Awareness about osteoporosis among university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Osteoporosis is a global public health problem. It is estimated that about 9.0 million osteoporotic fractures occurred in the year 2000 and that many were due to osteoporosis. Awareness about osteoporosis and factors contributing to it is of great benefit and is a major public health challenge. The objective of this study is the level of awareness about osteoporosis among university students in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Questionnaires were distributed among university students to assess their osteoporosis knowledge level. One hundred questionnaires were collected and the osteoporosis knowledge level was assessed. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Over three-quarters of participating students (77%) have a high level of knowledge about osteoporosis. There is a statistically significant positive correlation between the level of osteoporosis knowledge and the length of study at KAU and the marital status (p=<0.01). Furthermore, there is a statistically significant negative correlation between the level of osteoporosis knowledge and economic status. Raising knowledge about osteoporosis is an important and effective tool in preventing osteoporosis

Is Toxoplasma gondii IgG seropositivity a predisposing factor for infertility?

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by an obligate intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Approximately one-third of the world population is infected with this parasite. Several studies have examined the causes of human infertility in the Middle East. A high proportion of secondary infertility and a great contribution of the female factor was the major finding in most of these studies. In this study, we aim to explore the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and female infertile patients. Serum samples from 83 female patients visiting the infertility clinic and 57 normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic were collected during the year 2014. Serum samples were analyzed for anti-Toxoplasma IgG by chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA) technology. Patients visiting the infertility clinic, aged from 18-40 years (x=29.7) while normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic aged from 18-38 (x=26.1). Of the 83 samples collected from patients visiting the infertility clinic, 15 samples were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG while only 2 samples (out of 57) collected from normal prim gravid females attending the ANC clinic were positive. There was a statistically significant correlation between positive anti-Toxoplasma IgG and infertility (p<0.01). We suggest considering the presence of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in serum of young females as an indicator for possible future infertility

Intestinal parasitic infections among the household staff working in Saudi family houses Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

This study aimed to detect and examine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection among the household staff of Saudi families in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. One hundred stool samples were collected from the household staff 34 female and 66 male. Stool samples were examined using the direct wet smear and the formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation technique. Stages of intestinal parasites were found in 15 samples (5 from male 10 from female participants). The most prevalent species found was Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba histolytica. The highest rate of infection was seen in expatriates from Bangladesh. The present study reflects the importance of pre-employment medical check-up and regular investigation

Global wealth disparities drive adherence to COVID-safe pathways in head and neck cancer surgery

Peer reviewe

Effects of filaricidal drugs on longevity and enzyme activities of the microfilariae of Setaria cervi in white rats

Objective: To analyse the efficacy of diethylcarbamazine (DEC), tetramisole and chlorpromazine on the longevity and activity of glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase in the microfilariae recovered from the peripheral circulation of the rats before and after the treatment. Methods: Setaria cervi worms were implanted in white rats via laparotomy and microfilaraemic rats were divided into 4 groups. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated with DEC, tetramisole and chlorpromazine respectively, while Group 4 served as infected control. Longevity of microfilariae and differential leucocyte counts were recorded till the disappearance of microfilariae from peripheral blood. Glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase enzymes were localized in the microfilariae recovered from normal and treated rats. Results: The microfilariae survived for 48 days in untreated rats while survival was reduced to 15, 21 and 27 days after treatment with DEC, tetramisole and chlorpromazine, respectively. Eosinophils and neutrophils increased during 2nd and 3rd weeks, whereas the lymphocytes increased during 4–7 weeks. DEC treatment resulted in slight decrease in the localization of succinate dehydrogenase but not in glucose-6-phosphatase. Tetramisole and chlorpromazine treatment did not show any appreciable change in the localization of both the above enzymes. Conclusions: DEC proved the most effective drug which cleared the microfilaraemia within 15 days and reduced the activity of succinate dehydrogenase to some extent followed by tetramisole and chlorpromazine which took more time for the clearance of microfilariae and had no effect on the localization of both glucose-6-phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia in Water Samples from Jeddah and Makkah Cities

Water contamination by Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium is one of the causes of diarrhoea throughout the world.  A total of 161 and 84 samples were collected from Jeddah and Makkah cities, respectively.  Each sample was concentrated by double centrifugation and the sediment was examined as a wet smear and after staining with Trichrome and Kinyoun stains.  The results showed that 56 (35%) and 1 (0.62 %) samples of Jeddah were positive for the oocyst of Cryptosporidium and cyst of Giardia, whereas only 21 (25%) and 2 (2.4 %) samples of Makkah showed positivity for oocysts and cyst of these parasites. Overall Cryptosporidium contamination in bottled water and water from filling stations was 6.8% and 17.4%, respectively. Maximum contamination for Cryptosporidium was recorded in tap water which was 51% and 25% in Jeddah and Makkah, respectively