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PubMed1976

The incidence of red-green colourblindness in the populations of Tripolitania, Cyrenaica and Fezzan in Libya, and of the Kikuyu, Kamba, Taita, Taveta and Luo tribes of Kenya.

The results of surveys of colourblindness carried out using the Ishihara test cards in Libya and Kenya, involving 384 and 504 individuals respectively, are reported. The Libyan samples, drawn from three geographically distinct regions of the country, are relatively homogeneous. The Kenyan samples, on the other hand, are heterogeneous, but in toto they display a markedly lower colourblindness percentage than do the Libyans. The Kenyan data are in broad accord with the other data available for sub-Saharan African populations. There are very few sets of comparative data available for North African populations, but the Libyan material displays a lower incidence of colourblindness than the values reported in European populations.

Color Vision Defects↗
PubMed1988

A clinical, epidemiological and genetic study of hereditary motor neuropathies in Benghazi, Libya.

A 4-year-search for spinal muscular atrophies (hereditary motor neuropathies, HMN) in Benghazi, Libya, yielded a total of 24 patients, among whom 18 were index cases. This group comprised 6 acute infantile, 12 chronic childhood, and 3 each with adult-onset proximal, and distal forms of the disorder. Distal HMN constituted 12.5% of the total cases. The crude average annual incidence of acute infantile HMN was 0.3/100,000 total population and 1/12,500 births in Benghazi. The crude prevalence rates of chronic childhood, adult-onset proximal, and distal types of HMN were 2.3, 0.6, and 0.6/100,000 respectively. The segregation ratios, 0.26 for acute infantile HMN and 0.24 for chronic childhood HMN, suggested autosomal recessive inheritance. The consanguinity rates among parents of cases and the population did not differ significantly.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1991

Studies on the screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominivorax in Libya: effect of temperature on pupation and eclosion.

The American screwworm fly Cochliomyia hominivorax has recently been reported in Libya (El-Azazy 1989). Fly larvae were cultured on blood agar at different temperatures (-5 degrees, 5 degrees, 18 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, 37 degrees, or 40 degrees C). Larvae pupated at 18 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, or 37 degrees C, and the highest pupation (100%) occurred at 20 degrees C. Adult flies emerged from pupae that were maintained at 18 degrees, 20 degrees, 30 degrees, or 37 degrees C; the maximal eclosion (94%) occurred at 20 degrees C. Correlation of these findings with meteorological temperature data from local areas in which C. hominivorax myiasis occurs suggests a crucial role for temperature in the determination of the effective environment for this fly species.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

Serological and clinical investigations of human hydatid case in Libya.

Fifty surgically confirmed cases of hydatid disease in Eastern Libya were investigated. Of these, 30 had cysts of the liver, five had extra-hepatic abdominal cysts and 15 had cysts in the chest, including the lungs. Ten cases of malignancy of the liver and five cases of malignancy of the lung were used as controls. Differential diagnosis of cancer was made by measuring the ESR and glycoprotein levels (elevated x 4 and x 3 respectively, in cancer cases). Serum bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT and serum alkaline phosphatase levels were also significantly raised in malignancy, while the total protein levels and eosinophilia were the same in both diseases. The intradermal test was positive in 88%, the haemagglutination test in 86% and the complement fixation test in 70% of cases. In the post-operative follow-up, complement-fixing antibodies disappeared somewhat faster than did the haemagglutinins. The positive skin test cases, however, remained positive throughout the 12-month follow-up period.

Blood Sedimentation↗
PubMed1985

Sickle cell and thalassaemic genes in Libya.

An electrophoretic study of haemolysates from 1350 subjects from the indigenous population of Libya was carried out to find the incidence of abnormal haemoglobins and thalassaemia. Sickle cell disease was detected in five (0.37%), sickle cell trait in 61 (4.51%), sickle cell thalassaemia in three (0.21%), homozygous betathalassaemia in 16 (1.20%), heterozygous delta-beta thalassaemia in 25 (1.85%) and heterozygous beta-thalassaemia in 105 (7.77%). The incidence of the sickle cell gene is low, but that of the thalassaemic gene appears to be high in the Libyan population which is racially mixed, containing Arab, Mediterranean and Negroid types.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗
PubMed1987

Serological survey for toxoplasmosis in Tripoli, S.P.L.A.J. Libya.

