Entomological aspect of malaria vector in Khartoum State [2002-2005]

Entomological surveillance is used to determine changes in the geographical distribution and density of vectors, evaluate control programmes, obtain relative measurements of the vectors population over time and facilitate appropriate and timely decisions regarding interventions. This study aimed to present the results of entomological survey conducted in Khartoum State [2002-2005] as part of Khartoum Malaria Free Initiative. It also provides the recent results of the insecticides resistance in the State. Khartoum State has 24 entomological locations which are sited in the different parts of the state. The Data was taken from 3 successive years, from January 2002 to December 2005. All the 24 locations sampled lay within the malaria area in Khartoum State, mosquitoes were collected and processed following WHO guidelines. An.araabiensis was found susceptible to Fenitrothion 1% [100%] and Bendiocarb 0.1% [100%], and possibly resistance to DDT 4% [92.3%], Malathion 5% [83.2%] and permethrin 0 75% [95.1%]. The correlation between the abundances of adult density and larval density were found sign4ficantly in each year [2002 -2005]. Routine surveys for mosquito should be an ongoing function of every mosquito control programme. Entomological surveys aimed to monitor vector density, vector susceptibility to insecticides and to evaluate malaria control programme

clinical value of assaying circulating maternal serum inhibin A and activin A levels in preeclampsia

Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of measuring circulating levels of maternal serum inhibin A and activin A in preeclamptic pregnant women in the third trimester for the assessment of the severity of preeclampsia and to correlate their levels to fetal outcome

Patients and Methods: Ninety women primigravidas in the third trimester [30-40 w] were selected. They comprised thirty normal pregnant women [controls], 30 mild preeclamptic and 30 severe preeclamptic groups. Maternal serum inhibin A and activin A levels were measured using specific enzyme linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]

Results: Serum inhibin A and activin A levels showed significant increase in the preeclamptic patients when compared to the control group. This increase was more pronounced in the severe preeclamptic patients. Significant positive correlation was found between both serum inhibin A and activin A levels and the birth weight in control group. On the other hand, signihcant negative correlation was found between both serum inhibin A and activin A levels and birth weight in mild and severe preeclamptic patients. In preeclamptic patient, it was found that serum inhibin A at a cut off level of 105 pg/ml showed sensitivity of 66.67%, specificity of 80%, positive predictive value of 76.92% and a negative predictive value of 70.59% with an accuracy of 73.33%. 0n the other hand, serum activin A at a cut off level of 20 ng/ml showed corresponding value of 90%, 70%, 75% 87.5%, respectively with an accuracy of 80%

Conclusion: Serum inhibin A and activin A levels were well correlated with the severity of preeclampsia. Both parameters can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and assessment of the severity of preeclampsia as well as prediction of fetal outcome Preeclampsia

Fatal Organophosphate insecticide poisoning. Clinical, light and electron microscopic study

Six victims who were admitted to Alexandria Poison Center and died due tosevere poisoning by organophosphate insecticides were investigated. Victimswere clinically examined and antidotes were given [atropine and toxogonin]before death. Antemortem serum cholinesterase activity was also determined ineach case. After death, samples were taken from liver and different areas ofbrain [cerebral cortex, midbrain and cerebellum]. All samples were processedfor light and scanning electron microscopy by the controlled manual fracturingtechnique. Six cases who died from car accidents were taken ascontrols for both cholinesterase determination and microscopic study. Thestudy recommended the necessity of examining the different areas of brainmicroscopically, particularly midbrain and cerebellum in cases of suspecteddeath from organic phosphate poisoning. The study also recommended theimportance of taking liver samples not only in autopsy cases but also frompersons exposed repeatedly to organic phosphate insecticides to indicate theextent of toxic effect of the insecticide itself as well as the organic solvent in which the insecticide is dissolved

Sequelae of surgical repair of myelomeningocele

This study included 42 cases of lumbosacral meningomyelocele, treated surgically in the neurosurgical department in Assiut University Hospital through a period of 1 year. All patients in this series were evaluated as regards the age of presentation, extent of malformation, neurological deficits, as well as the mortality and morbidty of surgical intervention and the neurological status after surgical repair

Fibreoptic colonoscopic study of diabetic patients with lower gastro-intestinal disturbances

Fifteen patients with long standing diabetes mellitus with clinical manifestations of autonomic neuropathy and 10 without autoncmic neuropathy. All of them were complaining of lower gastrointestinal symptoms. Patients with parasitic infestation were excluded. Barium enema and fibreoptic colonoscopic examination with biopsies taken for histopathology and histochemical study were done. Results revealed constipation in 80%, diabetic diarrhea in 60%, irregular bowel habit in 40% and faecal incontinence in 20% of patients with autonomic disturbances radiological results showed spastic descending colon with loss of haustration in 30% of cases. Endoscopically, the lumen of descending colon was narrow and spastic in 50% who complained of constipation and irregular bowel habit. Oilated in 10% who had diabetic diarrhea. Hyperaemic mucosa and increased vascular pattern in 80%. Mainly in patients with diarrhea while erosion and bleeding on touch occurred only in 10% of cases. Fine granulations of mucosa up to the sigmoid were found in 30%. The histopathological pattern of nonspecific colitis. Congestion, different degree of cellular infiltrations - in 60% and superficial ulceration in 10%. Histochemical study showed increased activity of acid phosphatase enzyme in patients with erosions and hyperaemic congested mucosa. There was an observed relation between the degree of autonomic disturbances and the severity but not the duration of gastrointestinal symptoms, this may be attributed to disturbed colonic motor functions and susceptibility of diabetics to infection