Critical care usage after major gastrointestinal and liver surgery: a prospective, multicentre observational study

BACKGROUND

Patient selection for critical care admission must balance patient safety with optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to determine the relationship between critical care admission, and postoperative mortality after abdominal surgery.

METHODS

This prespecified secondary analysis of a multicentre, prospective, observational study included consecutive patients enrolled in the DISCOVER study from UK and Republic of Ireland undergoing major gastrointestinal and liver surgery between October and December 2014. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality. Multivariate logistic regression was used to explore associations between critical care admission (planned and unplanned) and mortality, and inter-centre variation in critical care admission after emergency laparotomy.

RESULTS

Of 4529 patients included, 37.8% (n=1713) underwent planned critical care admissions from theatre. Some 3.1% (n=86/2816) admitted to ward-level care subsequently underwent unplanned critical care admission. Overall 30-day mortality was 2.9% (n=133/4519), and the risk-adjusted association between 30-day mortality and critical care admission was higher in unplanned [odds ratio (OR): 8.65, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.51-19.97) than planned admissions (OR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.43-3.85). Some 26.7% of patients (n=1210/4529) underwent emergency laparotomies. After adjustment, 49.3% (95% CI: 46.8-51.9%, P<0.001) were predicted to have planned critical care admissions, with 7% (n=10/145) of centres outside the 95% CI.

CONCLUSIONS

After risk adjustment, no 30-day survival benefit was identified for either planned or unplanned postoperative admissions to critical care within this cohort. This likely represents appropriate admission of the highest-risk patients. Planned admissions in selected, intermediate-risk patients may present a strategy to mitigate the risk of unplanned admission. Substantial inter-centre variation exists in planned critical care admissions after emergency laparotomies.

The impact of household hygiene on the risk of bacterial diarrhea among Egyptian children in rural areas, 2004–2007

Introduction: The present study, conducted between January 2004 and April 2007, explored the impact of household hygiene on the risk of bacterial diarrhea, using data from a prospective birth cohort of 348 infants in five villages in the Nile Delta in Egypt. Methodology: Neonates were enrolled at birth and followed up until 24 months of age. Children were visited twice a week to survey them for acute diarrhea. A detailed observational household hygiene survey was completed in-house every six months. Adjusted relative risk (aRR) of developing bacterial diarrhea was calculated for exposure to different hygiene variables and examined for specific bacterial pathogens. Results: Exclusive breastfeeding reduced the risk of bacterial diarrhea by 70%, while bacterial diarrhea cases were 2.6 times higher in the warm season. Risk of Campylobacter diarrhea increased with the absence of barriers to keep birds and animals out of the eating area, the presence of garbage containers and a bathing facility within the compound, and the presence of feces on the floor of the bathing facility. Use of municipal water for drinking and cooking was associated with a lower risk of Campylobacter diarrhea. Risk of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli diarrhea increased with uncovered garbage containers and the presence of liquid materials in the garbage containers, but decreased with the use of tap water in the washing facility. Conclusion: The results highlight some potential targets for interventions, such as expanding municipal water supply to all houses and comprehensive mass-media awareness programs to change hygiene-promoting behaviors and practices.

[Sleeve gastrectomy as a revision procedure for failed gastric banding]

The number of bariatric surgical procedures is still increasing in Germany and also worldwide. According to the German quality assurance study of surgical treatment of obesity, the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) was the most common bariatric operation with a total of 678 cases between 2004 and 2006 in Germany. In the meantime a high rate of LAGB treatment failures has been reported, so that a high rate of revisional bariatric operations is required. But still the question is open which bariatric procedure can be recommended. The aim of this study is to report the results and follow-up of conversion of failed LAGB to laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Between 8/2008 and 4/2012 39 patients (31♀/8♂) with a mean age of 43.7 ± 7.8 (26-61) years and a BMI of 47.1 ± 9.1 (30.4 to 67.4) kg/m² had revisional surgery for converting a failed LAGB to LSG. The indications for conversion were dysphagia (38.5 %), weight regain (33.3 %), band slippage (17.9 %), band erosion (5.1 %), band defect (2.6 %) as well as band sepsis (2.6 %). 19 procedures were performed as a one-stage operation and 20 procedures as a two-stage operation. The average operating time was 129 ± 49 (50-312) min. The complication rate was 7.7 %. There were one proximal leak, one gastric sleeve stenosis and one pronounced wound infection. The percent excess weight loss was 23 %, 39 %, 51 %, 52 %, 60 % and 46 % after 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months follow- up, respectively. Converting a failed LAGB into a LSG is a revision procedure with low complication rate and promising results, which can be performed as a two-stage as well as a one-stage procedure.

