As a result of numerous influences, some genetic and others environmental, disease patterns in many of the minor ethnic groups are often at variance with those affecting the long established indigenes of the United Kingdom. Also, several important infective conditions can be acquired during brief visits to the land of their birth, or of their ancestors. As integration into the life-style of the UK becomes increasingly established, several diseases of the 'westernised' or 'industrialised' nations are assuming a major importance in these groups. The last few decades have witnessed the arrival of so many diverse groups from nearly all parts of the world that an intimate and in-depth knowledge of these disease patterns is now essential to the pursuance of competent medical practice in the UK.

Communicable Diseases↗

PubMed1991

Gastroenterological emergencies in the tropics.

Significant differences exist in the prevalence of most gastroenterological emergencies in tropical compared with temperate countries. Both ethnic and environmental (often clearly defined geographically) factors are relevant. The major oesophageal lesions which can present acutely in tropical countries are varices and carcinoma; bleeding and obstruction are important sequelae. Peptic ulcer disease (and its complications), often associated (not necessarily causally) with Helicobacter pylori infection, has marked geographical variations in incidence. Emergencies involving the small intestine are dominated by severe dehydration, and its sequelae, resulting from secretory diarrhoea, most notably cholera. However, enteritis necroticans ('pig bel' disease), paralytic ileus (sometimes caused by antiperistaltic agents) and obstruction (secondary to luminal helminths, volvulus and intussusception) are other important problems, especially in infants and children. Enteric fever is occasionally complicated by perforation and haemorrhage; the former (which is notoriously difficult to manage) is accompanied by significant mortality. Ileocaecal tuberculosis is a major cause of right iliac fossa pathology--sometimes associated with malabsorption; amoeboma is an important clinical differential diagnosis. The colon can be involved in invasive Entamoeba histolytica infection (which, like complicated enteric fever, is difficult to manage if the fulminant form, with perforation, ensues), shigellosis, volvulus and intussusception. Acute colonic dilatation occasionally follows Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Campylobacter jejuni, Yersinia enterocolitica and rarely E. histolytica infections. Acute hepatocellular failure is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the tropics and subtropics. It usually results from viral hepatitis (HBV, sometimes complicated by HDV, and HCV), but there is a long list of differential diagnoses. Hepatotoxicity resulting from herbs, chemotherapeutic agents or alcohol also occurs not infrequently. Chronic liver disease and its sequelae (often long-term results of viral hepatitis) are commonplace. Haematemesis and hepatocellular failure are usually very difficult to manage due to a lack of sophisticated support techniques in developing countries. Invasive hepatic amoebiasis usually responds well to medical management; however, spontaneous perforation can occur and the consequences of this are serious. Pyogenic liver abscess, although far less common than amoebic 'abscess', carries a bad prognosis whatever the method(s) of management. Hydatidosis and schistosomiasis also involve the liver, and helminthiases are important in the context of biliary tract disease. Gall stones are unusual in most tropical settings. Acute pancreatitis is overall unusual, but chronic calcific pancreatitis can present as an acute abdominal emergency.

Biliary Tract Diseases↗

PubMed1991

Exchange blood transfusion for severe Plasmodium falciparum infection: proven adjunct in management or still sub judice?

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Animals↗

PubMed1991

Anthelminthic agents: some recent developments and their clinical application.

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Anthelmintics↗

PubMed1991

A typhus-like illness caused by acute HIV seroconversion.

A patient is described in whom an acute human immunodeficiency virus seroconversion illness occurred following a trip to southern Africa. The presentation was strikingly similar to that of African tick typhus and could only be distinguished by serological testing.

Adult↗

PubMed1991