Rapid detection of salmonella typhi by culture of the mononuclear cell-platelet fraction of blood

To study the value of utilizing a new and rapid method for detecting Salmonella typhi in adult patients using the mononuclear cell-platelet fraction of blood and to compare it with the traditional methods used for the same purpose. Materials and Various specimens [blood, bone marrow and rectal swabs] were collected and cultured on standard media from 36 Jordanian patients with suspected typhoid fever at two major Jordanian hospitals, in the period from July 1992 through July 1993. Cultures using the mononuclear cell-platelet layer were performed on the blood specimens taken from all patients. Blood cultures using the mononuclear cell-platelet layer method were positive in 20 [56%] patients, and the colonies were identified [using a coagglutination technique] within 18 hours of plating. In contrast, Salmonella typhi was detected in only 15 [41%] patients using the conventional blood culture method, that required at least 3 days for identification. This study indicates that the combination of mononuclear cell-platelet layer culture and coagglutination can provide the clinician with a diagnosis of typhoid fever within a day of specimen acquisition, with a marked improvement over conventional blood culture in both time and sensitivity

Trends of tobacco smoking among physicians, journalists and teachers in Bahrain

In the summer of 1985 a self-administered questionnaire containing 38 items was mailed to 1000 individuals [all physicians, journalists, intermediate and secondary school teachers] in Bahrain. All questions were close-ended and printed in the Arabic and English languages. The total respondents were 492 [49.2%] of the sample which consisted of 301 physicians, 93 journalists and 98 teachers. The response rate among them was 66%, 63% and 49% respectively. The percentage of smokers among them were 60.1%, 77.4% and 80.6% respectively. Among the smokers, it was found that 89.8% smoke cigarettes, 8.7% smoke cigars and 1.5% smoke a pipe. Among these who smoke cigarettes there were 53.4% who smoke between [10-19] cigarettes per day and 44.9% smoke cigarettes which contain less tar and nicotine. There were more smokers among non-Bahrainis 77.7% [P < 0.001], among males [71.1% [P < 0.001] and among single individuals 90.8% [P < 0.001]

Factors affecting measles vaccination in rural areas of Bahrain

This study was carried out in the summer of 1985 in the Sitra area of the State of Bahrain to study the factors that affect measles vaccination in rural areas of Bahrain. A systematic sample of 120 children who were born from January - November 1984 was chosen and their mothers were interviewed by trained health educator interviewers. 48.3% of children were vaccinated, 79.3% of them received the vaccine when they were over the age of 9 months, 8.6% of them contracted the disease. A high proportion of mothers who received intermediate and secondary education [66%] and mothers who were exposed to health education were more willing to vaccinate their children [89.6%]. Young mothers [less than 25 years of age] were more willing to vaccinate their children [66%]