Study of cryptosporidium infection among children attending the pediatric hospital in Damascus

Objective: the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of cryptosporidium among children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Damascus

Methods: 146 stool samples were collected from children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Damascus. Children were aged under 5 years. The study was conducted during the period from August 2013 to December 2014. Information about date of the sample collection, age, gender, symptoms, history of medications and previous hospitalization was taken. Samples were examined visually and microscopically by wet mount. Fecal smears were prepared and stained by modified Zeihl-Neelsen technique to detect the presence of cryptosporidium oocysts

Results: six samples out of 146 were positive which results in 4.1% infection rate among children attending the Pediatric Hospital in Damascus city

Conclusions: our study showed that the prevalence of cryptosporidium among children is 4.1% which is considerable compared to other parasites. We suggest routine stool examination for cryptosporidium by modified Zeihl-Neelsen technique or other available methods and the necessary of improving the sewage system, providing better water resources and the importance of health education to reduce the infection

[Screening study of changes which have occurred in the prevalence of intestinal parasites species in Syria between 2006-2011]

The aim of the study was to evaluate the changes which have occurred in the prevalence of intestinal parasites species in Syria between 2006-2011. This study was carried on in seven cities in Syria on primary school students in the years 2006-2011. The number of student's fecal samples examined was 4152 from seven Syrian areas included: Damascus and its countryside, Idlib and countryside, countryside of Daraa, Kalamoon, Hama and countryside, countryside of Alraqa and countryside of Tartous. The results showed that there were 1290 stool samples with positive parasites [31.07%], 481 samples of them have pathogenic human's parasites [37.28%]. The pathogenic parasites which have been seen in this study according to their prevalence rate were as follows: Protozoa: Giardia lamblia 8.48%, Chilomastix mesnili 1.06%, Entamoeba histolytica 0.14%. Helminthes: Hymenolepis nana 1.20%, Enterobius vermicularis 0.43%, Strongyloides stercoralis 0.17%, Trichuris trichuria 0.05%, and Ascaris 0.05%. Where the non pathogenic parasite which have been seen in this study according to their prevalence rate were as follows: Blastocystis hominis 13.15%, Entamoeba coli 5.73% and Iodamoeba butschili 0.60%. It was observed that Giardia lamblia and Hymenolepis nana which regarded as pathogenic parasites were the most prevalent in Syria, bt the other types of parasites were very rare

[Diagnosis and treatment of demodectic belpharitis, the first case in Syria]

Demodex is an acarina parasite belongs to family of Tromidiformes, It is worm-like, with a length of 100-400 micron. There are many kind of Demodex affect on animals, and just two types infect humans and they are: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brives. This mite, living in the hair follicle, in sebaceous gland of human, on the face, nose, neck and lids. Its complete the whole lifecycle, which is approximately 15 days in hair follicle and it spreads via direct contact. Many researches have shown that Demodex is involved in many kinds of dermatitis especially acne rosacea, and a lot of cases have been diagnosed in our country, that were published in scientific journals. Recently, it has been reported that Demodex mites play an active role in the pathogenesis of Blepharitis. It has been suggested that this parasite cause acne, pityriasis folliculorum, papullo-pustular rosacea, granulomatous rosacea, inflammatory papule and folliculitis. This study is about a female case in twenty year old, explained of a huge dropping of her eyelashes, thick squamous in the base of eyelashes and oedema in the edge of the lids. The case was treated with metronidazole ointment and it is recovered within two months

[Study of the types of dermatophytes infections in damascus and its countrydis, and the importance of fungal culture in diagnosis]

This study aims to determine the prevalence of dermatophytes infection in Damascus and Damascus countryside and the importance of fungal culture in diagnosis. A 2 years prospective study was carried out in 893 clinically suspected patients who were consulted by dermatologists and referred to the laboratory for KOH test and cultures to detect dermatophytes or yeast forms in the following sites: scalp, skin, hands nails, and feet nails, during the period between 2004 and 2006. High rates of dermatophytes infections were recorded in Damascus. Direct examination and culture method showed high rates of positive results for scalp, skin, hand and feet nails [31.9%, 67.7%, 48.2% 55.2% respectively]. The results showed that the most prevalence species in Damascus and its country side in the scalp are Microsporum audouini and trichphyton tonsurans, while in skin are Trichophyton Rubrum and Candida, then Epidermophyton floccosum. Wherase the most prevalence species in hands nails are Candida and Trichophyton then Aspergillus, however in feet nails are Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophytoninterdigitalis, then Candia. Prevalence of dermatophytes infections in Damascus showed to be of high importance. The culture method of scalps specimens for fungal diagnosis showed not to be necessary, however culture for skins was important, and of a great important for hands and feet nails