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At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Kala-azar in a four-year-old child 18 months after brief exposure in Malta.

A four-year-old Danish boy developed kala-azar 18 months after a holiday in Malta. Splenectomy, with liver biopsy, was performed six months after onset of symptoms because of hypersplenism, and the diagnosis of kala-azar was only made four months later, when the histopathological specimens were reviewed. Previous bone marrow biopsies did not show Leishmania. Treatment with sodium stibogluconate was successful. The development of kala-azar after one week's stay in an endemic area stresses the importance of including this potentially fatal disease in the differential diagnosis of cases presenting with fever, splenomegaly, and pancytopenia.

Antimony Sodium Gluconate↗
PubMed2000

Visceral leishmaniasis in Malta--an 18 year paediatric, population based study.

BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a chronic parasitic infection that infects approximately 400,000 individuals annually, with a predilection towards early childhood. AIMS: To study the epidemiology of VL in childhood. METHODS: VL is endemic in Malta, a small archipelago of islands in the centre of the Mediterranean with a total population approaching half a million. Notification of human cases of leishmaniasis is compulsory. Case records of all 81 paediatric patients with VL between 1980 and 1998 were analysed. RESULTS: The annual incidence of VL declined for all cases of VL, and declined significantly for paediatric cases (p = 0.01). For 1994 to 1998, the overall incidence of VL was 0.9 per 100,000 total population and the paediatric incidence was 2.5 per 100,000 population. Median age at presentation was 34 months. Common features at presentation were splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, fever, and pancytopenia with high lymphocyte and monocyte counts. The diagnostic sensitivity of isolated immunofluorescent antibody testing was equivalent to bone marrow aspiration (95%). Blood transfusions for anaemia were required in 93% of patients. Eleven per cent had intercurrent infections. All patients were cured, and were initially treated with intravenous sodium stibogluconate. Defervescence occurred after a median of six days of treatment, and patients continued to be treated on a day case basis. Nine relapsers were retreated with sodium stibogluconate, achieving a cure rate of 94%, but five patients required additional drug therapy. There were no permanent sequelae associated with VL or its treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The decreased incidence is attributed to the eradication of stray dogs which are the disease reservoir.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The "very long hiccup" and the emergence of the Army Medical Services in Malta.

The link between the Maltese islands and the Army Medical Services was forged during the Wars of Revolutionary France, 1792 to 1802. This article looks at the two-year long blockade of the French garrison in Malta, Nelson's so called "very long hiccup" (1), and at the origins of the Army Medical Services in the Maltese islands.

France↗
PubMed1998

Inspector of Hospitals Ralph Green and the plague in Malta of 1813.

Bubonic plague reached Malta from Alexandria on 29 March 1813. The British garrison of about 3700 men escaped lightly, with only twenty deaths. However, the epidemic brought the Army medical officers in conflict with the Colonial Governor. This article looks at the turbulence generated by the plague among the medical staff officers, and at the role they played in the Public Health Services of the island.

History, 19th Century↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Malta Project--a country freed itself of leprosy. A 27-year progress study (1972-1999) of the first successful eradication of leprosy.

The successful conclusion of the first leprosy eradication program carried out with combination therapy is reported. This program started in Malta in June 1972. It was based on extensive experimental and clinical studies and was formally concluded on 31 December 1999. No new infections occurred after the start of this 27-year progress report. The youngest patient was 16, and the eldest 83 years old. Of the total of 261 cases in the project, 201 had already received pretreatment [mainly with diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS)] at the start. Sixty-one cases had no pretreatment. These were predominantly elderly patients who were late in deciding to have treatment. The very long follow-up period totaling 27 years was consistently maintained in order to be able to refute all potential objections empirically, e.g. with regard to relapses at a late stage. Besides the overall symptoms which are typical for the broad picture of leprosy, the involvement of the eyes was very striking (at least 50%). The therapeutic effect was of very rapid onset in these cases without surgery. Rifampicin (RMP) + isoniazid + prothionamide + DDS (trade name Isoprodian-RMP) was used as medication in a fixed combination. This fixed combination had already proved to be highly effective in the treatments during the course of the project, surprising therapy results (including lifesaving effects) were also noticed in other diseases.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The prevalence of coeliac disease in Down's syndrome in Malta.

