ABSTRACT
Ever fuelling antibiotic use and resulting resistance is still prevalent in our society most commonly prescribed for throat infections. However community acquired throat infections are known to be caused mostly by viruses, therefore it was of interest to determine the incidence of bacterial species grown from infected throats and whether the character of these isolates indicated antibiotic intervention to control ever increasing antibiotic resistances. Prospective Study. At a private Lab and Diagnostic Centre, Karachi, Pakistan during Jan 2010 to July 2011. The isolates from 362 patients of all ages presenting with RTI were cultured and identified using standard protocol. Antibiotic sensitivity of these isolates was checked using 23 drugs and the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method at a private lab in Karachi. In addition, to know the perspective of ENT specialists regarding the antibiotic resistance, rate of their prescriptions and the drugs they prescribe, 30 questionnaires were also collected. Among the 362 isolates Pneumococci were most commonly seen [35.34%] followed by Staphylococcus aureus [23.01%] and notable Klebsiella pneumoniae [14.5%]. The ENT physicians interviewed commonly prescribed any of 20 antibiotics, most often Amoxicillin, Amoxiclav or even the injectables Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone for pharyngitis. In our study, among others, the isolates were most sensitive to Cefotaxime [91.2%], Ceftriaxone [91.0%] and Amoxiclav [80.4%] followed by Penicillin [71.0%] Erythromycin [43.1%] and Cefixime [30.7%] were less effective. Pneumococci and Staphylococci were most often isolated from infected throats; these were likely part of residential flora accompanying infecting respiratory viruses, the drug therapy was hence superfluous and essentially harmful
ABSTRACT
To investigate the antibacterial activity of Camellia sinensis, Juglans regia and Hippophae rhamnoides extracts on methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus hemolyticus. Coagulase negative staphylococci [CoNS] which were once considered avirulent and usually contaminants when isolated from urine samples are becoming increasingly recognized as agents of clinically significant nosocomial infections. These pathogens are also steadily becoming resistant to conventional antibiotics available as well as combination drugs, highlighting the need for alternative or synergistic natural antimicrobial products that are effective, inexpensive and non-toxic. 300 urine samples from hospitalized patients with indwelling catheters were tested for CoNS. Methicillin resistant strain of S. hemolyticus and methicillin resistant strain of S. epidermidis were found amongst others using standard microbiological procedures. Identification was done by API-staph and 16S rRNA gene sequencing using ATCC cultures as control. The antibacterial activity of aqueous extracts of green tea leaves [Camellia spp.], dandasa: dried bark of the walnut tree [Juglans spp.], and sea-buckthorn berries [Hippophae spp.] were investigated on the CoNS isolates, in duplicate, using Microtube-dilution method for Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC] estimation. Amongst the CoNS isolated, 19% were S. epidermidis and 15% were S. hemolyticus. Methicillin resistance observed was above 60%. Of which, 51% of the S. epidermidis strains and 89% of the S. hemolyticus strains were found to be sensitive to the tested extracts. The average MICs of extracts for the S. epidermidis were found to be 1250 microg/ml for green tea, 312.5 microg/ml for Dandasa and 156.25 microg/ml for sea-buckthorn. S. hemolyticus strain, however, showed the average MICs of 625microg/ml for green tea, 2500microg/ml for dandasa and 39.06 microg/ml for sea-buckthorn. Our results indicate that extracts of green tea leaves, dried bark of walnut tree, and sea-buckthorn berries may contain compounds with important therapeutic activities, encouraging further study
ABSTRACT
To determine the current frequency of circulating anti-HCV antibody in a cross section of subjects in Karachi, Pakistan and compare it with previous observations. A total of 35,191 individuals of both sexes presenting at a private diagnostic lab and its branches in Karachi city were screened for Anti-HCV antibody during a two year period ending Dec 2010. Positive tests were detected using EVOLIS automated 4th generation analyzer and confirmed with COBAS e411 random access solid phase chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay. Also, a retrospective scrutiny of 37,391 subjects tested in the same lab during 2002-07 suggested 5.9% anti-HCV seropositivity, and was considered for comparison. Anti-HCV antibodies were detected in 3170 [9.01%] of those assessed. The youngest positive subject was a 5-day-old male neonate, the eldest an 82-year-old male. The majority of carriers [48.0%] were aged 30-49 years and 53.1% of those tested positive in Karachi, Pakistan were female. Carrier rate of anti-HCV antibody was 5.9% during 2002-07 recorded in the same lab. HCV antibody frequency in our Karachi subjects have steadily increased from 5.9% in 2002-07 to 9.01% in 2009-10, encouraging awareness and enquiry of reasons for the increasing reach of a significant virus