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Background:Changes in blood cell profile were common findings in malaria. In the rural community of Kano State, Nigeria, information on haematological changes in human malaria was scanty in spite of their role in the pathophysiology of malaria. This cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine blood cell profiles in malaria patients attending a rural hospital in malaria-endemic region.Methods:Blood samples (3ml each) were collected in EDTA-containers from 150 randomly selected outpatients attending Gaya General Hospital, screened for malaria using RDT kit (CareStart Malaria HRP 2, Access Bio Inc., USA) based on Histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP-2), and blood cell profiles determined using automated Sysmex haematologic analyser. Data on socio-demographics and medical history related to the study objectives, such as taking antimalarial regimen and/or haematinic, and direct involvement in blood transfusion, were obtained by questionnaire administration supplemented with oral interview Findings:The study revealed amalaria prevalence of 67.33%, with highest in 11-20years (80.95%) and lowest (55.00%) in 1-10years age-groups; slightly higher in females (68.25%) than in males (66.67%) without significant difference (P<0.05). For blood parameters, malaria positive patients have a significantly lower mean PCV of 32.2% as compared to 38.18% obtained for malaria negative patients (P<0.05). The mean Hb was 10.76±2.27g/dL and 12.65±2.38g/dL (P<0.05), while WBC revealed 6.91×109/L and 6.56×109/L in malaria positive and negative patients, respectively. Platelet counts recorded 179.24×109/L and 230.47×109/L (P<0.05). Socio-demographic factors such as level of education, occupation and marital status did not significantly influence malaria prevalence. Interpretation:Low PCV and Hb in malaria patients indicate mild anaemia due to malaria-related haemolysis. The occurrence of thrombocytopenia may be due to other underlying pathology as further studies with larger sample size are needed to ascertain the cause of low platelet counts in malaria patients in the study area
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Objectives of the Study:An Epidemiological Research, a cross-sectional study, was conducted to determine the magnitude of human contamination of irrigation canal perimeter as it relates to the prevalence and intensity of schistosome cercarial infection in snail vectors.Place and Duration of Study:The study was conducted along water canal located within an irrigation area, Kano River Project Phase I, Kadawa, between January and June, 2012.Methodology:The study area was categorized into Zone of Heavy Contamination (ZHC), Zoneof Light Contamination (ZLC) and Zone of Free Contamination (ZFC) based on the density of faecal lumps observed along the canal perimeter using 1m2quadrat sampling technique. Snail vectors of schistosomiasis were collected from these zones, identified and subjected to cercarial shedding. Brevifurcate apharyngeate cercariae were identified as schistosome cercariae.Results:Of the 827 snails collected 28.54% shed schistosome cercariae. The breakdown of infection prevalence was 31.37%, 27.69% and 26.26% for ZHC, ZLC and ZFC respectively. Three snail species recovered in the study area, Bulinus globosus, B. rohlfsi and Biomphalaria pfeifferi had infection intensity of 8.6, 5.67 and 3.94 respectively, with total mean intensity of 4.67. A Chi-squared analysis did not show any significant difference in infection prevalence in the three zones (χ2cal.0.025, χ22, 0.05= 5.99). However, infection intensity was significantly different in the three zones and among the three snail species using analysis of variance (P<0.05). Conclusion:Human environmental contamination with faeces and urine around irrigation canals remains the source of infection to snail hosts and then to humans. It is presumed that contact control through avoidance of defaecation in the open and building of pit latrines near water contact points along irrigation canals will be effective means of drawing a barrier to infection with schistosomes in the study area
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To evaluate the influence of parenteral nutrition and glutamine on nutritional status and prognosis of surgical critically ill patients. 32 cases were treated by parenteral nutrition plus alanyl-glutamine injection. The differences in liver function, weight and nutritional status were compared between, before and after medication. Patients were either cured or relieved, and no complication including infection appeared. Total protein. Albumin, ferrohemoglobin and weight increased after medication, respectively. The use of parenteral nutrition plus glutamine is beneficial for ameliorating malnutrition and negative nitrogen balance caused by hypermetabolism, inhibiting bacterial translocation, preventing the complication, and increasing healing rate of disease
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In the setting of Liver Transplantation as a new and emerging specialty in Pakistan the need has arisen for exact descriptions of the hepatic vascularization to avoid iatrogenic vascular damage. Exact knowledge of the arterial anatomy is required to plan the best resection as well as to minimize the risks of donor morbidity. We studied variations of extrahepatic arterial anatomy in forty six patients who underwent major hepatobiliary or pancreatic resections with complete exposure and/or skeletonization of the extrahepatic arterial anatomy. The extrahepatic arterial anatomy in twelve cadaveric dissections was also studied. The commonest arterial variant seen in our series was Type 1 i.e. 91.37% . The prevalence of anatomical variants was 8.63% . Knowledge of the variation in the hepatic arterial anatomy will help us in planning and performing the safe procurement of grafts from living donors with less risk of serious ischemic complications
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To document experience of managing patients with hepatic trauma. This study was conducted in Surgical [A] unit, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar from August 2003 to September 2005. It was a descriptive study and all the patients were operated in emergency department. A total of 364 trauma patients were received and among those 48 patients had liver trauma. 75% of patients had penetrating and 25% blunt trauma. Most of the patients had grade III liver injuries. There were no grade V and VI injury. Repair with perihepatic packing for liver injuries remained the most frequently performed procedure [41% of patients]. In a stable patient blunt trauma liver can be managed conservatively by serial examinations and investigations with emergency laparotomy facilities at hand. Perihepatic packing and damage control surgery is the valuable procedure at hand. Increasing grades of liver injuries leads to increasing morbidity and mortality
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To estimate the prevalence of anxiety, depression and their associated risk factors among students of a public medical college in Karachi, Pakistan, A cross sectional study was done on the students of a public sector, who had spent more than six months in the medical college and had no physical or mental illness other than anxiety and depression. A self administered questionnaire was given out to students who were randomly selected from the list of names obtained from the college administration. Primary outcome was anxiety and depression which was defined as a cut of score 19 or above on AKUADS. Multivariable models were built and logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the factors independently associated with the primary. The mean [SD] age of the students was 21.3 [1.88] years. Majority of the students were females. A very high prevalence of anxiety and depression [70%] was found among students. Students using substance abuse, having family history of depression and anxiety and those who had lost a relative in last 1 year were 2.66, 2.35, 3.4 times more likely to be depressed and suffered from anxiety, respectively. This study suggests that there are certain risk factors other than academic stressors which predispose a medical student to psychological morbidity such as anxiety and depression