Prevalence and determinants of sex-specific dietary supplement use in a greek cohort

We describe the profile of dietary supplement use and its correlates in the Epirus Health Study cohort, which consists of 1237 adults (60.5% women) residing in urban north-west Greece. The association between dietary supplement use and demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, personal medical history and clinical measurements was assessed using logistic regression models, separately for women and men. The overall prevalence of dietary supplement use was 31.4%, and it was higher in women (37.3%) compared to men (22.4%; p-value = 4.2−08). Based on multivariable logistic regression models, dietary supplement use in women was associated with age (positively until middle-age and slightly negatively afterwards), the presence of a chronic health condition (OR = 1.71; 95% CI, 1.18–2.46), lost/removed teeth (OR = 0.52; 95% CI, 0.35–0.78) and diastolic blood pressure (OR per 5 mmHg increase =0.84; 95% CI, 0.73–0.96); body mass index and worse general health status were borderline inversely associated. In men, dietary supplement use was positively associated with being employed (OR = 2.53; 95% CI, 1.21–5.29). A considerable proportion of our sample used dietary supplements, and the associated factors differed between women and men

Malaria in Laconia, Greece, then and now: A 2500-year-old pattern

Background: Malaria is still an active threat in many areas of the world. In Greece, in an area of the Laconia region, malaria epidemics have been recorded since as early as the 5th century BC. A local outbreak of malaria was reported in the summer/autumn of 2011. Method: A comparative research study of historical and modern sources was carried out in order to explore the malaria outbreaks occurring in the area of Laconia, Greece. Results: The study revealed that the central area (Elos and Skala), the peak season (early autumn), the Plasmodium species (P. vivax), the mosquito vector (Anopheles sacharovi), and the risk factors (wetlands and population movements) have, more or less, remained unchanged throughout the 2500-year span in Laconia. Conclusions: Unique regional features preserve a seemingly recurring pattern of malaria outbreaks in this area of Greece. This study, based on low-cost effective research, offers a clear public health message. The Greek authorities responsible for health policy could build upon these findings in order to achieve the desired eradication. © 2012 International Society for Infectious Diseases

Stroneyloides hyperinfection in a patient with sarcoidosis

A 51-year-old-woman presented with chronic eosinophilia, a diffuse interstitial lung pattern on CT and splenomegaly with hypodense lesions. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis was determined from a lung biopsy. Hyperinfection with strongyloides following treatment with systemic steroids explains the presence of eosinophilia and splenic involvement

Genotyping of pathogenic Acanthamoebae isolated from clinical samples in Greece - Report of a clinical isolate presenting T5 genotype

Amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are potentially pathogenic to humans, causing mainly amoebic keratitis. Pathogenic ability of the 15 known Acanthamoeba genotypes is under investigation. We report that four out of five cases of amoebic keratitis studied in Greece, present T4 sequence type, while the remaining one presents T5 sequence type (Acanthamoeba lenticulata), which is the second most frequent genotype found among environmental samples. Thus, it is confirmed, for the first time to our knowledge, that A. lenticulata can cause keratitis. However the reason that it is under represented in clinical samples compared to environmental ones is unknown. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved