Etiology of infective endocarditis

Blood cultures were taken from suspected cases of infective endocarditis admitted in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and NICVD, Karachi. A total of 71 cultures were collected from these patients. Eighteen patients gave positive results. On these 18 patients 53 blood cultures were done. No gram negative organism was isolated in this study. Of the 18 patients with positive results 13 patients were infected by gamma hemolytic Streptococcus viridans, staphylococci were isolated in 4 patients and Streptococcus faecalis in one patient

Can diagnosis of helicobacter pylori be rapid and yet sensitive?

Diagnostic accuracy of 5 tests viz.,endoscopy, rapid urease, 24 hours urease, culture and histology, were evaluated in the detection of Helicobacter pylori [H. pylori] infection in 50 patients undergoing upper G.I. endoscopy. Endoscopic evidence of gastritis to predict H. pylori infection was 50% specific and 46% sensitive. Rapid and 24 hours urease test and culture were 100% specific when compared with histology and their sensitivity was 71%, 62% and 21% respectively. Of the three 100% specific tests, rapid urease test yields results within 15 minutes; therefore this test being easy, rapid and sensitive should be used for screening of H. pylori infection; followed by histology for further confirmation

Etiology of endocarditis in the West: Africa and Pakistan - a comparison

The predominant causative agent causing bacterial endocarditis was studied and the results obtained from specimens at different hospitals in Karachi were compared to the published literature in the Western and African countries, and the differences in results are discussed

Antibiotic sensitivity testing in bacterial endocarditis

Seventy-one blood cultures were taken from 26 suspected cases of bacterial endocarditis. Antibiotic sensitivity pattern was determined in 29 positive cultures. Gentamycin was found to be the most effective. Cloxacillin, chloramphenicol, vibramycin, tetracycline, erythromycin were next in order

Intermittent bacteremia

Twenty-six cases suspected of bacterial endocarditis were studied. Main infecting organisms were staphylococcus and streptococci. Bateraemia was intermittent and first and third culture gave maximum positive results

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern in bacterial endocarditis

Seventyone blood cultures were taken from suspected cases of infective endocarditis. The positive cultures were isolated for study of their antibiotic susceptibility patterns. Gentamycin was found to be the most effective. Cloxacillin, chloramphenicol, Vibramycin, Tetracyclin, Erythromycin were next in order. The incidence of bacteria probably susceptible to high dose schedules and those demonstrating complete resistance was also determined

Dental manipulations as the predisposing factor of bacterial endocarditis

Blood for culturing was taken from suspected cases of infective endocarditis. 26 such patients were studied as regards the predisposing factors. 3 blood cultures were taken from each patient. Out of these 26 patients 4 gave history of dental manipulation, as the causative predisposing factor which gives a percentage of 15. 38%. These four patients were all seen to be infected by streptococcus viridans