Surveillance of Aedes mosquitoes in a university campus in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Ovitrap surveillance was initiated for eight continuous weeks to determine the distribution and abundance of Aedes sp. mosquitoes in the University of Malaya campus, Kuala Lumpur, and the impact of meteorological conditions on the Aedes populations. Two study areas within the campus were selected: Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College. The abundance of Aedes populations in Varsity Lake was indicated by ovitrap index (OI) which ranged from 60.00% - 90.00%. The mean number of larvae per ovitrap of Aedes albopictus in Varsity Lake ranged from 11.23 +/- 2.42 - 43.80 +/- 6.22. On the other hand, the outdoor OI for Seventh Residential College ranged from 73.33% - 93.33%, respectively, while the mean number larvae per ovitrap for this area ranged from 19.33 +/- 4.55 - 35.27 +/- 5.46, respectively. In addition, the indoor OI of Seventh Residential College ranged from 0.00% - 30.00%, while the mean number of larvae per ovitrap for Ae. albopictus ranged from 0 - 5.90 +/- 3.55. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) of Ae. albopictus population between Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College. The studies showed a correlation between OI and mean number of larvae per ovitrap for outdoor Ae. albopictus populations in Varsity Lake and Seventh Residential College (r = 0.794). There was also a correlation between the mean larvae number per ovitrap of Ae. albopictus obtained from eight weeks indoor ovitrap surveillance in Seventh Residential College with rainfall (r = 0.584). However, there was no correlation between the mean larvae number per ovitrap of Ae. albopictus in both study areas with temperature and relative humidity. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were found neither indoor nor outdoor in both study areas. This study indicated that the principal dengue vector in the university campus was most likely Ae. albopictus.

Two case reports of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease or histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis is a rare but important etiology of cervical lymphadenopathy in young women. This disease is self limited and improves during 2-8 months. Diagnostic key is the pathology of involved lymphnode. Association of the disease with viral and autoimmune disease is not proved yet. In this article two cases of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease are reported. The first case was a 31 years old female patient with sever fever and right axillary lymphodenpathy [size: 5x7cm] in which one month after the disease, diagnosis was proved by pathology studies. This patient has erythematous patches in her face and nose in several times that were improved spontaneously. The second case was a 20 years old female patient with fever, chiH, headache, weigh loss and cervical lymphadenopathy [size: 2x1 cm]. She received antibiotic at several times without any improvement. Finally after 5 months since the beginning of symptoms, the disease was diagnosed as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease by surgical excision of lymhnode and pathology studies. After the surgery two small lymphnodes were appeared around the surgical site. In differential diagnosis of lymphadenpathy especially cervical in young women, Kikuchi-Fujimoto should be considered. Consumption of antibiotic in lymphadenopathy without clear diagnosis should be avoided. After diagnosis of Kikuchi-Fujimoto, long term work up for recurrence or the appearance of autoimmune disease symptoms is necessary

[Determination of Brucellosis Model in Arak in 2005]

Brucellosis is a matter of problem in an endemic area, since it involves not only human and animals but also causes socioeconomic diffculties. The disease is rare in developed countries, so there are little informations about this disease in medical reference books. Therefore, it is necessary to study it in Iran as an endemic area. This is a case-control study, done in Arak in 2005. At first by assistance of the health center of Arak city patients were recognized, and if the presence of Brucellosis was proved by the physician according to epidemiology, clinical manifestations and serology, the patients were considered as the samples of this study. Members of control group were selected among neighbors with the same age and sex, considering negative Wright and 2ME. Sample size of this study were 300 subjects [150 patients, 150 control]. They were asked to complete a questionnaire containing demographic informations, animal conditions and subjects' knowledge about Brucellosis. To determine the degree of significant effects of studied variables, a conditional logestic regression model was used. According to the result of this study, the presence of an involved person among members of the family can increase thecahance of Brucellosis, [about 7.55 times], as the most important factor of the disease. The next risk factor is te use of non pasteurized diaries which can increase the chance of the disease about 3.7 times. Among the information variables, lack of knowledge about transmision of the disease through fresh cheese was more important than the other factors [OR=0.44]. The involved persons had more animals [about 2 times] than the members of control group. Considering educational level and source of information there was no ignificant difference. Since it is not possible to eliminate Brucellosis at present time, it seems necessary to increase the knowledge of people about transmission routes specially the fresh cheese. This can greatly decrease the disease within an endemic area. Considering the high level of disease risk among members of a family having an infected person, it is suggested to do a study for cost-effectiveness of Wrigh test in family members of patients