Mutation in katG315 is, possibly, a good prognostic marker for treatment with second-line drugs in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis: A preliminary study.

The aim of this study was to explore baseline data, laboratory and molecular analyses to determine if any could serve as potential prognostic marker(s) for treatment response to second line tuberculosis regimens. Of a total number of 50 multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients starting second-line drug MDR-TB treatment in Iraq, only 21 showed treatment adherence and thus, included in this study. Response to treatment was monitored for 11 months by sputum microscopy and culture. We explored baseline data, laboratory and molecular analyses to determine if any could serve as potential prognostic marker(s) for treatment response. Highly signifi cant association (P = 0.019) was detected between mutations in katG315 codon and good response to second-line anti-TB drugs. Spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit variable number tandem repeat confi rmed that katG315-mutatnt isolates were genotypically unrelated. The katG315 mutation is a potential prognostic marker for treatment response to second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs. One possible explanation of our results is that the katG315-mutants are sensitive to bacterial killing by “oxidative killing.”

Women and epilepsy: Sudanese experience

Epilepsy is equally prevalent in men and women. However, for women there are unique concerns related to hormone effects on seizures and the effects of seizures and antiepileptic drugs [AEDs] on reproductive health. Some AEDs reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptive agents, increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies. Seizure frequency may change during pregnancy, seizures may cause pregnancy complications, and the treatment of a woman with epilepsy must consider all these issues. To study the clinical presentation of epilepsy among adult Sudanese females and to verify aspects of epilepsy specific to women. This is a cross sectional descriptive non intervention clinical based study; it was carried out in Elshaab Teaching Hospital and El-shiekh Mohamed Kheir charity clinic, from February-2008 to June-2008. 630 female patients with epilepsy were included in the study. The study showed that 72% of the patients had generalized epilepsy and 28% had partial epilepsy, primary epilepsy is more common than secondary epilepsy, 54% of our patients had warning symptoms and 39.7% had triggering factors, irregular menstrual cycle was observed in 28%, 22% of our patients had catamenial seizures, 7.1% had increased frequency of seizures during pregnancy. Obstetric complications were common among our studied group. The incidence of infertility increased among our studied group. Women had differences in presentation and control of epilepsy that must be understood and considered when treating women with epilepsy

Women and epilepsy: Sudanese experience

Epilepsy is equally prevalent in men and women. However; for women there are unique concerns related to hormone effects on seizures and the effects of seizures and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) on reproductive health. Some AEDs reduce the efficacy of oral contraceptive agents; increasing the probability of unplanned pregnancies. Seizure frequency may change during pregnancy; seizures may cause pregnancy complications; and the treatment of a woman with epilepsy must consider all these issues. Objective: To study the clinical presentation of epilepsy among adult Sudanese females and to verify aspects of epilepsy specific to women. Methods: This is a cross sectional descriptive non intervention clinical based study; it was carried out in Elshaab Teaching Hospital and El-shiekh Mohamed Kheir charity clinic; from February-2008 to June- 2008. 630 female patients with epilepsy were included in the study. Results: The study showed that 72of the patients had generalized epilepsy and 28had partial epilepsy; primary epilepsy is more common than secondary epilepsy; 54of our patients had warning symptoms and 39.7had triggering factors; irregular menstrual cycle was observed in 28; 22of our patients had catamenial seizures; 7.1had increased frequency of seizures during pregnancy. Obstetric complications were common among our studied group. The incidence of infertility increased among our studied group. Conclusion: Women had differences in presentation and control of epilepsy that must be understood and considered when treating women with epilepsy

Clinical presentation of Parkinson's disease among sudanese patients

Parkinson Disease [PD] is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting motor system. It is a chronic progressive disorder leading to long standing disability. To study the clinical presentation of PD among Sudanese patients seen at Elshaab Teaching Hospital during the period from May 2004 - April 2008. In this descriptive prospective, cross sectional hospital based study, 94 patients were studied using standardized questionnaire including history and clinical examination. The total number diagnosed to have PD was 94 patients. Male to female ratio was found to bel .5:1. Common age group affected was 70-80 years [24.47%]. The common presenting symptom was found to be poverty of movement [93.6%] followed by tremor [82.9 8%]. On neurological examination; rigidity, dyskinesia and festinate gait were the common signs. Primitive reflexes were found in significant number of patients. Idiopathic PD was found to be the common type [75.53%]. Of the side effects of benzhexol, 66.67% of our patients developed dry mouth. Postural hypotension was seen in 10.42% of the patients who were taking levodopa. The clinical presentations of our patients does not differ from what was mentioned in the literature

study of knowledge, attitude, practice towards epilepsy among relative of epileptic patients in Khartoum state

People with epilepsy are suffering from a lot of un tolded negative impacts on their lives; due to misunderstanding of the disease and from the associated stigma. The objective of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice among relatives of Sudanese epileptic patients seen in Sheik Mohamed Kheir Neurological clinic and Elshaab Teaching Hospital. This is a descriptive cross- sectional community based study, 313 respondents were included, the duration of the study was from November 2008 to June 2009. Most of the respondents knew the disease, and had witnessed an attack. One third mentioned a brain lesion as the underlying cause of epilepsy. Most of the respondents mentioned loss of consciousness as the major symptom. More than two thirds mentioned that it is not contagious. Most of the respondents claimed that it can be controlled, and two thirds preferred medical treatment. The study revealed that half of the respondents had shown favourable attitudes and practice. The study revealed that the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards epilepsy needs community educational programmes to fill the gaps, and minimize the stigma

