Adverse health problems among municipality workers in Alexandria [Egypt]

Solid waste management has emerged as an important human and environmental health issue. Municipal solid waste workers [MSWWs] are potentially exposed to a variety of occupational biohazards and safety risks. The aim of this study was to describe health practices and safety measures adopted by workers in the main municipal company in Alexandria [Egypt] as well as the pattern of the encountered work related ill health. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2013. We interviewed and evaluated 346 workers serving in about 15 different solid waste management activities regarding personal hygiene, the practice of security and health care measures and the impact of solid waste management. Poor personal hygiene and self-care, inadequate protective and safety measures for potentially hazardous exposure were described. Impact of solid waste management on health of MSWWs entailed high prevalence of gastrointestinal, respiratory, skin and musculoskeletal morbidities. Occurrence of accidents and needle stick injuries amounted to 46.5% and 32.7% respectively. The risk of work related health disorders was notably higher among workers directly exposed to solid waste when compared by a group of low exposure potential particularly for diarrhea [odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.2-3.8], vomiting [OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.1-6.6], abdominal colic [OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1-3.2], dysentery [OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.3-10], dyspepsia [OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1-3], low back/sciatic pain [OR = 3.5, 95% CI = 1.8-7], tinnitus [OR = 6.2, 95% CI = 0.3-122] and needle stick injury [OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 2.1 5.5]. Workers exposed to solid waste exhibit significant increase in risk of ill health. Physician role and health education could be the key to assure the MSWWs health safety

Hepatitis B surface antigen in cimex lectularius

Bedbug [Cimex lectularius] samples adult and nymphs either engorged or starved from Central Security Forces sleeping wards, laboratory animal house and control samples from laboratory reared colonies were ground and subjected to ELISA test of hepatitis B surface antigen together with 276 serum samples from the recruits slept in those wards. In the camp 7 out of 30 samples of engorged adult bedbugs were positive to HB[s] Ag and 5 out of 30 sample of starved bedbugs were positive. Regarding nymphs 4 out of 30 engorged samples showed positive results. One of five samples of engorged adult bedbugs from the laboratory animal farm was positive. The control samples were negative. Serum samples of 276 recruits showed 3.6% positive results of HB[sAg]

Evaluation of the health status of fishermen of lake Maryout: 1 parasitic infections

This work was carried out at lake Maryout to study the prevalence of parasitic infections among fishermen. 395 cases were selected randomly, stool and urine samples collected and examined for different parasites. 100 sera from fishermen in different age groups were collected and examined for Toxoplasma gondii infection by IHT. The obtained results indicated that A. lumbricoides and S. mansoni were the most prevalent intestinal parasites among fishermen. As regards Toxoplasma gondii infection a high level of seropositivity was found in examined samples. Cats could play an important role in transmission

vaccination trial against vampirolepis Nana

In order to assess the protective antigen in the soluble material extracted from the whole adult mature worms of Vampirolepis nana, forty mice were used in this study. They were divided into three groups. Group I [15 mice] vaccinated with single oral dose antigen of 200 micro g protein/15 grams body weight. Group II [15 mice] vaccinated with double dose each 100 micro g protein/15 grams body weight. The interval between the primary and secondary administration of antigen was 10 days. Group III represents the comparative control group. All mice of the three groups were inoculated orally with 1000 V. nana eggs/mouse suspended in 0.1 ml normal saline. Group I was inoculated by the infective dose 10 days post vaccination. Group II was inoculated 10 days from the second dose of vaccination. The obtained results revealed the presence of protective antigen in the extracted material and the higher dose was more immunogenic. It manifested itself in the form of significantly decreased number of adult and mature worms and significantly elevated eosinophilic count

Occurrence rate of skin disorders in a sample of recruits in Alexandria

Dermatologic examination of one hundred recruits selected randomly from the central security forces in Alexandria was performed. Inspection of sleeping wards, toilets and bathrooms was also done to evaluate the hygienic conditions. The most common infectious disease detected in this group was scabies [44%] and followed by Phthirus pubis infestation [20%] Tinea cruris and Tinea versicolor was diagnosed in 14%. As regards non-infectious diseases 13% showed insect bites and prurigo of Hebra. Acne vulgaris was detected in 12%. Alopecia areata was present in three recruits. Lichen planus, pityriasis alba and solar elastosis were detected in 1%, 4% and 1%, respectively

Study of possible zoonotic parasites of domestic rats

One hundred and thirty rats of the species Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus were trapped. Liver, spleen intestinal contents and stool samples were examined for parasitic infection. Liver examination of rats showed 40% Capillaria hepatica infection and 16.9% showed Taenia taeniaeformis. As regards stool examination and intestinal contents, 70.8% of total rats showed S. obvelata. H. nana and H. diminute were infesting 13.8% of rats. Strongyloides ratti and Trichostrongylus spp. infested 4.6% and 7.7% of rats respectively. Protozoa were rarely infesting rats except Giardia lamblia which was found to infest 5.9% of R. norvegicus

study of the role of some rodent ecto and endoparasites as disease vectors

Indirect hemagglutination inhibition was done on serum of 102 R. norvegicus and 28 R. rattus. The results were presented in details

Susceptibility of anopheles pharoensis to synthetic pyrethroids compared with an insect growth regulation

Three synthetic pyrethroids and an insect growth regulator [IGR] were evaluated against larvae and pupae of An.pharoensis. Of all compounds tested the decamethrin was the most effective. An.pharoensis were more susceptible at LC[90] level to the synthetic pyrethroids than to IGR Altosid SR-10. LC[90] values for decamethrin, permethrin, fenvalerate and Altosid against larvae were 0.03 - 2.40 - 7.90 and 9.4 ppb respectively. LC[90] values for these compounds against pupae were 0.4 - 4.8 - 12.8 and 13.3 ppb respectively

Effect of anti-mite measures in mite sensitive asthmatics

The present study was devoted to 20 patients with proved mite-sensitive asthma. The cases were randomly allocated into 2 groups, one of which carried out rigorous anti-mite measures. The amount of the dust was recorded, pulmonary function study was performed weekly for both groups for a period of 12 weeks. The final assessment was made by a chest consultant who was unaware of the allocation of each patient in the trial. No significant differences emerged in the progress of the 2 groups, [both of them tend to improve]. Measures designed to remove mites from bedding do not greatly benefit the majority of cases with mite sensitive asthma