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Assessment of the Quality of Malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test, Adama District, East Shewa Zone, Ethiopia
Merga Gonfa,
Daba Mulleta,
Wakgari Deresa,
Bizuayehu Gurmesa
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
109-118
Received:
21 September 2020
Accepted:
6 October 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Background: In Ethiopia, smear microscopy is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis however; it is not available in health post. Smear microscopy is time consuming, requires trained personnel and needs careful preparation and application of reagents to ensure quality results. Objective: This study was aimed at testing the diagnostic performance of SD BIOLINE malaria rapid diagnostic test (RDT) with reference to smear microscopy for the diagnosis of falciparum and vivax malaria in Ethiopia. Methods: Blood samples were collected from 402 patients suspected to have malaria in four health facilities in the late minor malaria transmission season from June18-30, 2014. The samples were examined immediately by smear microscopy and the RDT (SD BIOLINE Malaria HRP2/pLDH POCT Test kit). Statistical analysis was performed using Epi-info version 7 and the two-way contingency table analysis. Results: The overall parasite positivity using smear microscopy was 163 (45.6%): 136 (33.8%) for P. falciparum, 25 (6.2%) for P. vivax and two (0.5%) for mixed infections. Using the SD BIOLINE RDT, the overall parasite positivity was 176 (43.7%): 149 (37%) for P. falciparum, 26 (6.5%) for P. vivax and 1 (0.2%) for mixed infections. The overall sensitivity and specificity of SD BIOLINE RDT was found to be 98.2% (97.5–99.9%, 95% CI) and 95.2% (93.9–97.7%, 95% CI), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of SD BIOLINE RDT was found to be 98.2% (94–99.1%, 95% CI) and 95.4% (93.9–97.1%, 95% CI), respectively. The positive predictive value (PPV) and the negative predictive value (NPV) were found to be 93.6% (88.5–96.1%, 95% CI) and 98.7% (95.3–99.8%, 95% CI), respectively. There was an excellent agreement between the smear microscopy and SD BIOLINE RDT with a Kappa value of 0.965 (0.896–0.988, 95% CI). Conclusion: The SD BIOLINE RDT test showed good sensitivity and specificity with an excellent agreement to the reference smear microscopy. The RDT could therefore be used in place of smear microscopy, at health post where the microscope not applicable.
Abstract: Background: In Ethiopia, smear microscopy is the gold standard for malaria diagnosis however; it is not available in health post. Smear microscopy is time consuming, requires trained personnel and needs careful preparation and application of reagents to ensure quality results. Objective: This study was aimed at testing the diagnostic performance of...
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Histopathologic Findings of COVID-19: A Review Article
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
119-125
Received:
9 October 2020
Accepted:
24 October 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Background: The rapid spread of the COVID-19 has posed complex challenges to the global public health and it was declared as a public health emergency of international concern. Understanding the histopathology of COVID-19 will be crucial to propose effective therapies. However, studies on the pathological diagnosis of COVID-19 have been relatively deficient, scattered with a few summarized evidence. Objective: The objective of this review article was to have current state of knowledge about the histopathological changes detected in major organs due to COVID-19 disease, in order to enable the current understanding of it. Methods: The literature search for this document was carried out comprehensively by accessing PubMed, Google scholar, Web-of-Science and other data bases. In addition helpful documents were added. Result and conclusion: The most histopathological findings were in the pulmonary system. The primary pathology was diffuse alveolar damage with virus located in the pneumocytes. However, other major organs including the heart, liver and kidneys may be susceptible to viral replication and impairment leading to increased mortality in those with disseminated disease. The main histopathological findings in kidney were varying degrees of acute tubular necrosis, luminal brush border sloughing and dilated capillary vessels in the glomeruli. Liver injury is more common in severe cases of COVID-19.
Abstract: Background: The rapid spread of the COVID-19 has posed complex challenges to the global public health and it was declared as a public health emergency of international concern. Understanding the histopathology of COVID-19 will be crucial to propose effective therapies. However, studies on the pathological diagnosis of COVID-19 have been relatively ...
