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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1983

Studies on the sero-epidemiology of endemic diseases in Libya. I. Echinococcosis in Libya.

In Libya traditional animal husbandry and the practice of domestic slaughter of food animals contribute to the maintenance of the Echinococcus cycle. The cost of echinococcosis is high and may significantly affect the national economy. This study, employing the ELISA test, has indicated an approximately 10% infection rate in children and young adults from the environs of Benghazi, no difference being apparent between rural and urban dwellers. The prevalence of the infection should be determined in both animals and man and possible disease inter-relationships investigated. Surveys are required in all alleged endemic areas and in sheep and camel breeding areas. It is also necessary to determine the importance of foxes, hyaenas and jackals in transmission among other animals. A clinical trial is recommended to assess the value of mebendazole against Echinococcus cysts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Skin reactivity to histamine and codeine in unselected 9-year-old children from Italy, Poland and Libya.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that histamine skin reactivity (the dimensions of a skin wheal elicited by a prick with histamine 10 mg/ml) in unselected school children has increased in Italy during the past two decades and is higher in Italy than in Poland. Hence this variable can probably be influenced by a changing or different lifestyle. The aim of this study was to compare skin reactivity to histamine and codeine (a marker of histamine releasability from mast cells) in schoolchildren from countries with different lifestyles. METHODS: Six previously unstudied unselected populations of 9-year-old schoolchildren (two each from Poland, Italy, and Libya; n = 863 subjects; 49.0% males) were pricked with two concentrations of histamine (10 and 1 mg/ml) and codeine (90 and 9 mg/ml). RESULTS: The higher concentrations of both pharmacologic agents tested yielded significantly different wheal areas in the three countries: Poland < Italy < Libya (histamine, 11.8, 16.1 and 20.7 mm2; codeine, 9.2, 13.2 and 16.2 mm2; p < 0.001 for all comparisons). The lower concentrations elicited almost matching results. Histamine wheal areas correlated closely with areas elicited by codeine in the same individual: angular coefficients of the histamine to codeine regression lines were 0.535, Italy; 0.551, Libya; 0.612, Poland; and 0.581 for the whole population. More histamine was needed to produce a wheal in Poland than in Libya: a 20-mm2 wheal required an injected histamine concentration of about 8.8 mg/ml in Libya, 29.5 mg/ml in Italy and 102.1 mg/ml in Poland. CONCLUSION: More studies are necessary to explain the observed international differences in skin histamine reactivity and their effect on the prevalence of positive allergen skin tests.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Did the sterile insect technique or weather eradicate screwworms (Diptera:Calliphoridae) from Libya?

The American screwworm, Cochliomyia hominivorax Coquerel, was detected in northwestern Libya in 1988. By August 1990, a screwworm epizootic extended over 26,000 km2 but collapsed in December and disappeared in April 1991. The relative contributions of winter weather and sterile insect releases on screwworm eradication in Libya were assessed by using temperature data and population demography. A screwworm overwintering threshold mean temperature of approximately 9.7 degrees C for 3 mo is supported strongly by published experimental and epizootiological data. In Libya, temperatures were above this overwintering threshold at Zawia, Sorman, and Tripoli weather stations. At Gharyan, in the interior highlands, mean winter temperatures from 1 December 1990 to 28 February 1991 were less than the putative overwintering threshold. No kill of screwworm pupae or adults was likely as a result of low temperatures near any weather station in the winter of 1990-1991. Evidence of screwworm overwintering in 1990-1991 was provided by the detection of a natural infestation in April and trap captures of numerous wild adult females in February, March, and April. Successful screwworm overwintering was highly probable in the coastal plain of Libya but unlikely in much of the interior highlands. The high rate of animal inspections by eradication personnel achieved as much as a 30% chance of detecting a screwworm case in domestic animals. Generation times and expectation of life among feral adult flies were estimated. Case reports for January to June 1991 were consistently less than estimates based on historical experience in Libya 1989-1990 and in Texas 1962-1983. Phenological simulations of sterile mating rates in feral screwworm flies supports the contention that sterile fly releases led to a greatly reduced case incidence from January to the time that eradication was declared in October 1991.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

First record of Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus) naturally infected with Xiphidiocercariae from Derna, Libya.

A review of the literature shows that the fresh water snail Planorbis planorbis (Mollusca: Gastropoda) infected with Xiphidiocercariae has never been recorded in Derna, Libya. In the present paper the first record is made from Wadi Derna (= Darnah), East coast of Libya. The snail harbour Xiphidiocercariae, the percentage of infection during May, 1989, was found to be 7.3%. Morphological description of the snail Planorbis planorbis, Xiphidiocercariae is given in the present investigation. The snail possibly acts as an intermediate host of trematode species in Libya. Further studies are needed to investigate and to observe the exact type of trematode in which the fresh water snail P. planorbis acts as an intermediate host in the life-cycle and to determine the definitive host in Libya.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Cancer incidence in eastern Libya: the first report from the Benghazi Cancer Registry, 2003.

