Identification and lead-in characterization of novel B3 metallo-[beta]-lactamases

Metallo-[beta]-lactamases [MBLs] are zinc ion dependent enzymes that are responsible for the emergence and spread of [beta]-lactam resistance among bacterial pathogens. There are uncharacterized putative MBLs in the environment and their emergence is major interference in the generation of universal MBL inhibitors so it is important to identify and characterize novel MBLs. In this study two novel MBLs from Luteimonas sp. J29 and Pseudoxanthomonas mexicana were identified using B3 MBLs as query in BLAST database search. 3D models of putative MBLs generated by SWISSMODEL server taking AIM-1 as a structural template were verified using web based structure assessment and validation programs. Multiple sequence alignment revealed that residues important for substrate binding were conserved and loop region residues [156-162 and 223-230] important for catalysis are variable in these novel MBLs. Homology models showed typical MBL [alpha]/[beta]/[beta]/[alpha] sandwich fold containing six [alpha] helices, twelve [beta] strands and metal interacting residues are conserved in similar way as with other B3 MBLs. We report promising putative B3 MBLs with some variations and substrate docking studies revealed that novel MBLs have attributes close to acquired B3 MBLs

comparative study of functional outcome of treatment of intra articular fractures of distal radius fixed with percutaneous Kirschner's wires vs T-plate

Background and Objective: Fractures of the distal radius are common with a variable prognosis in case of intra articular extension. The available options include Plaster, External fixation, Prefabricated Splintage using Ligamentotaxis, K-wire fixation, and open reduction internal fixation with T-plate without an as yet clear advantage of one over the others. If these fractures are allowed to collapse, radial shortening, angulation and articular incongruity may cause permanent deformity and loss of function. This limited small scale study was intended to compare the functional results of treatment of these fractures with a T plate and K-wires

Methods: This was a prospective experimental study conducted at department of Orthopedics of PGMI/Lahore General Hospital, Lahore. Total 30 patients were included and randomized into two groups of 15 patients each. Group-A patients were treated with Krischner's wires and Group-B patients were treated with a T-Plate with open reduction. Informed consent was taken. Post operative follow up was done for 12 weeks for the outcome parameters [Green and O'Brien score]

Results: Mean age of patients in Group-A and B was 36.13 +/- 9.81 and 44.73 +/- 7.86 years respectively. In Group-A there were 10 male and 5 female patients and in Group-B there were 8 male and seven female patients respectively. In Group-A nine patients presented with Fernandez type-II and six patients presented with Fernandez type-III fracture. While in Group-B 10 patients presented with Fernandez type-II and five patients presented with Fernandez type-III fracture. Among Group-A patient's final outcome was excellent in 86.67% patients while in Group-B only 53.33% patients had excellent outcome at three months follow up

Conclusion: Percutaneous Kirschner's wires appeared to be more effective as compared to T-Plate fixation in terms of functional outcome for treating intra-articular distal radius fractures

ESWL: a Safe modality for treatment of renal stones. a clinical study at kidney center, DHQ hospital, faisalabad

Introduction: Renal stones have been one of the most commonly encountered diagnosis in patients visiting Urology clinics and Extra-Corporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy [ESWL] has been an effective method for management of renal stones of certain size [Up to 2.5 cm]

Objective: To determine the complication rates in patients undergoing ESWL to look for safety level of the procedure. Duration And Setting: Study was conducted From December 2015-March 2016 in Kidney Center, DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad

Methodology: First 225 patients undergoing ESWL at Kidney Center, DHQ Hospital, Faisalabad were included in the study and they were observed for short term complications as post procedure pain, hematuria, fever and ureteric obstruction

Results: 225 patients included in the study. Among them 132 [58.7%] were male, 93 [41.3%] were female. Average age of patient was 38.2 years with minimum range as 5 years and maximum as 75 years. Stone size ranged from 7mm to 2.5cm with average size as 1.541cm. Fragmentation was observed in 218 [96.9 %] patients in first two sessions while no fragmentation was observed in 7 [3.1%] patients after two sessions. Out of 225, 37[16.4%] patients developed pain, 19 [8.4%] observed hematuria, 7 [3.11%] have fever and 6 [2.66%] developed ureteric obstruction. Only 3 patients developed two complications simultaneously. No statistical association was found for development of complication after ESWL in our study

