Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to G F Castle.
Two cases of newly diagnosed leprosy (Hansen's disease) are presented to remind physicians of the nature of this disorder and its increasing prevalence due to migration to the United States from endemic areas. In both cases, leprosy was not initially considered by the American physicians. Important clinical clues to diagnosis are reviewed.
Findings on health screening of immigrant Southeast Asian adolescents enrolled at a Federally funded vocational training facility were reviewed for the years 1979-1982. History of or positive skin test for tuberculosis was found in 55%. A heavy parasite burden was found in 46% of the recent Laotian immigrants, but was infrequent in Vietnamese who had been in the United States for several months before testing. Anemia was found in only 5.5%, though an additional 6.5% had findings suggestive of Thalasemia trait. Hepatitis B surface antigen positivity occurred in 16.8% but none had abnormal liver enzymes. One case of leprosy and three cases of idiopathic microscopic hematuria were detected.