Molecular screening of gastric Helicobacter pullorum recovered from different avian species in Egypt.

Helicobacter pullorum (H. pullorum) is a bacterium that colonizes the intestines of poultry and causes gastroenteritis. Because these species are known as human and/or animal pathogens, identification of H. pullorum is becoming increasingly necessary. The bacterium has been linked to colitis and hepatitis in humans after being transmitted by infected meat consumption. Misdiagnosis of other enteric zoonotic pathogens such as Campylobacter and other Helicobacter species makes the diagnosis of H. pullorum extremely difficult. This study focused on the molecular detection of H. pullorum from the stomach (proventriculus and gizzard) of different avian species as new target organs for detection and transmission between avian species. Proventriculus and gizzards were obtained from 40 freshly dead chickens and resident wild birds (n=40). Diarrhea was found in the farms that were surveyed. DNA was extracted from all collected samples to conduct PCR amplification. The samples were screened for Helicobacter genus-specific 16s using C97 and C05 primers. To confirm the existence of H. pullorum, the positive samples were sequenced. H. pullorum was recorded in two out of 40 chicken samples. In addition, H. pullorum was recorded in one out of 40 resident wild birds. The 16S rRNA gene sequence for Helicobacter genus-specific in poultry and wild birds showed a 100% homology. In conclusion, broiler chickens and resident wild birds are possible reservoirs for H. pullorum, according to this report, and possibly act as a source of infection for humans via the food supply.

Circulation of Influenza A(H5N8) Virus, Saudi Arabia.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N8) viruses have been detected in several continents. However, limited viral sequence data are available from countries in the Middle East. We report full-genome analyses of highly pathogenic H5N8 viruses recently detected in different provinces in Saudi Arabia.

Paediatric Blunt Torso Trauma: Injury mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children requiring hospitalisation at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.

OBJECTIVES: Trauma is the greatest cause of morbidity and mortality in paediatric/adolescent populations worldwide. This study aimed to describe trauma mechanisms, patterns and outcomes among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital (SQUH) in Muscat, Oman. METHODS: This retrospective single-centre study involved all children ≤12 years old with blunt torso trauma admitted for paediatric surgical care at SQUH between January 2009 and December 2013. Medical records were analysed to collect demographic and clinical data. RESULTS: A total of 70 children were admitted with blunt torso trauma during the study period, including 39 (55.7%) male patients. The mean age was 5.19 ± 2.66 years. Of the cohort, 35 children (50.0%) received their injuries after having been hit by cars as pedestrians, while 19 (27.1%) were injured by falls, 12 (17.1%) during car accidents as passengers and four (5.7%) by falling heavy objects. According to computed tomography scans, thoracic injuries were most common (65.7%), followed by abdominal injuries (42.9%). The most commonly involved solid organs were the liver (15.7%) and spleen (11.4%). The majority of the patients were managed conservatively (92.9%) with a good outcome (74.3%). The mortality rate was 7.1%. Most deaths were due to multisystem involvement. CONCLUSION: Among children with blunt torso trauma admitted to SQUH, the main mechanism of injury was motor vehicle accidents. As a result, parental education and enforcement of infant car seat/child seat belt laws are recommended. Conservative management was the most successful approach.

Impact of natural sources rich in provitamin a on cooking characteristics, color, texture and sensory attributes of beef patties.

Eight ground beef patty formulations, based on replacing meat with a natural source rich in provitamin A (i.e.carrot and sweet potato) were prepared. All treatments displayed better moisture retention than the controls and hence yield was improved. L, a, and b Hunter values increased and Instron texture profile analysis indicated lower peak forces, increased springiness, and, in some cases cohesiveness (i.e. juicier patties) for formulalions with boiled carrot or sweet potato. However, adding these ingredients in a dry form increased hardness, springiness and cohesiveness. Improvement in the content of provitamin A was achieved by incorporating carrot or sweet potato into the patties. Mixing meat with a natural rich source of provitamin A could be a long-term solution for combating vitamin A deficiency.

Necrotizing enterocolitis, surgical experience.

Between January 1988 and December 1994, 29 cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) required surgical management. There were 15 males and 14 females. The gestational age range was 24-38, average 32.7 weeks and body weight range was 565-4500 grams, average 1,680 grams. Necrotizing enterocolitis developed within two weeks of age in 55% of the cases, between two and four weeks in 34% and beyond four weeks in four cases (14%). Pneumoperitoneum was the commonest indication for surgery (55%) of cases, followed by failure of response to medical treatment. The commonest surgical procedure was resection of the gangrenous bowel with creation of an enterostomy for the segmental disease in 15 cases (50%) and resection with primary anastomosis in six cases (20%). Four cases (14%) had NEC totalis for which drainage alone was done, and two cases had external drainage alone. Survival rate was 72%.