Awareness and frequency of hepatitis B vaccination in high-risk health care workers at a tertiary care hospital

To assess awareness of high risk health care workers about being at risk for contracting hepatitis B and importance of vaccination for them and to determine effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination amongst them. A cross-sectional study was carried out at Combined Military Hospital, Kharian cantonment from August 2009 to July 2010. Two hundred high-risk health care workers were selected by convenience sampling. Anti-HBs titers were checked to see the effectiveness of vaccination. A questionnaire was administered to record frequency of vaccination, immunity status and their awareness of high risk and protective role of hepatitis B vaccination. Of the 200 participants, 125 [62.5%] were aware of being at high risk for acquiring HBV infection and protective role of vaccine against it. One hundred and six [53%] persons had received vaccination against hepatitis B. Among vaccinated, 87 [43.5%] had protective levels of Anti-HBs titers while 19 [9.5%] had undetectable titers. Nineteen [9.5%] remained unvaccinated despite being aware. A significant proportion of high-risk health care workers lack awareness, vaccination, or immunization against hepatitis B

Cutaneous manifestations of diabetes mellitus

Diabetes isa common disease with a variety of skin manifestations encountered by dermatologists, Skin and diabetes may be linked by association [e.g. necrobiosis lipoidica]; infections [bacterial, viral or fungal]; diabetic complications [e.g. neuropathic ulcers or treatment reactions]. The skin manifestations of diabetes affect up to two thirds of patients both type 1 and II diabetes mellitus. Cutanebus manifestations of diabetes occur because of the microvascular complications of diabetes, impaired wound healing, and other yet undetermined mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to look for major skin findings in patients with diabetes mellitus and to see their clinical correlation. All patients attending the diabetic clinic during a period of Qne year from July, 2002 to June, 2003 were examined in detail for cutaneous manifestations of the disease. 162 patients, 92 females and 70 males, were enrolled. The overall prevalence of cutaneous manifestations was 81.5% [80% in type I and 83.4% in type II diabetics]. These manifestations were microvascular [n73], neurological [n6 1], infections [n46], iatrogenic [n=7] and miscellaneous [n=184]. Cutaneous manifestations are quite frequent in both types of diabetics. A number of new findings were observed

Fine needle aspiration cytology versus histopathology in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan

To compare FNAC with histopathology as an alternate method of diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis. Comparative study. The duration of the study was from August 2003 to April 2004 at CMH, Peshawar. A total of 40 patients were included in this study. They were referred from various areas of North-West Frontier Province. FNAC and skin biopsy was performed on every patient. Haematoxylin and eosin [H and E] stain was used for both procedures. The study group included 39 males and one female, their age ranging from 8-60 years with a mean age of 31.97 years. Detection of LT bodies was considered as a single criterion of the positive result. Histopathological examination was able to diagnose 14 out of 40 patients [positive yield of 35%], while FNAC picked up 11 out of 40 patients [positive yield of 27.5%]. FNAC is easier, less painful and more cost-effective than the conventional skin biopsy. The high sensitivity and specificity eliminate the need for other time-consuming and invasive procedures. However, if LT bodies are not detected then any further comment cannot be made regarding the diagnosis and it is necessary to perform skin biopsy

Neurofibromatosis type 1 with generalized pruritus

Neurofibromatosis is a neurocutaneous condition that can involve almost any organ system. Presenting signs and symptoms may vary widely. We describe a patient who presented with generalized pruritus that was not responding to conventional antihistamines or topical steroids, but responded very well to ketotifen. A brief review of the disorder is also made