Prevalence of anti-HCV / HBsAg in blood donors

Fifty blood donors coming to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore were assessed to ascertain the prevalence of Anti-HCV and HBsAg in general population. Four% of blood donors were found to be positive for Anti-HCV while 8% were positive for HBsAg. None of them showed simultaneous co-infection with Anti-HCV and HBsAg. Highest percentage of donors [33.33%] was positive in the 41-60 years of age while in the 0-20 range of years of life, maximum% [20%] of donors were positive for HBsAg. The prevalence was significantly high in 0-20 years of life for HBsAg as compared with anti-HCV [20% vs 0%] whereas the prevalence of anti-HCV was significantly high in 41-60 years of life as compared with HBsAg [33.33% vs 0%]. The prevalence was not significantly different in 21-40 years of life. We concluded that HbsAg was alarmingly higher though the rising rate of Anti-HCV was still more striking

Prevalence of anti-HCV/HBsAg in multiple transfused patients

Seventy live patients with history of multiple transfusions were evaluated for the prevalence of anti-HCV and HBsAg in Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Ten [13.33%] out of 75 patients were positive for HBsAg while 25[33.33%] out of 75 patients were reactive to anti-HCV. Six out of 75 patients were positive for both agents among our patients. 32.14% of males and 36.84% of females were positive for anti-HCV whereas 10.71% of males and 21.05% of females were positive for anti-HCV and HBsAg respectively

Prevalence of anti-HCV/HBsAg in haemodialysis patients

The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of anti-HCV and HbsAg in haemodialysis patients. Out of 75 haemodialysis patients, 48 [64%] were reactive for anti-HCV, 4 [5.33%] were positive for HBsAg while 2 [2.67%] showed exposure to both agents. Highest prevalence of [75%] of haemodialysis patients was found in the 61-80 years of life for anti-HCV while 65.62%, 60% and 42.30% was the prevalence of anti-HCV in 21-40, 0-20 and 41-60 years of life. The prevalence of HBsAg as compared with anti-HCV was significantly lower in all ranges of years of life

Pyuria as predictor of bacteriuria in catheterized patients

Six hundred and nine urine samples were analyzed for pyuria to assess its efficacy as a predictor of bacteriuria, in catheterized patients, using different techniques of pus cells estimation. In 235 and 323 urine samples, pus cells were counted per high power field in centrifuged and uncentrifuged urine respectively, while in 51 urine samples pus cells were counted per cubic millimeter in uncentrifuged urine. All the urine samples were simultaneously cultured. Pyuria [pus cells > 10/HPF or CMM] was correlated with bacteriuria [colony count > 10[5] per ml]. The overall efficacy of pyuria as a predictor of bacteriuria was low [52.01-60.78%] and there was no significant difference among the different techniques. It was concluded that pyuria as predictor of bacteriuria is the least reliable technique to be recommended in routine clinical practice

Pattern of hepatitis delta virus infection in the Shaikh Zayed hospital, Lahore

Hepatitis delta virus [HDV] is a hepatotropic virus. It infects only in the presence of hepatitis B virus [HBV]. HBV infection in Pakistan is high; the infection with the delta virus, therefore, goes hand in hand with HBV infection. HDV coinfects in the presence of HBV or superinfects a carrier of HBsAg. Superinfection by HDV is generally more severe than HBV infection alone. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of HDV in our patient population. Sera of 150 HBsAg positive patients were tested for anti-HDV. Twenty-five [16.67%] were found positive. Sera of these 25 patients were further tested for HBc-IgM antibodies. Six were found positive, indicating 24% of coinfection and 67% superinfection by delta virus. In as much as almost 17% of HBV infection had associated delta virus infection with reported high complications of fulminant hepatitis and chronicity, it is recommended that vaccination against HBV must be adopted as a universal policy

Sero-prevalence of HIV: six year's experience at Shaikh Zayed hospital

Sero-prevalence of HIV was tested among 16,170 individuals. They included 215 patients with sexually transmitted diseases [STD], 77 I/V drug users, 21 commercial sex workers, 987 patients on haemodialysis, 119 subjects referred for HIV testing, 12,482 voluntary blood donors, 360 ante-natal attenders, 73 tuberculosis patients, 674 Pakistanis traveling abroad and 1162 persons who had received multiple blood transfusions. Ten persons were seropositive [0.06%]. All of them came from the 119 subjects, suspected to be suffering from AIDS. The predominant mode of transmission was heterosexual [50%], blood transfusion [30%], homosexual [10%] and vertical [10%]. All cases acquired infection outside the country. Comparisons have been made with other national studies

