Distribution of blood groups in population of Lehtrar road Islamabad

To determine the frequency of various blood groups in the population of Lehtrar road Islamabad and to compare the results with national and international studies. This cross sectional observational study was conducted at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences [RIHS], from Nov 01, 2011 till Nov 30, 2012. A total of 1,739 subjects including both male and females were analyzed. Blood was collected and ABO and Rh blood groupings were carried out by standard tube method using commercially prepared antisera and frequency of ABO and RhD blood groups was determined. Among ABO blood groups the most frequent was B [33.5%], followed by O [31.3%], A [22.5%] and AB [12.41%], group respectively. Among Rh +ve cases, blood group B was the most frequent with 542 [31.1%] individuals; however among Rh -ve individuals the most frequent blood group was O [63[3.6%]]. The current study revealed that blood group B is the most frequent blood group among the ABO blood group system with dominant RhD positivity in this region

possible role of steroid hormones present in vitex negundo and its efficacy as a contraceptive

Vitex negundo is used as a contraceptive in traditional medicine. Most of the oral contraceptive pills used in allopathic medicine are the combination of estrogen and progesterone. Some contraceptive pills [mini pills] contain progesterone alone. The present study shows that the extract of Vitex negundo contains estrogen, testosterone and progesterone, their concentrations were found to be 947.7 pg/ml, 22.276 ng/ml and 6.022 ng/ml respectively. From these findings it is assumed that this high concentration of steroid hormones may contribute to its contraceptive action but it may have some side effects on the female reproductive physiology as it contains male hormone i.e. testosterone in addition to the progesterone and estrogen. On the basis of these findings, it is suggested that the trial of this drug on animals followed by clinical study should be carried out to see its anti-fertility activity and side effects

Penetration and activity of antibiotics in brain abscess

Penetration of antimicrobial agents into the cerebrospinal fluid is dependent on numerous factors, including their serum protein binding, molecular size and lipid solubility, and degree of local inflammation. The choice of an appropriate agent is further complicated by diverse bacterial flora involved in brain abscess, local resistant patterns and activity of the drug in abscess environment. This update examines the conventional and newer agents in the above context for their role in the management of brain abscess

PAP smear screening for precancerous conditions of the cervical cancer

To find the presence of cervical cancer in PAP smears taken from Pakistani women of different age groups. Department of Cytology, Public Health Laboratory Division. National Institute of Health, Islamabad. Data of all cervical smears sent to the cytology department of NIH between 1st January 2001 to 31st December 2004 was retrospectively analysed to see the presence of malignancy. A total of 546 smears were assessed during the study period. Of these, 302[55.31%] showed inflammatory changes, 124[22.71%] were normal, 40[7.33%] were atrophic, 17[3.12%] showed dysplastic changes, in which 10 cases were of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [LSIL], and 07 cases were of high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion [HSIL]. Carcinoma in situ, was seen in 11 [2.02%]. Inadequate sample was reported in 52 [9.52%] cases with an advise to repeat the test. Awareness campaigns and screening program for cervical cancer in women of reproductive age is recommended especially in those having prolonged symptoms

Genus and species-specific IgG and IgM antibodies for pulmonary tuberculosis

To evaluate three different enzyme immunoassays for serological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis and to compare their diagnostic accuracy in different combinations. Design: A non-interventional comparative study. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi between April and September 2001. Subjects and Sera from patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis [n=94] with sputum positive for acid fast bacilli [AFB] and sera from control group of healthy individuals [n=90] with sputum negative for AFB were tested by Pathozyme-Myco G EIA, Pathozyme-TB Complex Plus EIA and Pathozyme Myco M EIA kits for the genus-specific IgG and IgM, and the species-specific IgG antibodies against antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The detection of IgG against genus-specific antigens by Pathozyme-Myco G had a sensitivity of 46% and a specificity of 93%, of IgG against species-specific antigens by Pathozyme-TB Complex Plus had a sensitivity of 64% and specificity of 97% and of IgM against genus-specific antigens by Pathozyme Myco M had a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 98%. When the results of these immunoassays were evaluated in combination, their sensitivity improved. Combination of genus-specific IgM and species-specific IgG yielded best results with a sensitivity of 87% and specificity of 93%. The sensitivity of serological diagnosis of tuberculosis is low, but it can be increased by utilizing a combination of several antigens

