Prevalence of antibodies to human T-lymphotropic viruses types I and II among healthy blood donors

To assess the prevalence of human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I and type II antibodies in blood donors donating blood for various reasons in a University hospital and to compare the results with other reports from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA], and elsewhere. A 7-year retrospective review of blood bank records for results of serological tests at the King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, KSA, from January 1995 to December 2001 was conducted. The study included review of blood donor questionnaire cards as well as extraction of any other relevant information. The results showed that the total number of blood donor units drawn during the 7- year period was 23493 units. A total of 50 units were found repeatedly reactive by enzyme immunoassay screening test [0.2%]. Only 12 [0.05%] were confirmed reactive by western blot test and 4 were found to be indeterminate. Nine [0.04%] of the confirmed samples were from Saudi nationals. All 3 non-Saudi confirmed reactive donors were Indian nationals, while the 4 indeterminate cases, 2 were Saudis and 2 were Egyptians. A statistical estimate of the maximal risk of finding a positive donor in this donor population subgroup is in the order of 0.05%. The number of Saudi blood donors during this study was 16434 [80.3%] and non-Saudi donors was 4027 [19.7%]. Based on these results it is shown that the prevalence of this virus is still low among blood donors in the Eastern region of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Frequency of ABO blood groups in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia

To document the frequency of the ABO and Rhesus blood groups in Saudi male donors, and to compare our results with the results of other studies in the Kingdom and elsewhere. This study included a total of 57396 male potential blood donors; 19496 blood donors between the years 1985-1989 [referred to as first period of study] and 37700 blood donors between the years 1995-1999 [2nd period]. The blood donors were Saudis, coming to donate blood for various reasons to the Blood Bank Department of King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. ABO and Rhesus blood groups from 200 Saudi females were also determined. The frequency of ABO blood groups and Rhesus status were calculated separately. Our results revealed the most common blood group was O, [52%] during the first period of study and likewise the most common blood group [51%] during the 2nd period. The lowest blood group frequency was AB [4%] and [4%] during the first and 2nd period. Rhesus positive blood donors comprised 93% and Rhesus-negative donors were 7% during the first period, while they amounted to 91.5% and 8% during the 2nd period. Overall frequency of ABO and Rhesus blood groups during the 2 periods were the following: O-positive 48% and 46%; A-positive 24% and 24.5%; B-positive, 17% and 17%; AB positive 4% and 4%; O negative 4% and 5%; A negative 2% and 2%; B-negative 1% and 2%; and AB negative, 0.23% and 0.32%. Comparison of our results with the other studies from the Kingdom and other nationalities is also presented. Our results show that the most frequent blood group in Saudis is O-positive. Blood group A is observed at a lower frequency relative to values from Western populations, whereas a significant increase in blood group B combined with a slight increase in blood group AB was recorded. Knowledge of the frequencies of the different blood groups in Saudi Arabia is very important for Blood Banks and transfusion service policies. Knowledge of blood group phenotype distribution is also important for clinical studies [for example disease association], as well as for population studies

Epidemiological profile of malaria in a University Hospital in the eastern region of Suadi Arabia

To study the epidemiological, clinical and hematological profile of laboratory-diagnosed malaria cases at King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia, during the period from January 1990 to December 1999, and to provide suitable recommendations accordingly. This was a clinical case series study of confirmed cases presenting to King Fahd Hospital of the Univeristy during the period from January 1990 to December 1999. A specially designed form was used for data collection and 602, laboratory-confirmed cases of malaria were retrospectively analyzed. There were 602 cases with a mean age of 25.8 + 14.3 and a male to female ratio of 2.9:1. Less than half the cases were Saudis [42%], most of whom [93%] reported a history of travel to the Southwestern part of the Kingdom. The highest frequency of cases was observed in the years 1992, 1994 and 1998 and 40% of the cases were diagnosed during the months of February, March and September. Plasmodium falciparum was the most common species among Saudi [83%], Sudanese [72%] and Yemeni [64%] patients, while Plasmodium vivax was predominant among others. Most of these cases [75%] had a history of travel to their home countries [endemic areas]. The most common clinical presentation was fever [97%], while the most common clinical signs were splenomegaly [9%] and jaundice [8%]. Anemia [60%] and thrombocytopenia [53%] were the most common hematological findings. Although it appears that the Eastern Province is still free of indigenous malaria transmission, this could not be confirmed by the data. Imported cases, however represent a continuous threat due to the existence of such vectors as Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles sergentii and Anopheles superpictus and a large number of non-immune persons. It is recommended that malaria be always considered in the differential diagnosis of all acute fevers, especially among those with a history of travel to an endemic area. Prompt diagnosis and treatment is necessary. Chemoprophylaxis, when traveling to endemic areas is mandatory, as well as the use of other primary preventive measures to protect against mosquito bites