IgG Against Dengue Virus in Healthy Blood Donors,Zanzibar, Tanzania

We conducted a seroprevalence survey among 500 healthy adult donors at Zanzibar National Blood Transfusion Services. Dengue virus IgG seroprevalence was 50.6% and independently associated with age and urban residence. These data will aid in building a surveillance, preparedness, and response plan for dengue virus infections in the Zanzibar Archipelago.Key words: dengue, seroprevalence, Zanzibar, viruses, vector-borne infections     

The Role of Smoking in Breast Cancer Development: An Analysis of a Mayo Clinic Cohort

Abstract:  The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive value of smoking history on breast cancer diagnosis in a referral clinic population. We conducted a case–control study using clinical data collected on 8,097 female patients (1,225 breast cancer cases and 6,872 controls) seen in the Mayo Clinic Breast Clinic between August 1, 1993 and November 31, 2003. Breast cancer patients and noncancer patients significantly differed with respect to age at time of the index visit (p < 0.001), number of pregnancies (p = 0.006), number of live births (p = 0.002), vital status at last known follow-up (p < 0.001), current menstruation (p < 0.001), age at menopause (p < 0.001), history of hysterectomy (p < 0.001), use of oral contraception (p = 0.05), duration of oral contraception use (p = 0.001), use of other exogenous hormones (p < 0.001), duration of exogenous hormone use (p = 0.05), breast pain at time of index visit (p = 0.002), smoking status (p < 0.001), and use of five or more alcoholic beverages per week (p = 0.002). After adjustment for these baseline characteristics, having a personal history of smoking was found to be predictive of breast cancer diagnosis (odds ratios [OR] = 1.25, p = 0.004). Other positive predictors for breast cancer diagnosis were: age (OR = 1.02, p < 0.001), history of hysterectomy (OR = 0.66, p < 0.001), prior use of oral contraception for more than 11 years (OR = 2.10, p < 0.001), and prior use of other exogenous hormones/estrogen (OR = 1.81, p < 0.001). In this referral practice having a personal history of smoking is predictive of breast cancer diagnosis. Further studies are needed to further explore this relationship.     

Pulp revascularization for immature replanted teeth: a case report

Immature avulsed teeth are not usually treated with pulp revascularization because of the possibility of complications. However, this therapy has shown success in the treatment of immature teeth with periapical lesions. This report describes the case of an immature replanted tooth that was successfully treated by pulp revascularization. An 8‐year‐old boy suffered avulsion on his maxillary left lateral incisor. The tooth showed incomplete root development and was replanted after 30 minutes. After diagnosis, revascularization therapy was performed by irrigating the root canal and applying a calcium hydroxide paste and 2% chlorhexidine gel for 21 days. In the second session, the intracanal dressing was removed and a blood clot was stimulated up to the cervical third of the root canal. Mineral trioxide aggregate was placed as a cervical barrier at the entrance of the root canal and the crown was restored. During the follow‐up period, periapical repair, apical closure and calcification in the apical 4 mm of the root canal was observed. An avulsed immature tooth replanted after a brief extra‐alveolar period and maintained in a viable storage medium may be treated with revascularization.     

Pediatric peripheral blood progenitor cell collection: haemonetics MCS 3P versus COBE Spectra versus Fresenius AS104

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of apheresis machines are becoming available for peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) collection in children. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: At the Children's Hospital of Florence (Italy), three apheresis machines were evaluated: MCS 3P (Haemonetics) (10 procedures in 4 patients, aged 10–12 years, weight 23.5-64 kg), Spectra, (COBE) (8 procedures in 3 patients, aged 4–17 years, weight 19–59 kg), and AS104 (Fresenius) (24 procedures in 9 patients, aged 2–16 years, weight 13.6-60 kg). For PBPC quantitative analysis, CD34 cytofluorimetry was employed. Relevant variables analyzed included efficiency of CD34+ cell extraction and enrichment, mononuclear cell purity and red cell contamination of the apheresis components, and platelet count decreases after leukapheresis. RESULTS: No significant differences in CD34+ cell-extraction abilities were found. However, the AS104 provided consistently purer leukapheresis components in terms of mononuclear cell and CD34+ cell enrichment (441 +/− 59%, vs. 240 +/− 35% and 290 +/− 42% for MCS 3P and Spectra, respectively). Postapheresis platelet counts dropped the least with the AS104. The smallest patient who underwent apheresis with MCS 3P (the only machine working on discontinuous flow and hence with greater volume shifts) weighed 23.5 kg and tolerated the procedure well, with no signs of hemodynamic instability. No significant complications were observed. CONCLUSION: All machines seem to have comparable PBPC extraction efficiency, but the AS104 seems to give the component with the greatest PBPC enrichment. This feature might be relevant for further ex vivo cell processing (CD34+ cell selection, expansion, and so on).     

Hydrocelectomy under local anaesthesia in a Nigerian adult population

Background

Hydrocele is abnormal collection of serous fluid in the tunica vaginalis or a patent processus vaginalis. It is commonly encountered in our practice and often requires surgical treatment. However in our setting and in many underdeveloped countries, availability of general anaesthetic service is poor due to lack of trained personnel and equipment.

Objectives

To ascertain the practicability and acceptability of hydrocelectomy under sedation and local anaesthesia in Nigerian adults with hydrocele

Patients and Methods

A prospective study was carried out over a two year period on patients that had hydrocelectomy at the surgery unit of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa. Consecutive patients with diagnosis of hydrocele who consented had hydrocelectomy using intramuscular diazepam sedation and spermatic-cord block with 0.5% plane xylocaine and the scrotum infiltrated with same along the line of incision.

Results

Fifty adult patients were studied: age range 15–94 years. Eighty percent of the patients had unilateral hydrocele and the commonest type was vaginal hydrocele (94%). All patients had hydrocelectomy, 96% were under local anaesthesia while 4% were converted to general anaesthesia. All patients except one prefer to have future surgery under such local anaesthesia and sedation.

Conclusion

Hydrocelectomy under local anaesthesia and sedation is practicable and was tolerated and accepted by the adults patients studied.     

Spontaneous abortion following mid-trimester amniocentesis. Clinical significance of placental perforation and blood-stained amniotic fluid

Summary. The clinical significance of placental perforation and bloodstained amniotic fluid was studied in a group of 7238 Danish women undergoing mid-trimester amniocentesis for prenatal diagnosis under ultrasound guidance. The risk of spontaneous abortion was significantly increased both in pregnancies where the placenta was perforated and in those with blood-stained amniotic fluid. The risk estimate nearly doubled after placental perforation and more than doubled with a bloody tap. It is concluded that for women at relatively low risk of a fetal genetic abnormality, the indication of the amniocentesis should be reconsidered if a placental perforation is unavoidable.     

Increase in contact allergy to fragrances: patch-test results 1989-1998

We report the results of patch tests with fragrance-mix as a part of the standard series carried out over the last 10 years (1989-1998) during routine testing of 6129 patients in our department. 5.9% of the total number of patients who were patch tested were positive to fragrance mix. The sex ratio was 2.3:1 with a female predominance. In 1989-1993, the frequency of contact sensitivity to fragrance mix was 3.9% (4.9% for females and 2.1% for males). This rate rose both in female and male patients during the observed period of time and attained 8.9% (females) and 4.1% (males) in 1994-1998; the overall frequency in 1994-98 was 7.5%. This rising trend, which was statistically significant, might be the consequence of an increased use of cosmetics and toiletries containing fragrances in our population.