Enteric disease surveillance under the AFHSC-GEIS: current efforts, landscape analysis and vision forward

The mission of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC-GEIS) is to support global public health and to counter infectious disease threats to the United States Armed Forces, including newly identified agents or those increasing in incidence. Enteric diseases are a growing threat to U.S. forces, which must be ready to deploy to austere environments where the risk of exposure to enteropathogens may be significant and where routine prevention efforts may be impractical. In this report, the authors review the recent activities of AFHSC-GEIS partner laboratories in regards to enteric disease surveillance, prevention and response. Each partner identified recent accomplishments, including support for regional networks. AFHSC/GEIS partners also completed a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) survey as part of a landscape analysis of global enteric surveillance efforts. The current strengths of this network include excellent laboratory infrastructure, equipment and personnel that provide the opportunity for high-quality epidemiological studies and test platforms for point-of-care diagnostics. Weaknesses include inconsistent guidance and a splintered reporting system that hampers the comparison of data across regions or longitudinally. The newly chartered Enterics Surveillance Steering Committee (ESSC) is intended to provide clear mission guidance, a structured project review process, and central data management and analysis in support of rationally directed enteric disease surveillance efforts.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of rifaximin for the prevention of travelers' diarrhea in US military personnel deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Incirlik, Turkey

BACKGROUND

Infectious diarrhea is an important problem among travelers and deployed US military overseas causing substantial morbidity due to acute illness and may result in burdensome postinfectious sequelae.

METHODS

The nonsystemic antibiotic rifaximin was evaluated for prevention of travelers' diarrhea (TD) in a US military and civilian adult beneficiary population in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. In all, 100 volunteers deployed to Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, received rifaximin 1,100 mg once daily or placebo for 2 weeks, and participants were followed daily for 2 weeks.

RESULTS

In an intention to treat analysis (n = 95), TD (based on subjects meeting case definition or early treatment) developed in 6.3% (3 of 48) of the rifaximin group compared with 19.2% (9 of 47) in the placebo group (Fisher's exact test p = 0.07). Rifaximin provided 67% (95% confidence interval, -13% to 91%, p = 0.07) protection against TD. Rifaximin 1,100 mg once daily was well tolerated with no observed differences in adverse events, whether solicited or unsolicited among the two treatment groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Rifaximin may represent an option among military personnel on deployment for prevention of TD with supportive future studies that consider deployment length, settings, and operational situations where widespread use of chemoprophylaxis may increase force health protection without undue risk during critical deployments.

Acute gastrointestinal infection, respiratory illness, and noncombat injury among US military personnel during Operation Bright Star 2005, in Northern Egypt

BACKGROUND

In the fall 2005, approximately 7,500 US military personnel participated in an exercise in the Egyptian desert. The epidemiology of disease and noncombat injury among deployed troops is important in the context of assessing current mitigation strategies and the development of future ones.

METHODS

To assess the prevalence and impact of diarrhea and enteropathogen distribution, we conducted a case series study. To assess the relative impact of diarrhea compared to respiratory infection and injury, we conducted a post-deployment survey and compared these data to clinic-based syndromic surveillance data.

RESULTS

We enrolled 43 patients with acute diarrhea, 21 (49%) having one or more pathogens isolated. Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (n= 16), enteroaggregative E coli (n= 3), and Shigella spp. (n= 3) were the most common pathogens identified. Respiratory illness had the highest incidence (73 episodes/100 person-months) compared to diarrhea (35 episodes/100 person-months) and noncombat injury (17 episodes/100 person-months), though noncombat injury more frequently resulted in lost duty days and health-care utilization.