Toxoplasma antibodies were found at a titre of 1:16 or above in 51.6% of 2000 adult males, in 43.4% of 300 adult females, and in 43.7% of 1980 schoolchildren (7-18 years of age) from the area of Tripoli (Libya). However, 69.4% of a group of 1921 female patients with a history of abortion and clinically suspected of being infected with T. gondii had Toxoplasma antibodies, and 18.6% of them exhibited serological evidence of recent infection (4-fold or greater increase in antibody titre over 2-3 weeks).

Abortion, Spontaneous↗
PubMed1988

Salmonella isolations from human faeces in Tripoli, Libya.

Salmonella isolation was attempted from 32,336 human faecal specimens obtained between 1975 and 1980 from cases of diarrhoea in hospitals and clinics in the area of Tripoli, Libya. 34 different Salmonella serotypes were identified, by far the most common being S. wien and S. muenchen.

Child↗
PubMed1994

Ten-year incidence (1981-90) of insulin-dependent diabetes in the 0-29-year-old age group in Benghazi, Libya.

The incidence of Type 1 diabetes in Benghazi, Libya in the < 30-years age group was prospectively studied during the period 1981-1990. A total of 161 male and 150 female new cases were diagnosed during the study period. Case ascertainment was estimated to be 100%. The overall incidence rate (per 100,000) was 8.8 (95% C.I., 7.8-9.9). Rates were 8.9 (95% C.I., 7.6-10.4 among males and 8.6 (95% C.I., 7.3-10.1) among females). A female predominance in the 0-14-years age range and a male predominance in the 15-29-years age range were observed (P > 0.05). The age-specific incidence rate increased steadily from 2.2 (95% C.I., 1.4-3.4) in the 0-4-years age group to 16.9 (95% C.I., 13.6-21.0) in the 15-19-years age group and declined afterwards. Age adjusted incidence rates in the 0-14- and 15-29-years age ranges were 7.0 (95% C.I., 6.0-8.2) and 11.9 (95% C.I., 10.0-14.0), respectively. Yearly variation and seasonality of onset were not significant. The study revealed a relatively high incidence rate of Type 1 diabetes among Libyan Arabs aged less than 30 years.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) (0-34 years at onset) in Benghazi, Libya.

The incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) in Benghazi, Libya in the < 35-year age group during the period 1981-1990 are reported. Incidence data for IDDM were based on prospective registration of patients while incidence data for NIDDM were based on analysis of files. Case ascertainment of IDDM cases was estimated to be > 95%. Incidence of total diabetes (IDDM and NIDDM) (per 100000 population) was significantly higher in females (43.8; 95% confidence Interval (CI) 40.6-47.2) than in males (28.9, 26.6-31.3) (P < 0.001). The overall incidence rates of IDDM and NIDDM were 9.0 (CI, 8.1-10.0) and 27.3 (CI, 25.4-28.2), respectively. Rates of IDDM were 9.4 (CI, 8.1-10.9) among males and 8.5 (CI, 7.3-10.0) among females. Rates of NIDDM were 19.6 (CI, 18.1-22.2) among males and 35.3 (CI, 32.4-37.8) among females. IDDM patients showed a female predominance in the 0- to 14-year age range (P > 0.05) and a male predominance in the 15- to 34-year age range (P > 0.05). NIDDM showed equal incidence in males and females in the 0- to 14-year age range and twofold higher incidence in females than in males in the 15- to 34-year age group (P < 0.001). Yearly variation and seasonality of onset were not significant in IDDM cases (P > 0.05). Fifty-six percent of NIDDM cases were obese compared to only 6% of IDDM cases. The study revealed that diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease in children and young Libyan Arabs. It has shown that NIDDM in Benghazi is twofold higher in females than in males in the 15- to 34-year age group. It has also shown that age per se is not a reliable criterion for the classification of diabetes into IDDM and NIDDM.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Canine echinococcosis in northwest Libya: assessment of coproantigen ELISA, and a survey of infection with analysis of risk-factors.

