ABSTRACT
Objective. To evaluate the hematological and biochemistry profile of patients with or without HIV-TB at the Georgetown Chest Clinic, Guyana. Methods. An observational, laboratory based study was designed to assess the relationship of PTB and HIV with patients routine biochemical and hematological values. The study was conducted during the period January 2013 to December 2014; a total sample size of 316 patients was enrolled following exclusion and inclusion criteria. Results. Mean age of study population was 40.1 ± 13.8 (95% CI 38.6-41.7) and most were between 40 and 49 age group (27.8%, 95% CI 23.2-33.0). More males were in the study 74.4% (95% CI 69.3-78.8) than females 81% (95% CI 21.1-30.7). 30% (95% CI 25.3-35.3) had a sputum smear grade of 3+ and 62.5% (95% CI 47.0-75.7) showed a CD4 count <200. The study demonstrated significantly low hemoglobin (Hb) 91.7% (95% CI 78.2-97.1), low WBC 27.8% (95% CI 15.8-44.0), high indirect bilirubin 7.4% (95% CI 2.1-23.3), ALT 41.8% (95% CI 28.4-56.7), and AST 72.2% (95% CI 57.3-83.3) among TB-HIV patients. Homelessness RR (relative risk) 2.2 (95% CI 0.48-12.3), smoking RR 1.09 (95% CI 1.01-1.19), and gender (male) RR 1.2 (95% CI 0.61-2.26) were main associated risk factors. Conclusions. There is slight variation among PTB and PTB-HIV coinfected patients in some hematological and biochemistry parameters.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis is common in children. Epicutaneous patch testing is an important tool for identifying responsible allergens. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to provide the patch test results from children (aged ≤18 years) examined by the North American Contact Dermatitis Group from 2005 to 2012. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of children patch-tested with the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 65- or 70-allergen series. Frequencies and counts were compared with previously published data (2001-2004) using χ statistics. CONCLUSIONS: A total of 883 children were tested during the study period. A percentage of 62.3% had ≥1 positive patch test and 56.7% had ≥1 relevant positive patch test. Frequencies of positive patch test and relevant positive patch test reaction were highest with nickel sulfate (28.1/25.6), cobalt chloride (12.3/9.1), neomycin sulfate (7.1/6.6), balsam of Peru (5.7/5.5), and lanolin alcohol 50% petrolatum vehicle (5.5/5.1). The ≥1 positive patch test and ≥1 relevant positive patch test in the children did not differ significantly from adults (≥19 years) or from previously tested children (2001-2004). The percentage of clinically relevant positive patch tests for 27 allergens differed significantly between the children and adults. A total of 23.6% of children had a relevant positive reaction to at least 1 supplemental allergen. Differences in positive patch test and relevant positive patch test frequencies between children and adults as well as test periods confirm the importance of reporting periodic updates of patch testing in children to enhance clinicians' vigilance to clinically important allergens.