Several observations suggest that the evolution of schistosomal glomerulopathy into clinically overt and progressive disease may involve pathogenetic mechanisms other than simple glomerular deposition of parasitic antigens. In a previous study, IgA was suggested to be a mediator of late glomerular lesions in this disease. This issue is further addressed in this work. The study includes 32 patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, of whom 16 had overt glomerular involvement, along with four control groups: (a) 15 healthy volunteers; (b) 15 patients with simple intestinal mansoniasis; (c) 17 patients with non-schistosomal chronic liver disease; and (d) 21 subjects with primary nephrotic syndrome not associated with schistosomiasis. Routine assessment was done for all subjects including confirmatory tests for schistosomal infection, liver and renal function tests, hepatitis viral markers and abdominal ultrasonography. The total serum concentrations of IgG, IgM, IgA were measured, as well as their respective circulating immune complexes, rheumatoid factors, anti-gliadin- and anti-DNA-antibodies. Liver and renal biopsies were obtained from the relevant groups and studied by light microscopy. Renal biopsies were also examined by immunofluorescence. Patients with simple intestinal schistosomiasis had a significant increase in IgM antigliadin antibodies. Those complicated with hepatosplenic involvement also had a significant increase in the mean IgG anti-gliadin antibodies, IgG rheumatoid factor and IgM anti-DNA activity. Cases further complicated by overt glomerular disease showed a distinct IgA predominance, mainly expressed in the serum anti-gliadin antibody pool and anti-DNA activity. This profile was essentially similar to that observed in control cirrhotics. There was a significant increase in the frequency of IgA glomerular deposits in renal biopsies obtained from patients with overt schistosomal glomerulopathy, in contrast to control nephrotics. The deposits were mainly mesangial, but were also encountered in subendothelial, subepithelial and peritubular locations. Their frequency was significantly higher with more advanced lesions as seen by light microscopy. The relevance of these data is discussed, leading to the following conclusions: (a) serum IgA-anti-gliadin and -anti-DNA antibodies, and glomerular IgA deposits are markers of significant renal involvement in patients with hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. (b) IgA may be involved in the pathogenesis of advanced glomerular pathology when superimposed on parasite-induced lesions. (c) There is a significant increase in serum auto-reactivity in hepatosplenic schistosomiasis, which may also have pathogentic implications. (d) Increased production by the inflammatory bowel lesions, impaired clearance by the fibrotic livers and probable switching of immunoglobulin synthesis are suggested to explain the observed IgA predominance in those who develop renal complications.

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Bachelor's and diploma dental hygienists' practices vary in different countries regarding education duration, the scope of practice, salary, and challenges. The present review article aims to posit a comparison of the dental hygiene profession in Qatar and other world's countries as US, UK, Europe, Australia, Asia, and GCC countries; to identify the challenges and gaps of dental hygiene in the dental hygiene field in Qatar, and to set suggestions for dental hygienists' associations worldwide to resolve the present challenges that dental hygienists face. The review used various articles to explore the history of dental hygienists and compare the profession in different countries. The study adopted the scholarly publications that the researchers obtained from academic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, published theses and dissertations, a popular news article, the trade sources commonly referred to as the trade publications, and government documents. The findings suggest that lower salaries and limited scope of work are eminent in Asia and GCC countries. European countries have different legislation for dental hygienists, making their scope of work limited to the country where the professionals study. This review also suggests the high level of stress, burnout, and musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienist professions in most countries. We recommend resolving the dental hygienists' challenges by increasing awareness among the dentists, medical professions, and general public, standardizing their scope of practice, assigning those assistants, and giving those technologies to simplify their work.