Parasitic fauna of spiny eel mastacembelus mastacembelus from greater zab river in Iraq

A total of 128 spiny eels Mastacembelus mastacembelus [Mastacembelidae] were collected from the Greater Zab river at Iski Kalak town, west of Erbil city, Kurdistan region, Iraq, from July 2007 to the end of June 2008. The fish were examined for ecto and endo parasites. The study revealed the existence of 16 species of parasites [with a total prevalence of 89.06%] including: two species of protozoans [Trypanosoma sp. and Trichodina pediculus], one species of monogenetic trematodes [Mastacembelocleidus heteranchorus], six species of digenetic trematodes [Allocreadium transversale, Asymphylodora macracetabulum, Pseudochetosoma salmonicola, Clinostomum complanatum, Diplostomum flexicaudum and D. spathaceum], two species of cestodes [Polyonchobothrium magnum and Ligula intestinalis], two species arachnoide [Cystobranchus mammillatus, Argulus foliaceus and Arrenurus sp. respectively]. Five species of these parasites [T. pediculus, A. transversale, D. flexicaudum, C. mammillatus and Arrenurus sp.] were recorded for the first time in Iraq. In addition, M. mastacembelus was regarded as a new host for A. macracetabulum, C. complanatum and A. foliaceus

Cryptosporidiosis among patients with diarrhoea attending Nyala Hospital

Cryptosporidiosis is a parasitic zoonotic non-bloody diarrhoeal disease that affects all people. Children and the immunosuppressed are more at risk than immunocompetent adults. It occurs in an epidemic as well as sporadic forms. Stool examination for Cryptosporidium oocysts has to be considered in non-bloody diarrhoea stools. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis among patients presenting with non-bloody diarrhoea to Nyala medical laboratory. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study including non-bloody diarrhoeal stool specimens of 72 patients. The stool specimens were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts by using Safranine/ Methylene blue stain technique. Eleven [15.3%] out of 72 patients were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Seven of them were below five years of age. Cryptosporidiosis is a common cause of non-bloody diarrhoea especially among children. This study enrolled a small number of patients. Nevertheless we recommend inclusion of Cryptosporidium in laboratory examination of non-bloody diarrhoeal stools in certain locations

Congenital hepatic fibrosis as a cause of neonatal cholestasis

A 1-month-old Saudi female infant presented with neonatal cholestasis with normal transaminases. Both direct bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were high. A percutaneous liver biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of congenital hepatic fibrosis in this infant

Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia in infancy [infantile cholestases]

The finding of high conjugated bilirubin needs prompt evaluation to rule out liver or bile duct pathology. If assessment of total and direct bilirubin is carried routinely in any infant whose jaundice persists for more than 2 weeks, early identification of a group of children who need corrective surgery for atresia of the extra hepatic bile duct is possible. The aim of this review is to look at common causes of infantile cholestasis with emphasis on evaluation, diagnosis, complications, treatment and outcome of infant with neonatal cholestasis

Necrotizing enterocolitis in Riyadh

All proven cases of necrotizing enterocolitis [NEC] diagnosed in the neonatal intensive care unit [NICU] at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh between July 1983 and August 1988 were reviewed. There were 20 cases diagnosed to have NEC. During the study period, there were 1635 admissions to the NICU giving an incidence of NEC of 1.2% of all NICU admissions. Mean birthweight of cases was 1653g [range: 840-3140 g], mean gestational age was 31.6 weeks [range: 26-40 weeks] and the mean age at diagnosis was 8.5 days [range: 1-37 days]. The main predisposing factors were prematurity [80%]; sepsis [75%] and hyperosmolar milk formula feeding [40%]. The common Presenting features were abdominal distension [80%], increasing gastric residue [70%] and blood in the stools [25%]. Surgery was required in 40% of cases