INTRODUCTION: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) are infrequent tumors representing 2.5-7 % of all head and neck tumors. It's very difficult to reach proper diagnosis and prognosis depending on histomorphologic criteria alone due to overlapping clinicopathologic features. IL-10 is a homodimeric protein that has various anti-inflammatory and immune functions. In cancer, IL-10 has both immunosuppressive properties and anti-angiogenic properties. Several studies proved the prognostic role of IL-10 in different human cancers. However, its role in SGTs still needs to be confirmed. Ki-67 is a nuclear protein that is encoded by the gene MKi-67. Its expression as a proliferative cell and a prognostic marker has been largely investigated in many types of human tumors including those of salivary gland origin, such as acinic cell and adenoid cystic carcinomas. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate IL-10 and Ki-67 immunoexpression in benign and malignant SGTs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: IL-10 and Ki-67 expression was measured in 30 SGT cases (15 benign and 15 malignant) and 15 normal salivary gland tissue (NSGT). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining was carried out by the Labeled Strept-Avidin Biotin complex method (LSAB). RESULTS: IL-10 and Ki-67 expression was detected in normal salivary gland tissues (NSGT) as well as benign and malignant salivary gland tumors (SGTs) with different intensities. The Lowest expression levels were detected in normal salivary gland tissues, while the highest were detected in malignant salivary gland tumors. CONCLUSION: IL-10 and Ki-67 could be used as prognostic markers in salivary gland tumors.

Rotaviruses are the single most important etiologic agents of severe diarrhea of infants and young children worldwide. In the present study, serological detection of rotavirus was done using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), on 247 stool specimens. These were collected from children with acute diarrhea attending the outpatient clinic of Alexandria University Children's Hospital at El-Shatby, from October 2005 to April 2007. Rotavirus was detected in 33.6% of the collected samples; no specific age group or sex predilection was observed. It was presented with a marked seasonal peak during autumn and winter (58.3% and 40.5%, respectively). Rotavirus was found to be infecting most commonly underweight children (46.9 %) resulting into fluid loss and severe dehydration (80%). Rotavirus acute gastroenteritis was found to be associated with fever (38.8%), vomiting (39.9%), watery stools, and long duration of diarrheal episodes lasting from one up to six days. The appearance of convulsions among rotavirus-positive cases even in the absence of fever (84.6%) was an important finding. Exclusive formula-fed infants appeared to exhibit the highest disease incidence (50%) while exclusive breast-fed infants had a lower incidence level (35.2%) of the disease. The virus was found to be significantly affecting children living in rural areas of Egypt (43.8%) rather than urban ones (26.1%). Environmental factors that were shown to affect the disease incidence include: the presence of impurities in water (41.6%), broken pipes (58.1%) and water tanks (58.7%) at the residence place. On the other hand, neither the kind of water source nor the presence of a sewage-disposal network was significantly related to the disease. Therefore, the study recommended to screen for rotavirus in children with diarrhea in order to avoid the use of unnecessary medications. In addition, encouragement of breast feeding practices and improvement of environmental conditions are important means of prevention of rotavirus infection.