Maryam Ahmed

Sudan mucosal leishmaniasis

New cases of mucosal leishmaniasis and the first case of espundia-like muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis are reported from the Sudan. Cases previously reported are reviewed and the geographical distribution, clinical features, pathology, immunology and treatment of the disease are described. The majority of cases came from the known kala azar endemic regions of the central Sudan. The disease was seen in adult males, it commonly affected the mouth and nose causing in some cases permanent damage to teeth and nasal septi. In the lesions, the cellular infiltrate was composed mainly of histiocytes, lymphocytes and plasma cells. The number of parasites present was inversely related to the number of lymphocytes but was not related to the number of plasma cells. The level of the increased serum immunoglobulins was not constantly correlated with the number of any particular cell in the infiltrate. Treatment with sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) was effective in the majority of cases.

A case of African histoplasmosis from Sudan.

The first authentic case of African histoplasmosis from the Sudan is reported. The patient came from Dindir, along the southern part of the Blue Nile River. He had cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis as well as the cutaneous form of African histoplasmosis. The latter was proved by culture and histopathology to be due to Histoplasma duboisii. The fungus was confined to the skin. H. duboisii may be more prevalent, and further studies in Dindir area are needed.

Medicinal Importance of Holoptelea Integrifolia (Roxb).Planch - Its Biological and Pharmacological Activities

Medicinal plants have assumed greater importance in the recent days, due to the tremendous potential they offer in formulating new drugs which afflict humankind against many diseases. During the past one century there had been a rapid growth of allopathic system of medical treatment in Pakistan and India. There is now a growing focus on the importance of medicinal plants and the traditional health systems in solving the healthcare problems of the world. Most developing countries have viewed traditional medical practice as an integral part of their culture. Medicinal plants have curative properties due to the presence of various complex chemical substances of different composition, which are found as secondary metabolites in one or more parts of the plants. These metabolites according to their chemical skeleton are grouped as alkaloids, glycosides, corticosteroids, essential oil, etc. Plants like Holoptelea integrifolia (Roxb.) Planch (Family: Ulmaceae), is gaining greater importance due to various pharmacological effects for example: analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities in the treatment of diseases. This plant contains a variety of chemical compounds that have been considered for the treatment of cancer of bladder, convulsions, inflammation, topical ulcers, rheumatic inflammation, fever and dysentery. In this article the pharmacognostic characteristics of Holoptelea integrifolia, its medicinal significance and pharmacological effects have been presented.

Evaluation of Vitrectomy with Planned Foveal Detachment as Surgical Treatment for Refractory Diabetic Macular Edema with or without Vitreomacular Interface Abnormality

Purpose To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of subretinal BSS injections done during vitrectomy for refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) resistant to other modes of treatment including previous vitrectomy. Materials and Methods A prospective, interventional noncomparative case series in which cases had refractory DME with a central macular thickness (CMT) ≥ 300 μm, despite previous anti-VEGF therapy (ranibizumab or bevacizumab with shifting to aflibercept). Some cases even received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, before attempting this solution. The study included group 1, surgically naïve eyes, and group 2, cases with persistent edema despite a previous vitrectomy (7 eyes (25%)). The cases were also divided into group a, eyes with normal vitreomacular interface, and group b, with abnormal vitreomacular attachment (VMA) (6 (21.4%)). The 1ry endpoint for this study was the change in CMT after 9–12 months from surgery. The 2ry endpoints were change in BCVA, recurrence of DME, and surgical complications. Results The study included 28 eyes, 6 (21.4%) of which suffered from edema recurrence. The mean recorded CMT was 496 ± 88.7 μm and 274.1 ± 31.6 μm preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. In all eyes, the preoperative mean BCVA in decimal form was 0.2 ± 0.11, which improved significantly to 0.45 ± 0.2. In the end, the CMT of groups 1 and 2 measured 239 μm and 170.8 μm, respectively (p = 0.019). The preoperative BCVA in groups 1 and 2 was 0.16 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.14, respectively, which improved to a mean of 0.34 ± 0.09 and 0.7 ± 0.16 postoperatively, respectively (p = 0.185). Conclusion Vitrectomy with a planned foveal detachment technique was shown to be a promising solution for refractory DME cases with rapid edema resolution. CMT was shown to improve more in eyes where conventional vitrectomy was not attempted. Moreover, cases with VMA resistant to pharmacotherapy was shown to respond well to this technique. The study has been registered in Contact ClinicalTrials.gov PRS Identifier: NCT03345056.Purpose. To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of subretinal BSS injections done during vitrectomy for refractory diabetic macular edema (DME) resistant to other modes of treatment including previous vitrectomy. Materials and Methods. A prospective, interventional noncomparative case series in which cases had refractory DME with a central macular thickness (CMT) ≥ 300 μm, despite previous anti-VEGF therapy (ranibizumab or bevacizumab with shifting to aflibercept). Some cases even received intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection, before attempting this solution. The study included group 1, surgically naive eyes, and group 2, cases with persistent edema despite a previous vitrectomy (7 eyes (25%)). The cases were also divided into group a, eyes with normal vitreomacular interface, and group b, with abnormal vitreomacular attachment (VMA) (6 (21.4%)). The 1ry endpoint for this study was the change in CMT after 9–12 months from surgery. The 2ry endpoints were change in BCVA, recurrence of DME, and surgical complications. Results. The study included 28 eyes, 6 (21.4%) of which suffered from edema recurrence. The mean recorded CMT was 496 ± 88.7 μm and 274.1 ± 31.6 μm preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. In all eyes, the preoperative mean BCVA in decimal form was 0.2 ± 0.11, which improved significantly to 0.45 ± 0.2. In the end, the CMT of groups 1 and 2 measured 239 μm and 170.8 μm, respectively ( ). The preoperative BCVA in groups 1 and 2 was 0.16 ± 0.07 and 0.37 ± 0.14, respectively, which improved to a mean of 0.34 ± 0.09 and 0.7 ± 0.16 postoperatively, respectively ( ). Conclusion. Vitrectomy with a planned foveal detachment technique was shown to be a promising solution for refractory DME cases with rapid edema resolution. CMT was shown to improve more in eyes where conventional vitrectomy was not attempted. Moreover, cases with VMA resistant to pharmacotherapy was shown to respond well to this technique. The study has been registered in Contact ClinicalTrials.gov PRS Identifier: NCT03345056 .