In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for canine echinococcosis in different endemic localities in the Tripoli area of northwest Libya, stray dogs were examined post-mortem, and owned dogs screened for Echinococcus granulosus infection using a standardised genus specific coproantigen ELISA. The prevalence of E. granulosus infection at necropsy in stray-dogs was 25.8% (15/58, 95% CI 15.3-39.0%), and 21.6% (72/334, 95% CI 17.3-26.4%) of owned dogs tested were positive by coproantigen ELISA. Sheepdogs appeared to have a significantly higher copro-positive prevalence (19/19 positive, p=0.003), compared to 23.6% of other dog classes (e.g. 52/220 guard dogs and household pets). Worm burdens in necropsied dogs ranged from 29 to 2900 (mean 1064) and were positively correlated to coproantigen ELISA OD values (r(s)=0.87, p<0.001), but negatively correlated with dog age (r(s)=-0.69, p=0.001). Dog age was a significant factor in copro-prevalence as there was an increasing coproantigen-positive tendency in younger dogs (< or =5 years, p=0.04). A total of 45/132 (34%, 95% CI 25.9-42.1%) of farms/homestead had at least one dog that was coproantigen positive. Overall copro-prevalence in dogs by locality varied, with Alkhums (Leptis-Magna) district having the highest copro-prevalence at 38.7% (24/62, 95% CI 26.6-50.8%) (p=0.001). Coproantigen testing of a cohort of owned dogs before and approximately 15 months after praziquantel treatment showed a significant decrease in the coproantigen positive rate from 21.6% (72/334) to 9% (21/233) post-treatment. The overall E. granulosus coproantigen positive rate ('re-infection rate') within the same cohort of dogs was 22 % (10/45) by 15 months post-treatment. Significant risk factors for a copro-positive owned dog were associated with non-restraint of dogs, and owners that did not de-worm their dogs. Home slaughtering of livestock and lack of knowledge about E. granulosus transmission were also significant risk factors for a canine coproantigen positive result.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2006

Epidemiology of flea infestation of ruminants in Libya.

The results of an epidemiological and clinical study of flea infestations of farm animals in northern Libya is reported. Of 12,130 sheep examined from 124 flocks, 150 sheep were found to be infested with fleas from 50 different flocks. Likewise 23 goats from 2981 examined, and 11 calves from 1124 cattle examined were infested No fleas were recovered from camels or horses. Of 1861 fleas recovered from farm livestock, 1857 were Ctenocephalides felis strongylus and 4 were Pulex irritans. Dogs from farms and local clinics were also examined. Eight farms dogs were found to be infested with P. irritans. Of 79 infested dogs examined in veterinary clinics, 53 were found infested with P. irritans, 11 with Ctenocephalides felis felis, 12 had a mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. felis felis. Single dogs had mixed infestation of P. irritans and C. canis; C. felis felis and C. canis; and P. irritans, C. felis felis and Echidnophaga gallinacia. C. felis felis was also found on 15 infested cats. C. felis felis was never found on large farm animals despite frequently sharing their environment with dogs or cats. Likewise C. felis stongylus was never isolated from dogs or cats. This is consistent with the hypothesis that C. felis strongylus has become adapted to large farm animals, whilst C. felis felis is better adapted to dogs and cats. However, four stockmen were found infested with a total of 176 C. felis strongylus, which suggests that this subspecies is also a potential zoonosis. A significantly higher proportion of intensive farms had animals with flea infestation compared to semi-intensive farms. Fleas were not found in nomadic herds. Infested farm animals often presented with excoriation, alopecia, pruritus and hyperkeratitis particularly on the lower limbs. These signs are consistent with the generation of flea-bite hypersensitivity.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1976

Pregnancy hepatitis in Libya.

The death-rate from hepatitis in pregnant women in Libya is high. Of 922 hepatitis patients treated during 1975, 377 were males and 545 were females. The case fatality-rate was 0.53% for males and 7-67% for females. In 293 pregnant women it was 12-97% compared with 1-6% in 252 non-pregnant women. In pregnant women deaths occurred mainly in the last trimester. Although 18-4% of the male patients and 15-2% of the women were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) positive, no patient shown to be antigen-positive died. The frequency of hepatitis in the second half of the year fell both in pregnant women and in the general population, suggesting a warning hepatitis-A epidemic. The exact cause of the high mortality in pregnant women is not clear, but it may have a nutritional basis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Epidemiology of Parkinson's disease in Benghazi, North-East Libya.

An epidemiological study of Parkinsonism was carried out in Benghazi situated in North-Eastern Libya. On the prevalence day, January 1, 1985, a total of 163 patients with Parkinson's disease were found living in the investigated area, which had a population of 518,745. The crude prevalence rate was 31.4 per 100,000 population and the incidence rate was 4.5 per 100,000 population per year. The average age at death was 71.2 years and the mean duration of the illness was 6.7 years. Our findings suggest that the risk of Parkinson's disease observed in the present study is intermediate to that reported among the white and black races and comparable with the yellow race and the Sardinians.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2002

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in asymptomatic subjects in Libya.