Diagnosis of B-thalassaemia major in previously transfused patients

The study was conducted to evaluate the effects of blood transfusion[s] on the haematological picture of b-thalassaemia major. Design: Retrospective case control study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Haematology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi from January1999 to December 2000. Subjects and A total of 280 consecutive patients of b-thalassaemia major were studied. They were diagnosed by haematological parameters, and Hb-F estimation. Parent's study and PCR was also used when required. Out of the 280 patients 109 [39%] had received one or more blood transfusions [cases]. The remaining 171 patients who did not receive any transfusion served as controls. The mean MCV, MCH and Hb-F in cases were significantly higher than in the controls [p<0.05]. The mean Hb-F in 95 cases, which had received occasional [<4] transfusions, was higher [33%] than in the 14 cases who had received >4 transfusions [17%] [p=0.016]. In the occasionally transfused patients Hb-F level was directly related to the time since last transfusion. In 44/109 [40%] transfused patients [Hb-F >30%] the diagnosis of thalassaemia was not difficult. In 54/109 [50%] patients [Hb-F: 5-30%] the diagnosis was aided by parent's study, while PCR for thalassaemia mutations was required in 11/109 [10%] patients [Hb-F <5%]. In most transfused patients of thalassaemia major MCV and MCH were significantly higher while Hb-F was lower than in the un-transfused patients. There was a linear correlation between Hb-F level and time since last transfusion in the occasionally transfused patients. However, the reduction in Hb-F level was more marked and sustained in multipally transfused patients. Parent's study and PCR are useful aids in establishing the correct diagnosis in these patients

Incidence and multidrug resistance in typhoid salmonellae in Bahawalpur area

Typhoid fever is a major problem affecting milions of people all over the world specially the developing countries. Resistance of the salmonella isolates to conventional antityphoid drugs has continued to rise for the last 10-15 years. This study was done to determine the prevalence and susceptibity pattern of various salmonellae isolated in the region of Bahawalpur. A total of 107 blood cultures were performed out of which 42 were found to be positive for salmonella, 39 were Salmonella typhi and 3 were Salmonella paratyphi A. Among Salmonella typhi isolates 21 [53.8%] were resistant to ampicillin, chloramphenicol and Cotrimoxazole, one isolate was resistant to ampicillin and Chloramphenicol but sensitive to Cotrimoxazole. All the isolates were sensitive to the fluoroquinolones and 3rd generation cephalosporins. Inspite of all the drugs available, the problem of spread of typhoid continues. This study shows that the prevalence of overall resistance to Salmonella typhi is high in this area also. The continuous uninhibited use of antibiotics may lead to 100% resistance to these antibiotics and acquisition of resistance by other organisms also. The medical and public health officials must be prepared to tackle the future epidemics of multidrug resistant Salmonella typhi

Categorization of hbv carriers

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] carrier state can broadly be classified into ordinary and super categories on the basis of Hepatitis B 'e' Antigen [HBeAg] and antibody to Hepatitis B 'e' antigen [anti HBe]. A total of 523 cases of HBV infection were included in this retrospective study for the purpose of subcategorization. Out of 433, males 73.44% were ordinary carriers [HBeAg Non-reactive but having antibody to that antigen], 18.01% super carriers [converse serological state] and 8.41% doubly negative carriers. In 90 females tested, 65.55% were ordinary carriers, 26.66% were super carriers and 7.77% were doubly negative. This pattern may help clinicians in prophylaxis to their contacts and for prognostic considerations

Problem of multi- drug resistant typhoid fever in Rawalpindi/islamabad area

Typhoid fever is endemic in all the developing countries including Pakistan and emergence of multi-resistant S.typhi has added new dimension to the problem. All the 2551 isolates of typhoid salmonellae [S. typhi, n=2049 and S. paratyphi A, n=502] isolated during Jan 1987 and Dec 1995, were studied. Isolation of S. typhi resistant to conventional antityphoids i.e. chloramphenicol, ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, remained less than 10% till the end of 1989. Then multiresistant S. typhi siolated during subsequent years were increased; 1990 [65.94%], 1991 [56.32%], 1992 [49.42%], 1993 [56.9%] 1994 [66.67%] and 1995 [75.41%]. No S. typhi was found resistant to fluoroquinolones [ciprofloxacin, and offoxacin] and third gereration cephalosporins [ceftriaxone and ceftizoxime]. On the other hand, all the S. paratyphi A isolated were found susceptible to all the conventional antityphoids, fluoroquinolones and third gereration cephalosporins. We should recognize the problem of multiresistant S. typhi and expected danger of development of resistance against all the available antityphoid drugs. Our main stress should be towards prevention of the disease rather than for treatment