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Biomedical subjects

A Hafiz

Publications and source records attributed to A Hafiz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Evaluation of the Simplify D-dimer assay as a screening test for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis in an emergency department.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the use in an emergency department of a new D-dimer assay (Simplify D-dimer) as a screening test for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). METHODS: 187 outpatients with clinical features suspicious of acute DVT were entered into this study. A Simplify D-dimer test was performed in the emergency department on all patients. A SimpliRED D-dimer test and a semi-automated latex agglutination assay (Auto-D-dimer 700 on a Thromboscreen 400C analyser) were performed in the haematology laboratory. All patients were investigated with contrast venography to confirm or exclude the diagnosis of DVT. RESULTS: The Simplify test had a sensitivity of 94.1% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 94.8%. These results compared favourably with the SimpliRED test (sensitivity 74.5%, NPV 89.7%) and the latex agglutination assay (sensitivity 90.2%, NPV 92.2%). This increased sensitivity was at the cost of a lower specificity, the specificity of the three d-dimer tests being Simplify 40.4%, SimpliRED 83.1%, and latex agglutination 43.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Simplify proved to be a rapid and easy to use test and may be useful for use in the emergency department as part of a diagnostic algorithm for deep vein thrombosis. Further larger scale studies are needed.

Acute Disease↗

Role of trichrome staining techniques in the diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the diagnostic yield of saline and iodine preparation with trichrome staining of fresh sample of stool for diagnosis of parasitic infection. METHOD: Stools were examined in saline and iodine preparation and trichrome stained smears prepared according to the method recommended by WHO in oil immersion. RESULTS: Out of 400 specimens 215 were positive for parasitic infection and of these 81 were diagnosed exclusively on trichrome stained samples. CONCLUSION: Because of its better diagnostic field trichrome staining technique should be included in the routine stool examination.

Azo Compounds↗

[Xeroderma pigmentosum. A study in 40 Algerian patients].

INTRODUCTION: Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) is a rate autosomal recessive disorder related to DNA repair defects. Recently, modifications of oncogenes and mutations of the p53 suppressor gene have been reported in skin tumors of XP patients. The purpose is to study, through a series of 40 patients admitted to the Dermatologic Clinic of Algiers, the characteristics of XP in Algeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: For each patient, familiarity, clinical and biological examinations and therapeutic results were studied. Biological studies have been axed mainly on analysis of DNA extracted from skin tumors of 18 patients to detect oncogene modifications by Southern blot and hybridization. A technic, based on single strand DNA conformation polymorphism (SSCP), has been carried out to detect rapidly mutations on the p53 gene. RESULTS: A consanguinity in the first degree is noted in 95 p. 100 of cases and a familiarity in 63 p. 100 of cases. The median age of patients is 10 years; sex ratio is close to one; 32 patients (80 p. 100) are classic XP and 8 (20 p. 100) are XP variant. In 18 tumors analysed, the Ha-ras gene is amplified and/or modified in 50 p. 100 of cases. Only 3 tumors (16.6 p. 100) show mutations of the p53 gene (transitions C-T). Surgical treatment isolated or associated to polychemotherapy permitted to resolve tumors in 75 p. 100 of cases. DISCUSSION: In Algeria, XP are mainly classic with a particularly high frequency of occular (62 p. 100) and neurological manifestations (62 p. 100). Genetic studies confirm modifications of the Haras gene in direct relation with unrepaired UV lesions in classic XP and mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene characteristic of mutation spectra induced by UV. Surgery is the treatment of choice for tumors; polychemotherapy is an alternative in advanced cases.

Adolescent↗

Surveillance of toxoplasmosis in different groups.

Two hundred and twenty three serum samples were screened for the antitoxoplasma antibodies of IgG type by a direct agglutination method, of these 78 (34.9%) were sero-positive. In high risk groups 71 (40.1%) of 177 cases were positive, while in the low risk groups 7 (15.2%) out of 46 cases were positive. Sero-positive males were more than females, and the disease increased steadily with age. Of the high risk group the prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 53.7% in immunocompromised group, 44.7% in animal handlers, 39.8% in pregnancy wastage group and 25.8% in a congenitally abnormal children. A high percentage prevalence of toxoplasmosis was noticed in high risk groups as compared with low risk group.

Adolescent↗