The prevalence of coeliac disease is increased in individuals with Down's syndrome. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of coeliac disease in Down's syndrome in Malta. One hundred children and adults with Down's were screened for coeliac disease. A history was taken from all of them and they were examined and measured for weight and height. A full blood count, antigliadin (IgG and IgA) and anti-endomysial antibodies were estimated. Equivocal cases were also screened for antireticulin antibodies. Jejunal biopsy was recommended in all serologically positive cases. The frequency of coeliac disease in Down's syndrome was 8%, much greater than that in the general population. Screening for coeliac disease in all cases of Down's syndrome is therefore recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Head-counting vs. heart-counting: an examination of the recent case of the conjoined twins from Malta.

This paper reexamines the recent case of the conjoined twins from Malta. Survival was said to be possible only through separation, which would actually leave only one twin alive. The parents refused to allow the killing of one to save the other, but the court ruled that this would amount to the neglect of innocent life. The article questions the assumption that the case is indeed a struggle between two people. Further, it questions the assumption that a conjoined twin's natural interest and wish is separation. Historical evidence shows that many conjoined twins do not wish for separation, even when it becomes a question of survival.The article concludes with a critical evaluation of the tendency in contemporary society and particularly in bioethics to regard ethical challenges as rivalry between individuals competing for scarce resources.

Bioethics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transforming ethnocentricity in nursing: a culturally relevant experience of reciprocal visits between Malta and the Midwest.

Despite efforts by the nursing profession to enhance culture competence among nurses, some limitations in understanding the potential lack of culture competence in the patient remain. Nurses are often not aware of their own cultural bias from the patient's perspective (ethnocentricity) and fail to understand that many patients are trying to function in unfamiliar social and medical cultures simultaneously. This article reviews the experiences of student nurses from Malta and the Midwestern United States who were given the opportunity to explore their cultural biases by visiting the healthcare institutions of their respective countries.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1999

Paget's disease of bone in Malta. A preliminary survey.

We present the results of a preliminary survey carried out on 46 patients with Paget's disease of bone in Malta, 40 of whom were seen at a general medical outpatient clinic and a further 6 at a primary health care centre over the first 6 months of 1997. Various aspects of the disease have been analysed: prevalence, age and sex distribution, familial aggregates, mode of presentation, complications, pattern of bone involvement, a semi-quantitative assay of disease activity as assessed by bone scintigraphy and serum alkaline phosphatase (SAP) levels, and the factors that influenced disease activity. The results have been compared to previous published surveys on Paget's disease in different countries.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

[The Order of Malta, nine centuries at the service of the indigent people].

After having recalled the history of the Order and its settling in Malta, the author evokes the Holy Infirmary, the great epidemics, the study of anatomy and pharmacy. The Holy Infirmary was founded at the end of the 16th century by the Great Master Jean de la Valette simultaneously with the town bearing his name. There hospital conditions were unusually good. The epidemics were favorized by the geographical situation of the Island exposed to the infectious diseases spreading from Asia and Africa: in 1591 a plague epidemic or of a very deadly influenza; in 1675 another plague epidemic was still more noxious, whereas in 1705 another one was stopped. The study of anatomy was encouraged by the Great Masters and in 1676 a chair of anatomy was established, an amphitheatre built in 1716 and a course organized. Pharmacy was honored by the creation of a Great Apothecary amid the Holy Infirmary firmly controled by the physicians. An important list of remedies used at that time is given with its description.

History, 16th Century↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Cultural factors and schizophrenic symptoms; comparative studies in Malta and in Poland].

