Impact of COVID-19 on blood donation and supply in Africa

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Cyclophosphamide versus cyclosporine in children with frequent-relapsing and steroid-dependent nephrotic syndrome in Khartoum State, Sudan

Background: in children with frequent-relapsing and steroid-dependent (FR/SD) nephrotic syndrome (NS) remission can be achieved with either cyclophosphamide (CPM) or cyclosporine(CSA). Our objective was to compare the efficacy and safety of these agents.Methodology: Records of all children with FR/SD NS who received CPM or CSA at the Pediatric Renal Unit, Soba Hospital, Khartoum, during the period 2005­2015 were retrospectively reviewed.Main outcomes were: remission rate, relapse rate, and renal outcome.Results: We studied 82 children with FR/SD NS treated with CPM (59.8%) or CSA (40.2%). Males were 69.5% and females 30.5%. The mean admission age was 5 ± 3.10 years. At 6 months,77.6% children on CPM and 60.3% on CSA were in complete remission (CR), (P=0.012) whereas 22.4% versus 39.4% relapsed respectively (P=0.012). At 12 months, 57.5% on CPM and 72.7%on CSA were in CR, (P=0.013) whereas 42.5% versus 27.3% relapsed respectively, (P=0.013). At 24 months, 16.6% on CPM and 29% on CSA were in CR, (P=0.030) whereas 83.4% versus 71%relapsed respectively, (P=0.030). The mean number of relapses per 24 months were 1.7± 0.86 inCPM group versus 2.2 ±0.85 in CSA group, (P=0.72). Mild complications were recorded in 12.4% of patients on CPM group versus 33.3% on CSA, (P=0.031). At the latest follow- up, there was no significant change from basal levels of TWBC, mean serum creatinine, GFR, or BMI, (P>0.05 for all parameters). Conclusion: In children with FR/SD NS, both CPM and CSA were effective and safe in achieving remission with less risk of serious side- effects. However, long-term remission was less stable with both agents

Essential oil from gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf.: Screening of antimicrobial activity

The essential oil from the gum of Pistacia atlantica Desf. grown in Algeria was obtained by the hydrodistillation method; and its antimicrobial activities against the growth of clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus; Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pyogenes were evaluated using three different methods; agar disc diffusion and dilution broth methods and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was subsequently; determined. The results of the study revealed that essential oil resin of P. atlantica has antimicrobial activity against gram-positive and -negative bacteria which are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial agents; and they were considerably dependent on concentration

Antimicrobial activity evaluation of the oleoresin oil of Pistacia vera L

The hydrodistilled essential oils from Pistacia vera.L stem exudates have been tested against three bacteria (Escherichia coli; Staphylococcus aureus and Proteus spp) using three methods: agar disc diffusion; determination of MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and in the liquid phase by Maruzella method. The results obtained showed that essential oil resin of P. vera L. has antimicrobial activity against gram negative bacteria (E. coli and Proteus spp.) as well as gram positive bacteria (S. aureus); when Proteus spp. was the greatest inhibited of all the strains tested

Anemia in Kassala Area Eastern Sudan

Objective The objective of this study was to determine the types and the ways of diagnosis of anemia at Kassala region; Sudan. Methods In this study we examined and investigate 210 patients with anemia.Full blood cell count including peripheral picture; blood film for malaria; urine analysis and stool examination were done for every patient.Bone marrow aspiration was done for patients with splenomegaly with or without pancytopenia and or presence of immature cells in the peripheral blood. Serum iron and serum ferritin; for confirmation of iron deficiency were measured in some patients. Results Out of all patients; 45(21) had chronic illness; 42(20) had history of repeated attacks of malaria and 3(18) patients had nutritional anemia. Sixty three (30) patients presented with severe anemia; 32(15) with mild anemia and 115(55)with moderate anemia. Eighty patients presented with enlarge spleen.26 (33) out of the latter group had features of hypersplenism. Conclusion Common causes of anemia in this area were chronic illness; followed by nutritional and repeated malaria infection. Splenomegaly and hypersplenism are common. We recommended that full blood count; peripheral blood picture and estimation of serum iron and serum ferritin should be performed for every anaemic patient. Blood film for malaria should be done for every anaemic patient and negative films should be repeated by immunochromatography test for plasmodium falciparum and vivax