The Relationship between Neonatal Circumcision, Urinary Tract Infection, and Health

The risk-benefit profile of neonatal circumcision is not clear. Most studies have focused on urinary tract infections but other health sequelae have not been evaluated. While evidence supports benefits of circumcision, a lack of randomized trials has been cited as a weakness. National guidelines provide mixed recommendations regarding neonatal circumcision. We review the weight of evidence and utilize current statistical methodology on observational data to examine the risks and benefits of neonatal circumcision.

National health research system mapping in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries

Health research systems in the Eastern Mediterranean Region are not well developed to generate and use knowledge to improve health, reduce inequity and contribute to economic development. This study aimed to provide core data on National Health Research Systems [NHRS] in 10 Eastern Mediterranean countries in order to inform actions to strengthen health research system governance and management. Whilst there were examples of good practice, few countries had a formal NHRS and many basic building blocks needed for an effective system had not been put in place. Although limited in focus, the study provides useful information for countries to initiate action to strengthen their NHRS

Sarcocystosis of sarcocystis felis in cats

The features of S. felis sarcocystosis in muscles of the domestic cats [Felis domesticus] were studied. A complete clinical history, post mortem, and histopathologic examinations were done for each cat. Multiple protozoan elliptical cysts were in the skeletal muscles, heart, and diaphragm muscles of 3/17 [17.6%] adult cats. Ultrastructural characteristics of the brady-zoites and cyst wall were consistent with those descried for S. felis in bobcat and domestic cat. Clinicopathological study in 3 cats showed hypertrophy cardiomyopathy and lymphosarcoma associated with S. felis. Tissue samples showed a spectrum of pathological changes such as multi-focal subacute myocarditis and multi-focal subarachnoid lymphocytic infiltration. DNA extracted from muscles diaphragm with cysts was tested by PCR and sequence analyses of ssurRNA gene. The phylogenetic reconstructions using neighbor-joining method showed that S. felis is closely related to S. neurona. The results were illustrated and photographed and peer discussed.

Epidemiologic surveillance for bacterial meningitis in 140 000 children under 5 years of age in Nanning district, Guangxi province / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To characterize the incidence, epidemiologic features, etiologic agents and sequelae of bacterial meningitis in children under 5 years of age in Nanning, Guangxi.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A population-based surveillance was conducted to evaluate children with signs and symptoms of meningitis. All hospitals, township health centers and village clinics in the surveillance area were structured to participate in the case referral and evaluation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood specimens were obtained and processed using standardized microbiologic methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During the 26-month surveillance period, among the children under 5 years old, a total of 1272 cases who met the screening criteria of meningitis were studied. 265 of 1272 cases were identified as clinically diagnosed meningitis, with an incidence rate of 86.36 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate under the 38 cases of confirmed bacterial meningitis appeared to be 12.38/100 000. Staphylococcus species accounted for the largest proportion of laboratory-confirmed bacterial meningitis, followed by E. coli and S. pneumoniae. The highest attack rate occurred in neonates < 1 month, followed by children aged 1 - 12 months in the confirmed patients. Meningitis caused by Sp and Hi mainly occurred in children aged 1 - 12 months. All cases of meningitis due to Hi and Sp were children aged 1 - 24 months. 13.16% and 0.00% of the cases survived with complications and sequelae, and the case-fatality rate was 18.42%. 40 bacterial isolates were identified from 1193 blood cultures and 23 from 1211 cerebrospinal fluid samples, but no Neisseria meningitidis was found.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Meningitis due to Hi was first confirmed in Guangxi with the incidence of 0.98 per 100 000 population. The annual incidence rate of confirmed bacterial meningitis was 12.38 per 100 000, which was considered an important public health problem in children. Staphylococci was the predominant pathogen in confirmed bacterial meningitis.</p>