ABSTRACT
The cyto-genetic hallmark of chronic myeloid leukaemia [CML], the Philadelphia chromosome [Ph], is the first consistent chromosomal abnormality that has been associated to a certain cancer type. In CML, Philadelphia chromosome is present leading to resistance to cell death and rapid proliferation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the different responses, toxicity and survival of Saudi CML patients to imatinib mesylate. All newly diagnosed CML patients who were treated with imatinib were included in this study. We investigated haematological, and molecular and cytogenetic responses by CBC, FISH and RT-PCR respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assayed using AUC and TUNEL respectively. Of the 12 cases, 9 [75%] were males and 3 [25%] were female. Four [33%] of the cases were diagnosed incidentally and 8 cases [67%] presented mainly with fatigue [75%], fever [58%], and splenomegaly [83%]. Signs of bleeding and rashes were rare at presentation. The majority of patients had low risk [8, 67%], and 33% had intermediate risk; but none of them had high risk CML. At the last follow up, 11 [92%] were in remissions. One patient [8%] was in remission after 3 years, 4 [33%] were in remission after 6 years, one was in remission after 7 years and 5 [42%] were in remission after 10 years. Only one patient had incomplete major molecular response [MMR] to imatinib after 12 years. The majority of the patients [10, 83%] were in MMR after 6 years and 42% of them were in MMR after 10 years of therapy. Adverse effects of imatinib were not reported by the patients. Imatinib treatment resulted in the reduction of proliferation and induction of apoptosis of CML CFU-GM cells. Imatinib mesylate is capable of treating Philadelphia chromosome-positive CP-CML without any adverse effects.
ABSTRACT
Tuberculosis [TB] infection represents a global health problem and a great risk to Health Care Workers [HCWs]. Identifying individuals, particularly HCWs with latent tuberculosis infection [LTBI] will support TB control through chemoprophylaxis and prevent cross-infection. This study aimed to identify prevalence of Latent TB among a two-year new hires of HCWs in 4 major tertiary care hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2650 recently [2-years] hired HCWs were surveyed for latent TB using Tuberculin Skin Test [TST]. Data was collected from January 2008 to December 2009. Induration due to TST equal to or more than 10 mm. within 48-72 hours was considered positive. The results of TST were correlated with other variables such as age group, gender, job category, country of origin. as an overall rate, 291[11%] out of 2650 were positive for TST, with the highest significant positive rates among physicians [14.9%] and nurses [12.9%] compared to students as a reference group. No statistically significant difference was detected between both sexes. The highest significant positive TST rates were found among HCWs in the age group of 50 years and older [32.6%] compared to 10-19 years age group as a reference group, and among HCWs coming from sub-Saharan countries [61.1%] compared to Saudi HCWs with the lowest positive rates [5%] as a reference group. LTB is prevalent among newly hired HCWs in Riyadh tertiary hospitals. Standard programs for detection and treatment of LTB should be encouraged