Pyogenic meningitis in children

I order to identify aetiological agents of pyogenic meningitis in children, admitted to the Department of Paediatrics, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, a prospective study from October 93 to March 94 in 1609 cases was carried out. Of these, 26 [1.6%] were diagnosed as pyogenic meningitis. The causative micro-organisms were identified by Gram smear or culture in 16 of 26 [61.5%] children. Those identified were Streptococcus pneumonia [5=31], Staphylococcus aureus [4=25%], Neisseria meningitides [2=12%], Escherichia coli [1=6%] and others [4=26%] In 10 of the 26 [38%] children, causative pathogens could not be identified, although the clinical rataon, signs and cerebrospinal fluid findings were compatible with the diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis. mr R2 percent of the patients had a history of antibiotic treatment prior to the admission in the hospital

Prevalence of anti HCV in hemodialysis patients

Eighty two patients. 55 males and 27 females, aged 18 to 80 years [mean 42.32 +/- 14.95 years] on chronic hemodialysis were screened for sero- markers of hepatitis B and C and their Liver function was evaluated. Fifty one patients [62.2%] showed anti Hepatitis C antibodies [anti HCV] in their serum. Seven patients [8.5%] were Hepatitis B surface antigen positive; live of them were positive for both anti HCV and HBsAg. Liver functions tests were performed in 70 patients; 22 of them had abnormal liver function. Out of these, 18 patients [81.8%] were anti HCV positive and 4 cases [18.2%] were negative for anti HCV antibodies [P<0.05]. Eighteen of anti HCV positive [39.1%] and 4 of anti HCV negative [16.7%] had abnormal liver functions. Out of 51 Anti HCV Positive patients 43 had received blood transfusions [84.3%]while 8 patients [15.7%] did not have any transfusion [P<0.05]. The patients, who were Anti HCV positive, had more blood transfusions and were on hemodialysis for longer periods as compared to Anti HCV negative patient but the difference in our study was not statistically significant

Effectiveness of low-dose intradermally administered hepatitis B virus vaccine

Hepatitis B vaccine is underutilized due to high cost. A study was performed to see the effectiveness of yeast derived recombinant vaccine in low dose [0.1 ml; 2 micro g] given at 0, 1,2 and 6 months in 50 seronegative individuals. Out of them 39 subjects [78%] developed anti-hepatitis B surface antigen [anti HBs] in a concentration greater than 10 IU/L which is considered to be protective. None of them had any significant side effect except for minor local soreness at the site of injection

Effectiveness of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine

The study was carried out to see the efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine in two high risk groups viz; chronic renal failure patients on maintenance haemodialysis [n = 20] and medical staff [n = 25]. The pre-vaccination status of these individuals was assessed by HBsAg, Anti-HBs and LFTs. Only those subjects were included in this study who were negative for HBsAg and Anti-HBs. The patients were given 2cc while the staff 1cc dose of the vaccine intramuscularly at the schedule of 0,1 and 6 months. Quantitative estimation of antibody titre [seroconversion] was noted by ELISA method 15 days after the last dose. This became positive in 84% of the medical staff members and 65% of the patients in a concentration of >/= 10 IU/L. No significant side effects were noted in any of the subject

Effectiveness of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine

The study was carried out to see the efficacy of recombinant hepatitis B vaccine [Engerix 'B' by SK and F] in two high risk groups viz; chronic renal failure patients on maintenance haemodialysis [n=20] and medical staff [n-25]. The prevaccination status of these individuals was assessed by HB[s]A[g], Anti-HB[s] and LFT[s]. Only those subjects were included in this study who were negative for HB[s]A[g] and Anti-HB[s]. The patients were given 2cc while the staff 1cc dose of the vaccine intramuscularly at the schedule of 0, 1 and 6 months. Quantitative estimation of antibody titre [seroconversion] was noted by ELISA method 15 days after the last dose. This become positive in 84% of the medical staff members and 65% of the patients in a concentration of >/= 10IU/L

Viral diagnosis in acute respiratory infections using the indirect immunofluorescence technique

From September 1984 to February 1985 a total of three hundred and five specimens of nasophary-ngeal secretion [NPS] were examined by the indirect immuno-fluorescence technique to determine the frequency of infections caused by the respiratory syncytial virus [RSV], influenza A, influenza B and parain-fluenza viruses, 1 and 3. The specimens were collected from infants and children less than 5 years of age visiting the hospital with acute respiratory infections. Standardized techniques and quality controlled reagents were used. At least one of the above viruses was detected in 70 specimens [23.0%]; RSV in 50, influenza A in 7, influenza B in 4, parainfluenza type 1 in 3 and parainfluenza type 3 in 6 specimens