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Biomedical subjects

M Samhan

Publications and source records attributed to M Samhan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Effect of aflatoxin G1 on germination, growth and metabolic activities of some crop plants.

The effect of different concentrations of aflatoxin G1 on growth and germination of Zea mays and Vicia faba seeds, as well as on some biochemical parameters viz chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein and lipid content of seedlings, were studied. Inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth of maize and broad bean increased with increases in toxin concentration. A reduction in carbohydrates in the shoot systems of maize and broad bean was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in chlorophyll content. The total proteins and total lipids of V. faba were significantly greater at a 10 micrograms/ml concentration of aflatoxin G1, whereas in Z. mays significant inhibition (p < 0.05) was observed. At 5.0 micrograms/ml aflatoxin G1 lipids and proteins were reduced in both plants but the effect was less obvious at lower concentrations.

Aflatoxins↗
PubMed1996

Invasive fungal infections in renal transplant recipients.

In a retrospective analysis, 18 instances of invasive fungal infections were observed in 512 (3.5%) renal transplant recipients. These included candidiasis (8), aspergillosis (5), cryptococcosis (3) and zygomycosis (2). All patients with candidiasis had Candida isolated from blood and one or more additional sites. One of them had superadded fungaemia with Torulopsis glabrata. Pulmonary disease in four and subcutaneous infection in one were encountered in the five patients with aspergillosis. Central nervous system involvement in two and cutaneous lesion in one were the findings in patients with cryptococcosis. Zygomycosis involved the lung in one and the allograft itself in the other. Prolonged fever not responding to antibacterial drugs was the most common clinical presentation. Fungal infections occurred during the first 4 months in 10 (55.5%) and 12 to 108 months in eight (44.5%) patients. Infections with cytomegalovirus and hepatitis viruses were concommitantly present in 12 (66.7%) and eight (44.5%) patients respectively. Fourteen episodes of fungal infections (77.8%) occurred in live unrelated kidney recipients who formed only 48% of our total transplant population. Nine patients were treated with systemic and/or local amphotericin B and six with amBisome. Fluconazole was administered alone in three and in combination with amphotericin B in two. Fourteen patients died but mortality was only directly attributable to fungal infection in 11. We conclude that invasive fungal infections continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality in renal transplant recipients. A high index of suspicion. prompt diagnosis and early institution of specific antifungal therapy are needed.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Nocardiosis in renal transplant recipients in Kuwait.

BACKGROUND: Nocardiosis has emerged as an important bacterial disease among renal transplant recipients, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. Apart from the increasing problem of resistance in pathogenic nocardiae, the spectrum of species causing disease has enlarged in recent years. There are no published reports on nocardiosis from Middle-East countries. METHODS: A retrospective review of case records of 513 renal transplant recipients between January 1989 and January 1995 was done in the transplant unit of our hospital. Information was collected on clinical details, type of donor, immunosuppressive therapy, prophylaxis, and outcome. Isolation of Nocardia species from appropriate clinical specimens was the sole criterion for diagnosis. RESULTS: Nocardiosis was diagnosed in six recipients with a disease incidence of 1.2%. Four patients had received unrelated kidneys. Co-morbid conditions were diabetes mellitus (3), viral hepatitis (2) and neutropenia (1). Clinical manifestations included deep-seated skin abscesses and pulmonary disease in three each. Cerebral abscess and meningitis were found in two patients with pulmonary disease. Pathogens were Nocardia asteroides in four and N. otiti discaviarum and N. farcinica in one each. In contrast to in vitro susceptibility results, clinical response was different in that five patients who received trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) alone (2) or in combination with cefuroxime (3) responded well. CONCLUSIONS: The study stresses a high index of suspicion for nocardiosis in susceptible hosts who present with cutaneous abscess, pulmonary infiltrative lesions, and cerebral manifestations. TMP-SMX in combination with cefuroxime seems to be a highly effective therapy. It does not appear mandatory to reduce or discontinue immunosuppressive therapy during treatment of nocardiosis.

Adult↗