Abstract:
This descriptive hospital base study was conducted in Khartoum North,
Khartoum and Omdurman Teaching Hospitals and Omdurman Military
Hospital during the period from March to July 2011.The study aimed to
detect the infectious agents and histopathological changes associated with
appendicitis. 74 samples were randomly collected after appendectomy
from patients presenting with signs and symptoms of appendicitis their
ages ranged from 1-47 years. Sections were prepared and stained using
four different methods: Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for general
morphology, Gram stain for demonstration of bacteria, Macchiavello’s
stain for demonstration of viral inclusions, and periodic acid- shiff’s for
demonstration of fungi, Data was analyzed using SPSS computer program.
Histopathologically, 48(64.8%) of the cases were diagnosed as acute
appendicitis, 9(12.1%) as chronic appendicitis while 17(22.9%) of cases
shows no detectable pathology. Intranuclear inclusions (suggesting viral
infection) were seen in 17 (23%) of cases; 10 (13.5%) of cases shows
presence of bacteria, only one case (1.3%) parasites (Ascaris
Lumbericoides) was seen, and no fungal infection were notised. The study
concluded that bacterial and viral infections may be associated with
appendicitis particularly the acute form. 11-20 years was the most frequent
age group.The study found no association between chili & lemon
consumption
and
family
history
and
appendicitis.
Finally
we
recommended conducting new studies comprising larger sample size and
using more specific and sensitive techniques to identify infectious agents
associated with appendicitis, and to search the association between those
infectious agents and appendicitis.