Gastrointestinal Helminth Parasites of the fish Synodontis clarias (Siluriformes: Mochokidae) from Lekki lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria

A total of 362 specimens of the fish Synodontis clarias were randomly selected and subjected to parasitological examination for helminth parasites. They were collected over a period of one year from Lekki lagoon, Lagos, Nigeria. The prevalence of gastrointestinal infection was 38.7%. The helminth worms found include two cestodes, Proteocephalus spp., Wenyonia acuminata, and a nematode species, Raphidascaroides. Male specimens (196) presented a higher rate of infection (37.8%) than female specimens (166) which showed a rate of 23.5%. The overall worm burden was high (678) and it was independent of fish sex and fish size. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (4): 2021-2026. Epub 2008 December 12.

Se muestrearon aleatoriamente un total de 362 especímenes de Synodontis clarias, los cuales fueron sometidos a análisis parasitológicos. Los especimenes fueron recolectados durante un período de un año del lago Lekki, Nigeria. La existencia de infecciones gastrointestinales fue de un 38.7% del total de especímenes examinados, lo cual representó 114 especímenes infectados con parásitos helmintos. Los gusanos helmintos encontrados incluyen dos céstodos, especies de Proteocephalus, Wenyonia acuminata, y una especie de nemátodo, Raphidascaroides sp. Los especímenes machos (196) presentaron una tasa de infección mayor (37.8%) que la presentada por hembras (23.5%). La cantidad total de gusanos parásitos fue alta (678) y fue independiente del sexo y la talla del pez.

Prevalence of Diabetes in a Semi-Urban Community in Northern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a growing public health problem both in developing and developed nations. The prevalence of diabetes globally is projected to rise from 2.8in 2000 to 4.4in 2030.This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of diabetes in Dakace village; near Zaria Method: This study was part of a larger study to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among adults in Dakace village; near Zaria. Out of a total of 492 eligible respondents for the study; a subsample of 199 persons was recruited using a systematic sampling technique had their fasting blood glucose levels determined. Body mass indices of the participants were also determined. Results: A total of 199 subjects (94 males and 105 females) participated in this segment of the study. Three subjects had fasting blood glucose (FBG) of more than 7.0mmol/L; one participant a previously known diabetic on medication had a good glycaemic control. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 2.0.Five participants (2.5) had impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Among the diabetics; one was overweight (BMI= 27.43Kg/m2) and one was obese (BMI=31.55Kg/m2); while among those with impaired fasting glucose two were overweight. Fortythree subjects (21.6) were overweight and 15 (7.5) were obese. Conclusion: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus in this semi-urban community is keeping with what had been reported earlier from across the country

Lipid profile and the effect of some metabolic hormones on diabetic elderlies

Physiological systems have substantial reserves in younger individuals to maintain the vital activities of the body. The process of aging and intercurrent pathologic process gradually eliminates these reserves. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is age related. Because elderly patients with diabetes are living longer and are likely to use increasing amount of scarce health care resources in the next several decades, diabetes in age adults may ultimately prove to be the most important epidemic of the 21st century. The aim of this study is to investigate the interrelation between diabetes and some metabolic hormones in elderly people in order to improve status of patients with various metabolic defects of diabetes, because elderly patients with diabetes use almost twice as many inpatients and outpatients resources as elderly people without diabetes. This study was performed on 51 elderly subjects. Hormones studied included serum T3, T4 and cortisol. Other biochemical parameters included lipid profile and glucose. Results revealed increased prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, as well as increased levels of serum triglycerides in diabetic elderly than in normals. T3 and T4 showed values in patients less than in the control group, while cortisol appeared to be higher in the former. Furthermore nutritional recommendations for healthy lifestyle for elderly type 2 diabetes are very important because many persons with type 2 diabetes are overweight and insulin resistant medical nutrition therapy should emphasize lifestyle changes that result in reduced energy intake and increases expenditure through physical activity

Effect of immobilization on nerve conduction

Electrophysiological examination of the nerves in the immobilized [after linear, simple and closed fractures] disclosed an ample information regarding functional status of the nerves. Thirty nine patients [9 females and 30 males], having one upper limb immobilized by plaster of Paris were subjected in the study for measurement of motor and sensory conduction velocities of median and ulnar nerves. The conduction velocities were in both nerves. The distal motor latency of median and ulnar nerves was prolonged in immobilized limbs. These Findings showed clearly that immobilizatiaon produced neuropathic changes of variable degrees which need to be watched so that more serious disorders could be avoided

Autonomic dysfunction in thallotoxicosis

The diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy is not difficult but knowing the cause of peripheral neuropathy is a difficult problem. This, authors had classified peripheral neuropathy into motor, sensory, monouritis multiplex or mixed neuropathy with or without autonomic nervous system involvement. Painful sensory neuropathy with autonomic nervous system involvement is mostly due to diabetes mellitus, amyloidosis, toxins like thallium and neuropathy associated with malignancies. Nine patients diagnosed clinically and by measurement of urine and plasma levels of thallium as thallium poisoning were undergone a full noninvasive autonomic function tests. The study showed that autonomic dysfunction was present in all cases and the parasympathetic nervous system was more vulnerable to be involved than the sympathetic nervous system