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Purpose@#Campylobacter species are currently the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. In Lebanon, Campylobacter infection occurrence is underdiagnosed owing to the lack of specific culture and rapid test kits, particularly among children. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, laboratory findings, and clinical characteristics of Campylobacter infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Lebanon. @*Methods@#We conducted a 6-month retrospective cohort study between January and June 2018, including 291 children aged between 1 month and 12 years, who were admitted to a tertiary healthcare center in South Lebanon. The medical files of the patients were reviewed to retrieve the required clinical information, including clinical and laboratory data. @*Results@#The prevalence of campylobacteriosis agents in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis is 12.02%. Patients infected with Campylobacter had more severe acute gastroenteritis than Campylobacter-negative patients and often presented with high-grade fever, diarrhea episodes more than six times per day, diarrhea lasting for more than five days, and dehydration. Indeed, children with high-grade fever (≥38.5°C) were five times more likely to test positive for Campylobacter than those with low-grade fever. In addition, the results showed a higher Vesikari score for the majority of Campylobacter-positive patients with severe acute gastroenteritis compared to a moderate profile for Campylobacter-negative patients. @*Conclusion@#The present study findings highlight that Campylobacter infection is frequent among children with acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, the detection of Campylobacter should be carried out for the diagnosis of human gastroenteritis in Lebanon, along with the detection of routine enteropathogens.
ABSTRACT
Purpose@#Campylobacter species are currently the most common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis. In Lebanon, Campylobacter infection occurrence is underdiagnosed owing to the lack of specific culture and rapid test kits, particularly among children. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, laboratory findings, and clinical characteristics of Campylobacter infection in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in South Lebanon. @*Methods@#We conducted a 6-month retrospective cohort study between January and June 2018, including 291 children aged between 1 month and 12 years, who were admitted to a tertiary healthcare center in South Lebanon. The medical files of the patients were reviewed to retrieve the required clinical information, including clinical and laboratory data. @*Results@#The prevalence of campylobacteriosis agents in pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis is 12.02%. Patients infected with Campylobacter had more severe acute gastroenteritis than Campylobacter-negative patients and often presented with high-grade fever, diarrhea episodes more than six times per day, diarrhea lasting for more than five days, and dehydration. Indeed, children with high-grade fever (≥38.5°C) were five times more likely to test positive for Campylobacter than those with low-grade fever. In addition, the results showed a higher Vesikari score for the majority of Campylobacter-positive patients with severe acute gastroenteritis compared to a moderate profile for Campylobacter-negative patients. @*Conclusion@#The present study findings highlight that Campylobacter infection is frequent among children with acute gastroenteritis. Therefore, the detection of Campylobacter should be carried out for the diagnosis of human gastroenteritis in Lebanon, along with the detection of routine enteropathogens.
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Aims: This study is done to identify factors affecting under five mortality in Dar Alsalam area, Khartoum.Study Design:This is a community based cross-sectional study.Place and Duration of Study:The study was carried out in block 25 in Dar Alsalam area in Khartoum State during March-April 2012.Methodology: A total of 240 women in reproductive age who had an experienceof child death were interviewed. The data was collected by semi-final medical students using structured questionnaire. Two stage cluster sampling was used to select the households. Data was summarized using descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify factors associated with under-five mortality.Results: Age of 156 (65%) of the deceased children was less than one year, while the age of 84 (35%) was between one and five years. The age of (25%) of the motherat the time of their child birth was below 18 years. The majority of the mothers (70.8%) were illiterate, 74.2% were working and 80% were married. Of the children 51.7 were males and for 74.2% of them the birth interval was less than 2 years. Only 16.7% were breast fed for more than two years while the rest (83.3%) were breast fed up to 2years. Only 34.2% of the deceased children had completed their vaccination, and 68.3% had been admitted to hospital more than once before death.Half of the families have piped water in their houses, in 75.8% of the houses there are pit latrines andin68.3% there is electricity supply. Logistic regression analysis identified incomplete vaccination, not employed mothers and having no latrines in the house as the factors related to the death of children between 1-5 years than those below one year.Conclusion: Under-five mortality in low socioeconomic areas is associated with Low family income, mother’s illiteracy, early marriage and absence of latrines in the houses.
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@#Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational problem. Only limited research is available about the impact of MSD on the active Calligraphers. Uncertainty remains about MSD prevalence and associated factors among Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by telephonic interviews using a structured questionnaire that consisted of the validated Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, socio-demographics and working characteristics. A total of 124 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The majority were men (96.8 %), worked for less than 10 hours/week (63.7%). The majority had musculoskeletal pain (59.7%) and about half of them worked for less than 15 years. The most commonly reported MSD was back pain (26.6%) followed by neck pain (21.0%) and shoulder pain (12.1%). In multiple logistic regression the significant predictors in the model were: not exercising (OR=7.1, 95% CI 2.6-19.2), age ≤40 (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.1- 7.3), worked for ≤20 years (OR=3.4, 95% CI 1.3 -9.1) and being a professional calligrapher (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.1 – 6.2). The total model is significant (p<0.001) and the adjusted r square= 0.37.MSDs among Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia is relatively high; further clinical assessment is needed. We recommend that health authority in Saudi Arabia should increase the awareness among calligraphers about MSDs and its prevention.
