Screening for blood lead levels in Basrah, southern Iraq

A prospective study over six months [from 1 July to 31 December 2002] measured the level of blood lead in individuals attending Primary Health Centers in the center District of Basrah Governorate. Six hundred and two individuals were selected randomly from those attending seventeen Primary Health Centers in the center of Basrah. Their ages ranged from 9-79 years. Of 602, Twenty six, 15 years of age or younger had mean blood lead levels [BLL] of 12.62+3.85 micro g/dl, those older than 15 years had levels of 11.20+3.4 micro g/dl, [p<0.05]. Males of different age groups showed a statistically significantly higher BLL compared to females [13.25+3.25 and 10.10+2.96 micro g/dl respectively], p<0.0001. The center of Basrah was divided into 11 main areas; there was a statistically significant difference in BLL among individuals living in different areas, ranging from 7.26+2.81 micro g/dl to 12.76+3.63 micro g/dl. Individuals with higher education and smokers showed higher BLL [12.1 0+3.54 micro g/dl, 13.81+3.57 micro g/dl respectively] compared to those of lower education and non-smokers [11.11+3.23 micro g/dl, 10.93+3.26 micro g/dl respectively], the differences were statistically significant. The sources of drinking water and frequency and amount of milk consumed/week did not show a significant correlation with BLL. History of lead exposure [occupational] was statistically significantly associated with BLL [15.3+4.85 micro g/dl] for those exposed to higher concentration of lead compared to others [11.1 2+3.3 micro g/dl], p<0.0001. Amongst females using kohl [25.6%], the mean BLL was significantly higher [13.91+4.42 micro g/dl], compared to non-users [9.88+2.68 micro g/dl], p<0.0001. No significant difference was observed among those exposed to paints. As adequate data on BLL in our country do not exist, especially for children, and as the number of children in this study was small, further studies are warranted to recognize the extent and risk factors for lead poisoning in children

Epizootiological and molecular characterization of equine influenza virus 2008 outbreak in Egypt

Equine influenza symptoms were detected in population of equines in different governorates in Egypt [Cairo, Giza, Helwan, Alexandria, Minoufia, Behaira, Assiut and Aswan] during July - August 2008. High temperature, inappetence, conjunctivitis, redness of nasal mucosa, serous to mucopurulent nasal discharge and a harsh dry cough were the most common clinical manifestations. Horses of all ages and both sexes were affected. Free movement of the infected animals and direct contact at markets and races facilitated the rapid spread of the disease. Nine suspected cases represented eight governorates were examined for equine influenza virus [EIV] where 107 nasal swabs and 107 serum samples were used for diagnosis. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions [rRT-PCR] assay was applied todetect the matrix [M] gene of influenza type A viruses in nasal swabs and 6 out of the 8 cases were positive. Three cases were positive by virus isolation on embryonated chicken egg inoculation and the hemagglutination test. The hemagglutination inhibition [HI] was performed to identify the isolated influenza virus using reference antisera against A/Equi-1 [H7N1] and A/Equi-2 [H3N8].In this study, full characterization of the isolated virus was carried out through molecular techniques for typing of hemagglutinin [HA] and neuraminidase [NA] genes by RT-PCR and partial sequencing of the HA gene of one isolate [A/Equine/Egypt/21 AHRI/2008[H3N8]] and the results confirmed that H3N8 virus was the causative agent of this outbreak

Frequency of haemoglobinopathies and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency in Basra

Basra, southern Iraq, was mapped for haemoglobinopathies and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase [G6PD] deficiency. Of 1064 couples aged 14-60 years recruited from the Public Health Laboratory, 49 had beta-thalassaemia trait, 69 had sickle-cell trait, 2 had haemoglobin D trait, 2 had haemoglobin C trait and 1 had high persistent fetal haemoglobin. Carriers of major beta-globin disorders comprised 11.48%. G6PD deficiency was detected in 133 individuals [12.5%]. Only 10 couples [0.94%] were at risk of having children affected with either sickle-cell disease or beta-thalassaemia major. These defects constitute a real health problem and necessitate a management plan and public health education for early diagnosis and therapy

Prevalence of wheeze among preschool children in Basra governonate, southern Iraq

A community-based survey was carried out in Basra governorate, Iraq, to estimate the prevalence of wheeze among children under 5 years old and to identify possible risk factors. It was found that 15.8% of the 424 preschool children enrolled in the study had a history of wheeze. More wheezy children lived in the city [16.3%] than in the rural area [15.0%]. Family history of asthma in first-degree relatives was significantly associated with wheeze [44.8% of children with wheeze versus 15.1% without wheeze]. Other household factors-parents' low educational level, formula or supplemental feeding as a baby, overcrowding, smoking at home, pet ownership and using kerosene-were associated with wheeze, but the results were not statistically significant. The role of environmental factors and feeding patterns needs to be further evaluated

Feeding patterns in the first two years of life in Basra, Iraq

The feeding patterns of 694 children ranging from 12 to 24 months of age were studied. Approximately 91% were exclusively breast-fed at 1 week of age with a further 4% receiving supplementary foods at this stage. At 1 year of age, 52% were receiving breast milk as the only source of milk and 13% were receiving infant formula in addition to breast milk. Inadequate breast milk was the most common reason reported by mothers for discontinuing breast-feeding. Of children receiving formula, 42.9% were receiving diluted formula. 70.9% of mothers introduced solid foods at 4 to 6 months of age while 5.8% did not introduce solid foods until after the age of 8 months