Tuberculin conversion in children after BCG vaccination.

Tuberculin sensitivity after BCG vaccination was studied in 86 children aged 6 to 24 months at W/o Beletshachew Abbajobire Mother and Child Health Centre, Addis Abeba from July 22-August 23, 1992. The overall conversion rate was 59%, of whom 75% showed indurations not exceeding 10mm. The study confirmed that the positive response in the Mantoux test due to BCG immunization usually produces less than 10mm of induration.

Schistosoma haematobium infection among Ethiopian prisoners of war (1977-1988) returning from Somalia.

Fifty Ethiopian male prisoners of war aged 20-34 years returning from Somalia were examined at the Schistosomiasis Diagnostic Laboratory of the Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Abeba University, Addis Abeba in 1988. Medical history was obtained and their urine was examined by the filtration technique. Recovered eggs of S.

Long-term exposure to SMS 201-995 inhibits proliferation and calcitonin release in neoplastic C-cells.

The effect of the long-acting somatostatin analogue SMS 201-995 on cellular proliferation and calcitonin production was examined in rMTC 6-23 cells. A dose-dependent inhibition of calcitonin release and cellular calcitonin content was obtained in cells exposed to SMS 201-995 for 72 hrs. The dose-dependent antiproliferative effect of SMS 201-995 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) was significant after 72 hrs of exposure.

Dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease) in the Bume (Nyangaton) people of South Omo, Ethiopia.

A village-to-village search for active dracunculiasis cases was carried out in an endemic area of the Bume (Nyangaton) tribe of South Omo Region, Ethiopia. A total of 21 cases, of which 6, 5, and 10 had pre-emergent, emergent and complicated Guinea worm disease, respectively, were identified. Twenty-two worms, ranging from 1-3 per patient, were removed mainly from the lower limbs; worm appearance seems to be associated more with the right limb.

The in vitro activity of Vernonia amygdalina on Leishmania aethiopica.

Anti-leishmanial activity of chloroform and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, a plant widely used in Ethiopia for the treatment of parasitic infections, has been assessed in vitro on Leishmania aethiopica. Amastigotes were more sensitive to V. amygdalina than promastigotes.

Hepatitis E virus infection in pregnancy in Ethiopia.

Thirty-two pregnant and 34 nonpregnant Ethiopian women between 15 and 45 years of age with sporadic acute viral hepatitis were studied consecutively. Demographic data including family size, monthly income and nutritional status as well as hepatitis virus markers were compared in the pregnant and nonpregnant groups. Only 3 nonpregnant women had hepatitis A infection.

Fate of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium during the fermentation of ergo, a traditional Ethiopian sour milk.

The growth potential of Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium in milk in smoked and non-smoked containers and their inhibition by lactic acid bacteria was determined. In the absence of lactic acid bacteria, both Salmonella strains could grow to the level of 10(8) cfu/ml within 12 h. Smoking of containers significantly retarded Salmonella growth only until 12 h.

Evaluation of reagent strips for detection of Schistosoma haematobium infection in the lower Awash valley, Ethiopia.

The use of reagent strips as indirect morbidity indicators in Schistosoma haematobium infection has been assessed in comparison with urine filtration technique in the lower Awash valley of Ethiopia in 1991. The prevalence of infection by reagent sticks and urine filtration was 16.0% and 3.

Bone and joint tuberculosis in childhood in a children's hospital, Addis Abeba.

The records of children admitted to the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital with the diagnosis of bone and/or joint tuberculosis (TB) between 1985 and 1990 were reviewed. There were 41 patients: 25 (61%) males and 16 (39%) females. The diagnosis was based on history, clinical and radiologic findings supported by a positive PPD reaction and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).

Comparison of immunodiagnosis (ELISA) and stool examination (Kato technique) in the diagnosis of Schistosoma mansoni in Ethiopia.

Schistosoma mansoni tegument antigen, extracted with 3M KCl, was employed to detect total antibodies due to the parasite in sera from 559 people living in endemic and nonendemic areas in Ethiopia. Cut-off point for positive and negative ELISA values was defined based on sera from the nonendemic area and results were compared with results of stool examination (Kato's thick smear technique). S.

The epidemiology of lathyrism in north and central Ethiopia.

Lathyrism is a neurotoxic disorder caused by excessive, prolonged consumption of the hardy, environmentally tolerant legume, the grass-pea, Lathyrus sativus, which contains the neurotoxic amino acid beta-N-oxalylamino-L-alanine acid (BOAA). The disease develops after heavy consumption of grass-pea for over two months. It is uniformly manifested by a predominantly motor spastic paraparesis with varying degrees of disability.

Recurring bacterial infection in a teenager: an Ethiopian case of common variable immunodeficiency revealed by the occurrence of rheumatoid arthritis.

A case of common variable immunodeficiency observed in an Ethiopian 13 year old girl who, from the age of 9 months, suffered from repeated, severe bacterial infections, but overcame viral infections normally, is reported. The immune defect bore upon the terminal stage of the differentiation of the B-lymphocytes, whose number was normal but which were unable to synthesize immunoglobulin in vitro. Replacement therapy with gammaglobulins controlled infection.

Chylous mesenteric and retroperitoneal cysts of developmental origin amongst Ethiopians: report of four cases.

