania patients displayed lower anti-CCP2 levels than Sudanese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and anti-CCP2 levels in Leishmania patients showed a continuum not resembling the dichotomous pattern seen in patients with RA. Whereas the anti-CCP reactivity of Sudanese RA sera was strictly citrulline dependent, anti-CCP2-positive Leishmania sera reacted equally well with ELISA plates containing arginine control peptides. There was a strong correlation between anti-CCP2 and circulating IC among the Leishmania patients, but IC depletion only marginally diminished anti-CCP2 levels. Our findings stress the importance to interpret a positive CCP test carefully when evaluated in non-rheumatic conditions associated with macrophage activation.
Asunto(s)
Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/sangre , Complejo Antígeno-Anticuerpo/sangre , Complemento C1q/inmunología , Leishmaniasis Visceral/inmunología , Péptidos Cíclicos/inmunología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Anticuerpos Antiprotozoarios/inmunología , Complejo Antígeno-Anticuerpo/inmunología , Artritis Reumatoide/sangre , Artritis Reumatoide/inmunología , Niño , Preescolar , Citrulina/química , Femenino , Humanos , Inflamación/inmunología , Leishmania donovani/inmunología , Leishmaniasis Visceral/sangre , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Péptidos/inmunología , Péptidos/metabolismo , Factor Reumatoide/sangre , Factor Reumatoide/inmunología , Sudán , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Shear-free turbulence generated from an oscillating grid in a water tank impinging on an impermeable surface at varying Reynolds number 74 ≤ Re(l) ≤ 570 was studied experimentally, where the Reynolds number is defined based on the root-mean-square (r.m.s) horizontal velocity and the integral length scale. A particular focus was paid to the turbulence characteristics for low Re(l) < 150 to investigate the minimum limit of Re l obeying the profiles of rapid distortion theory. The measurements taken at near base included the r.m.s turbulent velocities, evolution of isotropy, integral length scales, and energy spectra. Statistical analysis of the velocity data showed that the anisotropic turbulence structure follows the theory for flows with Re(l) ≥ 117. At low Re(l) < 117, however, the turbulence profile deviated from the prediction where no amplification of horizontal velocity components was observed and the vertical velocity components were seen to be constant towards the tank base. Both velocity components sharply decreased towards zero at a distance of ≈ 1/3 of the integral length scale above the base due to viscous damping. The lower limit where Re(l) obeys the standard profile was found to be within the range 114 ≤ Re(l) ≤ 116.
Asunto(s)
Permeabilidad , Reología/métodos , Resistencia al Corte , Reología/instrumentaciónRESUMEN
During the egg-laying process, oviductal fluid was collected using a non-invasive procedure from the cloacal vent of the green turtles. Forty-two independent isolates of antibiotic-resistant bacteria from 11 genera were obtained from 20 turtles during nesting. The dominant isolate was Citrobacter (52.4%), followed by Pseudomonas, Proteus, Enterobacter, Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Shigella, Edwardsiella, Morganella, Providencia and Arcomobacter. Most of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin. Ampicillin-resistant isolates showed variations in their resistance for the following classes of ß-lactamases: extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (EBSLs), AmpC type ß-lactamases C (AmpC), and screen-positive ß-lactamase. None of the isolates produced metallo ß-lactamase. Some ampicillin-resistant genes were detected by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) only. Inhibitor based test (IBT) categorized some isolates as AmpC ß-lactamase producers. ß-Lactamase genes were detected from a few strains. The sequencing of those genes revealed the presence of cephamycinase (CMY) and AmpC ß-lactamases. The oviductal fluid was used in this study as a source of bacterial antibiotic-resistant determinants for biomonitoring marine turtles exposed to contaminated effluents. This data can be of value in understanding the decline of this endangered species as a result of exposure to marine pollution which is threatening their survival.
