Prevalence of helicobacter pylori infection in patients with perforated peptic ulcer

Objectives: to determine the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with perforated peptic ulcer

Patients and methods: this prospective study was conducted in the Department of Surgery, [Surgical Unit-II], Liquate University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro. All patients were evaluated by full history, clinical examination and relevant laboratory investigations including. X-ray chest and abdomen, ultrasound abdomen, serum anti H-Pylori, biopsy and histopathology for detection of helicobacter pylori infection and perforation. The data was collected through pre-designed proforma and analyzed by SPSS version 10.00

Results: during study period 75 patients were diagnosed as case of perforated peptic ulcer. Male [73%] outnumber female [27%]. Majority of patients were more than 30 years of age with mean age of 44.6 years SD +/- 9.89. The serological test for helicobacter pylori was positive in all 75 cases; however histopathology of biopsy yields H. pylori in 50 [66.6%] cases. On exploratory laparotomy perforated duodenal ulcer was found in 50 [67%] patients while 25[33%] patients had perforated gastric ulcer

Conclusion: the biopsy proven prevalence of perforated peptic ulcer, one of the life threatening complications of H. Pylori, was is 67% in this study

Seasonal and demographic aspects of dengue outbreak of 2011 in northern Pakistan

Objective: To study the seasonal and demographic pattern of outbreak of dengue epidemic in Northern Pakistan during 2011. Patients and Methods: The study was conducted in the Virology department of Armed Forces institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from 1st May to 31" December, 2011. This study included 2623 patients with critical suspicion of dengue fever. A venous blood sample of patients was drawn aseptically and tested for Dengue IgM antibodies by capture ELISA of Vircell, Spain. The test results obtained were positive, negative or equivocal. Those found equivocal an initial testing, were re-tested with fresh blood sample, after 3-4 days. I Results: The maximum number of the cases occurred during the months of September and October. 2011. Out of the total 2623 study subjects, 1923[73.3%] were males and 700[26.7%] were females. A total of 417[15.9%]patients tested positive for Dengue IgM antibodies out of which 318 [76.2%] were males and 99 [23.8%] were female, 28 [1%%] of patients. with equivocal results in initial testing for Dengue IgM were re-tested for the same tests after 3-4 days and 16 [57%] out of them confirmed positive or] repeat testing. Ages of patients ranged from 6 months to 90 years with a mean of 33.77 + 17.65 years. The maximum number of the positive cases was seen in the patients of age group of 76-30 years followed by 31-45 years. Conclusion: Dengue her epidemic was at its peak during Sep and Oct dung 2011. Itic psrtod 1rnmedi;rtcly atter the maximurn rains in the region. The dengue was diagnosed three limes more in male patients as corrlparerj tn temale patients. The dengue epidemic during 2011, affected people of all age groups and the most cases were diagnosed young adults followed by other age groups

Correlation of viremia and alanine aminotransferase in sera of HCV infected patients

A descriptive, semi-interventional and analytical study was planned to evaluate the usefulness of serum alanine aminotransferase [ALT] testing as compared with Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] RNA testing by Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] in different clinical settings of HCV infection. The study was carried out from Dec 2003 to Feb 2004 at Virology department, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi. The patients referred to AFIP for blood test for Hepatitis C Virus RNA by PCR were included in the study. The demographic information like age and sex of the patient was noted down. Blood samples were collected and sera were separated. Two hundred and fifty microlitres [ul] of serum was transferred to plastic aliquots that were stored at -80°C in a retrievable fashion until utilized for HCV RNA. The remaining part of serum was stored at -20°C until tested for ALT level. The HCV RNA test was carried out with a commercial kit [Acugen, USA] using automated equipment [Robomaster] based on Real Time PCR. The serum ALT was evaluated with commercial kit of GPT [ALT] IFCC mod. liq UV Humazyme Test [Human-Germany]. Out of the 199 cases, 135 [67.8%] had detectable HCV and thus declared positive for PCR while the remaining 64 had no detectable virus in their sera and were called negative for HCV RNA PCR. ALT was raised in 133/135 [98.5%] PCR positive patients and 08/56[14.2%] PCR negative patients. It is concluded that raised ALT level has good sensitivity in predicting the positivity for HCV RNA in sera of HCV infected individuals and, therefore, can be used with a fair degree of confidence for assessment of degree of liver damage in HCV infected individuals without cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma