Syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital chlamydial infection in a Somali village.

A total of 767 sera were collected from 187 men, 200 women and 380 children in a Somali village, Jambaluul. All sera were tested for syphilis serological markers by Venereal Diseases Research Laboratory (VDRL) and Treponema pallidum Haemagglutination Assay (TPHA). Sera positive for both or either of these tests were further analysed for the presence of specific IgM antibodies by Solid Phase Haemadsorption Assay (SPHA). A high and almost equal prevalence of TPHA positivity was found in men and women; 24% and 22.5%, respectively, and IgM antibodies were found in 3% and 4%, respectively. TPHA positivity significantly increased with age. Thus more than half of the villagers at the age of 45 years or more were TPHA positive. One percent of the children were TPHA positive. From all adults aged 15 years and above urogenital specimens were also taken for Chlamydia trachomatis antigen detection with an enzyme-amplified immunoassay (IDEIA) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae culture. Chlamydial genital infection was found in 6% of the men and 18% of the women. All gonococcal cultures were negative.

Determinants of nutritional status in hospital patients in Italy.

The prevalence of protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM) and micronutrient deficiency (MND) at the time of admission and discharge from hospital was evaluated in 91 patients consecutively admitted to the Surgery Clinic of the University Hospital of Rome. Anthropometric parameters and circulating levels of vitamins (A, E, C, B1, and B2) and visceral proteins [retinol-binding protein (RBP, prealbumin (PA), and transferrin] were measured. Twenty-one patients (23%) had moderate to severe PCM, and 70 patients (77%) had normal nutritional status (NNS) at admission. Two patients with PCM died in the hospital. At discharge, the prevalence of PCM was unchanged in the remaining 19 patients. Single or multiple MND was observed initially in 71% of patients with PCM and in 36% with apparently normal nutritional status. Despite vitamin supplementation, MND was present at the time of discharge in 73% of patients with PCM and 44% with NNS. Nutritional status at the time of admission was assessed in hospitals in six different Italian cities. The criterion for admission to the study was the diagnosis of chronic (greater than 1 yr duration) illness (excluding cancer and multiple organ disorders). Two hundred eighty-four patients (145 males, 139 females), ages 25-88 yr, were selected. The findings indicated a high prevalence of MND (64%). Also, in disorders that usually do not have significant alterations of digestion or absorption, such as uncomplicated cardiorespiratory disease, the prevalence of MND was high (9-38%). The prevalence of MND was not related to body mass index (BMI). PCM was more common among patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)