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Biomedical subjects

H Alsoub

Publications and source records attributed to H Alsoub.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Isolation of Exophiala dermatitidis from endotracheal aspirate of a cancer patient.

Exophiala (Wangiella) dermatitidis is a melanised (darkly pigmented) yeast-like organism that has been reported from the environment and wild animals. The organism is a frequent coloniser of lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis and causes occasional disseminated phaeohyphomycosis and fungaemia. Exophiala dermatitidis is distributed worldwide, but cerebral cases are restricted to East Asia. We report a case of 54-year-old Qatari female patient with a known history of cancer, suffering from pulmonary disorder. Culture of endotracheal aspirate revealed the growth of E. dermatitidis concomitant with Candida krusei. The final diagnosis of E. dermatitidis and attribution to genotype B was achieved by sequencing the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. The present case concerns a pulmonary colonisation by E. dermatitidis, similar to that commonly seen in cystic fibrosis patients. For the detection of E. dermatitidis in clinical specimens culturing techniques are required. The patient finally expired with persistent cancer and C. krusei fungaemia. Review of literature and listing of E. dermatitidis cases published after 1992 show a sharp increase in clinical cases during the 1990s.

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid↗

Descending necrotising mediastinitis.

Descending necrotising mediastinitis is a rare but serious complication of oropharyngeal infections with high mortality. Diagnosis is frequently delayed, contributing to this high mortality, but awareness of such a complication and early diagnosis using computed tomographic scanning leads to prompt surgical drainage, proper antibiotic therapy, and survival.

Adult↗

A clinical comparison of typhoid fever caused by susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains of Salmonella typhi.

The clinical features and response to therapy with ciprofloxacin were studied in two groups of patients: those infected by susceptible strains of Salmonella typhi and others infected by multidrug-resistant strains. There was no significant difference in the clinical presentation, laboratory findings and outcome between the two groups. Patients infected with multidrug-resistant strains, however, defervesced in significantly longer time (5.5 days) than those infected by susceptible strains (4.35 days) (p = 0.031). In areas with high prevalence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella infection, empiric treatment with quinolones or third-generation cephalosporins of all patients with suspected typhoid fever until the results of culture sensitivity tests are available may lead to better outcome.

Adolescent↗

Tuberculous meningitis: a clinical and laboratory study of 20 patients in Qatar.

Twenty cases of tuberculous meningitis were diagnosed at the Hamad Medical Corporation between 1990 and 1995. Most of the patients (90%) were expatriates. The most common presenting features were fever, headache, neck stiffness and altered mental status. Five patients were in stage 1 disease at the time of presentation, 11 in stage 2, and four in stage 3. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid showed at least one abnormal finding in all patients, and culture grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis in 50%. A positive tuberculin skin test in 50% of patients, abnormal chest X-ray in 35%, abnormal CT scan or MRI showing tuberculoma or hydrocephalus in 55%, and positive sputum culture for M. tuberculosis in 15% helped establish the diagnosis. All the patients were treated with antituberculous drugs and steroids. Seventeen (85%) survived, three with severe neurological sequelae; three (15%) died. Poor outcome was associated with advanced stage of disease at presentation and high CSF protein. Tuberculous meningitis continues to be an important disease in Qatar, especially in expatriates, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any patient presenting with fever and change in sensorium.

Adolescent↗