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Biomedical subjects

A S Khalifa

Publications and source records attributed to A S Khalifa.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Prevalence of hepatitis C viral antibody in transfused and nontransfused Egyptian children.

Hepatitis C (HCV) virus is recognized as the major cause of what was previously referred to as parenterally acquired (blood-mediated) non-A, non-B hepatitis. A study involving 252 transfused and nontransfused Egyptian children was conducted from November 1990 through February 1991 to determine the prevalence of HCV and the role of blood and blood and blood product transfusions in the spread of the virus. Serum specimens were assayed by a second generation enzyme immunoassay and were considered reactive only after supplemental testing using the second generation recombinant immunoblot assay. Prevalence among 84 young study subjects with hematologic disorders was 55% (46 of 84), while no HCV antibodies were detected among the two nonhematologic pediatric populations studied: 84 hospital admissions and 84 acutely ill but otherwise healthy outpatients (seeking treatment for symptoms associated with a new condition less than three weeks old in the absence of any chronic health problem). Ninety-two percent (77 of 84) of the hematology-related cases had medical histories of multiple transfusions. Positive antibody responses (46) were significantly associated with increased duration of illness (P < 0.001) and the volume and number of transfusions (P < 0.01) when compared with negative ones (38). However, prior hospitalization and/or surgery were not related to HCV antibody status. The high prevalence of HCV antibody among multiply transfused infants and children suggests that blood and blood product supplies should be regularly screened for HCV antibody.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Effect of desferrioxamine B on hemolysis in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.

Twenty-four infants and children suffering from glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency during hemolytic crisis were included in this study. Their ages ranged between 3 and 36 months with a median of 10 months. 22 were males and 2 were females. Fourteen out of them received a single bolus dose of desferrioxamine B 500 mg intravenously followed by packed red cell transfusion, while the remaining 10 cases were only transfused. Sequential estimation of hemoglobin level, reticulocytic count and hemoglobinuria was done before treatment, 3, 24, 48 and 72 h thereafter. The hemoglobin level was higher in the desferrioxamine B group. The degree of increase was statistically significant at 48 and 72 h (p less than 0.01). Hemoglobinuria stopped in 78.5% in the first group and only in 30% of the second group at 72 h. It was concluded that desferrioxamine B is helpful in shortening the course of hemolytic crisis in G6PD-deficient patients. It could be used as an adjuvant to packed red cell transfusion.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1988

T cell functions in infants and children with beta-thalassemia.

Thirty-five infants and children with beta-thalassemia major and 12 with beta-thalassemia trait were studied. Their ages ranged between 6 months and 12 years. Thirty-three were males and 14 females. Spontaneous rosette (E1-RFC), total rosette (E2-RFC), enumeration of T lymphocyte subsets using monoclonal antibodies (OKT3, OKT4, and OKT8), migration inhibition factor (MIF) assay and in vivo delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions were tested. Lower mean T cell population was present in thalassemia major but not the trait. The helper/suppressor ratio was decreased in patients with evidence of hypersplenism. Patients who had suffered from pneumonia or hepatitis manifested lower mean T cell count, depletion of helper cells and decreased helper/suppressor ratio. They also showed depressed delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity and MIF activity. Study of the cell-mediated immunity in patients with thalassemia might be useful to detect those who could be-more susceptible to infections.

Child↗
PubMed1983

Immunoglobulin levels, opsonic activity and phagocytic power in Egyptian thalassemic children.

Serum IgG, IgM and IgA were determined in 25 patients with homozygous beta thalassemia and 7 with the trait. The levels were increased in homozygous patients and increased further after splenectomy. Serum opsonic activity against Salmonella typhi and staphylococci was impaired in homozygous patients. Splenectomy caused more impairment against salmonella only. Similarly, phagocytic power against both organisms was lower in beta thalassemia. Further decrease against salmonella occurred after splenectomy. Patients with thalassemia trait did not differ from normal controls.

Child↗
PubMed1982

Epstein-Barr virus antibody in childhood Hodgkin's disease.

Fifteen patients with childhood onset of Hodgkin's disease were studied for prevalence and quantity of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) antibody to learn about the relationship between infection with EBV and Hodgkin's disease. Findings indicated that, compared with normal child control subjects, prevalence of EBV antibody is not increased in Hodgkin's disease, but the quantity of antibody increases as the duration of Hodgkin's disease increases. It seems that EBV plays no role in the cause of Hodgkin's disease and that production of greater amounts of antibody relates to immunoregulatory defects associated with Hodgkin's disease.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

A prophylactic transfusion program for children with sickle cell anemia complicated by CNS infarction.

CNS infarction is a devastating complication in sickle cell anemia. Episodes are frequently repetitive and often result in permanent neurologic abnormalities. In an attempt to prevent such recurrences a periodic transfusion program was begun at the Children's Hospital of Michigan in 1969. Twenty-one children currently on the program receive buffy-coat poor transfusions on an out-patient basis every 3 weeks. Of 15 who have been on the program for periods of from 9 months to 5 3/4 years, none have had progression of neurologic abnormalities, and several have had definite improvement in neurologic function. One child who was not brought in regularly had recurrent CNS infarction. The only recognized complication has been one instance of serum hepatitis. While such a transfusion program is not without risk, it seems an effective way of preventing progression of neurologic abnormalities resulting from recurrent CNS infarction in sickle cell anemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Immunoglobulins in idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura in childhood.

Levels of immunoglobulins G, A and M were determined in 55 children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) (32 acute, 18 chronic and 5 recurrent). Mean IgG levels tended to be low in acute ITP and returned to normal with recovery. In contrast, chronic and recurrent ITP had persistently low IgG and IgA levels. C3 complement levels in 10 cases of acute ITP were normal. Seven patients with chronic ITP had their spleens removed, and IgG and IgA levels tended to rise, while IgM levels decreased in 4 patients after the operation. Low IgA levels observed at the onset of purpura in a child might favor the diagnosis of chronic or recurrent ITP.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1975

Progesterone therapy in pre-eclamptic toxaemia.

Progesterone was the principal therapeutic agent used in 40 cases of pre-eclamptic toxaemia. It was also given to 10 normal pregnant women who served as a control group. A significant fall in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures was observed in 80% of the toxaemic patients. In all cases there was a marked increase in the 24-hour urinary output with an apparent loss of weight. Serum uric acid showed a significant drop and the urea clearance values also improved. The serum sodium showed an apparent decline while the serum potassium did not show any marked variation. The serum uric acid, urea clearance, blood urea, serum sodium and serum potassium remained unchanged in the control group.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMed1975

A field survey on child health in a rural community in Egypt.

A field survey in a village was carried out to study child health in a rural area. The vaccination scheme was found to be inadequate and the value of health education is stressed. Parasitic infestation was found to be higher than urban areas but significantly lower than 1959 and the latter is attributed to a safer water supply. Growth and development lagged behing the whole national standards particularly during the 1 - 6 years age period. Health care for the pre-school age, taking advantage of co-operation from medical faculties and local health authorities, is recommended.

Body Height↗