Search

Hepatitis C virus is a major public health problem leading to cirrhosis and increased risk for development of hepatocellular carcinoma, both leading indications for liver transplantation. Egypt has the highest prevalence of hepatitis C of worldwide. Anti-HCV antibody is usually detected by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Microarray analysis of 8 Anti-HCV antibody isotypes and 5 HCV peptides considered separately on 5 different matrixes was carried out on 50 hepatitis C Egyptian patients. The optimal substrate kind was chosen based on the greatest amount of antibody bonded with the minimal background. Mercaptosilane activated slides, agarose-slides and polyvinylidene difluoride membranes were the best substrates, while polyacrylamide and nitrocellulose membrane were less sensitive. IgM isotype gave the weakest signals in all patients whatever the substrate type used for antibody immobilization while IgG (total) and its subtypes IgG2, IgG3 and IgG(4) gave the strongest signals with most of the substrates follows by IgA(1), IgG(1) and total IgA, respectively. The results demonstrate that IgG2, IgG3 and IgG(4) are the dominant IgG subtypes, which may indicate that HCV patient immune response shift toward Th-2 immunity. The microarrays permitted the simultaneous serodetection of hepatitis C virus core and envelope peptides by using corresponding rabbit anti-peptides. Hepatitis C virus core and envelope peptides 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 showed strong signals on all the used substrates except for polyacrylamide slides and nitrocellulose membranes.

In Egypt, the incidence of invasive Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is not common and the vaccine is still not included into the national immunization program. The aim of this study was to evaluate the natural immunity to Hib in healthy children at Egyptian capitol (Cairo). One hundred and two children were enrolled in our study of age one month to 15 year. Anti-capsular polysaccharide (PRP) of Hib specific IgM and IgG antibody concentrations were estimated using enzyme immunoassay. The majority (64.7%, 75.5%) of children had a protective levelsor=15 microg/ml of specific antibodies (IgM and IgG). Fortunately, a total of 95.5% of the children under 5 years old had a protective level. Our result will provide evidence that in Egypt capitol, the natural immunity against Hib can be acquired at an early age.

Our aim was to determine the level of tetanus immunity in the general Egyptian population. The surveyed population consisted of 709 healthy subjects from five regions of Egypt, 2 month to 105 years of age. We used an ELISA assay to determine titers of anti-tetanus IgG. According to the widely used criteria, 31.7% was susceptible to tetanus (IgG level0.15 IU/ml), 15.7% protection (0.15-1.0 IU/ml), and 52.6%or = 1.0 IU/ml). The results revealed that the majority (68.3%) population from 2 months to 50 years had a protective level of IgG against tetanus. The level of susceptibility increases with age until it reaches 90.3% Significantly, more males (23.7%) unprotected against tetanus. Our results suggest that monitoring immunization status and administering the tetanus vaccine as required are essential to insure adequate and long-lasting antibody levels.