Genotypes of human papilloma virus in Sudanese women with cervical pathology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Knowledge of the distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes among women with cervical lesion and in invasive cervical cancer is crucial to guide the introduction of prophylactic vaccines. There is no published data concerning HPV and cervical abnormalities in Sudan. This study aimed to define the prevalence of HPV and its subtypes in the cervical smears of women presenting with gynecological complains at Omdurman Military Hospital, Sudan.</p> <p>During the period between March 2003 and April 2004, 135 cervical smears collected from these women, were screened using cytological techniques, and analysed by PCR for (beta)-globin and HPV DNA using gel electrophoresis and ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of these 135 smears, there were 94 (69.3%) negative, 22 (16.3%) positive for inflammation, 12(8.9) mild dyskaryosis, 5 (3.7) moderate dyskaryosis and 2 (1.8) severe dyskaryosis. There were 60.7% ß. globin positive samples for HPV indicating DNA integrity. HPV DNA was identified in three samples (2.2%) by gel electrophoresis and. was positive in four samples (2.9%) as single and multiple infections by PCR-ELISA. The high risk HPV types 16 and 58 were identified in one sample as a mixed infection. The low risk HPV types 40 and 42 were also found as a mixed infection in another patient. HPV types 58 and 42 were identified in the other two patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>HPV type distribution in Sudan appears to differ from that in other countries. The HPV genotypes identified were not associated with cancer.</p

Malaria and pre-eclampsia in an area with unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Placental malaria and pre-eclampsia occur frequently in women in tropics and are leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidities and mortality. Few data exist concerning the interaction between placental malaria and pre-eclampsia.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A case control study was conducted in Medani Hospital, which locates in an area of unstable malaria transmission in Central Sudan. Case (N = 143) were women with pre-eclampsia, which was defined as systolic blood presure≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mm Hg and proteinuria. Controls were parturient women (N = 143) without any blood pressure values > 139/89 mm Hg or proteinuria. Obstetrical and medical characteristics were gathered from both groups through structured questionnaires. Placental histopathology examinations for malaria were performed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Twenty-eight (19.6%) vs. 16 (11.2%); <it>P </it>= 0.04 of the cases vs. controls, had placental malaria infections. Five (2%), 1 (2%) and 22 (28.0%) vs. 1, 2 and 13 of the placentae showed acute, chronic and past infection on histopathology examination in the two groups respectively, while 115 (80.4%) vs.127 (88.8%) of them showed no infection, <it>P </it>= 0.04. In multivariate analysis, while there were no associations between age, parity, educational level, lack of antenatal care, blood groups and body mass index and pre-eclampsia; family history of hypertension and placental malaria (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.0-5.2; <it>P </it>= 0.04) were significantly associated with pre-eclampsia.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Placental malaria was associated with pre-eclampsia. Further research is needed.</p

Expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and Cytokeratin 18 and 19 in Placentas of Women with Severe Preeclampsia

BACKGROUND: Although the exact mechanism leading to preeclampsia is not fully understood, abnormal trophoblast invasion contributes to its pathogenesis. Keratins and cadherin are known to play roles in the regulation of trophoblast proliferation. However, studies describing the association between keratins, cadherin, and preeclampsia are limited. AIM: The current study was conducted to investigate the association of these proteins with severe preeclampsia in Sudanese women. METHODS: A case–control study was conducted at Madani Maternity Hospital, Sudan. The cases included women with severe preeclampsia (n = 56) and healthy pregnant women as controls (n = 56). The assessment of keratin and cadherin was performed using immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups in their mean age or parity. We found no significant differences in the expression of the markers E-cadherin, N-cadherin, or cytokeratin 18 and 19 in the placentas from individuals with preeclampsia versus controls. The number of placentas with severe preeclampsia versus controls expressing the E-cadherin, N-cadherin, cytokeratin 18, and cytokeratin 19 markers was 46 (82.1%) versus 46 (82.1%) (p = 0.988), 54 (96.4%) versus 48 (85.7%) (p = 0.121), 4 (7.1%) versus 0 (0%) (p = 0.126), and 11 (19.6%) versus 11 (19.6%) (p = 0.532), respectively. There was also no significant difference in the intensity of staining of these four markers (Ecadherin, N-cadherin, and cytokeratin 18 and 19) between severe preeclampsia and control placentas. CONCLUSION: Together, these results indicate that in this setting, the expression of E-cadherin, N-cadherin, CK18, and CK19 is not associated with severe preeclampsia

