Retrospective analysis of intestinal parasitic infections diagnosed at a University Hospital in Central, Saudi Arabia

To review the intestinal parasites diagnosed in a university hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. This is a retrospective analysis of intestinal parasitic infections reported in patients visiting at King Khalid University Hospital [KKUH], Riyadh, KSA from 1996 to 2003. Information regarding positive cases detected during the study period was collected from the hospital records, using the Hospital Information System database of KKUH. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for the statistical analysis. During this period, stools examination was carried out for a total of 63,892 patients, 1480 [2.3%] were positive for different intestinal parasites. Giardia lamblia was the most commonly reported parasite. The annual positivity rate for parasitic infections has decreased from 2.9-1.1%. Although this study was limited to hospital patients, comparison with previous reports indicates an overall decrease in the prevalence of intestinal infections in the study area

Prevalence of blastocystis hominis among "healthy" food handlers in Dammam, Saudi Arabia

A prospective study was carried out to see the prevalence of B. hominis in food handlers in Dammam, Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. A total of 17073 food handlers were examined, 8.50% persons were positive for this organism in their stool. In 2.4% of the food handlers, B. hominis was the only parasite, whereas in 1.9% and 4.2% of the cases, this organism was found in association with pathogenic and non pathogenic parasites respectively. We could find the correlation between the dietary habits and the presence of organism in stool. In l9.9 of the positive food handlers in whom rice was the predominant food the organism was seen, when compared to 80.1% of the predominantly wheat eaters

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus among bilharziasis patients

Hepatitis C virus [HCV] infection with concurrent Schistosoma mansoni infestation has emerged as a major cause of chronic liver disease and liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HCV among bilharzia patients. The study was conducted at the Viral Diagnostic and Parasitology Departments, Regional Laboratory and Blood Bank, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from August 1999 to July 2000. Sera from a total of 405 patients, including 356 Saudi nationals and 49 non-Saudis, who had a clinical suspicion of bilharziasis were tested, using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay for HCV infection and indirect hemagglutination tests for Schistosoma infestation. Diagnosis of schistosomiasis was made when serum anti-schistosoma antibody titer was either equal to or more than 1:256. A total of 39 cases out of 405 tested positive for bilharzia antibodies comprising of 22 [44.9%] non-Saudi and 17 [4.8%] Saudi individuals. Among these patients 7[17.9%] were found to have evidence of HCV infection. Of the 7 patients tested positive for HCV antibodies, there were 4 [26.7%] Egyptians, 2 [11.8%] Saudis and one [14.3%] Middle-Eastern. Our data shows that a good proportion [17.9%] of patients with bilharziasis had HCV infection. The percentage positive for HCV antibody were 26.7% in Egyptians, which is higher when compared to other nationals and Saudis

inguinal mass with local vascular lesions induced by a lymphatic filaria

A 47-year-old Indian male presented with an inguinal mass clinically suspicious as a tumor. Histological examination of the excised mass demonstrated tissue reaction to degenerating intravascular adult filarial worms. The worms have been identified as a lymphatic filariae, most probably Wuchereria bancrofti. The case report underscores the need to maintain suspicion of genitourinary filarial lesions in non-endemic areas and describes atypical vascular lesions induced by lymphatic filariae

Imported malaria infections diagnosed at the malaria referral laboratory in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

To determine epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria infections in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, based on retrospective analysis of laboratory records within the Central Laboratory. Method: Records of the Malaria Referral Laboratory in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA] were reviewed for the past 6 years: 1416-1421 Hejri inclusive [1996-2001 Gregorian]. The dates of blood films were converted to Gregorian calendar in addition to the Hejri dates already used in the records. Data collected included the date of film, age, sex, nationality and parasitological findings in the film. All data was entered and analyzed using statistical package for social sciences computer software. The annual mean number of positive slides was 212 +/- 78. Positive slides were reported at the rate of 18 /100.000 among 137,402 potential blood donors screened during this period. The overall slide positivity was 12.9% among suspected cases referred from hospitals and 9.5% among those referred from health centers and private clinics. Most positive slides were from Saudis [36.6%], Sudanese [30.9%], Indians [13.9%], Pakistanis [8%] and Yemenis [5%]. The type of malaria infection varied in the different nationalities, reflecting the pattern of endemicity at the source of infection. Positive cases show a marked seasonality in Saudis, reflection seasonal transmission of the disease in the endemic areas. Although there is no active malaria transmission in Riyadh KSA, imported infections still poses a significant health problem. A high index of suspicion should be maintained in those with suggestive travel history. Efforts to reduce the incidence of transfusion malaria should aim at formulation of appropriate policies for selection of blood donors and for screening of blood