ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of antibodies to Toxocara in Cuban schoolchildren. METHODS: The frequency of antibodies to Toxocara canis was assessed with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kit in school-aged children from two municipalities of Cuba. Univariate analysis and a multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for age, sex, municipality and co-infection with helminth and/or protozoa were conducted. RESULTS: The percentage of children with antibodies to Toxocara was 38.8% (392/1011; 95% CI = 36.8-42.8). Antibody positivity was significantly associated with gender and co-infections with intestinal parasites, but not with age or municipality. CONCLUSION: Cuban children are highly exposed to the Toxocara parasite, corresponding well with reported environmental contamination with Toxocara parasite eggs and T. canis prevalences in dogs in Cuba. Relevant policy makers and the Cuban population need to be better informed about this preventable infection.
Subject(s)
Antibodies, Helminth/blood , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/epidemiology , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/immunology , Toxocara canis/immunology , Toxocariasis/epidemiology , Toxocariasis/immunology , Adolescent , Age Distribution , Animals , Child , Child, Preschool , Coinfection/blood , Coinfection/epidemiology , Cuba/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dogs , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay/methods , Feces/parasitology , Female , Humans , Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic/blood , Male , Prevalence , Sex Distribution , Toxocariasis/transmissionABSTRACT
A 40-year-old male presented with a 2-month history of sudden hearing loss and tinnitus in his left ear. Mild vertigo was present initially but disappeared spontaneously without treatment. Facial nerve paralysis and retroauricular pain appeared 3 months after the onset of hearing loss on the same side. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a 1-cm mass in the left internal auditory canal. Translabyrinthine removal of tumor revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. The patient died 3 months postoperatively from multiple metastatic deposits. A primary tumor was never found. The course of illness in this patient differs significantly from the typical course of other conditions involving the internal auditory canal. A metastatic work-up should be considered for patients with a similar history before a craniotomy is performed.
Subject(s)
Adenocarcinoma/secondary , Ear Neoplasms/secondary , Labyrinth Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Neoplasms, Unknown Primary , Adenocarcinoma/diagnosis , Adenocarcinoma/diagnostic imaging , Adult , Diagnosis, Differential , Ear Neoplasms/diagnosis , Ear Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Humans , Labyrinth Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
Oral antral fistulas that have been already subjected to previous attempts at closure have been difficult to treat. Gold foil, bony plugs, and other materials have been used for many years to close these fistulas. Because of all of the various techniques and materials used in this procedure, it has been vexing to evaluate their efficacy. Although the persistent fistula is a rare entity, the surgeons faced with treating this condition must understand the principles of flap closure. In six cases in which multiple attempts at oral antral fistula closure had failed, we used either bilateral or unilateral palatal flaps based on the posterior palatine artery. The patients have been followed up for ten years after surgery and can wear dentures if indicated. There has not been any recurrent fistulization in any of these cases.