Conclusion: Inference drawn from the statistics clearly showed that ESWL is still a very safe and effective modality for renal stone management

Comparison of fistulectomy with fistulotomy in low fistula in Ano

Objective: To compare the outcomes in terms of healing after fistulotomy and fistulectomy for low lying fistulae in ano

Study design: Cross sectional analytic

Place and Duration of study: Department of Surgery, Surgical Unit I, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi, from June 2013 to May 2015

Methodology: Patients of both genders between 12 to 60 year of age with clinical diagnosis of fistula in ano were included in the study. Pain was assessed on visual and analog scale [VAS] Hospital stay was also recorded. All were followed for four week for any complications

Results: During the study period 120 patients were enrolled. Out of these 60 patients had fistulotomy and 60 underwent fistulectomy for fistula in ano. Male predominated with male to female ratio of 3:1. Swelling [86.6%], discharge [37%] and itching [27%] were the common symptoms. The mean duration of hospital stay was 3 +/- 1 day. Postoperative wound healing and pain assessed by VAS, were high in fistulectomy group. All patients recovered during follow up except one who continued to complain incontinence from fistulectomy group

Conclusion: Fistulotomy yielded better results as compared to fistulectomy for the treatment with low fistula in ano

Antihyperglycemic effect of persea duthieion blood glucose levels and body weight in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits

The present study was designed to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of Persea duthieion blood glucose concentration and body weight in alloxan induced diabetic hyperglycemic rabbits. The results illustrated significant antihyperglycemic activity of crude extract with 17.44% and 28.02% amelioration at 25 and 50mg/kg p.o. respectively after 24th day of drug treatment; equally supported by body weight recovery. Upon fractionation, most dominant antihyperglycemic effect was displayed by aqueous fraction with 22.12% and 34.43% effect followed by ethyl acetate fraction with 24.32% and 32.05% effect at 25 and 50mg/kg p.o. respectively after 24th day of drug treatment. The effect on blood glucose was also reflected on body weight of animals. In conclusion, our study documented marked antihyperglycemic activity of extract/fractions of P. duthiei

Tuberculosis of intestine

Objective: to determine the clinical spectrum and surgical outcome of gastro-intestinal tuberculosis

Study design: descriptive case series

Place and Duration of study: department of General surgery ward 3 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center [JPMC] Karachi, from June 2010 - July 2015

Methodology: all patients who were diagnosed as cases of gastrointestinal tuberculosis and underwent operative procedures were included. Data was collected on a structured proforma. The variables collected included age of the patients, gender, clinical presentation, surgical procedures performed and outcome

Results: a total of 100 patients were managed. There were 67 female and 33 male patients. Female to male ratio was 2:1. The minimum age was 13 year and maximum 50 year with the mean age of 32 year. Apart from the constitutional symptoms like nausea, vomiting and low grade fever, abdominal pain was the commonest presentation. Eighty-eight patients were operated. End ileostomy, limited right hemicolectomy and resection anastomosis with primary repair were the commonly performed procedures. Two patients developed enterocutaneous fistulae. Five patients presented with septic shock and died

Conclusion: intestinal TB had varied presentation. It was found more frequently in females. Fever and weight loss were common presentations. High index of suspicion must be exercised in making a diagnosis

Liraglutide in diabetes mellitus: more facts and findings

Liraglutide exert favorable effects on most of the diabetes associated cardiovascular [CV] risk factors and this study was designed to further explore the benefits of liraglutide by observing its effect on plasma sialic acid [PSA] in diabetic rats. A total of 30 streptozotocin induced [50mg/Kg; i. p] diabetic rats were randomized into vehicle treated [1 ml/Kg s.c, twice daily] group I, liraglutide treated groups II and III [30 micro g/Kg and 150 micro g/Kg, twice daily respectively] and studied for 6 weeks. Liraglutide treated groups showed significant reductions in fructosamine levels [p

Sequence Analysis of Hypothetical Proteins from Helicobacter pylori 26695 to Identify Potential Virulence Factors

