T lymphocyte activation profiles in peripheral blood of long- versus short-term residents of Kuwait: comparison with asthmatics

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>During the Arabian Gulf Wars of 1991 and 2003, the resident population of Kuwait sustained heavy exposure to environmental toxicants introduced by military activities. No comprehensive studies have been conducted to assess how exposure to the wartime and postwar environment may have altered the fundamental patterns of immune reactivity among Kuwaitis in ways that affect pathogenesis of disease. This present study addresses this issue by characterising immunological features of asthma and allergies in a Kuwaiti population that is unique and possibly correlates with toxicant exposures.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>Twenty-fi ve long-term residents of Kuwait afflicted with bronchial asthma concurrent with rhinitis; and 2 healthy control groups: 18 long-term residents and 10 newcomers to Kuwait were evaluated by 2- and 3-colour fl ow cytometry for peripheral blood T cell subpopulation frequencies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Relative to healthy, long-term residents, significantly elevated frequencies of all activated cell phenotypes were observed in the blood of the asthmatic group (P <0.05 to P <0.001), except for CD8+HLA-DR+ cells and a presumed T-regulatory (Treg) subpopulation: CD4+CD25(high). The asthmatic group was also observed to have larger populations of CD3+ (pan-T cells), CD4+ (T helper cells) and CD8+ (cytotoxic T cells), CD3+CD56 (NKT-like cells) and CD56+CD16+ (NK cells) compared to healthy long-term residents. Compared to healthy recent immigrants, the blood of long-term residents contained elevated levels of CD3+CD56+ (NK-like), CD4+CD45RA+/ CD45RO+ (Naive-to-Memory Transitional), but lower CD4+CD25+(high) (Treg) (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Elevated representation of natural killer (NKT)-like and memory phenotypes may predispose long-term residents towards enhanced susceptibility for airway disease; while at the same time, reducing representation of Treg cells which are protective against airway disease, and this may increase vulnerability to these syndromes among the residents of Kuwait. These results may provide insight into the features of immunopathogenesis of asthma and allergies in Kuwait that arise as a result of the special environment of the country.</p>

changing pharmacy profession and the development of the faculty of pharmancy at Kuwait university

The profession of pharmacy has a long history alongside medicine. However, it has undergone dramatic changes in the past century as pharmacists have taken on increasing responsibilities in patient care other than the traditional tasks of compounding and dispensing. In pharmaceutical care, the pharmacist is ideally involved in all decisions related to medicines for a patient, including monitoring of outcomes. The Faculty of Pharmacy at Kuwait University was established in 1996 to provide a local center for the training of professional pharmacists to international standards. The first intake graduated in 2002. The profession and other partners in health now need to ensure their skills are used to the full as members of the health care team thus improving the quality of patient care. There are challenges to be faced in planned evaluation and accreditation of the training program, development of postgraduate courses and organization and implementation of continuing professional development to maintain and improve the knowledge base of pharmacists in Kuwait