CONCLUSIONS

Noncombat injuries and illnesses have had a significant impact on military missions and continue to result in force health protection challenges today. Future studies are needed to test and evaluate countermeasures to mitigate these illnesses and injuries to increase the health of the individuals and optimize mission readiness.

Diarrheal illness among deployed U.S. military personnel during Operation Bright Star 2001—Egypt

In the fall of 2001, approximately 15,000 U.S. military personnel participated in a military exercise in the northwestern Egyptian desert. To assess the prevalence and impact of diarrhea and enteropathogen distribution, we conducted a post-deployment survey and a case series study. A departure convenience sampling (n = 3725) was used in the post-deployment survey. Overall, 9.3% reported diarrhea, 2.6% sought medical care, and 2.8% stopped or decreased their work for at least a day. Among those reporting diarrhea, 41.7% had symptoms for less than 2 days, 43.5% had symptoms from 2-5 days, and 14.8% had symptoms for more than 5 days. In the case series study, pathogens were identified in 53.6% of the 129 cases enrolled. Pathogens identified included enterotoxigenic E. coli (n = 53), enteroaggregative E. coli (n = 13), Cryptosporidium (n = 9), Campylobacter jejuni (n = 7), noroviruses (n = 7), Shigella flexneri (n = 2), rotavirus (n = 2), and Entamoeba histolytica (n = 2). Among those seeking care for diarrhea, two thirds reported a decreased ability or inability to perform their jobs for at least one day, but overall, diarrhea was much less prevalent than in past surveys in this region, with minimal impact on the mission.

High disease burden of diarrhea due to enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli among rural Egyptian infants and young children

The incidence of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli diarrhea among Egyptian children was 1.5 episodes per child per year and accounted for 66% of all first episodes of diarrhea after birth. The incidence increased from 1.7 episodes per child per year in the first 6 months of life to 2.3 in the second 6 months and declined thereafter.

The prevalence and determinants of health care-seeking behavior for fecal incontinence in multiparous United Arab Emirates females

PURPOSE

This study was designed to determine the prevalence and sociodemographics of fecal incontinence in United Arab Emirates females.

METHODS

A representative sample of multiparous United Arab Emirates females aged 20 years or older (N = 450) were randomly selected from the community (n = 225) and health care centers (n = 225). Patients were interviewed about inappropriate stool loss in the past year using a structured and pretested questionnaire.

RESULTS

Fifty-one participants (11.3 percent) admitted fecal incontinence; 26 (5.8 percent) were incontinent to liquid stool and 25 (5.5 percent) to solid stool. Thirty-eight patients (8.4 percent) had double (urinary and fecal) incontinence. Sixty-five patients (14.4 percent) were incontinent to flatus only but not to stools. The association between having fecal incontinence and chronic constipation was significant (P < 0.0001), but there was no significant association with other known risk factors such as age, parity, and previous instrumental delivery, episiotomy, perineal tears, or anorectal operations. Only 21 incontinent patients (41 percent) had sought medical advice. Patients did not seek medical advice because they were embarrassed to consult their physician (64.7 percent), they preferred to discuss the difficulty with friends, assuming that fecal incontinence would resolve spontaneously (47.1 percent) or was normal (31.3 percent), and they chose self-treatment as a result of low expectations for medical care (23.5 percent). Sufferers were bothered by the inability to pray (92.2 percent) and to have sexual intercourse (43.1 percent). Perceived causes of fecal incontinence were paralysis (90.2 percent), old age (80.4 percent), childbirth (23.5 percent), or menopause (19.6 percent).

CONCLUSIONS

Fecal incontinence is common yet underreported by multiparous United Arab Emirates females because of cultural attitudes and inadequate public knowledge.

Knowledge and practice of contraception in United Arab Emirates women

OBJECTIVE

To determine the knowledge and practice of contraception among United Arab Emirates (UAE) women.

