Di-Ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) is a global environmental pollutant. Human exposure to DEHP occurs through environmental sources. Community exposure (food, air, water), as well as medical settings' exposure, impose crucial effects on human health. DEHP had been reported to have cytotoxic, immunotoxic, genotoxic, and reproductive toxic properties. This work aims to assess the possible toxic effects of DEHP on adult albino rats' lungs and to evaluate the possible protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) using bodyweight and relative lung weight parameters. Assessment of DHEP toxicity is measured by biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical methods. Fifty male adult albino rats were divided into five equal groups as follows: Group Ι (Negative control group), Group ΙΙ (Positive control group), Group IΙΙ (NAC-treated group): was given NAC orally (200 mg/kg/day), Group IV (DEHP-treated group): was given DEHP orally (3gm/kg once daily for 4 weeks) and Group V: (DEHP + NAC-treated group): was treated with DEHP concomitantly with NAC at the same previous doses. The results of the present study revealed that DEHP has significantly increased the lipid peroxidation level and significantly reduced glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and catalase activity. The histological results of group IV showed inflammatory cellular infiltration of the lungs associated with interstitial edema, hemorrhage, and inter-alveolar septal thickening that were markedly reduced in group V. Also, group V, showed a significant decrease in the collagen fibers accumulation and caspase-3 expression as compared to group IV. Conclusion: treatment with NAC can protect against DEHP induced pulmonary toxicity in rats by decreasing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.

Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the oldest antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that is still used for the treatment of tonic-clonic seizures in children. Long-term use of AEDs induces potential toxic effects that may remain undetermined for a long time. Earlier studies have revealed a wide spectrum of hematological toxicities associated with CBZ. This study was conducted to unveil the toxic effects of carbamazepine as an antiepileptic monotherapy on hematological and immunological parameters in a group of Egyptian pediatric patients using it for different durations. Fifty pediatric epileptics of either sex were enrolled; 38 were taking CBZ as antiepileptic monotherapy for ≥ 6 months and 12 were newly diagnosed untreated patients. Hematological and immunological parameters studied were compared with their age and sex-matched 15 controls and among groups. CBZ was found more toxic for total leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, serum IgA and IgM levels (p < 0.001, 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001, respectively). Hemoglobin level, platelets count, serum C4 level and IgA were negatively correlated with serum CBZ level (Spearman's rho = – 0.62, – 0.42, – 0.34, – 0.13; p < 0.001, 0.008, 0.04, 0.44, respectively). CBZ treatment duration associated inversely with platelets, lymphocyte, and eosinophil counts (p < 0.001, 0.03, 0.01, respectively). Epileptic children on CBZ monotherapy had their hematologic and immunologic systems affected, which mandates routine monitoring of these children.

Background: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a major cause of morbidities that ranges in severity from asymptomatic infection to antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD), and pseudomembranous colitis (PMC). It was recognized that C. difficile infection (CDI) is a disease of advanced age with an increasing incidence worldwide. Notably, children are no longer in the safe zone due to increasing risk of associated comorbidities that predispose to a greater incidence of CDI among this age group. Few data are available to describe the incidence and the risk factors associated with CDI among children in the middle east. Objective: To identify the risk factors associated with (CDI) in children.Methodology: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was done to review the data collected electronically from the medical records during the five years of the study period. The adjusted and unadjusted regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors. Results: The odd ratio of developing CDI in children is higher than adults