Cancer registration in Northern Africa is still limited and, until now, there have been no population-based data available for Libya. In this paper, we present the first data collected and analyzed by the Benghazi Cancer Registry. Registration was carried out by active data collection; the registry staff routinely visited all hospitals and pathological laboratories in eastern Libya (1.6 million inhabitants) and collected information from all death registration offices. A huge archive of prevalent cases was established before the 2003 data were collected. A total of 997 cases of primary cancers were registered among residents in 2003. The world age-standardized incidence rate for all sites combined (except nonmelanoma skin) was 118 per 100,000 for men and 95 per 100,000 for women. The most frequently diagnosed malignancies in males were lung cancer (19%) and colorectal cancer (10%), followed by cancers of the head and neck (9%) and bladder (9%). Among females, they were breast cancer (26%), cancer of the colon and rectum (9%), uterus (7%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (5%). Our study provides data on cancer incidence in eastern Libya, and confirms that cancer incidence is much lower than in western countries. Moreover, observed patterns indicate that the incidence of many cancers, including those of the lung, breast, colon, rectum and bladder is quite different from previous estimates based on the data available from the neighboring countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Prevalence of cystic echinococcosis in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Libya.

In an abattoir study, 514 camels, slaughtered for meat production in different areas of northern Libya were examined for the presence of cystic echinococcosis (CE). In addition, 367 sheep and 184 goats were examined. The overall prevalence of infection with CE was 48% in camels, 15.8% in sheep and 3.8% in goats. The infection rate, number and size of cysts were significantly higher in older camels. In six city abattoirs across northern Libya, i.e. Zawia, Tripoli, El-Khumes, Mesurata, Sirt and Benghazi, the prevalence rate of infection in camels ranged from 38.7% to 55.2%, in comparison with sheep and goat rates which were between 0% and 37.9% and 0% and 8.2%, respectively. In camels, the lungs were the most frequently infected organs (85.4%) with liver cysts occurring at a significantly lower rate (33%). In contrast, the liver was the predominant infected site with prevalence values of 86% and 100% in sheep and goats, respectively. More than 90% of camel hydatid cysts were fertile. The possible role of camels in the transmission of CE in Libya is discussed.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed1992

Prevalence of human hydatid disease in northwestern Libya: a cross-sectional ultrasound study.

A total of 4103 people were screened in an ultrasound survey of the prevalence of hydatid disease (Echinococcus granulosus) in five areas of northwestern Libya; hydatid cysts were seen in 57 (1.4%), an overall prevalence of approximately 2.0% when adjusted for the likelihood of the occurrence of cysts in other sites in the body. All ultrasound-positive cases were confirmed by dot-blot ELISA. The prevalence of hydatid cysts increased with age, and differed between the sexes except in the five to 14 age group. All diagnosed cases, even those with large cysts, were asymptomatic. This study demonstrates the value of ultrasonography for screening field populations for hydatid disease. The technique was well received locally, facilitating the rapid collection of prevalence data from all ages and both sexes. Libyan people keep guard dogs, but there is little direct human:dog contact. Many people own a single dog, invariably kept outside and often chained up. Stray dogs are common, roaming the countryside to scavenge sheep carcases etc., and such dogs could be the main reservoir of E. granulosus in Libya. Because of the minimal direct human:dog contact, transmission of hydatid disease in Libya is probably indirect by ingestion of eggs from contaminated vegetables or drinking water.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Experience of a family clinic at Benghazi, Libya, and sociomedical aspects of its catchment population.

The article highlights the pioneering efforts towards establishment of a family clinic as a model for provision of primary health care to the community at family level in Libya. Home visits were undertaken by health teams to introduce the clinic and record demographic and sociomedical data. Families were invited to attend the clinic for a complete health examination. It was largely a young population with an average family size of 7.1. The houses were generally overcrowded. The majority of the heads of families had no formal education or skilled occupation but 98.1% had gainful employment. The vital statistics of the population, though comparable to the national figures, reflect a better health status. The infant mortality rate of the reference population was 25.9 per 1000 live births compared with 32.8 for the whole of Libya. Most reproductive age women (81.5%) breast fed their children for six months or more and 4% used contraceptives. The overall morbidity rate was 255 per 1000 population and the morbidity pattern, with a predominance of infections, was typical of a developing country. Each case diagnosed during the survey was appropriately treated and those with chronic diseases are being followed up. It is felt that such family based comprehensive health care units will go a long way in providing primary health care throughout Libya.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

An extensive ultrasound and serologic study to investigate the prevalence of human cystic echinococcosis in northern Libya.