METHOD

Four hundred and fifty UAE women at risk of pregnancy were randomly selected from the community and primary health care centres and interviewed about knowledge and practice of contraception using a structured questionnaire.

RESULTS

Four hundred women (89%) gave consent to participate in the study. One hundred and sixty-six participants (41.5%) were using contraception. All used natural methods backed with other methods. There were significant associations between using contraception and each of age, high level of education and low family income (p < 0.0001 for the three variables). Religious beliefs and low expectation of success of birth control were the reasons given for non-use. Eighty-five percent of subjects did not accept sterilisation without medical indications, nor using contraception before the first pregnancy. Of the women, 42.5% believed that contraceptive methods should not be used after the age of 40, and 78% were unaware that they could be used for treatment of gynaecological diseases. Disturbed bleeding patterns occurred in 48.7% of users, and these were most bothered by the inability to pray (100%) and to have sexual intercourse (97.5%).

CONCLUSION

Contraception is not commonly used by UAE women because of sociocultural traditions, religious beliefs and poor knowledge.

Measurement-specific quality-of-life satisfaction during the menopause in an Arabian Gulf country

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to use an instrument, the menopause-specific quality-of-life satisfaction questionnaire for the postmenopausal period, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional descriptive study was used to generate menopause symptoms experienced by Arabian Gulf women. Measurement-specific quality-of-life satisfaction questionnaires were used and face-to-face interviews were performed.

SETTING

The study was based in primary health-care clinics in Al Ain City, Sharjah and Dubai Emirates, UAE.

SUBJECTS

A multistage sampling design was used, and a representative sample of 450 UAE females aged 45 years and above were included during January-April 1999.

RESULTS

Of the 450 women living in both urban and rural areas, 390 women agreed to participate (86.7%) and responded to the study. The mean age and standard deviation (SD) of the subjects was 56.5 +/- 6.6 years, and the median age of natural menopause in the present study was 48 years (mean +/- SD 48.4 +/- 3.8). The rate of consanguinous marriages in the sample was found to be 47.2%. The most common disease was found to be diabetes mellitus (10.3%), followed by osteoarthritis (7.7%), hypertension (7.2%) and asthma (6.2%), but the majority of subjects (68.7%) had no specific disease. Out of 29 possible symptoms, the mean number of symptoms was 7.57 (range 0-24). The most frequent symptom was 'aches in the back of the neck or head' at 46.4% followed by 'aches in the muscles/joints' at 34.6%. The least reported symptom was 'facial hair' at 15.9%. Increasing education resulted in more symptoms reported, and increasing parity resulted in fewer symptoms reported. In the present study, it was found that employed women experienced more symptoms and disorders. Of the total sample, 28.5% of the subjects reported no symptoms. In the four domains, 69% reported physical symptoms, 58.7% reported psychosocial symptoms, 40% reported vasomotor symptoms and 37.9% reported sexual symptoms. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient indicated that there is highly statistically significant concordance between the four domains (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that menopause-related symptoms in UAE women are fewer and of less severity than in Western women. The postmenopausal women, despite a continued decline in estrogen levels, reported few symptoms as part of a normal life stage, suggesting that they were able to cope with stress.

Water deprivation reveals early neuromyopathy in diabetic mice

The effects of water deprivation on peripheral nerve and muscle function were investigated in flexor digitorum superficialis muscle of control and diabetic mice. Twenty mice (30 g average body weight) were injected once with streptozotocin solution (200 mg/kg) to induce experimental diabetes and another 20 mice of similar body weight served as controls. Two weeks later, comparative analyses of in situ muscle isometric contractile characteristics were performed by direct muscle stimulation and indirect nerve stimulation (at 1, 5 and 30 Hz) in urethane-anesthetized (2 mg/g, i.p.) control and diabetic mice. One day prior to the experiments, 10 control and 10 diabetic mice were deprived of water. The study contained four groups: hydrated (H) control, dehydrated (DH) control, H diabetic and DH diabetic. There were no significant differences in synaptic delay or twitch tension between H control and DH control. Comparing H control and H diabetic groups, no differences were noticed in synaptic delay or twitch tension; except at 30 Hz where twitch tension was reduced in H diabetic mice. Significant differences were observed when comparing DH control and DH diabetic mice. DH diabetic showed a significant increase in synaptic delay (from 7.4 to 9.3 ms) and a significant decrease in twitch tension evoked either by indirect nerve or by direct muscle stimulation (from 4.4 g to 1.9 g and from 4.4 g to 2.3 g, respectively). These results revealed that water deprivation enhances diabetes effects at the neuromuscular junction and at the muscle leading to further complication of neuromyopathy.