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Prevalence and Severity of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress During Pandemic of COVID-19 Among College Students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020 A Cross Sectional Survey
Addisu Tadesse Sahile,
Mikiyas Ababu,
Sinetsehay Alemayehu,
Haymanot Abebe,
Getabalew Endazenew,
Mussie Wubshet,
Hana Getachew,
Tirhas Tadesse
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
126-132
Received:
24 September 2020
Accepted:
9 October 2020
Published:
23 November 2020
Abstract: Background: Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive, single-stranded large ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses that infect various animals including humans which were first investigated by Tyrell and Bynoe in 1966. In Ethiopia, more than 26 million students were affected by school closures due to coronavirus surge. Objectives: The survey was aimed at assessing the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress during the pandemic of COVID-19 among college students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: An online cross-sectional survey was conducted among 153 college students in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from April 27-May 07, 2020. A short version of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress (DAS 21) scale were used, to measure both the magnitude as well as their severity. Findings: The overall prevalence of depression was 51% (95%CI: 42.8-59.1%), of which 49%, 18.1%, 20.9%, 7.2%, and 4.6% of participants had normal, mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe depression consecutively. The overall prevalence of anxiety was 51.6% (95%CI: 43.4-59.8%), where 11%, 20.9%, 6.5%, and 13.1% of the participants had mild, moderate, severe, and extremely severe anxiety symptoms respectively. The magnitude of stress was 11.1% (95%CI: 6.6-17.2%) of which only 7.8% and 2.6% had mild and moderate stress symptoms. The odds of developing anxiety among the students with a family income of 2001-4999 birr and greater than 10,000 birr had 69.7% (AOR: 0.303; 95%CI: 0.102-0.901) and 79.5% (AOR: 0.205, 95%CI: 0.064-0.653) higher odds as those with a monthly income of less than 2000 birr. Conclusion: A higher prevalence of depression and anxiety was observed from the current study, whilst the level of stress is still higher. A higher monthly income was associated with the development of anxiety during the pandemic of COVID-19. Concerned bodies were recommended to work over the identified problems, besides; large scale study mainly focused on determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress was also emphasized.
Abstract: Background: Coronaviruses are enveloped, positive, single-stranded large ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses that infect various animals including humans which were first investigated by Tyrell and Bynoe in 1966. In Ethiopia, more than 26 million students were affected by school closures due to coronavirus surge. Objectives: The survey was aimed at asse...
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A Case of Isolated Renal Glycosuria from Nepal
Uttam Kunwar,
Narayan Dutt Pant,
Saroj Khatiwada
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
133-135
Received:
13 October 2020
Accepted:
4 November 2020
Published:
24 November 2020
Abstract: Isolated renal glycosuria is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in SLC5A2 gene. The mutation leads to a defect in glucose transporter, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), which is involved in the reabsorption of glucose from proximal tubules. Defect in this transporter leads to loss of glucose in urine. This rare disease has not been reported from Nepal previously, and here we report the first case. A 38-year-old female with complaint of tiredness and fatigue visited our medical centre. On clinical examinations, no other signs and symptoms were reported. The patient had no history of any other disease and the patient was not taking any supplements or medications. On repeated laboratory investigations, there were no signs of abnormal glucose metabolism and proximal tubular dysfunction. No evidence of hepatic, renal, and blood disorders, infection, haematuria, and proteinuria was present. Based on clinical and laboratory investigations, the patient was diagnosed as having isolated renal glycosuria. We report the first case of isolated renal glycosuria in Nepal. Because the disease is often asymptomatic, physicians and health professionals need to be aware of this condition which may occur in their community.
Abstract: Isolated renal glycosuria is a rare genetic disease caused by mutations in SLC5A2 gene. The mutation leads to a defect in glucose transporter, sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2), which is involved in the reabsorption of glucose from proximal tubules. Defect in this transporter leads to loss of glucose in urine. This rare disease has not been r...