A prevalence study of abdominal cystic echinococcosis (CE) was undertaken in the northwest, north-central, and northeast regions of Libya. A total of 36 villages along the coast were included, in which 20,220 people were screened by portable ultrasound. Three hundred thirty-nine (1.7%) were diagnosed with CE. There was no significant difference between CE prevalence rates in the three regions of Libya (mean = 1.6%); however, intervillage rates were variable, ranging from 0% to 4.5%. The prevalence of CE increased significantly with age (P < 0.0001) and females were significantly more affected (2%) than males (1.3%) (P < 0.0001). Cases of CE were distributed among 3.2% of housewives, 2.6% of farmers, 2.3% of male civil servants, 1.3% of female students, and 1.1% of male students. Housewives (P < 0.0001) and students (P < 0.0001) were significantly more at risk for CE. A statistically significant proportion (62% [210 of 339]) of CE cases kept dogs (P < 0.0001). Of the ultrasound-positive CE cases 69% (233 of 339) were antibody seropositive by ELISA using Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst fluid antigen B. Blood samples (n = 10,096) collected onto filter papers were taken randomly from ultrasound-negative people who entered the study, of which 11.2% were found to be seropositive. Seropositivity increased with age (P < 0.0001), with females exhibiting higher seroprevalence than males for all age groups (P < 0.0001). Seroprevalence was distributed occupationally among 17.3% of female students, 11.2% of male students, 8.3% of housewives, 7.3% of farmers, and 6.4% of male civil servants. Housewives and students were more likely to be seropositive (P < 0.0001). Forty-seven percent (526) of the seroreactors kept dogs. All liver hydatid cysts detected by ultrasound during community screening were classified according to morphology and size into six types. Type I (17.5% of all cases) were small univesicular cysts less than 50 mm in diameter with no laminations or daughter cysts. Type II (34%) were univesicular cysts with only laminations. Type IIIa (8.5%) were univesicular cysts with the appearance of laminations and daughter cysts. Type IIIb (13%) were univesicular with laminations and less prominent daughter cysts. Type IV (5.6%) presented as a solid mass. Type V were degenerated calcified or partially calcified cysts (13.2%). Type VI presented as multiple cysts (8% of all cases). The CE cases that exhibited Types II, IIIa, IIIb, IV or VI cysts showed the highest seropositivity (86%, 96%, 95%, 100%, and 96%, respectively), while Types I and V were the least seroreactive (38% and 22%, respectively). Cases of CE occurred in 311 families, with 93% having only one member as a CE case while 7% of the families had two or more cases. However, 25% of the ultrasound-negative persons belonging to families with an index CE case were seropositive for antibodies to Echinococcus. These results confirm the importance of human CE in Libya. They also confirm the usefulness of ultrasound combined with serology as a mass screening approach for CE in north African communities.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1990

Kala azar in an adult Libyan and review of visceral leishmaniasis in Libya.

Less than 30 confirmed cases of kala azar have been reported from Libya in this century. Many of the reported patients had stayed outside Libya and the majority were young children. After a span of fifty years we diagnosed an autochthonous case in an adult Libyan. The parasite was difficult to grow in N.N.N. culture media. During a small population survey in the area, no other case could be detected. Very little is known about the reservoir, vector, and sub-species of the parasite in Libya. The atypical symptoms, the rarity of cases detected and the difficulty of growing the parasite in vitro could be due to a different strain of the parasite causing visceral leishmaniasis in this area.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Major causes of intestinal obstruction in Libya.

The object of this study is to focus attention on the causes of intestinal obstruction in Libya. In this study, spread over 30 months and involving 114 patients, the most common cause was the entrapment of bowel in an external hernia. Postoperative adhesions accounted for obstruction in a third of our patients, and 59 per cent of them followed appendicectomy. Biliary lithiasis is the most common surgical disease in Libya, yet there was only one instance of gallstone ileus in this series. Sigmoid volvulus and intestinal lymphoma were also rare, and tubercular stricture and Crohn's disease were remarkable by their absence. There were no cases of idiopathic intussusception during or immediately following Ramadan.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

On the distribution of some genetic markers in libya.