Parasite-specific antibody profile in human fascioliasis: application for immunodiagnosis of infection

The antibody isotype response to an adult Fasciola worm antigen preparation (FWAP) was examined in sera from 60 Egyptians with parasitologically confirmed fascioliasis by an ELISA. The FWAP-specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were found in 97-100% of the patients. The ratio of the mean absorbance values between infected patients and healthy controls was 9.7 and 29.7 for IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies, respectively. The IgM, IgA, IgG2, and IgG3 antibodies were less dominant. In contrast to IgG1 antibodies, which were often detected in sera from patients infected with Schistosoma, Echinococcus granulosus, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale, or Hymenolepis nana, FWAP-specific IgG4 antibodies were detected exclusively in the sera of patients with fascioliasis. The data thus support the conclusion that an IgG4/ELISA with crude FWAP as antigen may be used for sensitive and accurate immunodiagnosis of human fascioliasis.

Factor VII deficiency detected in pregnancy: a case report

Factor VII deficiency is a rare hereditary coagulation disorder with an incidence estimated at 1 in 500,000 individuals. In this report, we describe the 13th case in pregnancy. The diagnosis of severe factor VII deficiency (factor VII level <5%) was established at 10 weeks' gestation after initial laboratory testing showed a markedly prolonged prothrombin time and a normal activated partial thromboplastin time. There was a history of two preterm deliveries, but there was no evidence of previous bleeding manifestations. Antenatal progress of the index pregnancy was unremarkable. Prophylactic treatment with fresh frozen plasma was started at the onset of labor and the patient had a vaginal delivery of a live girl at 36 weeks' gestation. There was no postpartum hemorrhage and mother and newborn were discharged in good condition. The patient's postpartum level of factor VII remained undetectable. Two aspects are outlined: the absence of any significant increase in factor VII clotting activity during this pregnancy and the need to give replacement therapy at labor in patients with severe factor VII deficiency to decrease the risk of postpartum hemorrhage.

Clinicopathological features and management of Pakistani patients with multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVE

Purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinicopathological features of multiple myeloma in Pakistan and to study the influence of therapeutic management in these cases.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 99 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma seen from 1988 to 1996. Diagnostic criteria included bone marrow plasmacytosis, monoclonal gammopathy in serum or urine and radiological evidence of skeletal lesions.

RESULTS

There were 57 males and 42 females. Mean age of the patients was 58 years with a range of 23 to 86 years. One-third of the patients were bed ridden at the time of presentation. Common presenting symptoms included bone pain (82%), fatigue (78%) and backache (73%). Physical findings, laboratory features and radiologic assessment revealed pallor (56%), severe anaemia with hemoglobin < 8.5 gm/dl (39%), creatinine > or = 2 2 mg/dl (57%), serum calcium > or = 12 gm/dl (23%), uric acid > or = 8 gm/dl (47%) and albumin < or = 3.5 gm/dl (63%). Commonest monoclonal gammopathy was igG kappa. Majority (71%) of the patients presented with stage III disease. Commonest chemotherapeutic regimen utilized was melphalan and prednisolone which was administered to 88% of the patients. Complete remission was observed in 25% and partial remission in 36% of the evaluated patients. Commonest complication during the course of disease was related to skeletal involvement followed by renal failure and bone marrow suppression. Median survival of the patients was 34 months.