Helicobacter pylori is a Gram-negative bacteria that is responsible for gastritis in human. Its spiral flagellated body helps in locomotion and colonization in the host environment. It is capable of living in the highly acidic environment of the stomach with the help of acid adaptive genes. The genome of H. pylori 26695 strain contains 1,555 coding genes that encode 1,445 proteins. Out of these, 340 proteins are characterized as hypothetical proteins (HP). This study involves extensive analysis of the HPs using an established pipeline which comprises various bioinformatics tools and databases to find out probable functions of the HPs and identification of virulence factors. After extensive analysis of all the 340 HPs, we found that 104 HPs are showing characteristic similarities with the proteins with known functions. Thus, on the basis of such similarities, we assigned probable functions to 104 HPs with high confidence and precision. All the predicted HPs contain representative members of diverse functional classes of proteins such as enzymes, transporters, binding proteins, regulatory proteins, proteins involved in cellular processes and other proteins with miscellaneous functions. Therefore, we classified 104 HPs into aforementioned functional groups. During the virulence factors analysis of the HPs, we found 11 HPs are showing significant virulence. The identification of virulence proteins with the help their predicted functions may pave the way for drug target estimation and development of effective drug to counter the activity of that protein.

Sleeve gastrectomy

The aim of our work is to present Experience of Sleeve Gastrectomy at Centre of Bariatric Surgery of Dow University of Health Sciences. All patients were assessed multidisciplinary team before operation. Indications for LSG were BMI 35kg/m[2] with comorbidites and BMI >40kg/m[2] without comorbidities. Standard surgical technique adapted. Gastric division by a cutting stapler. The whole staple line was observed for bleeding and tested for leak. Total 10 patients were studied of which were four males and six females, Median age of was 40 years. Pre-operative median BMI was 52.2kg/m[2] [range from 46 to 61kg/ m[2]]. Median post-operative BMI of 9 months was 34.33kg/m[2] [range from 28 to 40]. Out of 10 patients, observed complications of bleeding was seen in one case and wound infection occurred in 2 cases. Considerable weight loss observed in LSG

Frequency of peptic ulcer perforation during fasting and without fasting

Objective: To find out the frequency of peptic ulcer perforation during fasting in the month of Ramadan with non-fasting during other months

Study design: Descriptive case series

Place and duration of study: Department of Surgery Ward-3 Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi, from January 2005 to November 2014

Methodology: The data of 220 patients who were operated due to peptic ulcer perforation, was analylsed. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I [n= 139] included patients who were operated in the months other than Ramadan, while group II [n= 81] included patients who were operated during the month of Ramadan. The patients of peptic ulcer due to malignancy were excluded

Results: Of the total there were 209 male and 11 female patients. Age range was 12 year to 65 year. Most of the patients [n=178 - 85%] were between 20 year to 50 year of age. Frequency of perforation was highest in Ramadan then in Shawal month and was less in other months of the year. On average patients with peptic ulcer in Ramadan were 8.1 and in non-fasting months 1.2

Conclusion: The frequency of perforation in peptic ulcer disease was higher in Ramadan month during fasting state as compared to other months of the year

clinical value of immediate second transurethral resection in patients with high grade non-muscle inasive bladder Cancer [HG-NMIBC]

Objectives: this study was designed to estimate the value of a second transurethral resection of bladder tumor in patients with initially diagnosed T1 High-grade bladder cancer

Material and Methods: between October 2008 and November 2015, a total of 350 patients were diagnosed with T1 high grade non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. These patients were divided into two groups. Group A: 150 patients who underwent an early reresection. Group B: 200 patients who did not undergo early re-resection. Data were collected retrospectively which included patient's history, physical examination, and investigation, histological parameters including presence of detrusor muscle at initial TUR and at second TUR, recurrences and progression rates

Results: the detrusor muscle was present in 90 patients out of 150 patients [60%] in Group A and in 158 patients out of 200 patients [79%] in Group B, at initial TUR. At early re-resection, detrusor muscles were present in 76.67% of patients. The residual tumor was present in 55% of re-resected patients. The overall incidence of tumor recurrence was 34.66% and 42% in Groups A and B, respectively. There was a significantly higher rate of tumor progression in patients who did not undergo early re-resection during follow up. [Group 14.28% v. s. Group 3.85% P<0.05]

Conclusion: a second TUR should be routinely advised in all patients with T1 high grade bladder cancer, to achieve a complete resection and to identify patients who may need to undergo radical cystectomy

