Prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections among Asian female house keepers in Abha District, Saudi Arabia.

A group of 5,518 female Asian house keepers working in Abha District of Saudi Arabia was examined (1990 through 1992) to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections. They came from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Philippines and Thailand. Fresh stool specimens were obtained in special containers and examined by light microscopy of wet smears in normal saline and Lugoll's iodine solution within one hour of collection. The study revealed an overall prevalence of 46.5% which was higher than that reported among the Saudi population. The common parasites found included Trichuris trichiura (28.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides (22.2%), Hookworm (14.9%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.8%), Strongyloides stercoralis (0.6%), Entamoeba histolytica (1.2%), Hymenolepis nana (0.2%), and Giardia intestinalis (0.1%). The prevalence of intestinal parasites was statistically different among various studied nationalities. The possibility of spreading such diseases throughout the community should be considered in the light of the nature of work of this group being in close contact with different family members. It is recommended that all expatriate workers be checked and treated if necessary on arrival for the first time or from vacation. This policy must be strictly monitored, particularly for female house keepers.

Pulmonary tuberculosis in Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study of 1566 patients.

A review was conducted of 1566 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis admitted to Sahary Chest Hospital in Riyadh between July 1983 and August 1987. The medical records, chest rafiographs, and sputum results were studied. The 21 to 30 year age group represented 40.7% of all patients, which indicates the need for improving measures for the control of tuberculosis in young adults, whose protection may have waned despite BCG vaccination in infancy. Non-Saudi males patients constituted more than half of the admission which raises the question of the efficacy of the current pulmonary tuberculosis screening policy for individuals entering the Kingdom. The four-drug regimen of rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol, when properly supervised, was very effective in achieving early sputum conversion. Based on results of this study, decentralizing tuberculosis services and attaching them to other local and general hospitals appears to be recommended.

Problems in the control of schistosomiasis in Asir Province, Saudi Arabia.

Schistosomiasis, an endemic disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is a major public health problem in Asir Province, the southwestern part of Saudi Arabia. The ongoing control program has concentrated on the elimination of the snail host by the use of chemical molluscicides, and on early detection and treatment of infected cases. Certain factors peculiar to this region make the application of the control strategy a difficult task. Thus, these methods of control over the years have not been very effective. Factors such as geography, climate, hydrographic conditions of this region, sources and spread of infection, and the role of primary health care centers are discussed in order to formulate plans for better control. Proper health planning is a dynamic process, and must constantly change based on past experience and epidemiological research.

Giardiasis and amoebiasis infections in three Saudi closed communities.

Two hundred and eighteen residents (131 healthy and 87 mentally or physically retarded) of a children's nursery, a foster house and a rehabilitation centre for the handicapped in Abha, southwestern Saudi Arabia, were examined for intestinal parasitism. About 30% of the population of the three communities were found to harbour asymptomatic infections with either Giardia lamblia and/or Entamoeba spp. Giardia cysts were identified in 19.3% of those examined. Entamoeba histolytica was found in 18.4% of the residents of the rehabilitation centre only. Entamoeba coli infections were found in residents of both the foster house and rehabilitation centre (6.0 and 25.3% respectively). The prevalence of infection with the three parasites was significantly higher in the rehabilitation centre than in the children's nursery and foster house.

Schistosomiasis control in Saudi Arabia with special reference to the period 1983-1988.

Schistosomiasis control operations carried out between 1983 and 1988 are described, together with information of the impact of schistosomiasis. The prevalence of schistosomiasis has declined from 9.5% in 1983 to 1.8% in 1988 (P less than 0.05). Bulinus truncatus, B. beccarii, and B. reticulatus wrighti are the intermediate hosts of S. haematobium in Saudi Arabia and are distributed unevenly in the different regions. Biomphalaria arabica is the intermediate host of S. mansoni and is found wherever the disease is endemic. The influx of expatriate workers from countries where schistosomiasis is endemic, inaccessible water sources, the constant movement of large numbers of bedouins in some regions, and manpower shortages in some regions are considered to be the main obstacles for schistosomiasis control programmes in Saudi Arabia.

Control of schistosomiasis in Saudi Arabia. A multidisciplinary approach.

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An effective control of this disease is possible with the active support of different departments and ministries of the government. This paper outlines a proposal how different departments could participate and coordinate in a multidisciplinary schistosomiasis control programme in this country.

The antiarrhythmic activity of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines.

The activity of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines against CaCl2-induced cardiac arrhythmia was evaluated in the rat. The potencies of the compounds were compared with that of the established calcium ion-channel blocker, verapamil. The N-methyl, N-ethyl, and N-isobutyl derivatives as well as verapamil at doses of 2-8 mumols kg-1 protected the animals against the induced arrhythmia. The potency order was verapamil greater than N methyl greater than N-ethyl greater than N-isobutyl derivatives. The N-isopropyl and N-butyl derivatives were inactive. The antiarrhythmic activity of the compounds was not due to local anesthetic activity but may be caused by calcium-channel inhibition.

Antipsychotic properties of new N-(4-substituted-1-piperazinylethyl)- and N-(4-substituted-1-piperidinylethyl)-phthalimides.

A series of N-(4-phenyl- and 4-pyridyl-1-piperazinylethyl)- and N-(4-phenyl-1-piperidinylethyl)-phthalmides were synthesized and tested for antipsychotic activity. All compounds suppressed the spontaneous motor activity and the apomorphine-induced climbing in mice and pergolide-induced locomotor activity in rats, demonstrating psychotropic properties equal to the corresponding properties of sulpiride. Although the compounds, like sulpiride, were less potent than haloperidol in blocking the locomotor activities, they caused no catalepsy, a major side effect following treatment with conventional antipsychotic agents. It is likely that the new compounds produce their neuroleptic activities through inhibition of limbic dopamine receptors.

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines.

A series of N-alkyl-1,2-diphenylethanolamines were synthesized and their pharmacological activities evaluated on various mammalian organs and systems. All compounds produced a generalized inhibitory effect on smooth and cardiac muscles and an increase in coronary flow as well as a brief reduction in rabbit blood pressure. The latter effect was not prevented by pretreatment of the animals with atropine, propranolol, or metoprolol. The compounds were devoid of local anesthetic activity and their inhibitions of the contraction of the isolated rabbit intestine and perfused heart were reversed by exogenous calcium ions. It is proposed that the compounds produce their effects through calcium-channel blockade. The inhibitory effects of some of these compounds were comparable to those of a known calcium-channel blocker.