role of rapid testing and clinical decision in the diagnosis of human influenza A H1N1 infection

To evaluate the role of the rapid influenza diagnostic test [RIDT] and clinical decision in the diagnosis of H1N1. In November 2009, 290 suspected influenza patients were examined for H1N1 during an outbreak in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using Directigen EZ Flu A+B kit. Monoclonal anti-human influenza A/B and reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] were used. Positive and negative controls were used in each run of specimens. Validity indices were calculated for RIDT and clinical diagnostic criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of RIDT were 40.5% [95% confidence interval [CI]: 33.0-48.5], and 94.5% [95% CI: 88.6-97.6]. The sensitivity of clinical decision was 66.3% [95% CI: 58.4-73.4], and the specificity was 65.4% [95% CI: 56.3-73.4]. The sensitivity of clinical decision was higher in early presenters [79.2%; 95% CI: 57.3-92.1]. The RIDT sensitivity was higher in younger patients [48.4%; 95% CI: 35.7-61.3]. The positive predictive value [PPV] was 90.4% [95% CI: 80.7-95.7] for RIDT, and 71.1% [95% CI: 63.1-78.0] for clinical decision. The PPV for RIDT was greater for older [94.7%; 95% CI: 80.9-99.1] and late [90.7%; 95% CI: 76.9-97.0] presenters. The adjusted odds ratio for clinical decision was significant for cough, headache, and fatigue. The RIDT can be useful in epidemics and high prevalence areas, whereas clinical decision, and RT-PCR complement the diagnosis of H1N1 in any setting

Women health in Saudi Arabia: a review of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors

This is a review of the changing pattern of chronic diseases among women in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. Data from national surveys conducted in KSA, whose results were published between 1996 and 2011 were used. The results showed that over a period of ten years the prevalence of obesity increased in Saudi women from 23.6% to 44.0% and in men from 14.2% to 26.2%; self-reported physical inactivity worsened in both women [from 84.7% to 98.1%] and men [from 43.3% to 93.9%]; prevalence of smoking in women increased [from 0.9% to 7.6%], while it declined in men [from 21.0% to 18.7%]. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly greater in women than men [42.0% versus 37.2%; p < 0.01]. In conclusion, Saudi women are potentially at a greater risk than a decade ago to develop cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus, with a notable increase in obesity compared to men

Socio-demographic determinants of antibiotic misuse in children. A survey from the central region of Saudi Arabia

To investigate knowledge, beliefs, and practices associated with parental antibiotic misuse. This cross-sectional study included parents visiting 4 malls in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The study took place at the College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June and December 2010. Self-prescription of antibiotic for a child in the past year was defined as antibiotic misuse. From 610 parents [60.5% mothers and 39.5% fathers], 11.6% reported self-prescription. Responding parents differed by age, education, number of children, and profession. Overall, parents responded that antibiotics are required in children with runny nose or cough or sore throat or fever [50%]; to reduce symptom severity and duration [57.7%], are effective against viruses [68.6%], can be stopped on clinical improvement [28.7%], and it used by another family member can be used in children [20.1%]. Determinants of misuse in a multivariable model were income, number of children, type of infection treated last year, knowledge of illness requiring antibiotic or being unsure, using antibiotics used by an other family member in children, unsure for such use, and adjusting for the type of responding parent. Parents with low income, more than 2 children, lack of knowledge, inappropriate beliefs and practices are vulnerable for misusing antibiotics in children

Ruptured ileocolic artery aneurysm: An unusual cause of hemoperitoneum

Ruptured aneurysm of a branch of ileocolic artery is a rare finding and is an unusual cause of haemoperitoneum. Rapid diagnosis, and surgical or endovascular intervention are necessary to avoid devastating consequences and high mortality rates following an emergency operation after rupture. Resection is a good choice for surgical intervention for some aneurysms that are not suitable for endovascular repair. This report describes the case of a middle-aged man with a ruptured superior mesenteric artery branch aneurysm and his subsequent surgical management.

Estimation of vasicine and vasicinone in ayurvedic formulations containing adhatoda vasica nees leaf extract using HPLC technique

For carrying out the estimation studies of natural Vasaka leaves [Adhatoda vasica Nees] family Acanthaceae, leaves were subjected to authentication. The marketed formulations containing the leaf extract were obtained from local pharmacies. A literature survey reveals that no specific method has been developed for the determination of amount of vasicine and vasicinone in these complex traditional formulations. The vasicine content of various formulations varied from 86.4 micro g to 22.8 micro g/10 ml of the marketed formulations. This method offers greater selectivity for the determination of the active ingredients and limiting of its oxidative product vasicinone. At the operative chromatographic condition vasicinone was not detected in any of the formulations analyzed. The HPLC technique now allows routine analysis of vasicine containing complex traditional formulation. The technique is rapid, precise and accurate and can be applied to a variety of vasicine containing formulations

Maternal characteristics in relation to income in a semi-rural community in Pakistan

Women's health and socioeconomic status is fundamental to development. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of monthly household income with demographic, nutritional and social characteristics in women living in a semi-rural location near Karachi. Thus 1111 mothers with at least 1 child under 5 years of age were interviewed. Self-reported monthly income was positively associated with gravidity, mid upper-arm circumference, cooking frequency per day and self and spousal literacy; it was negatively associated with number of occupants per room, wood used as cooking fuel, and spouse in a skilled occupation. Income is dependent on non-income factors such as literacy, and the nutritional and reproductive health status of women

Antibiotic susceptibility of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes

The susceptibily to four antibiotics of five strains of Listeria monocytogenes was investigated by MIC - determination [Broth dilution method]. Ampicillin and erythromycin demonstrated the lowest MICs. High MIC of tetracycline was observed. There was no significant difference according to serovarieties. The combination of tetracycline and septran was synergistic. While the other two combinations showed an additive effect