Annals of Saudi medicine
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2004
ReviewEthics of genetic counseling--basic concepts and relevance to Islamic communities.
Scientific advances and technical developments in the field of laboratory diagnosis and their practical applications have raised ethical issues linked to religion, beliefs, lifestyle and traditions prevailing in different communities. Some of these are pertinent to genetic screening at various stages of life, prenatal diagnosis and the right of the genetically affected fetus to live--all aspects relevant to inbreeding marriages. Of relevance are medical and ethical principles based on professional responsibility. ⋯ Analysis of the human genome and identification of its sequence, and chemical components, and theories arising from connection of human genome components in health and disease conditions, have led to global requirements to outline legal aspects and ethical principles in relation to diagnosis, prevention and health care. This paper presents basic aspects of disseminating genetic information, guiding the individual, the couple, or the concerned family through genetically induced ill health and methods of control and prevention. The paper discusses the elements and manner and presents details of the application of genetic counseling in Islamic communities in light of scientific, religious, social and legal aspects in the Islamic arena.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2004
Comparative StudyFine-needle aspiration cytology in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
In areas of endemicity without sufficient laboratory infrastructure, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often diagnosed on the basis of clinical characteristics, but parasitologic confirmation is essential to exclude erroneous diagnoses. We compared fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) with the conventional method of excisional biopsy to assess the efficacy, utility and accuracy of FNAC for the diagnosis of CL. ⋯ FNAC is easier, less painful and more cost effective than the conventional 'scraping method/biopsy followed by histopathology'. The high sensitivity and specificity eliminate the need for other time consuming and invasive procedures. Limitations include poor sampling and poor yield.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2004
Genotyping of rifampin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from western Turkey.
Although the rate of multiple drug resistance is high, there is no published data on the transmission rate of drug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the Aegean region of western Turkey that are based on molecular methods. ⋯ IS6110 fingerprinting suggests that the rifampin-resistant isolates obtained from the Aegean region had a relatively high clustering rate and were clonally related. These findings showed that the rifampin-resistant isolates are actively transmitted between patients. Urgent measures should be taken to prevent the spread of these resistant strains.
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The total goitre rate in Yemen declined by half after the country adopted universal salt iodisation in 1995. We investigated the recent epidemiology, pathology, and management of goitre so as to evaluate changes since the initiation of the salt iodisation programme. We also sought to determine the effect of new diagnostic tools in the preoperative work-up of surgically treated patients. ⋯ Goitre is a national problem in Yemen. The late presentation, which may be important in malignant transformation of the thyroid gland, makes surgery imperative. The salt iodisation programme has been associated with a decrease in the malignancy rate. Yemen is in great need of experienced cytologists and radiologists to increase the efficacy of fine needle aspiration cytology and ultrasonography in the diagnosis of thyroid lesions. Patients need to be educated about the importance of post-operative follow up.
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Annals of Saudi medicine · Mar 2004
A new epidemic focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in central Iran.
Reports from the health center of Yazd province of increasing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cases led us to carry out an epidemiological study using standard techniques in Ardakan County, central Iran, during 2001. ⋯ Based on this survey, there is an epidemic of zoonotic CL in the area, with Leishmania major as the agent, M. libycus and R. opimus as the reservoir hosts, and most probably Phlebotomus papatasi as the vector because about 77% of indoor sandflies were of this species.