ABSTRACT
Background: Mycoplasmapneumonia is a cause of community-acquired pneumonia. The disease usually is of a gradual onset, with almost equal gender distribution between male and female
Objective: Assessment of the clinical, radiological and laboratory characteristics of mycoplasma pneumonia in Baghdad teaching hospital
Materials and Methods: 30 patients were collected from Baghdad teaching hospital between 1[st] of November 2003 till 30[th] of October 2004 having pneumonia with positive cold agglutinin titer. They were studied regarding their clinical presentation and features including seasonal incidence, radiological assessment, and testing blood for cold agglutinin titer
Results: The study showed almost equal gender distribution [14 patients were male and 16 patients were female], with ratio of male: female equal to 1:1.1. The most common symptoms were dry cough76.7%, headache [6.77%] and fever [70%]. Other symptoms are less frequent. Seasonal variation showing more incidence during spring time. Radiological finding showed patchy infiltration in 18 patient [60%], lobar consolidation in 7 patient [23.3%], and pleural effusion in 4 patient [13.3%]
Conclusion: There is almost equal gender distribution between male and female. The most common symptom was dry cough, headache, while fever is more common in old age groups than other age groups
ABSTRACT
Two groups of patients with malignant diseases [each 50 patients] were compared regarding the effect of radiotherapy on taste sensation and its impact on the nutritional status of the patients. Only one group had been subjected to deep X-ray therapy [DXT]. Both groups were asked specifically about their appreciation to various food items and tested physically by the four primary tastes. The study showed a general reduction in the appreciation of various food items and primary taste following radiotherapy. In coclusion, a specific food intake advice should be offered to patients with DXT to achieve a reasonable nutritional status