ABSTRACT
This paper presents the first assessment of marine litter in the Mogadishu coastal area of Somalia. Samples were collected monthly using 100 m × 40 m transect and classified following OSPAR Marine Litter Survey Guide while litter sources were identified using Ocean Conservancy Marine Debris Index. The results showed a total of 119873 items consisting of plastics (89.47%), clothing items (7.53%), and others (3.00%) recovered from Liido Beach. Litter density ranged from 2.19 items/m2 to 14.18 items/m2 with a mean of 6.25 items/m2 and Clean Coast Index (CCI) suggesting that Liido Beach is extremely dirty (>20 items/m2). In addition, the primary sources of marine litter at the beach are local recreational and shoreline activities (54.12%), and dumping (36.61%). The dominance of plastic litter on the beach poses potential threats to marine biodiversity in the Somalia coastal area and the West Indian Ocean. It is recommended that effective strategies and solutions to mitigate litter on the beach and other coastal areas in Somalia should be developed and compensated with public education and awareness campaigns across the country.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pigmented purpuric dermatosis comprises a group of vascular disorders of unknown etiology. Histologically, it is characterized by lymphocytic capillaritis in the papillary dermis. Although leukocytoclastic vasculitis confined to the skin is frequently reported with hepatitis C, lymphocytic vasculitis is rarely reported. METHODS: Ten patients with pigmented purpuric dermatosis were studied clinically and histopathologically. Hepatitis profile was carried out in all of the patients to evaluate the possible relation. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients, five tested positive for hepatitis C and two for hepatitis B antibodies. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis C and B virus may play a role in the pathogenesis of pigmented purpuric dermatosis. Further case-control studies are necessary to confirm this conclusion.
