Common laboratory abnormality in malaria seen in the Asir region, south western saudi arabia

The results of laboratory investigation of 334 patients with confirmed malaria seen in the Asir region of south western Saudi Arabia were studied retrospectively Three hundred and two cases were due to P. falciparum malaria and the other 32 were P. vivax malaria. Anaemia, and relative lymphocytosis were more commonly seen in patients with P falciparum than those with P. vivax malaria while relative neutrophilia was seen more in those with P. vivax. Thrombocytopenia tended to occur equally in both types of malaria. P falciparum malaria resulted in higher ESR and reticulocytosis count but the difference was not significant. The liver function tests were abnormal in both types with hypoalbuminaemia in patients with P falciparum malaria. Mean bilirubin levels were higher in P vivax malaria, but abnormally higher levels were not significantly different between the two types after adjustment for age and sex. Mild elevation of liver enzymes, CPK and LDH occurred in both types of malaria. Renal dysfunction with hyponatraemia, hypokalaemia and albuminuria was found in both, possibly due to tubular dysfunction. Excess of urobilinogen in urine was seen in both types. Most of the abnormalities were transient and tended to normalize following therapy of malaria

logistic regression model to predict nodal malignancy among cases with lymphadenopathy

Peripheral lymphadenopathy can be caused by benign and malignant diseases. In this logistic regression model, we attempted to identify the clinical findings predicting high probability of nodal malignancy. Two hundred and twenty cases diagnosed by peripheral lymph node biopsy were studied. Of these, 164 had benign lymph node pathology, while the other 56 were malignant. The patients' medical charts were reviewed and a logistic regression model used to identify physical signs and simple investigations that will predict nodal malignancy. Hard lymph node consistency, negative Mantoux test and positive abdominal ultrasound [showing hepatosplenomegaly with or without lymphadenopathy] were found to correlate with a higher probability of nodal malignancy. A logistic regression model is proposed to calculate the probability of lymph node malignancy at different ages and both sexes in relation to lymph node consistency, Mantoux test and abdominal ultrasound results

No response to chloroquine therapy in a case of a Saudi falciparum malaria

An indigenously transmitted case of Falciparum malaria is reported in a Saudi patient that exhibited no clinical response to oral chloroquine therapy. The patient responded to Fansidar [Regestered]. The case highlights the possibility of appearance of chloroquine resistance in the South Western region of Saudi Arabia

Churg-Strauss Syndrome and desensitization therapy, a case report and brief review of literature

A 55 year old Saudi male with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis presented with a palpable purpuric skin rash, mononeuritis multiplex and marked eosinophilia developing during allergic desensitisation therapy. Based on the above finding a clinical diagnosis of Churg-Strauss Syndrome was made. The patient responded very well to steroids and cyclophosphamide. It has been postulated that repeated antigenic stimulation such as repeated injections of allergens during desensitisation therapy, drugs or parasitic infections may provoke systemic vasculitis in atopic individuals. In this article, we present the first reported case from Saudi Arabia with Churg-Strauss syndrome developing during desensitisation therapy. Until further proof, clinicians should be aware that allergic desensitisation therapy can rarely be complicated by Churg-Strauss Syndrome

Drug overdose in the Asir region of Saudi Arabia

Fifty-seven cases of drug overdose, seen in Asir Central Hospital, Abha, Saudi Arabia, during the period from 1989 to 1993 inclusive were studied. The study has shown progressive increase in the number of parasuicides in recent years. Forty-six cases were diagnosed as self-induced drug overdose [parasuicide], while the remaining 11 were considered to be accidental overdose, mainly in children. The sociodemographic features of the sample showed that 89% of the parasuicide cases were among Saudis and that 77% of them occurred in females. Their average age was 23.9 +/- 9.1 years and 95.6% of them were below the age of 40 years. The commonly used drugs were analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and tranquilizers or antidepressants. Psychiatric illnesses were diagnosed in 74.4% of cases of parasuicide, with depressive illnesses constituting 39.5% and personality disorders the remaining 34.9%. Possible reasons for the recent increase of parasuicide by drug ingestion were discussed and the rates were compared with studies from the Gulf region and Western countries

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Asir region, southern Saudi Arabia

Two hundred and four patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis presenting to the Leishmania Centre at Abha, in Asir region, Southern Saudi Arabia, over a period of one year, were studied. One hundred and seventy-four were Saudi nationals and the other 30 were non-Saudis. Ninety-four% of the patients were living in the highlands of Asir region. The majority of the Saudi patients [70.6%] were between the ages of 5-20 years. Expatriates tended to get the disease at a later age reflecting their lack of immunity to a disease which is endemic in this region but not common in their home countries. Commonly affected sites were the lips [31.7%], nose [22%], cheeks [22%] and forearms [17.1%]. Clustering of cases was found around 3 main regions in Asir. This information would help to evoke interest in the disease and to direct further epidemiological studies on the disease towards these regions. These measures would then maybe lead to the accurate measurement of the prevalence of the disease, and the identification of the vector and possible animal reservoir