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The Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Lymphangioleiomyomatosis: A State of Neoplastic Senescence
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
136-148
Received:
28 October 2020
Accepted:
19 November 2020
Published:
30 November 2020
Abstract: A novel pathogenesis of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) is presented incorporating a review of clinical and pathology research on the disease together with a review of research in the field of senescence. In this model of pathogenesis it is proposed that: 1) the primary site of origin for this disease is the Mullerian smooth muscle found in the female reproductive tract and this accounts for the striking female predominance of the disease; 2) the tumor spreads to the lungs via a mechanism similar to lymphangitic carcinomatosis and this accounts for its universal symmetric and bilateral distribution; 3) there is a mutational basis for a senescence-associated growth arrest which helps explain the absence of enlarging tumor masses in the lung despite years of disease duration; and 4) PLAM cells have a senescence-associated secretory phenotype with implications for the pathogenesis of the cystic transformation of the lungs. The secretory phenotype of PLAM cells is reviewed and the overlap with the senescence associated secretory phenotype products of known senescent cells is documented. The role of the switch to glycolytic metabolism (Warburg state) by PLAM cells is described. Finally, the “contradictory signals” hypothesis for the induction of the senescent state is explored and its role in PLAM described.
Abstract: A novel pathogenesis of pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis (PLAM) is presented incorporating a review of clinical and pathology research on the disease together with a review of research in the field of senescence. In this model of pathogenesis it is proposed that: 1) the primary site of origin for this disease is the Mullerian smooth muscle found ...
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Multi-level Nerve Injury of the Upper Extremity Management and Review of Brachial Plexus Literature: A Case Report
Monica Pecache,
Rahul Patil,
Raya Abughanmi,
Tsu Min Tsai
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2020
Pages:
149-154
Received:
20 November 2020
Accepted:
7 December 2020
Published:
11 December 2020
Abstract: Backround: Brachial plexus injuries are complex cases requiring a thorough understanding of nerve physiology and upper extremity anatomy. Standard approaches and management have been developed but certain situations still arise where these are not feasible options. Objectives: A case of brachial plexus injury is discussed in this report. The patient was a young male who was referred to our center with weakness of the left upper extremity, C5-C7 distribution. Certain components of his injury, such as extensive soft tissue scarring and identification of a long neuroma at the injury site, obliged the surgeons to use unconventional nerve transfers during his surgery. In this paper, we discuss these alternative options in order to support their potential use in complex brachial plexus cases. Other concepts such as single fascicular harvest for nerve transfers and nerve graft augmented nerve transfers are discussed as they were successfully used in this report. Methodology and Results: The patient underwent a total of five surgeries which were a combination of nerve and tendon transfers. Some nerve transfers were augmented with long autologous nerve grafts reaching up to fifteen centimeters in length. Throughout the patients sequence of surgeries, certain nerves, such as the ulnar nerve branch to the flexor carpi ulnaris, successfully served as a donor nerve in more than one occasion. Muscle groups where single nerve fascicles were previously used as a donor nerves also yielded adequate muscle strength and were successfully subsequently used in tendon transfers. Ultimately, the patient was able to achieve good muscle strength, range of motion and outcome scores on his left upper extremity after two years from his final surgery. Conclusion: This report offers multiple alternative options in managing complex brachial plexus cases as well as challenges some concepts in nerve grafting. Alternative donor nerves are offered for transfers, some of which are not previously used in literature. Aside from this, the use of long autologous nerve grafts, single fascicular nerve transfers and repeated use of certain nerves as donor were performed successfully. We hope these procedures and techniques can be added to each hand specialist arsenal for managing complex brachial plexus injuries, specifically when the standard techniques are not feasible.
Abstract: Backround: Brachial plexus injuries are complex cases requiring a thorough understanding of nerve physiology and upper extremity anatomy. Standard approaches and management have been developed but certain situations still arise where these are not feasible options. Objectives: A case of brachial plexus injury is discussed in this report. The patien...
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