Chylous mesenteric and retroperitoneal cysts of developmental origin are unusual and rarely diagnosed with accuracy before laparotomy. They may produce compression of viscera and may rupture with haemorrhage. This is the first report of four cases, with varied presentations, from an African country.

Bronchial asthma in Jima: a prospective analysis of 204 patients.

Two hundred and four (204) consecutive adult asthmatic patients who visited the outpatient clinic of Jima Institute of Medical Sciences from May 1 to August 30, 1989 were prospectively studied. Data on age, sex, ethnic distribution and the associated etiological factors were documented. The age range was from 17-75 (mean 33.

Relapsing fever in children--demographic, social and clinical features.

Louse-borne relapsing fever (LBRF) is an acute febrile illness endemic Ethiopia. To date reports of childhood LBRF are few. The demographic, social and clinical features of eighty children with LBRF admitted to Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital, Addis Abeba between 1989 and 1991 is presented.

Cryptococcal meningitis in a young Ethiopian woman with AIDS.

The case of a 20 year old Ethiopian woman with cryptococcal meningitis and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is presented. Though cryptococcal infections have been reported from many countries throughout the world, this is the first case reported from Ethiopia in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment are discussed, with a review of recent literature.

The efficacy of hydrochlorothiazide, timolol and enalapril in Ethiopians with essential hypertension.

A double-blind trial of hydrochlorothiazide, timolol and enalapril was carried out in Ethiopians with essential hypertension at the Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Addis Abeba, between 1987 and 1990. Patients with a supine diastolic blood pleasure of 95-120 mmHg after a washout period of 2 weeks were randomized to receive hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily, timolol 10 mg daily or enalapril 10 mg daily. Doses were doubled at 4 weeks if the diastolic blood pressure remained above 95 mmHg.

Multiple myeloma in Ethiopians: analysis of 22 cases.

Twenty-two cases of multiple myeloma were seen in the Department of Internal Medicine, Tikur Anbessa (Black Lion) Hospital, a teaching and referral hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, from January 1983 to December 1990. The age range was 38 to 76 (mean +/- SD = 51.5 +/- 12.

Epidemic meningococcal meningitis in adult Ethiopians in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, 1988.

278 patients with pyogenic meningitis admitted to the Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital in Addis Abeba, Ethiopia, between January and December 1988 were studied prospectively to describe the epidemiology, microbiology, clinical features and outcome of infection. Fifty-nine per cent of the patients were admitted in the hot dry season between January and the end of June. About half of the patients (57%) were in the age group 15 to 19 years; the male to female ratio was 1.

Effects of isoniazid on hepatic drug oxidation and N-acetylation capacities in rats.

In vitro and in vivo activity of hepatic monooxygenase as well as in vivo N-acetylation capacity were assessed in male Wistar rats after oral pretreatment with 10 and 50 mg/kg isoniazid for 7 d. Both doses of isoniazid showed no statistical difference in protein contents, total cytochrome P-450 and the activities of aminopyrine N-demethylase as well as ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase in the 9000 x g liver homogenate suspension compared to the saline pretreated group. Body and relative liver weights remained also unchanged.

The effect of different chemical and physical agents on the viability of Cysticercus bovis: a preliminary report.

The in vitro comparative effect of 23 chemicals and 5 physical agents on the viability of Cysticerci of Taenia saginata was investigated. Accordingly the effects of Vinegar, "Kosso-Araki", "Senafitch", "Dagim-Araki", "Datta", Gin, Lemon-juice, Cognac, Fernet Whisky, Bitter, Brandy, Kilikil, "Feto", ArakiUzo, Araki-Double Uzo, Vermouth, Metta Beer, Pilsner Beer, "Awazie", "Tella", "Tej", and Sarris Wine Red and White; was assessed on the basis of minimum exposure time (in minutes) required to render viable cysticerci nonevaginable, and was found to be 5, 20, 20, 25, 40, 40, 45, 50, 55, 75, 80, 90, 90, 90, 105, 105, 110 respectively with the remaining showing no deleterious effects on the cysts up to 180 minutes of exposure. Similarly, viable bovine cysticerci were subjected to the physical forces of x-ray radiation, electricity, UV light radiation, centrifugation and vibration, and the effect of the individual agent on the cysts was assessed on the basis of minimum applicable force required to render bovine cysticerci non-evaginable.

Transmission of intestinal schistosomiasis in Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia.

Parasitological, malacological and transmission studies were made for a period of one year in the town of Bahir Dar, northwest Ethiopia. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis mansoni in residents of Kebeles 8, 9 and 10 was 12%. The prevalence in Sertse Dengel school children was 45% and that in Dil Chibo school children was 32%.

Acquired primary endocrine failure in adult Ethiopian patients.

Over a 4 year period, February 1986 to January 1990, 18 patients with acquired primary endocrine failure were seen in the weekly endocrine clinic of Tikur Anbessa teaching and referral hospital in Addis Abeba. Eight patients had hypothyroidism and 4 Addison's disease; 3 of the 5 hypothyroid and 2 of the 3 Addison's cases on whom autoantibodies were determined were positive. One patient had polyglandular failure, involving the adrenal and thyroid glands and the gonads.

Neonatal sepsis.

A two year retrospective study of 242 neonates with a clinical diagnosis of neonatal sepsis was undertaken. The neonates on whom blood culture results were available for analysis were categorized into "proven" or "presumptive" sepsis. A changing pattern in aetiological pathogens is identified.