Asunto(s)
Resistencia a la Ampicilina , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bacterias/efectos de los fármacos , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Oviductos/microbiología , Tortugas/microbiología , Animales , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Femenino , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN , beta-Lactamasas/genética , beta-Lactamasas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Household water in Oman, as well as in other countries in the region, is stored in tanks placed on house roofs that can be subjected to physicochemical factors which can promote microbial growth, including pathogens and opportunistic pathogens which pose health risks. Water samples were collected from 30 houses in a heavily populated suburb of Muscat. The tanks used were either glass reinforced plastic (GRP), polyethylene or galvanised iron (GI). Heterotrophic bacteria, coliforms, faecal coliforms and iron sulphur bacteria varied significantly in the three tanks. Yeast and mould count showed significant variations. Isolation of Aeromonas spp., fluorogenic and pathogenic Pseudomonas, Pasteurella, Salmonella, Serratia and Tatumella, and Yersinia and Legionella in biofilms varied in the three tanks. The fungi isolates in the three tanks were Penicillium, Cladosporium and Aspergillus. Nephelometric turbidity unit, threshold odour number and free chlorine varied significantly in the three tanks. True colour unit values did not show a significant difference; however, GRP tanks had algae, autotrophic and pigmented microorganisms. In addition, GI tanks had sediments and corrosion. The results of this investigation are important to evaluate the status of the present household water tanks in countries with high annual temperatures, which may affect public health.
Asunto(s)
Agua Dulce/microbiología , Productos Domésticos , Infecciones Oportunistas/microbiología , Microbiología del Agua , Abastecimiento de Agua/análisis , Biopelículas , Desinfección , Contaminación de Equipos , Humanos , Omán , Medición de Riesgo , Encuestas y CuestionariosRESUMEN
Viability of multiple antibiotic resistant bacteria (MARB) in tertiary treated sewage effluent (TTSE) used for irrigation, was investigated at the Sultan Qaboos University sewage treatment plant (STP). This water recycle system is used here as a model for the systems commonly used throughout Oman and the Gulf region. Samples of TTSE were collected weekly from four sites, 1.5 km from each other. Chlorine levels declined gradually at the three sites with increasing distance from the STP. Viable bacteria, coliforms and nitrate concentrations increased significantly while biological oxygen demand (BOD) declined after STP chlorination. Mean values of turbidity changed slightly. Trace elements values were insignificant. A total of 336 bacteria from 8 genera revealed that the dominant isolates were Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Aeromonas spp. Among the isolates 59.8% were multiply resistant to several antibiotics. Resistance was higher to ampicillin followed by sulphamethoxazole, carbenicillin, streptomycine and minocycline. Frequency of resistance to the 14 antibiotics varied among the isolates. The present system related to the viability of MARB in TTSE used for irrigation may have serious implications for public health and wildlife. Results of this investigation will be of value in modifying current STPs systems and thus avoiding serious health issues.
Asunto(s)
Bacterias/efectos de los fármacos , Farmacorresistencia Microbiana , Aguas del Alcantarillado/microbiología , Irrigación Terapéutica/métodos , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Bacterias/aislamiento & purificación , Cloro/análisis , Escherichia coli/efectos de los fármacos , Escherichia coli/aislamiento & purificación , Geografía , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Omán , Consumo de Oxígeno , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efectos de los fármacos , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/aislamiento & purificación , Comunicaciones por Satélite , Aguas del Alcantarillado/análisis , UniversidadesRESUMEN
Presence of antibiotic resistant bacteria as bio-indicators of pollution was monitored in fish (colons and gills) and in sewage treated effluent (STE) in two marine sites in the Gulf of Oman, Muscat. One site was polluted as the sewage effluent STE was directly discharged into the sea while the unpolluted site was 10 km away. A total of 42 water samples (250 mL each) were collected from both sites. In the polluted site, 14 samples were taken directly from the STE discharge point and 14 from the surrounding area near the STE discharging point (7-10 m). Water and fish samples were collected from polluted and unpolluted sites. Chlorine and nitrate levels were significantly higher in STE samples. A significant difference (P<0.005) was found in total bacterial count of fish colon and gills in the two sites. Most probable number (MPN) was significantly higher in STE and polluted seawater over unpolluted. Coliforms were detected in the polluted site only. A total of 320 target enteric normal flora of animals and pathogenic species were isolated from 10 genera taken from water and fish samples. The isolates were exposed to 14 antibiotics. Most of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic with ampicillin was the dominant antibiotic. This is a clear indication that sewage effluent causes contamination of marine wildlife along coastal lines.
Asunto(s)
Peces/microbiología , Aguas del Alcantarillado/microbiología , Animales , Antibacterianos/farmacología , Colon/microbiología , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Enterobacteriaceae/efectos de los fármacos , Enterobacteriaceae/aislamiento & purificación , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Branquias/microbiología , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Agua de Mar/análisis , Agua de Mar/química , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/químicaRESUMEN
We investigated the antibiotic resistance of various strains of Salmonella isolated from different sources in Oman, namely sewage water, chicken and food handlers. Of 1242 isolates from food handlers, 15 (1.2%) were resistant to one or more antibiotic. Of these, 41% were resistant to ampicillin, 42% to co-trimoxazole and 22% to chloramphenicol. None of the isolates was resistant to ciprofloxacin. Of 515 isolates from chicken and 432 from sewage water, 23.7% and 14.1% respectively were resistant to one or more antibiotic. Susceptibility to the different antibiotics varied but none of the isolates from chicken was resistant to amikacin.
Asunto(s)
Pollos , Manipulación de Alimentos/estadística & datos numéricos , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/epidemiología , Salmonelosis Animal/epidemiología , Infecciones por Salmonella/epidemiología , Aguas del Alcantarillado/microbiología , Animales , Farmacorresistencia Bacteriana , Utilización de Medicamentos , Heces/microbiología , Microbiología de Alimentos , Alimentos Congelados/microbiología , Educación en Salud , Necesidades y Demandas de Servicios de Salud , Humanos , Pruebas de Sensibilidad Microbiana , Omán/epidemiología , Vigilancia de la Población , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/prevención & control , Guías de Práctica Clínica como Asunto , Infecciones por Salmonella/microbiología , Infecciones por Salmonella/prevención & control , Salmonelosis Animal/microbiología , Salmonelosis Animal/prevención & controlRESUMEN
Thirteen seed samples of lentil (Lens esculenta) were incubated on agar plate and moist filter papers (Moist Chambers) at 28 +/- 2 degrees C for determination of the incidence of seed-borne fungi. Aflatoxins content of the seeds was measured using the bright greenish- yellow fluorescence test (BGYF) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Sixty-nine species and seven varieties, which belong to 24 genera of fungi, were isolated from this crop. Of these fungi, 51 species and two varieties are considered new for this crop, whereas seven genera and 13 species are new to the mycoflora of the Sudan. The genus Aspergillus (13 species and 6 varieties) which comprising 44% of the total colony count was the most prevalent genus followed by Rhizopus (2 species, 19%), Penicillium (6 species) and Fusarium (8 species) (12%), Chaetomium (3 species) and Cladosporium (5 species) (6%), where the 18 genera (1-4 species) showed very low level of incidence (19%). Of the possible pathogens of lentil plants, F. oxysporum the main cause of vascular wilt was recovered from seeds of this crop. Thin layer chromatographic analysis of chloroform extracts of 13 seed samples showed that only one samples was naturally contaminated with aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 (14.3 micrograms/kg).
Asunto(s)
Aflatoxinas/análisis , Fabaceae/microbiología , Plantas Medicinales , Semillas/microbiología , Aspergillus/aislamiento & purificación , Cromatografía en Capa Delgada , Recuento de Colonia Microbiana , Fabaceae/química , Penicillium/aislamiento & purificación , Rhizopus/aislamiento & purificación , Semillas/química , SudánRESUMEN
Forty-eight samples of four popular commercial brands of black tea (Camellia sinensis L.) were purchased from the local markets in Muscat area, Sultanate of Oman. Tea leaves were surveyed for mycoflora. Five fungal species were isolated with A. niger as the most dominant in all the brands having percentage contamination ranging between 0.66% and 30.34%. Other fungi isolated were Aspergillusflavus, Penicillium spp. and Pacelomyces spp. but having average percentages of 0.6%, 0.84% and 0.21% respectively. Significant differences were found among the batches contaminated by A. niger. None of the 25 A. flavus strains screened for aflatoxins were found aflatoxigenic. The total ash, water-soluble ash, and mineral concentration of the samples were within the British standards and were not affected by fungal contamination. The results showed that black tea is contaminated by fungi that might constitute health hazards for humans. The post harvest contamination of tea could be eliminated or reduced if processing is conducted under more hygienic conditions.