Subject(s)
Saudi ArabiaABSTRACT
Infection with HBV leads to a wide spectrum of liver injury. It ranges from acute self-limited infection and fulminant hepatitis to chronic hepatitis. To examine the prevalence of sero-epidemiologic markers of hepatitis B virus and to identify the risk factors of exposure to HBV among health care workers in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan; in 2004. The study was a cross sectional, facility-based study. It was conducted on stratified two-stage cluster sampling of 843 subjects. The study adopted multivariate statistical approach, using Multiple Discriminant Analysis [MDA] and some non-parametric tests. Infection rate measured by Anti-HB core, carrier rate measured by HBs Ag, and a profile of high infectivity rate measured by HBe Ag was found to be high; while immunity rate measured by Anti-HBs was found to be low. Needle stick injury, contaminated sharp instruments injury and exposure to blood are the most significant occupational variables related to infection rate of HBV. Contaminated sharp instruments injury and exposure to blood, are the most significant occupational variables related to carrier rate. Date of needle stick injury, incidence and date of contaminated sharp instruments injury, incidence and date of exposure to blood have significant relation to immunity rate against HBV infection. The prevalence rate of HBV markers among HCWs in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State, Sudan, differs according to occupational hazard factors. With the exception of the HBeAg, seroprevalence of all HBV markers was found to be significantly correlated with occupational hazards [P<0.05]
ABSTRACT
Background:Infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) can lead to a range of clinical illnesses. Hepatitisis a general term meaning inflammation of the liver and the most common cause is infection with a variety of different viruses. All of these can cause an acute disease and symptoms lasting several weeks includingyellowing of the skin and eyes; dark urine; extreme fatigue; nausea; vomiting and abdominal pain.Aim:This study examined the prevalence of sero-epidemiologic markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV)among health care workers (HCWs) in Public Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum State; in the year 2004. Itattempted to determine the relation of the past medical history of blood transfusion; surgical operation;vaccination against HBV; cutter scar and tattoo with HBV infection among HCWs.Method:The study is anobservational; cross sectional; facility-based study. It was conducted on stratified two-stage cluster randomsample of 843 subjects. The study followed multivariate analytical techniques; using Multiple DiscriminantAnalysis (MDA); and some non-parametric tests using Chi-square test results:Among the 843 subjectstested for all HBV markers (Anti-HBc; HBsAg; HBsAb; and HBeAg); the prevalence of Anti-HBc; HBsAg;HBsAb; and HBeAg was found to be 57 (CI95:53-60); 6 (CI95:4.0-8.0); 37 (CI95:34-40) and 9 (CI95:7-11) respectively. The prevalence rate differs according to past medical historyfactors. Significant association of past medical history factors was found with seroprevalence of HBsAgmarkers (P0.05). No significant association was found with any of the past medical history factors forseroprevalence of Anti-HBc and HBeAg and HBsAb markers (P0.05).Conclusion:Tattooing and itsduration had shown significant result with HBsAg
Subject(s)
General Surgery , Health Personnel , Medical History Taking , Tattooing , VaccinationSubject(s)
Humans , Female , Adult , Patient Care , Death , Needs Assessment , Pain, Intractable , Neoplasms/mortalityABSTRACT
The efficacy of treating encysted metacercariae [EMC] of Fasciola gigantica with different concentrations [conc] of acetic acid, citric acid, cetrimide, potassium permanganate and sodium hydroxide, for 15 and 30 minutes was evaluated. The efficacy of these chemicals on the vitality and infectivity of the EMC was evaluated by the development of fascioliasis infection, and the histopathological changes in the livers of experimentally infected Albino rabbits. The results showed that 1% sodium hydroxide had a lethal effect on EMC, 10% to 40% potassium permanganate destroyed the infectivity power of EMC, and acetic acid gave an adverse effect on the EMC in cone, more than 2.5%. But, neither citric acid nor cetrimide affected the vitality or infectivity of EMC and all rabbits acquired fascioliasis
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Cysts , Acetates , Citric Acid , Sodium Hydroxide , Potassium Permanganate , Anti-Infective Agents, Local , Rabbits , FasciolaABSTRACT
This work was done to investigate the role of the liver and spleen in the body defense mechanism. Thirty male albino rats were prepared and divided into three groups. The first group was considered as a sham-operated group, the second group was subjected for a partial hepatectomy, and the third group was subjected for partial hepatectomy plus splenectomy. After one week and three weeks postoperatively blood samples were taken from the retroorbital vein and analyzed for total and differential leucocyytic counts and for serum g-globulin level. The results showed that, there is a significant depression in total and differential leucocytic counts and a significant elevation in serum g-globulin level after one week and after three weeks, with significant improvment in lymphocytic count and in gamma globulin level after the third weak. Spleenectomy in the third group worsen the condition and showed a significant depression in leucocytic count without a significant elevation of gamma globulin level that appeared in the second group. These results clarify the role of both liver and spleen in body defense mechanism and in protection against bacterial infection. Also, suggest to reserve the splenic tissue if it is possible and advise for subtotal splenectomy or for splenic tissue transplantation