Prostanoid Receptor Subtypes and Its Endogenous Ligands with Processing Enzymes within Various Types of Inflammatory Joint Diseases

A complex inflammatory process mediated by proinflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins commonly occurs in the synovial tissue of patients with joint trauma (JT), osteoarthritis (OA), and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study systematically investigated the distinct expression profile of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), its processing enzymes (COX-2), and microsomal PGES-1 (mPGES-1) as well as the corresponding prostanoid receptor subtypes (EP1-4) in representative samples of synovial tissue from these patients (JT, OA, and RA). Quantitative TaqMan®-PCR and double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy of synovial tissue determined the abundance and exact immune cell types expressing these target molecules. Our results demonstrated that PGE2 and its processing enzymes COX-2 and mPGES-1 were highest in the synovial tissue of RA, followed by the synovial tissue of OA and JT patients. Corresponding prostanoid receptor, subtypes EP3 were highly expressed in the synovium of RA, followed by the synovial tissue of OA and JT patients. These proinflammatory target molecules were distinctly identified in JT patients mostly in synovial granulocytes, in OA patients predominantly in synovial macrophages and fibroblasts, whereas in RA patients mainly in synovial fibroblasts and plasma cells. Our findings show a distinct expression profile of EP receptor subtypes and PGE2 as well as the corresponding processing enzymes in human synovium that modulate the inflammatory process in JT, OA, and RA patients

ABO blood group system and placental malaria in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Understanding the pathogenesis of malaria in pregnancy and its consequences for both the mother and the baby is fundamental for improving malaria control in pregnant women.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The study aimed to investigate the role of ABO blood groups on pregnancy outcomes in an area of unstable malaria transmission in eastern Sudan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A total of 293 women delivering in New Half teaching hospital, eastern Sudan during the period October 2006–March 2007 have been analyzed. ABO blood groups were determined and placental histopathology examinations for malaria were performed. Birth and placental weight were recorded and maternal haemoglobin was measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>114 (39.7%), 61 (22.1%) and 118 (38.2%) women were primiparae, secundiparae and multiparae, respectively. The ABO blood group distribution was 82(A), 59 (B), 24 (AB) and 128 (O). Placental histopathology showed acute placental malaria infections in 6 (2%), chronic infections in 6 (2%), 82 (28.0%) of the placentae showed past infection and 199 (68.0%) showed no infection. There was no association between the age (OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.45–2.2; <it>P </it>= 0.9), parity (OR = 0.6, 95% CI = 0.3–1.2; <it>P </it>= 0.1) and placental malaria infections. In all parity blood group O was associated with a higher risk of past (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2; <it>P </it>= 0.01) placental malaria infection. This was also true when primiparae were considered separately (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.05–6.5, <it>P </it>= 0.03).</p> <p>Among women with all placental infections/past placental infection, the mean haemoglobin was higher in women with the blood group O, but the mean birth weight, foeto-placental weight ratio was not different between these groups and the non-O group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that women of eastern Sudan are at risk for placental malaria infection irrespective to their age or parity. Those women with blood group O were at higher risk of past placental malaria infection.</p

Cervical cytopathological changes among women with vaginal discharge attending teaching hospital

Aims: To find cytology changes among women attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinic with complaints of vaginal discharges. Settings and Design: This descriptive hospital-based cytological study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the obstetrics and gynaecology department. Materials and Methods: Two hundred women with complaints of vaginal discharge were selected. Their detailed histories were documented on a special request form. Pap smears were then obtained and sent for cytological examination to the cytopathology department. All low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) cases were advised to follow-up with Pap smears in the next 6–12 months. Those with high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) were further investigated by a cervical biopsy and managed accordingly. Statistical analysis used: The statistical analysis was performed using, the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Chi-square and cross-tabulation were used in this study. Results: The cytological examination of Pap smears showed no changes (i.e. negative findings) in 88 (44%) cases, while Candida species infection was the most prevalent, which was found in 67 (33.5%) of the cases. Bacterial vaginosis was found in 39 women (19.5%); 6 women (3%) were reported with dyskaryotic changes. Two cases were found to have LSIL and 4 women had HSIL. Conclusion: Infection is common among the illiterate group of women. Women with vaginal discharges should undergo screening tests for evaluation by cervical smear for the early detection of cervical precancer conditions. There is an urgent need to establish a screening program for cervical cancer in Sudan