Glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase phenotypes in Bahrain: Quantitative analysis and electrophoretic characterization

To determine the prevalence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency and to define the phenotypes present in Bahrain. Quantitative determination of G6PD activity and electrophoretic characterization were done on cord blood samples collected from 100 Bahraini neonates. Severe G6PD deficiency was found in 29% of the study population. In 25 of those [18 males and 7 females], the enzyme activity was undetectable. When quantitative enzyme activity and electrophoretic mobility results were anlaysed six phenotypes of G6PD were identified

Cat scratch disease diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology

The diagnosis of cat scrath disease is frequently based on clinical grounds. The detection of antibodies to Rochalimaea henselae has recently been used as supporting evidence for the diagnosis of this condition. While specific fine needle aspiration cytology findings have been described in this infection, there is little emphasis on this diagnostic modality in the medical literature. In this report, a patient with typical manifestations of cat scratch disease is presented. The diagnosis was made by demonstrating characteristic cytological findings on fine needle aspiration material. It was further confirmed by the demonstration of elevated antibody titre to R. hensale in the patient's serum

Haemophilus influenzae infections

Haemophilus influenzae is a serious bacterial pathogen especially in infants and children. Adequate understanding of the organism, its properties and antibiotic susceptibility, and of the epidemiology of diseases caused by it would assist the physician in selecting the most appropriate approach to prevent and treat infections caused by this organism. Newly licensed antibiotics and vaccines will help in controlling infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae

Staphylococcal infections

Staphylococcus aureus is an important bacterial pathogen. Adequate knowledge of the basic bacterial characteristics including awareness of the various toxins produced by S. aureus is important in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the different manifestations of staphylococcal infections. Awareness of the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of clinical isolates of staphylococci, especially with the emergence of methicillin-resistant strains, is helpful to the physicians treating such infections. The characteristics of S. aureus, the pathogenesis and epidemiology, various clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of staphylococcal infections are included in this review