prospective study on parasites among expatriate workers in Al-Baha from 2009-2011, Saudi Arabia

AI-Baha is an area with large influx of expatriate workers in Saudi Arabia. This study was carried out from October 2009 to January 2011 on expatriate workers [2000] to determine the prevalence of parasitosis. Urine and stool samples were collected and specifically examined. The results showed that 1079 [53.95%] were infected with one or up to ten parasitic species. Trichuris trichiura had the highest prevalence 190 [17.6%]. Other helminthes were Ascaris lumbricoides 179 [16.58%], Ancylostoma duodenal 163 [15.10%], Hymenolepis nana 120 [11.12%], Taenia saginata 119 [11.02%], Strongyloides stercoralis 28 [2.59], Enterobius vermicularis 16[1.48%], and Schistosoma mansoni 4 [0.37%]. Protozoan parasites were Giardia lamblia 152 [14.09%] and Enta-moeba histolytica 108[10.0%] Besides, Fasciola species was detected in an Egyptian worker and Dicrocelium den-driticum in one Syrian worker. Parasitic infections were higher among Indonesian people 447 [41.42%] followed by Indian 247 [22.89%], Bangladeshis 118 [10.93%], Philippines 96 [8.89%], Pakistani 94 [9.71%], Seri-Lankan 55 [5.09%] and lastly Egyptian and Syrian 22 [2.03%] workers. The occupational imperatives, beliefs and general life style were contributing factors to the prevalence of parasites among the workers in AI-Baha

[Inflamatory heart diseases in childhood lebanese epidemiological study]

To study the frequency, prevalence, clinical presentation, management and out come of inflammatory heart diseases [IHD] in Lebanese children. Prospective survey of a group of children carriers [or at high risk] of an IHD [n: 156] recorded over a period of six years, between May 1[st], 1999, and April 30[th], 2005, at the National Register of Paediatric and Congential Heart Disease, Lebanese Society of Cardiology. The diagnosis was confirmed in all cases by echocardiography. Cases related to cardiac surgery were excluded. Acute rheumatic fever [ARF] is the most frequent pathology: 35.9%, followed by Kawasaki disease [KD]: 24.4%, dilated cardiomyopathy [DCM]: 22.4% pericardial effusion: 10.9% and finally infective endocarditis [IE]: 6.4%. There is a seasonal predominance for the ARF and KD during fall and early spring. Consanguineous marriage of first degree dosen't seem to be a factor predisposing for ARF and KD. ARF with carditis benefited from steroids with partial to total regresstion in 41/45 patients [91%], two patients under went valve repair or replacement, another patient died from severe pancarditis. All children affected with KD [except 2 cases] received IV immunoglobulins [2 g/kg, single dose], and coronary aneurysms were observed in 2 patients [5.3%]. Patients with DCM in whom there was a strong suspicion of viral myocarditis, were treated medically with complete recuperation of the cardiac function in 88% of cases. Among the patients with pericardial effusion, 3 needed urgent drainage because of a tamponnade. A child with IE was operated of his mitral valve and another one with cerebral palsy had a fatal outcome. No case of cardiac disease associated with HIV infection was found. In Lebanon, ARF remains the main cause of IHD during childhood, before KD. Currently, non-surgical treatments are highly efficient. Delayed diagnosis increased morbidity. Efforts are necessary for early recongnition and primary prevention