Original article
English
Ahmed A Toweir 1, Marwan M AlSharbati 1, Dennis J Shale 2
1-Dept. of Family & Community medicine, Faculty of Medicine. Benghazi. Libya. 2-Section of Respiratory Medicine, University of Wales , College of Medicine. UK
Garyounis Medical Journal Vol.19. 1998-2002:134-140
Abstract
A cross-sectional randomised sample of 1495 Libyan school children aged 5-16 years from different residential areas of Benghazi were studied, to determine the prevalence of childhood cervical lymphadenopathy defined as Iwo or more nodes> 1 cm diameter and its relationship to reactivity to PPD-RT23 and other tuberculins derived from atypical mycobacterial species known to cause cervical lymphadenopathy. Each individual received PPD-RT23 and one other tuberculin using the standard WHO Mantoux test. Cervical lymphadenopathv occurred in 59.4% of the subjects. The majority were from the high population density areas, and the prevalence was greater in males than females, but decreased with age. A reported hisioty of lymphadenopathy at other sites occurred in 3.3% of subjects having cervical lymphadenopathy. Cervical lymphadenopathy was inversely associated with the general health status but was not correlated with the social factors. Moreover, individuals with cervical lymphadenopathy generally had a lower percentage of reactivity to PPD-RT23 and other tuberculins. In spite of the high prevalence of cervical lymphadenopathy in our population, a tuberculous or atypical origin of such lymphadenopathy was not conclusively established.
Keywords: Prevalence Of Childhood Lymphadenopathy In Benghazi; The Association With Atypical Mycobacteria And Other Factors
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