Clinical and biochemical profile of alcohol users in Basra

All psychiatric and general medical male patients referred to 2 hospitals in Basra, Iraq from September 2000 to April 200l were screened using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. A total of 189 men were identified as having alcohol-related problems. The majority were aged 30-49 years, and two-thirds had drunk alcohol for over 10 years. About 53% of patients exceeded 1 bottle [750 mL] of spirits daily, and 14.8% reported morning drinking. Elevation of liver enzymes, hepatomegaly, jaundice and cirrhosis were identified in 46.0%. Liver cirrhosis was more common in patients drinking locally made arak. Many of the patients suffered psychiatric disorders, including anxiety disorders, depression and suicide attempts, and 80.9% took other psychoactive drugs

Toxoplasma antibodies in clinically suspected cases of Toxoplasmosis

107 cases, 35 males and 72 females aging from 3 months to 32 years old were divided into 4 groups [ocular, neurological, cases with abortion and cases having Down's syndrome]. 47 apparently healthy individuals were taken as controls. All were serologically tested for toxoplasma antibodies using IFAT and ELISA for detection of IgG. The positive cases as well as cases below one year old were tested by ELISA IgM for the detection of acute or congenital toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma antibodies [IgG] were found in 28 [26%] and 43 cases [40%] by IFAT and ELISA, respectively. ELISA IgM was positive in 12 [20%] out of 60 serum samples. 2 cases [11%] among 27 patients below one year old were positive. Statistical significance was reported concerning the positive cases in the ocular group as well as patients with abortions. Results revealed that ELISA is more sensitive and specific than IFAT