Helicobacter pylori infection in the Caribbean: update in management

Helicobacter pylori infection of the stomach is one of the commonest chronic infections worldwide and in the Caribbean, over 50 of the population are affected. H pylori is probably transmitted from person to person by oro-faecal and oro-oral means. H pylori is directly associated with peptic ulcer disease, chronic antral gastritis, gastric carcinoma and B-cell lymphoma of the stomach. In patients with peptic ulcers and H pylori infection, eradication of infection with antibiotics significantly decreases recurrence of ulcers. All patients with H pylori related disease should be tested and treated if positive. The treatment of H pylori infection has evolved over the years but at present triple therapy which includes two antibiotics is recommended.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis in a Jamaican male patient

A case of thyrotoxic periodic paralysis occurring in a Black Jamaican male patient is described. Diagnosis is based on history and confirmed by evaluation of serum electrolyte during attacks and thyroid function studies. The physiopathology, associations, therapy and prognosis are discussed. It is important that clinicians recognise the condition as all forms of periodic paralysis are amenable to treatment, and progressive weakness can be prevented or even reversed.

Polyarteritis nodosa in jamaicans

This report describes the main features of the 5 cases of polyarteritis nodosa seen at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a 10-year period. The disease manifestations are protean and only 2 of the 5 patients were diagnosed antemortem, indicating the need to increase physician awareness, especially since response to therapy has improved significantly in recent years