RESUMO
Background: Asthma prevalence in adults is globally increasing with variations between and within countries. Data are lacking regarding the prevalence of asthma among adults in Najran area , the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Objectives: The study aimed at estimating the prevalence and risk factors for asthma symptoms in Najran University students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in Najran University Saudi students during the academic year 2017–2018. A modified translated International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) questionnaire was distributed to Najran University Saudi students, males and females aged 18 and above living in Najran for more than 1 year. Samples were taken using multistage random sampling. Results: A total of 418 participants (269 males and 149 females) with a mean age of 21.05 ± 1.56 were included in the study. The prevalence of asthma depending on the wheezing symptom in the past 12 months was 27% and physician-diagnosed asthma was 13.6%. Most of the asthmatic subjects (>85%) have intermittent symptoms. The first-degree family history, active tobacco smoking, allergic rhinitis (AR), dust, and smoke are the major risk factors for asthma symptoms. Conclusions: The study revealed a high prevalence of self-reported asthma symptoms among adults in Najran University associated with a high prevalence of AR, which needs particular attention by the health stakeholders.
RESUMO
The present study was the first attempt to survey the diversity of fish zoonotic parasites in the southern region of Saudi Arabia, particularly the Najran area, from October 2012 to October 2013. Approximately 163 fish representing seven species (two of freshwater fish and five of marine fish) were examined for fish-borne trematode metacercariae using the compression technique, and for zoonotic nematode larvae. Adult flukes were obtained from cats experimentally infected with the metacercariae on day 25 post-infection The prevalence of each parasite species was recorded. The parasites found belonged to two taxa: Digenea (Heterophyes heterophyes and Haplorchis pumilio) in muscle tissue; and nematodes (larvae of Capillaria sp.) in the digestive tract. The morphological characteristics of the fish-borne trematode metacercariae and their experimentally obtained adults were described. This is the first report of these parasites in fish in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, Myripristis murdjan presented higher prevalence of Capillaria sp. infection (22.7%), while Haplorchis pumilio was the dominant metacercarial species (7.9%). Although the number of documented cases continues to increase, the overall risk of human infection is slight. The increasing exploitation of the marine environment by humans and the tendency to reduce cooking times when preparing seafood products both increase the chances of becoming infected with these parasites. Furthermore, our results indicate that certain fish production systems are at risk of presenting fish zoonotic parasites, and that control approaches will benefit from understanding these risk factors.
O presente estudo representa a primeira tentativa para investigar a diversidade dos parasitas zoonóticos em peixes na Região Sul da Arábia Saudita, em particular na área de Najran, de outubro de 2012 a outubro de 2013. Aproximadamente, 163 peixes representando sete espécies (duas de água doce e cinco marinhas) foram examinados para as metacercária, dos trematódeos de peixes, usando-se a técnica de compressão e para as larvas de nematoides. Os trematódeos adultos foram obtidos em gatos experimentalmente infectados com metacercárias no 25° dia após a infecção. A prevalência de cada espécie parasita foi registrada. Os parasitas encontrados pertenciam a dois taxa: Digenea (Heterophyes heterophyes e Haplorchis pumilio) no tecido muscular; e nematoides (larvas de Capillaria sp.) no trato digestivo. As características morfológicas das metacercárias dos trematódeos de peixes e dos adultos experimentalmente obtidos são descritas. Esse é o primeiro relato desses parasitas em peixes da Arábia Saudita. Além desses, Myripristis murdjan apresentou alta prevalência de infecção por Capillaria sp. (22,7%), enquanto Haplorchis pumilio foi a espécie de metacercárias dominante (7,9%). Embora o número de casos documentados continue a aumentar, o risco global de infecção humana é pequeno. A exploração crescente do ambiente marinho pelos seres humanos e a tendência de redução do processo de cozimento no preparo de alimentos oriundos do mar aumentam as chances de infecção por esses parasitas. Os resultados deste estudo também indicam que certos sistemas de produção de pescados estão em risco de apresentar parasitas zoonóticos, e que o seu controle trará benefícios na compreensão destes fatores de risco.