Epidemiology of meningitis in Oman, 2000-2005

We reviewed the epidemiologic features and trends for 771 cases of meningitis in Oman from January 2000 to December 2005. We found 69% were bacterial in origin and 13% were viral. Leading bacterial pathogens included Haemophilus influenzae [15%], Streptococcus pneumoniae [14%] and Nesseria meningitidis [12%]. For 56% of patients with suspected pyogenic meningitis, no specific bacterial pathogen could be identified. Peak occurrence was in children under 2 years old. The incidence of H. influenzae type b decreased by almost 100% after implementation of the national immunization programme in 2001, while the incidence of cases caused by S. pneumoniae and N. meningitidis remained steady

Ion-solvent interaction studies on homologous dicarboxylic acids in various mixed solvent systems

Thermodynamic dissociation constants of oxalic, malonic, succinic, glutaric and adipic acids have been determined in various binary aqueous mixtures containing methanol, ethanol, 1-propanol, 2-propanol, glycerol d-glucose and d-fructose as organic co-solvents by following the Van Uitert and Haas method of pH measurements at 25 only. Free energies of transfer of these acids from water to binary solvent mixtures have been estimated from pKa data. In addition, the additivity in proton ionization for the homologous dicarboxylic acids has been examined in these solvents