CONCLUSION

Multiple myeloma patients in Pakistan are younger, more frequently have poor performance status and more often present with advanced stage of disease. Response to therapy, however, is adequate and survival is comparable to Western patients.

Phenotypic diversity of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains from a community-based study of pediatric diarrhea in periurban Egypt

No past studies of diarrhea in children of the Middle East have examined in detail the phenotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains, which are important pathogens in this setting. During a prospective study conducted from November 1993 to September 1995 with 242 children under 3 years of age with diarrhea living near Alexandria, Egypt, 125 episodes of diarrhea were positive for ETEC. ETEC strains were available for 98 of these episodes, from which 100 ETEC strains were selected and characterized on the basis of enterotoxins, colonization factors (CFs), and O:H serotypes. Of these representative isolates, 57 produced heat-stable toxin (ST) only, 34 produced heat-labile toxin (LT) only, and 9 produced both LT and ST. Twenty-three ETEC strains expressed a CF, with the specific factors being CF antigen IV (CFA/IV; 10 of 23; 43%), CFA/II (5 of 23; 22%), CFA/I (3 of 23; 13%), PCFO166 (3 of 23; 13%), and CS7 (2 of 23; 9%). No ETEC strains appeared to express CFA/III, CS17, or PCFO159. Among the 100 ETEC strains, 47 O groups and 20 H groups were represented, with 59 O:H serotypes. The most common O serogroups were O159 (13 strains) and O43 (10 strains). O148 and O21 were each detected in five individual strains, O7 and O56 were each detected in four individual strains, O73, O20, O86, and O114 were each detected in three individual strains, and O23, O78, O91, O103, O128, and O132 were each detected in two individual strains. The most common H serogroups were H4 (16 strains), 12 of which were of serogroup O159; H2 (9 strains), all of which were O43; H18 (6 strains); H30 (6 strains); and H28 (5 strains); strains of the last three H serogroups were all O148. Cumulatively, our results suggest a high degree of clonal diversity of disease-associated ETEC strains in this region. As a low percentage of these strains expressed a CF, it remains possible that other adhesins for which we either did not assay or that are as yet undiscovered are prevalent in this region. Our findings point out some potential barriers to effective immunization against ETEC diarrhea in this population and emphasize the need to identify additional protective antigens commonly expressed by ETEC for inclusion in future vaccine candidates.

The prevalence and determinants of health care-seeking behavior for urinary incontinence in United Arab Emirates women

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and sociodemographics of urinary incontinence (UI) in women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Women at risk, such as multiparous and climacteric women, were selected from the community (n = 200) and health-care centers (n = 200) and interviewed about inappropriate urine loss in the past 12 months, using a structured and pretested questionnaire. Of these, 81 (20.3%) admitted UI; only 25 of these (30.9%) had sought medical advice. The reasons were embarrassment (38.2%), choice of self-treatment because of low expectations from medical care (38.2%), and preferring to discuss the matter with friends, assuming that UI is normal (23.3%). Sufferers were troubled by their inability to pray (90%) and to have sexual intercourse (33.3%). Perceived causes of UI were paralysis (45%), childbirth (35.4%) and old age or menopause (33.7%). UI is common yet underreported by UAE women because of cultural attitudes and inadequate public knowledge.

Clinical and serologic responses of Saudi children to Hemophilus influenzae type B capsular polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid conjugate vaccine

Sixty-eight Saudi children, 17 to 19 months of age, were enrolled in a study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of Hemophilus influenzae type B capsular polysaccharide diphtheria toxoid (PRP-D) conjugate vaccine. Adverse reactions to the vaccine were determined through a questionnaire administered to the parents. Local and systemic reactions to the vaccine were mild and resolved within 24 to 48 hours. PRP antibody levels were measured prior to and one to two months following immunization. PRP antibody levels in the pre-immunization sera of 77% of subjects were below the level associated with immediate protection (>/=0.15 microg/ml), and 88% were below the level associated with long-term protection (>/=1 microg/ml) from Hemophilus influenzae type B (HIB) disease. After one dose of PRP-D vaccine, 100% of recipients achieved antibody levels of >/=0.15 microg/ml, and 85% achieved levels of >/=1 microg/ml. The geometric mean level of antibody after immunization (5.66 microg/ml) was significantly higher than that before immunization (0.098 microg/ml). All subjects had a twofold or greater increase in antibody level in response to the vaccine. We conclude that PRP-D is a safe and highly immunogenic vaccine in this age group of Saudi children.