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Splenectomy/adverse effects , Leukocyte Count/blood , /blood , RatsABSTRACT
The role of Ca++ was evaluated on the heart rate during acute ischaemia and reperfusion of isolated heart of rabbits. Myocardial ischaemia was produced by induction of global ischaemia for 15 minutes followed by reperfusion for 360 minutes using physiological solution of normal, low, and high Ca++ concentrations. Perfusion of non ischaemic myocardium with physiological solution of different Ca++ ion containing high or low Ca++ concentration resulted in a non significant increase or decrease in heart rate respectively. Addition of verapamil [Ca++ channel blocker, CCB] to these physiological solutions resulted in a non significant change in heart rate when compared with the effect of physiological solution containing normal Ca++ concentration. Reperfusion of ischaemic myocardium after induction of global ischaemia by physiological solution containing normal Ca++ concentration resulted in significant tachycardia started immediately and continued for 4 hours. Also, reperfusion with physiological solution containing high Ca++ concentration resulted in significant tachycardia started immediately and continued for 2 hours, while reperfusion with physiological solution containing low Ca++ concentration resulted in a non significant change in heart rate. Addition of verapamil [CCB] to physiological solution containing either normal or low Ca++ concentration resulted in a significant bradycardiac effect, and this effect is delayed by using physiological solution containing high Ca++ concentration. From this work, it is clear that Ca++ may play a role as a cause of tachycardia during reperfusion of ischaemic myocardium. and the bradycardic effect of verapamil is not only due to its hypocalcemic effect. Also this effect of verapamil can be modified by using physio1ogica solutions of different Ca++ concentration, and indicates that Ca++ can share at least in part in the Pathophysiology of tachycardia during reperfusion ischaemic myocardium
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Myocardial Reperfusion , Calcium/blood , Calcium Channel Blockers , Verapamil , Rabbits , TachycardiaABSTRACT
The phagocytic activity of polymorphonulcer leukocytes was studied after Collection in different anticoagulants. The effect of storage in different anticoagulants and storage media was studied after 24,48 and 72 hr of collection Fivety one blood samples were taken from Mansoura University Hospital blood hank donors by phlebotomy into plastic bags using citrate phosphate dextrose [CPD], citFate Phosphate dextFose adenine[CPD-A] and heparin Then, stored under standard blood bank conditions in different storage media i.e. whole blood leukocyte-rich plasma and synthetic media [RPMI 1940 and Medium 199]. Granulocytes were separated and their phagocytic activity was assessed immediately after collection, then after 24, 48, and 72 hr of Storage. A comparative study was done between neutrophil phagocytic activity after storage in different anticoagulants and also between four different preservative media. The comparative study between anticoagulants showed that CPD and CPDA were superior to heparin As regards preservative media leukocyte rich plasma was the best medium
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Phagocytosis , Blood Donors , Blood Preservation , AnticoagulantsABSTRACT
This study was designed in order to assess the prevalence of HDV and its relation to B virus markers among blood recipients and to attempt to determine different risk factors. Our work was conducted in blood recipients of Mansoura University Hospital; they comprise 353 patients with history of blood transfusion. Thirty fine females with age ranged from 19 to 65 years [mean 34.9 years], and 314 males with age ranged from 13 to 73 years [mean 41.6 years]. Besides, 150 volunteer blood donors [controls] were randomly selected from blood bank, 93 males with age ranged from 14 to 57 years [mean 26.84] and 57 females with age ranged from 18 to 48 years [mean 26.6 years]. Hepatitis D Virus. Anti-HDV is significantly prevalent among HBsAg blood recipients [8 1.8%] as compared to controls [10%]. Significant increase in prevalence of anti-HDV [94.1%] were found among recipients with common use of glass syringes and history of jaundice. The majority of HDV infection [96.3%] was due to superinfection rather than coinfection. Combined HBV and HDV infection aggravated the course of the disease as evidenced from liver function tests even in the presence of anti HBe [a marker of good prognosis]. Study of different profiles of HBV can serve as useful guides to monitor infection or recovery, state of infectivity and prognostic significance. As a large number of blood recipients are capable of transmitting HBV [30.7%], all newly admitted patients to hospital should have tested to HBV markers [namely HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBs], so adequate steps can be taken to protect their contacts from infection. The high prevalence of anti-HDV among both blood donors and recipients is an indication that our locality is hyperendemic for HDV and I.V. injection is an important route of delta transmission among HBV carriers. HDV infection is a characteristic feature of patients with frequent history of jaundice which could represent the clinical expression of superinfection with delta agent in silent HBsAg carriers. Delta infection may cause severe illness despite serological markers of inactive HBV infection due to the cumulative effect of both viruses on the liver. So anti-HDV assay should be added to the battery of tests used to evaluate hepatitis patients