Helicobacter pylori infection had a high prevalence among Saudi children in the cities of Jeddah and Riyadh. It was a relatively common cause of abdominal pain and anorexia. In this cohort of children, H. pylori infection was associated with variables indicative of a crowded environment and poor living conditions, further supporting the conclusion that improving socioeconomic conditions and designing a preventive health strategy in Saudi Arabia will likely protect children against this infection.

PLCA is a rare chronic progressive skin disorder affecting adults, with a prevalence of 0.15 among patients attending the dermatology clinic in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Saudi Arabia. There were few differences in demographic profile or histochemical characteristics between LA and MA. Meticulous histologic examination of sections and even sequential biopsies may be needed to confirm the diagnosis in clinically suspected cases.

In this study, we describe a rapid and optimized protocol from DNA extraction to leishmaniasis subspeciation. ITS1-PCR showed high sensitivity and specificity in confirming clinically suspected cases.

The manifestations of cutaneous leishmaniasis are broad and may mimic other inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Pathologists and dermatologists should be aware of such pitfalls and can utilize PCR to confirm the diagnosis of leishmaniasis.

The role of schistosomes in the pathologenesis of acute appendicitis in an endemic area was investigated. Of 1600 appendicectomies received in our laboratory, 26 showed appendiceal schistosomiasis, which prompted what we believe to be the first detailed histopathological evaluation of all appendices with schistosomal infestation, without prior knowledge of the clinical and operative diagnoses. The results suggest that there are two types of schistosomal appendicitis, each with distinct clinicopathological features and different pathogenetic mechanisms. They could be called obstructive and granulomatous schistosomal acute appendicitis, respectively.