Helicobacter pylori infection is very common infection worldwide particularly in the developing countries. No detailed study on such infection is being recorded so far in Libya. The aims of the study were to detect H. pylori prevalence in asymptomatic Libyan subjects, to determine the rate of infection among different age groups and to correlate the prevalence of H. pylori with age, sex, smoking, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs intake, marital status, education, and socioeconomic status. Three hundred and sixty asymptomatic subjects 1->70 years of age (average 36) with no previous history of epigastric pain were selected randomly from the Libyan population. Serum samples were obtained and a questionnaire was filled for each subject. The ELISA test was used to detect IgG anti-H. pylori antibodies. An overall prevalence of 76% was detected in these subjects. A 50% infection rate were in subjects 1-9 years of age that increased to 84% in subjects 10-19 years and continued with increasing age and reached up to 94% in those over 70 years of age. Subjects > 45 years of age had significantly higher antibody response than those <45 years. H. pylori prevalence was higher in married subjects (84%) as compared to singles (68%) and similarly in illiterates (89%) and low socioeconomic subjects (91%). No difference in sex, smoking and NSAIDs intake was recorded. Infection with H. pylori is highly prevalent in the Libyan asymptomatic subjects. Infection acquired early in childhood and reached up to 94% in older age. Prevalence of H. pylori was significantly increased in association with marital status, education and low socioeconomic status.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Xeroderma pigmentosum in Libya.

BACKGROUND: A preliminary study of 24 cases of xeroderma pigmentosum (XP) was presented in 1990 and later published in 1992. Since then we have seen 18 further cases. OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical profile of Libyan cases of XP. METHODS: With the help of a special protocol, all 42 cases (23 girls and 19 boys from 29 families) treated and followed between 1981 and 1994 were subjected to detailed analysis. RESULTS: A history of consanguinity was present in the parents of 39 patients. XP in Libya is characterized by a relatively high incidence (approximately 15-20 per million of the population), early onset of initial manifestations (median age, 12 months) and malignant tumors (median age, 8 years), severe ocular and oral lesions in a high percentage of patients, and early death (median age, 15.5 years). The malignant skin tumors seen were squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in 23 patients, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in 17 patients, and basosquamous carcinoma in two patients. Malignant melanoma was not seen, but lentigo maligna was found in one case. SCC of the tongue, carcinoma of the thyroid, and lymphatic leukemia affected individual patients. Subnormal physical growth was observed in six patients, but none of the patients had significant neurologic abnormalities. The results of etretinate therapy in nine patients revealed that it is an effective preventive agent against carcinogenesis, but not a curative one. CONCLUSIONS: Severe ophthalmic manifestations affected a higher percentage of patients at an early age. Malignant melanoma did not develop in any case, except for lentigo maligna in one patient.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2000

Tinea capitis in Benghazi, Libya.

BACKGROUND: Tinea capitis is a worldwide problem. It affects mainly school age children. Late detection and improper treatment of the inflammatory type of this disease may result in disfigurement and permanent alopecia. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence, clinical types, and causative species of tinea capitis in Benghazi, Libya. METHODS: One hundred and ninety six patients with tinea capitis were enrolled in this study. Hair stumps and scales were collected from every case and exposed to direct microscopic examination using 10% potassium hydroxide solution, and cultivation on modified Sabouraud's dextrose agar with cyclohexamide and chloramphenicol. RESULTS: Tinea capitis accounts for 45% of all superficial fungal infection and 92% occurred in children below the age of 10 years. The gray patch type was the most common clinical variety (53.6%), followed by black dots, seborrhoid type, and kerion (25.5%, 10.2%, and 8.2%), respectively. Four patients with a clinical picture of alopecia areata-like lesion and one patient with a favus-type lesion were seen. Species identification revealed that Trichophyton violaceum was the most common causative agent, responsible for 49.4% of infection, followed by Microsporum canis (38.6%) and T. verrucosum (7.8%). From seven patients the isolate was a mixture of both T. violaceum and M. canis. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a dramatic decrease in the incidence of favus with complete disappearance of T. schoenleinii. T. verrucosum as a causative agent of tinea capitis in this area has been reported for the first time in this study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Isolation and identification of Madurella mycetomatis from two cases of black grain mycetoma in Libya.

Two cases of mycetoma of the foot caused by Madurella mycetomatis are reported in which identification of the etiologic agents was confirmed by culture. A Libyan male aged 40 years and a Chadian female aged 30 years, exhibited eumycetoma of the foot 1 and 2 years, respectively, after a local injury. The diagnoses were based on the clinical presentation and confirmed by mycologic analysis of the grains and culture isolation of the etiologic agent. Prior to this report M. mycetomatis has not been recorded in Libya as a cause of eumycetoma.

Adult↗