The Diagnostic Challenges, Possible Etiologies and Lack of Researches of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Somalia

Globally, hepatocellular carcinoma is the second amongst all causes of cancer deaths and it is one of the common malignancies in both developing and developed countries. The causes are variety all of the world ranging from geography, life style and advanced medical care that is available in those countries either developing such as Somalia or developed countries. Somali contributes to global burden of hepatitis B which is a known risk factor for HCC and has categorized to the world a part of high prevalence of hepatitis B which is greater than 10%, while there is no more available data of hepatitis C in Somalia that contributes the world. Diagnoses of hepatocellular carcinoma are now forward in many countries of developed world, but reality are different from developing countries such as Somalia which is now out for civil war and has a lack of medical experts in all fields of medicine such as physician, surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and the experts of the laboratory field, even if we have these medical personal who are few or they are elder than above 60 years old plus medical equipment (such as imaging and laboratory equipment). All these challenges, the author of this manuscript has faith in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma that can be rationally made to consider the clinical presentation of this disorder and to maximize use of offered diagnostic tools and to refer the few medical experts in the country.

Gastro-Intestinal Parasites of Camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Mogadishu, Somalia

Somalia has the largest dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) population in the world. However, scientific research and camel diseases investigation in the country were lacking since 1980s. A total of 167 camels (131 semi-intensive dairy camels system and 36 free grazing systems) were sampled from three districts in Mogadishu citybetween December 2015 and March 2016 to investigate the prevalence rate of gastro-intestinal parasites in camels from Mogadishu city using different coprological techniques. The overall prevalence of camel gastro-intestinal parasites was 50.3%. The prevalence rate were significantly varies between the extensive and semi-intensive production systems (p = 0.000) and between the different districts (p = 0.000). Nematodes revealed higher prevalence rate (47.9%) than Cestodes (6.0%), Trematodes (4.2%) and Coccidia (0.65%). Eggs of eight genera of nematodes, two genera of trematodes and two genera of cestodes as well as Eimeria sp. Oocysts were identified in this study. Dictyocaulus sp. and Trichostrongylus sp. were the most prevalent followed by Parascaris equorum and Strongyloides sp. About 56.0% of the infected camels revealed mix-infection of up to five different parasite species. Moreover, 35.7% of these animals revealed heavy infection. The important role of the camel has inspired investigators and researchers to look for diseases that may threaten camel health and production. However, in Somalia in spite of having the largest counts of camels but in depth scientific data are not available. Therefore, the present paper was to be the first detailed data on camel gastro-intestinal parasites in Mogadishu area and may be in whole Somalia. We came to conclude that gastrointes-tinal parasites were highly prevalent in camels from Mogadishu particularly in nomadic herds of camels. Studies on the effect of gastro-intestinal parasites on camel production and productivity are recommended. Moreover, the intensive system of camel production should be encouraged.