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Biomedical subjects

M Corachan

Publications and source records attributed to M Corachan.

34 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Purulent pericarditis in Papua New Guinea: report of 12 cases and review of the literature in a tropical environment.

Twelve cases of purulent pericarditis (P.P.) are presented. In each case diagnosis was confirmed by aspiration of pus from the pericardial sac. Clinical presentation of this condition is discussed, and therapeutic alternatives are compared. A review of the literature dealing with this condition in a tropical environment is made. It is suggested that in a environment where infectious disease prevails, the diagnosis of this condition is often missed. The importance of early diagnosis and an aggressive approach to management is stressed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Hepatic structure and function in Papua New Guineans with leprosy.

Hepatic function, including plasma bromsulphthalein (BSP) clearance was studied in 20 Papua New Guineans with leprosy: 11 lepromatous (LL) (6 had erythema nodosum leprosum (ENL)) (group A), and 9 tuberculoid or borderline (BT or BB) (group B); 12 controls (group C) were also studied. Four of five with abnormal BSP results had significant complicating or additional factors (hepatic amyloidosis, pustular ENL, hepato-cellular carcinoma and a pyogenic abscess), compared with two of 15 with normal results (tuberculous osteitis and pyogenic osteomyelitis). In nine (five from group A, and four from group B) needle liver biopsy histology was assessed: foci of vacuolated phagocytes and histiocytes, and tuberculoid granulomata were the most frequent lesions; none had cirrhosis. Leprosy is not associated with impaired hepatocellular function unless a severe complication or coincident disease is concurrently present. In this limited study therapeutic agents were not associated with abnormal liver structure or function. When liver function is abnormal in leprosy, another cause (e.g. secondary amyloidosis, sepsis or malignancy) should be searched for.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Parasitic duodenitis.

Sixty-two patients presenting with upper abdominal pain of the non-ulcer dyspepsia type, and radiological signs of duodenitis, were investigated for parasites; biopsies of the duodenum were performed, both by capsule and by endoscopy. The findings were compared with a group of 18 healthy controls with and without parasites. The group of 36 patients with parasites showed a significant degree of inflammatory infiltrate compared to the non-parasitized patients and to the control group.

Duodenitis↗
PubMed1979

Sicklers surviving childhood in Tanzania.

Sixty two cases of sickling haemoglobinopathy have been admitted and specially studied between 1973 and 1977 in the Bugando Hospital, Mwanza, Tanzania. Presenting symptoms are described. The problems of recognition in the medical diaspora and of management are considered. It is expected that with improving regional health facilities more cases will survive childhood but also will cause special difficulties in adequate care. It is pleaded that because of the ubiquity of the HbS gene in Tanzania sufficient priority is given to the affected in planning health services in Tanzania.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Radiological studies on the upper digestive tract in Tanzanians at Mwanza.

Among 462 barium meals performed in rural Tanzanians in 1973-1974 121 pathological lesions were diagnosed. The principal were peptic ulcer in 59 patients, duodenitis in 20, serious gastritis in 10, carcinoma of the stomach in nine and of the oesophagus in seven. Peptic ulcer was most prevalent in young adults. The frequency of duodenitis was associated with invasion by parasitic worms. The social factors in the prevalence of peptic ulcer are discussed. Gastroptosis was a very common finding in patients with stomach complaints.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Schistosomiasis in the Republic of São Tomé and Principe: human studies.

The only schistosome species found in stool specimens in the local population of the republic of São Tomé is Schistosoma intercalatum. An initial survey of schoolchildren showed an overall prevalence of 10.9%, with some schools reaching 29%. No S. haematobium egg was found in 782 urine specimens from the local population, although some were seen in the urine of Angolan soldiers stationed near the capital city. One village in the endemic area, San Marçal, had an S. intercalatum prevalence of 43%, with 14 persons > 40 years of age harbouring severe infections. The transmission area is restricted to the north-east of the main island, where 5 foci apparently account for most of the infections. Seven cases recorded from Principe may be explained by the fact that the children were attending school at São Tomé. Women carrying out domestic activities are more at risk of contracting the infection because of longer periods of water contact than men. The morbidity produced by the infection is restricted to splenomegaly and blood in the stools. High prevalences have been found of Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, and hookworm and Stronglyloides stercoralis were also observed. Praziquantel was well tolerated and appears to be a good tool for control purposes, although reinfection in the transmission area apparently occurs rapidly. Control strategies based on chemotherapy should take into account an older age group as well as the schoolchildren. Focal mollusciciding and the introduction of washing facilities may also have a role to play in control. The possible recent introduction of the infection to the island is discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Schistosomiasis in the Republic of São Tomé and Principe: characterization of Schistosoma intercalatum.

This paper reports the morphological and biochemical characterization of the species of Schistosoma infecting humans in the Republic of São Tomé and Principe. The eggs are typical in shape and size of S. intercalatum, measuring on average between 174.5 microns and 189.1 microns. The eggs are voided in the faeces and not the urine of infected people. The parasite experimentally develops in several different species of Bulinus belonging to the B. forskalii group, including B. forskalii, with a minimum prepatent period of 25 d, and also in snails of the B. reticulatus group (B. wrighti); it is incompatible with snails of the B. africanus and B. truncatus/B. tropicus complex. A survey of 5 different habitats at intervals of 2 weeks over a period of one year showed that populations of B. forskalii increased during the dry period of June, July and August in 1988, and in 3 of the habitats snails were present throughout the year. Hence transmission may take place in these habitats throughout the year. Preliminary evidence suggests that water velocity is a limiting factor confining Bulinus to the north-east of the island where the terrain is less mountainous. Development of schistosomes from São Tomé was followed in experimentally infected hamsters. The cross-over point (the point at which the paired male and female worms are of the same average length) occurred at about 49 d after infection: eggs were first seen in the uteri of the female worms 48 d after infection. The parasite from São Tomé developed in sheep and produced viable eggs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Africa, Western↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Schistosomiasis in northern Mozambique.

A survey of 12 schools in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique, was performed to assess the extent of schistosomiasis infection. Questionnaires validated by parasitological examination of stools and urine were used. Very high prevalences of Schistosoma haematobium infection were found in all schools (77.5% was the lowest recorded), so the questionnaires did not distinguish 'high risk' schools. However, they clearly indicated a good knowledge of the infection by students and teachers. The disease was recognized by teachers to be a public health problem in the area. S. mansoni infection was rare. It had not been reported in previous surveys, but its vector Biomphalaria was discovered in the area. Revised mapping of the disease is advisable in view of probable changes after many years of conflict.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[5 cases of cysticercosis in Rwanda].

Five cases of cysticercosis are reported. They were diagnosed by microscopic examination of the sub-cutaneous nodules in which T. Solium larvae were found. Results of the treatment by Praziquantel are reported, with regard to the symptomatology of the patients after one year of observation. Necrosis of cysticerci larvae few month after starting the treatment was observed in three cases by microscopical anatomy test. Three doses of Praziquantel of 20 mg/kg at four hours of interval are efficient against sub-cutaneous and muscular cysticercosis. Such a treatment presents the advantage very important in some rural zones in Africa, of a single dose in one day.

Adult↗