prevalence of trichomonans vaginalis in association with other micro-organisms among women with vaginal discharge in Mosul

To screen women with vaginal discharge for Trichomonas vaginalis as well as other pathogens and to follow them up. Outpatient Gynaecologic Clinic, Family Planning Clinic, and Antenatal Clinic at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital for Gynaecology and Obstetrics. 440 women with vaginal discharge [July 1997 to June 1999]. Full medical, gynaecologica, sexual and social history was recorded. Clinical examination was carried out. Laboratory investigations including vaginal, cervical and urethral swabs for direct examination, gram-stained smear, as well as culture on appropriate media. The total number of Trichomonas vaginalis infection was 68 [15.5 percent]. The isolated microorganisms in association with Trichomonas vaginalis were Candida albicans in 19 wmoen [27.9 percent]. Staphylococcus epidemidis in 10 women [14.7 percent], and Lactobacilli in six women constituting [8.8 percent]. Both Diphtheroids and Neisseria gonorrheae showed lower incidences, as only eight women were positive [5.9 percent] for each Escherichia. Coli was present in one patient [1.5 percent] 24 patients were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis only [35.3 percent]. The remaining 372 women who were negative for Trichomonas vaginalis showed a high rate of infection with Candida species [21.5 percent], followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis [18.3 percent] and lactobacilli [15.3 percent]. Other isolates included Streptococcus species [8.6 percent]., E. coli [5.9 percent], Klebsiella [3.8 percent], Enterococcus fecalis [3.0 percent], Gardnerella vaginalis [2.6 percent], Neisseria gonorrheae [2.4 percent], Proteus [2.2 percent], Diphtheroid [1.9 percent], Staphylococcus aureus [1.3 percent] and Pseudomonas aeruginosa [0.8 percent]. Moreover, 46 [10.5 percent] of women showed no growth. 50.0 percent of infection with Trichomonas vaginalis was at age 26-35 years. Considering marital status, the highest rate [76.4 percent] of infection was among married women followed by divorced [14.7 percent], windows [5.8 percent] and singles [2.9 percent]. Pregnant women positive for Trichomonas vaginalis represented [45.6 percent] of cases. 61.7 percent of infection was among illiterate women. Metronidazole [flagyl] was given to all in a dose of 250mg orally thrice daily for seven days. Metronidazole was prescribed at the same time to husbands of infected women. Other specific medications [antifungal, antimicrobial agents] were given when indicated either alone or in combination with metronidazole. Two weeks later only 112 women came for reassessment clinical and by repeating direct smear and culture, that showed fifteen positive cases. Five of them still having Trichomonas vaginalis, eight were having Candiada albicans, and two showed normal smears. Further courses of treatment were given as indicated. Vaginal discharge is common among women in reproductive life. Culture is indicated for precise diagnosis

role of enterobius vermicularis in human appendicitis

457 appendices from patients clinically diagnosed as acute appenicitis were examined. 62 [13.6%] showed various parasitic infection. Enterobius vermicularis as a single parasite was the most common one [56 appendices. [12.2%]], Ascaris liambriicoides ova were detected in 3 cases. [0.65%]. while Entamoeba histolytica cysts in one case only [0.21%]. Mixed parasites were detected in two appendices [0.43%]. Parasitic infection of the appendix is described and its association with appendicitis is discussed

distribution of anopheline malaria vectors, with a note on plasmodium vivax infection in Nineva province [north Iraq]

Malarial vector surveillance was done in selected villages of Nineva Province in North Iraq mostly on a weekly basis. The vectors were monitored at both larval and adult stages from various habitats. Three species of malarial vectors namely Anopheles superpictus, Anopheles sacharovi and Anopheles pulcherrimus were found. Blood smears were taken from inhabitants reporting fever and examined in the laboratory for malarial parasites. Plasmodium vivax was the only species recorded. This study recommends the health planners to start anti-vector campaign to minimus malaria in these areas of North Iraq

Intestinal parasites in dust and rural communities around Mosul, north Iraq

Outdoor and indoor dust samples collected from 485 houses in 18 villages around Mosul city were tested by zinc-sulphate flotation method for intestinal parasites. Only 19.6% of the samples were found positive for helminths while no protozoan cyst was ever detected. The results indicated that Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana and Enterobius vermicularis were the most common parasites among dust samples. Stool specimens were collected from 345 rural residents of various ages and examined for the detection of intestinal parasitic infections. Ascaris lumbricoides showed the highest prevalence rate [5.2%] followed by H. nana [35%] while E. venmiculris showed the lowest rate of [0.6%]. Only two pathogenic protozoa Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba histloytica were detected with prevalence rates of 3.2% and 2.9% respectively: All ages and sexes were affected, with higher infections in children less than -13 year old. Single parasite was found to be more frequent than double or triple infections among the subjects investigated

occurrence of parasites of public health significance on lettuce and celery sold in local markets in Mosul-Iraq

150 Samples of lettuce [Lactuca sativa] and celery [Apium graveolens] were selected from 10 local markets in Mosul area. seven species of intestinal helminthic ova. 2 species of nematode larvae, and 4 species of intestinal protozoal cysts were observed. Lettuce and celery samples collected from each market were found to carry ova of Ascaris lumbricoides Taenia spp. Trichuris trichiura and Hookworm, as well as protozoal cysts of Entamoeba histolytica Giardia lamblia and Entamoeba coli. The incidence of Ascaris lumbricoides ova was found to be high in both lettuce and celery [333% 36% respectively]. Entamoeba histolytica cysts showed a high recovery rate in both vegetables [18% in lettuce and 19.3% in celery]. Although a decrease of parasitic fauna was found in singly washed lettuce Samples, the difference between washed, and unwashed lettuce was not significant