Zinc supplement in reduction of relapses in children with steroid sensitive nephrotic syndrome

To determine whether Zinc supplementation could reduce relapse rate in children with nephrotic syndrome. Randomized-controlled trial. National Institute of Child-Health and The Kidney Centre, Karachi, from January 2008 to June 2009. Sixty nephrotic children aged 2 - 15 years were selected. Baseline data including age, number of infections and relapses during pre and post study one year were recorded. Randomization was done to divide into Zinc group [Zg] to receive Zinc versus placebo [Pg] for 6 months. Relapses and infections were treated with standard therapy. T-test and chi-square tests were used to compare the mean values and proportions respectively with significance at p < 0.05. Among 60 children, 54 completed trial [Zg = 25, Pg = 29]. Forty [74%] were males and 14 [26%] females. Mean age, pre study relapses and Zinc level in the two groups were similar. Overall, infections and relapses were observed in 43 [79.62%] and 17 cases [31.48%] respectively. There was no significant difference in frequency of infections and mean infection rate in Zg [20, 80% and 1.92 +/- 1.47] compared to Pg [23, 79.3% and 2 +/- 1.53, p = 0.950]. Relapses occurred in 7 [28%] in Zg compared to 10 [34%] in Pg which was not significant [p = 0.609]. Mean infection and relapse rate per patient per year [PPPY] in Zg was 1.92 +/- 1.47and 1.14 +/- 0.37 compared to 2 +/- 1.53 and1.3 +/- 0.48 in Pg respectively [p=0.846, 0.464]. Pre study relapses in two groups were similar [Zg vs. Pg = 96 vs. 96.6%] whereas post study relapses in Zg were lower [7, 28%] compared to Pg [10, 34.5%]. Post study mean relapse rate in Zg was 1.14 +/- 0.37 PPPY compared to 2.71 +/- 1.11 in pre study [p = 0.005]. In Pg, post study mean relapse rate PPPY was 1.30 +/- 0.48 compared to 1.70 +/- 0.48 in pre study period [p = 0.037]. Relapse rate reduction was 43% after Zinc supplementation compared to 27% reduction in placebo. Metallic taste was observed in 10% of cases. Zinc supplementation was helpful in reducing relapses in nephrotic syndrome

In vitro biological activity of decoction of Joshanda

Joshanda is a polyherbal product, commonly practicing in inflammation of upper respiratory tract as tea. The present study was conducted to find out its antimicrobial, phytotoxic, leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activities. The decoction of the product showed profound activity against Gram positive tested pathogens especially S. aureus 36.5 mm zone of inhibition at 8.0 micro g/ml. However, it was inactive against C. albicans. Closed correlation was observed between two methods in terms of results. It had potent phytotoxic activity [75%]. However, it was devoid of any activity leishmanicidal and cytotoxic activity. Phytochemical studies of Joshanda showed the presence of various pharmacologically active groups

Cellular and genomic toxicity produced by UV light in Chinese hamster ovary cells

UVB and UVC toxicity was detected in Chinese Hamster Ovary [CHO] cell lines AA8, UV5 and XEM2 [a V79-derived cell line expressing rat P 450 1A1]. Unlike FICZ-HPLC assay that showed induction of CYP1A1 enzyme activity after 20 minutes and 2 hour UVC exposure, the EROD assay showed no difference in cytochrome P450 1A1 [CYP1A1] activity after exposure to different doses of UVB and UVC light. Different cytotoxic and mutagenic effect of photo lesions induced by UVC and UVB light was investigated with the DRAG and HPRT assays, comparing the wild type cell line AA8 and the Nucleotide Excision Repair [NER] deficient cell line UV5. DRAG assay showed a significant difference in UV induced cytotoxicity between UVC and UVB reflecting the larger energy and toxic effect of UVC along with significant difference in UV induced toxicity between AA8 and UV5 cell lines. This was further validated through the HPRT assay, which also showed a significant difference in UVC [5 J/m[2]] induced mutagenic effect between these cell lines. In addition, HPRT assay showed the mutagenic effect of photosensitizer, acetophenone. These results show that UVB and UVC generate serious damage through photo products on DNA, and might induce the metabolic activity of CYP1A1