A study of 120 cases of schizophrenia in Poland and 80 in Malta. Clinical analysis have showed differences of the symptomatology as well as of the content of the delusions and hallucinations, treatment and prognosis as a result of the cultural, racial and social pathoplastic influences. In comparison with Polish the Maltese schizophrenics had less described and less systematized productive symptoms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

[Experience gained from working in Malta].

The author describes the working conditions of an ophthalmologist in the Maltese Republic. He deals with the general situation in this small country as well as with the organization and standard of the health services. He describes treatment of eye diseases under local conditions in Malta.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Cultural factors and symptoms of schizophrenia, a comparative study in Malta and Poland.

The examinations comprised 120 cases of schizophrenia in Poland and 80 cases on Malta. Clinical analysis showed differences in symptomatology of the disease, delusions and hallucinations content, in methods of the treatment applied and in the prognosis--as a result of pathoplastic effect of cultural-racial and sociodemographic factors. In comparison with Polish patients Maltese schizophrenics showed a less diversified psychotic symptomatology.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1978

Effect of diabetes on the course of acute myocardial infarction in Malta.

Among 1,118 admissions for acute ischemic heart disease to St. Luke's Hospital in Malta during 1963-72, there were 945 (84.5%) cases of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 173 (15.5%) cases of acute coronary insufficiency (ACI). The ratio of AMI to ACI was higher among diabetic than among nondiabetic patients, especially among women. In comparison with the nondiabetic AMI patients, the diabetics, especially women, had a significantly longer interval between onset of symptoms and hospitalization and more often had painless infarcts, both of which resulted in delay of adequate treatment; the diabetics with AMI han more complications and a significantly higher case fatality rate (20.8vs. 14.3% for nondiabetics; in diabetic women the rate was 24.1%). in fatal cases of AMI the mean age at death was lower among diabetics than among nondiabetics. In fatal cases among diabetics death was more often associated with an anteroseptal AMI site, and was the result of one or more of the following: left heart failure (61.6%), shock (38.3%), sudden death from ventricular fibrillation (13.3%), atrioventricular block (8.3%), or systemic or pulmonary arterial thromboembolism (6.5%); it was very rarely the result of diabetic ketosis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1997

A comparison between nursing degree programmes offered at the University of Malta and the University of Fort Hare.

The purpose of thus study was to compare the undergraduate nursing programme of the Institute of Health Care of the University of Malta with that of the Department of Nursing Sciences of the University of Fort Hare. Historical facts about each institution are briefly described followed by a more detailed description of the respective undergraduate programmes. The programmes are compared according to the curriculum content and assessment strategy used for each. Although both programmes are four year degree programmes, distinct similarities, and differences in the curricular content and assessment strategies are noted and discussed.

Curriculum↗
PubMed2001

Perceptions of fieldwork education in Malta: Challenges and opportunities.

Academic upgrading of the occupational therapy programme in Malta has necessitated exploration of current fieldwork practices through a qualitative study. Data were collected through one-to-one interviews with 18 recently qualified occupational therapists. The findings showed the multi-faceted and complex nature of the fieldwork process, confirming the strong influence and relationships between the fieldwork context, the fieldwork supervisor and the different values and attitudes each learner brings to the fieldwork situation. The various practices as voiced by the participants affected the quality of their fieldwork experiences in different ways. Awareness of these key influences will pave the way forward for fieldwork education planners to provide meaningful experiences.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1988

[A rare cause of infection in chronic dialysis patients: Malta fever (febris undulans melitensis)].

A 45-years-old Greek patient developed septicaemia in his 10th year of hemodialysis treatment. Clinical investigation was directed first on bacterial infection of the arteriovenous shunt, on urosepsis or bronchopulmonary infection. Then, serologically (Widal's reaction and ELISA-test) and in different blood-cultures Brucella melitensis was detected as causative agent for Malta fever (Febris undulans). The focus of infection is suspected in unpasteurized sheep-milk cheese of mediterranean origine, wherein Brucella species can survive for months. The patient was treated effectively by a combination of amoxycilline and clavulanic acid.

Amoxicillin↗