On a sample of N equals 169 nonrelated blood donors from Libya several blood group, serum protein group and enzyme frequencies are within the range of those of other Caucasoid populations. However, the frequencies of cDe, Jk-a, Fy-c, Hp-1, Gc-1, aP-b and AK-1 show some greater differences and seem to indicate certain Negroid influence on the genetic composition of our Libyan sample. This assumption is conceivable considering the racial history of Libya.

Acid Phosphatase↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cytogenetic analysis of Down syndrome in Libya.

The frequency of Down syndrome in Libya was 1 in 516 live births. The mean age of Down mother was 35.62 years. Eighty two percent of the Down mothers were over 30 years of age as compared to 36% of the control Libyan mothers. As there was a greater percentage of late conceptions, the maternal age appears to be influential in the birth of Down syndrome in Libya. Cytogenetically 96% of the cases were that of trisomy 21. There was one case each of mosaic and 21/21 translocation, and four cases of 14/21 translocation as evidenced by Giemsa banding. Twenty two percent of the cases of Down syndrome also had other associated congenital abnormalities. The unique features involved in genetic counselling in this population are discussed. This study reflects the enormous problem of Down syndrome in the Arab world.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in a group of school-aged children in Benghazi, Libya.

OBJECTIVE: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is common in many countries and it has significant impact on treatment need. The aim of the present study was to assess developmental enamel defects with an emphasis to MIH in children from four primary schools in Benghazi, Libya. METHODS: Permanent first molars of a total of 378 (188 females) 7.0-8.9-year-old children were examined for demarcated opacities, diffuse opacities and hypoplasia in their schools using a portable light, a mirror, and a probe. A subgroup of children attending two of the four schools and having all incisors and first molars erupted (N = 154) was examined for enamel defects in these teeth. RESULTS: Eleven children (2.9%) had MIH. The mean value of demarcated opacities in their first molars was 1.5. MIH lesions were found only in 1.1% of the children's first molars (tooth prevalence) and all lesions were mild. Six children (1.6%) had diffuse opacities and 3 (0.8%) had hypoplastic defects in their first molars. Fourteen out of 154 children (9%) who had both incisors and molars examined had some kind of developmental enamel defect: 11 children (7.1%) had demarcated opacities, 3 (1.9%) had diffuse opacities, and none had hypoplasia. CONCLUSION: MIH was rare in Benghazi, Libya. The prevalence was clearly lower than in comparable studies performed in Italy or in Nordic countries, where, according to the earlier reports, MIH is seen in every fifth or sixth child. Our result may be valuable when so far mostly unknown etiology behind MIH is investigated.

Child↗
PubMed1992

Observations on the New World screwworm fly in Libya and the risk of its entrance into Egypt.

Data on traumatic myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax in Libya were reported from August 1988 until February 1989. A total of 468 cases of screwworm myiasis were recorded in seven species of livestock and 229 humans, mainly children, were also found to be infested. Cattle and sheep were the most common hosts in livestock. In cattle, the principal infestation site was the umbilicus of neonates; in sheep, it was mainly the fatty tail. Animal myiasis reached its peak in October and November, but disappeared abruptly in winter on the onset of cold weather. Screwworm distribution was confined to the northwest of Libya. The potential dispersion of the fly from this area and the possibility of infestation of other countries, particularly Egypt, are discussed. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) efforts to confront the New World screwworm problem in Africa are mentioned.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

A survey of ticks on farm animals in Libya.

Thirteen species of ixodid ticks and two species of argasid ticks were collected during a three-year survey of 58 farms in Libya. These included Boophilus annulatus, B. microplus, B. decoloratus, seven species of Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Rh. evertsi, Rh. bursa, Argas persicus and Ornithodoros foleyi. This is the first recording of B. microplus, B. decoloratus and Rh. bursa in Libya. Of 20,391 animals examined by random sampling, 2020 (9.6%) had ticks; particularly common were Hy. dromedarii on camels, Hy. impeltatum on sheep and Hy. excavatum on cattle. The tick found most frequently overall was Hy. dromedarii.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

PCR detection of toxic shock syndrome toxin of Staphylococcus aureus from Tripoli, Libya.

Sixty-three Staphylococcus aureus strains (40 from clinical sources and 23 from food sources) were examined for toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) using PCR, phage typed using the international phage set (IPS) and tested for their susceptibility to antibiotics. Only three strains (all from clinical sources) were positive for the TSST-1 gene (tst). The majority of S. aureus strains that were typeable by IPS belonged to group II. Resistance to one or more antibiotics was detected in 47.5 and 73.9 % of clinical and food strains, respectively. This is the first time that PCR detection of tst in S. aureus has been reported from Libya, and further studies are needed on the occurrence of toxic shock syndrome in the community and the role of TSST-1-producing S. aureus in this disease in Libya.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