Epidural spinal cord compression from metastatic cancer: clinical features and management

We retrospectively analyzed thirty-three patients (21 males, 12 females) with malignancy induced spinal cord compression (SCC). The mean age of the patients was 42.8 years and almost half (51%) of them presented with SCC. Mean duration of symptoms was 4.5 months and the mean interval between the original diagnosis of cancer and the development of SCC was 14.6 months. Back pain was the most frequent (97%) symptom with an equal number of patients having subjective or objective evidence of lower limb weakness. Majority (73%) of the patients were non-ambulatory at the time of diagnosis. Spinal level involvement was mostly thoracic (62%) followed by lumber (38%). Breast cancer was the commonest underlying malignancy (21%). Lung (12%), prostrate (12%), multiple myeloma (9%), and carcinoma with unknown primary (12%) were also frequently encountered. There was an overall response rate of 22% to the therapeutic interventions: mostly observed in the ambulatory patients. Only 7% of the non-ambulatory patients regained ability to walk. None of the responders had bladder or bowel dysfunction. Twenty-two percent of the responders are still ambulatory with a mean follow-up of six months.

Comparison between parasitological and serological techniques in assessment of schistosomiasis prevalence

The prevalence of schistosomiasis serologically based on detection of anti-soluble egg antigen (SEA)--IgM and/or IgG by ELISA technique was 68% of 380 cases, and 52.7% of 148 cases by stool examination. The serological technique seems to be more sensitive and able to detect early infection as well as detection of ectopic infection.

Total leucocytic count, eosinophilia and cellular immune response in acute and chronic schistosomiasis

Among school children in a rural area the serological diagnosis (ELISA) was more accurate than the parasitological tests. The mean total leucocytic and eosinophilic counts, and the blastogenic response to S. mansoni egg antigen were significantly higher in early than in chronic schistosomal cases. Blastogenic response to mitogens and S. mansoni adults preparation was insignificantly different.

Circulating immune complex levels in patients with schistosomiasis and complications

Circulating immune complexes (CIC), adult schistosome antibody, and total immunoglobulin concentrations were estimated in sera from 35 chronic Schistosoma mansoni patients with different infection intensities and different pathological complications. High CIC levels were present in about one-third (10/35) of the sera. Most of the patients (9/10) with elevated CIC levels also had hepatomegaly or hepatosplenomegaly. This finding is significant in the pathogenesis of schistosomal liver fibrosis and may also apply to other liver diseases, especially cirrhosis. No correlation was found between infection intensity as judged by stool egg counts and CIC levels. A reverse relationship was observed between the level of anti-adult worm IgG and CIC levels. CIC levels were elevated within 7 and 28 days after treatment in most patients. Hypergammaglobulinaemia was detected in most sera.

Quantitative immunodiffusion assay of serum protein patterns in protein calorie malnutrition (PCM)

Serum protein components were evaluated by the specific radial immunodiffusion technique in a number of protein energy malnourished infants and young children, as well as in a group of parallel controls. Results show a drop in both serum prealbumin and albumin in concordance with the severity of the condition in both KWO and marasmus. Serum level of varies as 1-acidic glycoprotein was elevated, being more marked in KWO than in marasmus. Serum oc1-antitrypsin, haemopexin, ceruloplasmin and transferrin were all reduced but to a varying extent in both KWO and marasmus. The levels of serum IgA and IgM were above normal in all disease entities except for a slight decrease of IgA in 2nd grade marasmus. On the other hand, serum IgG was reduced in the majority of cases. The ratio of serum cerutoplasmin to transferrin in KWO was found to be of diagnostic value in different grades of the disease.