Frequency of thyroid cancer at King Fahad hospital, Madinah

To assess the frequency of common thyroid cancer at king Fahad Hospital, Madinah. Retrospective study. This study was carried out on all the patients treated for Cancer of Thyroid Gland, at King Fahad Hospital [KFH]-Madinah between Jan 2009 to February 2012. Ninety-one patients diagnosed with Cancer of Thyroid of various Age, Sex and Races were registered with King Fahad Hospital Madinah. 75% patients were Saudi nationals, 10% patients were from other Arab countries and the remaining 15% were non-Arabs. There were 72% females and 28% Males. The Ages ranged from 14 years to 94 years. 34% of these patients were less then 30 years of Age at the time of the diagnosis. Over 90% of the cases presented with Swelling Anterior Neck while in other 10% of the cases Dysphagia or Dyspnoea with Rt. or Lt. supraclavicular masss/swelling was the major complaint. 71% patients under went various surgical procedures for the Neck swelling. The Total Thyroidectomy was done in 48% patients. The Histology revealed 52% of pure Papillary Carcinoma and 23% were of Follicular origin. Majority of the diagnosed patients of Ca. Thyroid were referred to King Faisal Specialist Hospital Riyadh for Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy. The follow-up was poor as patients were from highly mobile population and belonged to Nine different countries. The study reveals that the presentation of Ca. Thyroid in our series is essentially similar to what has been reported from other parts of the world

To compare the frequency of superficial surgical site infection after laparoscopic versus open appendectomy

To compare the frequency of Superficial Surgical Site infection after laparoscopic versus open appendectomy. Randomized clinical trial study. This study was conducted at Surgical Department Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi and Dow University Hospital from August 2013 to January 2014. The source of data was patients admitted in emergency. Patients were selected on the basis of clinical features. The data was collected with the help of Performa attached. It included demographic data of the patient, presenting complaints, operative findings, Surgical site infection. Random patients were placed in two groups. Surgical site infection by observation of pain, redness, tenderness and purulent discharge from the wound. Patients included were of both gender and age above 13 years presented to emergency department diagnosed as acute appendicitis on the basis of history and examination and exclusion of under 12 years of age, appendicular mass, CLD, I.H.D, DM and renal failure. Out of 270 patients, 153[56.7%] patients were males and 117[43.3%] patients were female. In Present study the different operative findings with their distribution among gender are shown in table. In other findings three patients with ruptured ovarian cyst and one with Mackel's Diverticulitis in which procedure was converted to open and resection and anastomosis of small intestine was done. SSSI is found to associated with operative finding with a significant P value 0.001. Superficial Surgical Site Infection were observed in both procedure laparoscopic appendectomy allotted in 134 cases but four cases are converted to open procedure so they are excluded from the results. The reason for conversion in three cases was difficulty in mobilizing the appendix because of adhesion and in one case Mackel's Diverticulitis found which need open procedure for formal small intestine resection and anastomosis. Superficial Surgical Site Infection was observed in three cases of Laparoscopic appendectomy and in 15 cases of Open Appendectomy group with the P value 0.005. Laparoscopic appendectomy is a better choice because of its reduced frequency of SSSI when compared with open procedure. SSSI is an important complication

To determine the frequency of raised C-reactive protein in patients of acute pancreatitis

To determine the frequency of raised c-reactive protein in patients of acute pancreatitis. Cross sectional study. This study was conducted at Surgical Department Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi and Dow University Hospital from January 2013 to June 2014. The patients were selected on the basis of clinical features. Take detailed history regarding epigastric and upper abdomen pain. All the patients of either gender with acute abdominal pain presenting to emergency and diagnosed as acute pancreatitis by serum amylase of 1000 units or more were included in the study. Ranson Scoring and C reactive protein levels on admission were noted. A total of 144 patients, both males and females were included in the study. 17[11.80%] out of 144 subjects were males and rest were females 127[88.19%] cases. The minimum age was 25 years and maximum was 60 years but most of the patients were in the range of 40 to 55 years means age was 43 +/- 6.7 years. The minimum value was found to be 25 mg/L while maximum was 57 mg/L. Mean CRP was foud to be 32.2 +/- 11.43 mg/L for that group of patients. All the patients were also categorized as mild and moderate to severe on the basis of Ranson's criteria. 73% patients were found to have mild disease with rest having moderate to severe disease. Frequency of CRP observed in our study were in 139[96.52%] cases. We concluded that C reactive protein was a useful severity assessment marker in patients with acute pancreatitis and it can be proposed as an important single factor for determining severity of patients presenting with acute pancreatitis

