Epidemiology of sexually transmitted diseases in Baghdad city/Iraq

From 35.305 person attended the Dermatology and Venereology Department of Medical City Teaching Hospital of Baghdad university College of Medicine. 292 patients were seen suffering from STDs and investigated by systematic manner during the period extending from 31 st October 1987 to 1st May 1988 with the aim of forming an idea about the epidermological features of the STDs in Iraq. The incidence of STDs among 35.305 persons was 0.82%. The male to female ratio of studied patients was 4:1, and the following diseases in decending percentages were diagnosed: Gonorrhoea 21.2% Syphilis 10.94% and Chancroid 1.36%. It has become evident that the above diseases were sexually transmitted diseases [major group]. The other diagnosed STDs in this study [in occasion STDs] are: Non-gonococcal urethritis accounted, for 18 5%, Scabies for 21.9%. Molluscum contgiostun for 10.27%, Pediculosis pubis for 6.84%, Condylomata acuminata for 2.73%, Candida for 2.7%, Herpes genitalia for 2.05% and Trichomoniasis for 1.36%.These last seven diagnosed sexually transmitted diseases were found to be sexually and non-sexually transmitted. Therefore they shall be called here minor group of sexually transmitted diseases Young age sex ignorance, repid increase in income rapid industrialization, tourism, immigration, uncontrolled prostitution and inadequate medical facilities are factors that led to the spread of these diseases

Immunoglobulin level and the value of IFAT test in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis

A group of 58 patients complaining from cutaneous leishmaniasis attended the Dermatology Department of the College of Medicine of Baghdad University were studied through a period from Nov. 1988 -, June, 1989 to detect the level of immunolglobulins and to interpret the value of immuno flourescent antibody test [IFA]: in the diagnosis of cutancous leishmaniasis. No significant changes in the level of immunoglobulins were found. Concerning the IFA test, it was found that it was one of the good laboratory methods; which may help the diagnosis of -cutaneous leishmaniasis. Its high positivity was especially related to the number of the lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis [in 3-6 lesions the positivity was up to 81.8%] and the duration of the infection [in 3-5 months of duration 87.5% positive]. This started to decline after 5 months. Comparing the results of IFA lest to that of stained smear and cultures. It was found that IFA test showed the highest positivity [68.2%, 48%, 48% respectively]

Kimora disease [angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia]

Kimora disease is one of the rarely encountered skin disorders which was first described by kimora in [1969] as a nodular angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia. Wills and Whimster [1969] reoprted few cases of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia as the same disease. It was suggested by Lie et al, and accepted by Wilson Jones that kimora disease and temporal arteritis are the same disease. Wilson Jones and Bleehan presented many cases of small angiomatous nodules, showing proliferated blood vessels and numerous eosinophils, designated as Pseudogenic granulomas, which were considered to belong to Kimora Recently Mui PK et al [1989] denied the identity of angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia and reported the name of Kimora lymphadcnopathy which considered as a disease with good prognosis. All the reported cases were from Japan and Europe and no specific drug was used for it. This is the first report from Arab countries [Fig.4] which was improved by using methotrexate with predinsoplone

Dermatomycosis in Iraq

A group of 1048 patients of different ages and sexes selected from the Dermatology Department of the College of Medicine in Baghdad University and from the Central Laboratory-Mycology Division of the Ministry of Health, were investigated a systematic manner to isolate causative organisms, and to observe the influence of sex and age on these causative dermatomycoses. Candida albicans [24.04%], Trichophyton mentagrophytes [21.75%], Epidermophyton floccusum [15.64%] Microsporum canis [10.66%], Trichophyton tonsurans [4.96%], T rubrum [4.58%], Aspergillus niger [4.58%], Asp. fume gatus [4.58%], T. verrucosum [3.43%], Alternari [2.67%], T. Schonlieni [1 14%], and M. gypsium [0.76%], were the main isolated species with higher incidence in the skin of males, with male to female ratio of 7. 1/6. Tinea capitis was the predominating fungal disease [268 patients] and was more common in male children, Microsporum canis [31.34%] constitutes the dominant cause of Tinea capitis in the present work. Infection of the palms [T. manus] was the least diagnosed fungal infection in this study, affecting 68 persons only, if Alternari is neglected because its pathogenecity on the skin is stiff questioned. Trichopyton rubrum [17.74%] was the main isolated organism from this clinical entity. Concerning the nails, Tinea ungum was diagnosed more in female adults, and Candida albicans [38.46%], and Trichophyton mentagrophytes [32.69%] respectively were the main isolated organisms from the infected nails