Comparison of gene expert and tuberculin test for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis is a lethal communicable disease, and at times its diagnosis is difficult to establish

Objective: To compare the results of Gene Expert to that of tuberculin test for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

Patients and Methods: Study design: Cross-Sectional Analytical study. Place and duration of study: Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] November, 2012 to 31[st] July, 2013.92 patients of tuberculosis were included strictly, following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Diagnosis of tuberculosis was on the basis of Kenneth Jones criteria. Beside other investigations Gene Expert® and Tuberculin test were done and their results were compared. The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 15

Results: Out of 92 patients, 80 [86.9%] were reported positive by Gene Expert whereas 56 [60.8%] were reported positive by Tuberculin test. Overall 52 [56.5%] were found positive by both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test, whereas 8 [8.6%] were found negative by both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test. Out of 80 who were found positive by Gene Expert, 28 [35%] were reported negative by Tuberculin test while out of 12 who were reported negative by Gene Expert, 4 [33.3%] were positive by Tuberculin test

Conclusion: In our study, we found that both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test are effective diagnostic tools for tuberculosis. However, in several cases Gene Expert is more effective than Tuberculin test

Management of penile fracture and its outcome

To describe the management and outcome of patients with penile fracture. Case series. Department of Urology and Renal Transplantation, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, from March 2008 to March 2011. Sixteen patients presenting with clinical findings / history of penile fracture were included in this study. Diagnosis was made on the basis of history and clinical findings. Surgical exploration and repair was done on the same day. In all patients, a subcoronal circumferential degloving incision was made. Rent location and dimensions management and postoperative complication were noted. Postoperatively, erection was suppressed for 4 - 5 days. All patients were discharged with advice of avoidance of sex for about 8 weeks. Patients were followed-upto 6 months. Majority of the patients [87.5%] were married and 13 [81.25%] were aged 18 - 45 years. The typical findings recorded in 100.0% patients were erection at time of fracture, detumescence, swelling and ecchymosis. Audible crackling sound and pain was present in 13 [81.25%] patients. Ten [62.5%] patients had rent in the proximal part of penile shaft and right lateral tear was present in 11 [68.75%] patients. Blood clots were evacuated and closure of rent was done with vicryl 2/0 [interrupted stitches]. 100.0% patients had uneventful recovery with only 3 [18.75%] patients developed right chordae of erect penis after treatment. All [100.0%] patients were potent and without any problem of erection. Penile fracture is under-reported. A trauma to erect penis is essential to cause fracture. Surgical exploration and repair is the treatment of choice.

Comparison of gene expert and tuberculin test for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

Background: Tuberculosis is a lethal communicable disease, and at times its diagnosis is difficult to establish

Objective: To compare the results of Gene Expert to that of tuberculin test for the diagnosis of childhood tuberculosis

Patients and Methods: Study design: Cross-Sectional Analytical study. Place and duration of study: Department of Pediatrics, Sheikh Zayed Medical College and Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from 1[st] November, 2012 to 31[st] July, 2013. 92 patients of tuberculosis were included strictly, following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Diagnosis of tuberculosis was on the basis of Kenneth Jones criteria. Beside other investigations Gene Expert and Tuberculin test were done and their results were compared. The data was entered and analyzed by SPSS version 15

Results: Out of 92 patients, 80 [86.9%] were reported positive by Gene Expert whereas 56 [60.8%] were reported positive by Tuberculin test. Overall 52 [56.5%] were found positive by both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test, whereas 8 [8.6%] were found negative by both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test. Out of 80 who were found positive by Gene Expert, 28[35%] were reported negative by Tuberculin test while out of 12 who were reported negative by Gene Expert, 4 [33.3%] were positive by Tuberculin test

Conclusion: In our study, we found that both Gene Expert and Tuberculin test are effective diagnostic tools for tuberculosis. However, in several cases Gene Expert is more effective than Tuberculin test