In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial effect of miswak against common oral pathogens

Miswak is a natural tooth cleaning tool which is being used in many parts of the world since ancient times. It is known to be useful in prevention of dental caries. But still it is not used as frequently as other oral hygiene tools. This research was designed to scientifically establish antimicrobial effect of miswak in vitro against common oral pathogens. This was a cross-sectional study involving 100 health care workers. This research was carried out in Microbiology section of Dow Diagnostic Research and Reference Laboratory. A questionnaire was designed to test oral hygiene habits of study subjects. Oral swabs were taken and microorganisms were identified by standard bacteriological methods. Test material included four different types of miswaks i.e. [1] root of the peelu [Salvadora persica] tree [in packing] [2] root of the peelu tree [without packing] [3] stem of the peelu tree and [4] stem of the neem [Azadirechta indica] tree. These miswaks were tested against three different types of microorganisms isolated from oral swabs: Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans by agar diffusion method. Inhibition zone was measured after 24 hrs of incubation at 37°C. Among the miswaks used, root of the peelu tree in both packing and without packing exhibited strong antimicrobial effect against all three tested microorganisms. However miswak taken from the stem of the peelu and neem tree did not show any antimicrobial activity against all three types of the tested microorganisms. Miswak taken from the root of the peelu tree exhibited antimicrobial activity against all the common oral pathogens and could be a good oral hygiene tool in combating dental caries

Efficacy of newly formulated ointment containing 20% active antimicrobial honey in treatment of burn wound infections

Honey has been familiar to possess antimicrobial potential to clear infection against burn wound infecting bacteria since ancient times. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the newly formulated honey ointment during the treatment of burn wound infections. The Experimental [Non comparative] study was conducted at outpatient department of Dermatology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi from November 2009 to October 2010. The antimicrobial activity of different Pakistani floral sources [Acacia nilotica species indica, Zizyphus, Helianthus annuus and Carissa opaca] honey samples were investigated by disc diffusion method against freshly isolated burn wounds infecting bacteria. Ointment containing 20% active antimicrobial honey was formulated as a sovereign remedy. A total number of twenty patients with second degree of burn wounds on different parts of the body were studied. A thin layer of honey ointment on gauze was applied to the wounds two to three times a day up to the complete healing. During microbiological study, Pakistani honey samples were discovered to exhibit a very promising antimicrobial activity against all the wound infecting microorganisms tested. Clinical trials demonstrated that the topical application of honey ointment have significant control of infections arising form pathogenic bacteria and up to 100% healing results were observed in all burn wound cases within mean healing time for the duration of 8.15 [3-18] days time period. Newly formulated ointment containing 20% active antimicrobial honey is more effective and low-cost alternative preparation for the treatment of burn wound infections

Pharmacokinetic study of cephradine in Pakistani healthy male volunteers

To observe and discuss the difference in the pharmacokinetics of Cephradine in Pakistani population with the reported data of other ethnic origins. A Single group pharmacokinetic study was conducted having six healthy male volunteers of 20-24 years of age. Blood samples were collected at appropriate times up to 7 hours. Plasma concentrations of Cephradine was determined by HPLC technique and pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by both compartmental and noncompartmental methods using Kinetica ver 4.4.1 and Winnonlin ver 5.01. Peak plasma concentration was 11.49 +/- 1.73 microg/ml achieved at 0.76 +/- 0.12 hr, after the administration of 250 mg Cephradine to fasting volunteers. Area under the serum concentration-time curve was found to be 16.4 +/- 1.71 microg.hr/ml. Absorption, distribution, disposition and elimination half lives were calculated as 0.183 +/- 0.038hr, 0.248 +/- 0.143 hr, 2.126 +/- 0.341 hr and 0.441 +/- 0.193 hr respectively where as the volume of central compartment and total body clearance were found to be 9.65 +/- 3.78 L and 15.4 +/- 1.89 L/hr. The plasma concentration time curves showed the absorption rate constant was 3.968 +/- 0.05 hr-1, disposition rate constant was 0.333 +/- 0.05 hr-1, distribution rate constant was 3.64 +/- 2.18 hr-1 and elimination rate constant was 1.738 +/- 0.468 hr-1. The value of micro-constants i.e. K12 [central to peripheral compartment] and K21 [peripheral to central compartment] were found to be 1.529 +/- 1.499 hr-1 and 0.704 +/- 0.44 hr-1 respectively, where as MRT and AUMC were calculated as 2.04 +/- 0.09 hr and 35.92 +/- 1.86 hr[2]x micro g/mL. The findings showed that the results of Pakistani subjects are slightly different when compared with the reported data of other ethnic origin

Role of enterobactereacae in burn wound sepsis in Karachi

The over all prevalence of the Enterobacteriacae in present study was more than 50% in which the most prevalent organisms belongs to Proteus Spp. [38,3%] that followed by Enterobacter Spp. [22.4%]. The prevalence of E. coli and Kleb, Pneumoniae was 10%, Imipenem was the most effective [98%] drug against Enterobacieieacae. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective [82%] drug. Amikacin and fourth generation Cefepirne were the third effective [>70%] drugs against these bacteria. Ciprofloxacin was the less effective [60-64%] drug against KIeb. pneumonia and E. coli than the rest of the isolates of Eiiterobactereacae. Arnikacin [49%] and Cefepime [44%] were less effective against Proteus Spp. More than 50% isolates were sensitive to Piperacillin, Gentamicin and Tobramycin. Amoxicillin and Augmentin were ineffective against these bacteria in this study

Paediatric nosocomial infections: resistance pattern of clinical isolaten

Hospital acquired infections are transmitted to patients by hospital personnel and other patients, or they may arise from patient's own endogenous flora. Children are one of the most susceptible subjects associated in the hospitalacquired infections and have a higher prevalence rate for infections. This problem is at its extremes in developing countries like Pakistan where in most of cases the severity depends on the hygienic conditions of the Hospitals and lack or lapse of infection control measures. To have a surveillance type of data in this regard, one hundred and twenty four isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa/Pseudomonas species, Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA/MSSA] and Klebsiella species, that are commonest among the nosocomial infection causing organisms, were collected from pediatric hospital settings in Karachi. A study of incidence and resistance pattern by Kirby Baur disc diffusion method, with selected antimicrobials, was carried out. These isolates were resistant against most antimicrobials tested. Drugs like mmipenem, meropenem, amikacin, vancomycin [especially in MRSA or BRSA], Fucidic acid [for burns and other infections] and some of the 3rd generation cephalosporins were found quite effective

Multi drug resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa: a nosocomial infection threat in burn patients

Pseudomonas aeruginosa remains the leading pathogen causing burn wound infection. It is found as major colonizer of the burn wound because it thrives on moist burn wound surface and survives well in the hospital environment, once it is established, it can persist for months within a unit, and poses as multi drug resistant nosocomial infection threat for patients being treated there. The emergence of multi drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in burn wound is becoming a challenging problem in infection control programmes. A total of 44 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were recovered from burn patients. Most of them were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Their sensitivity against Imipenem was over all better than the other drugs i.e. 77.3%. Ciprofloxacin was the second most effective drug against this organism with a sensitivity of 54.5% while a 4th generation cephalosporin, Cefepime was effective against 22 [50%] isolates. About 30% Pseudomonas aeruginosa were sensitive to Amikacin. Aztreonam showed inhibitory activity against [6.8%] strains. Piperacillin activity was 18.2%. The efficacy of Cefutaxime was 4.5%. Chloramphenicol and Septran were 100% inactive against Pseudomonas infection while > 95% strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were resistant to Tobramycin

activity of sodium stibogluconate rifampicin and metronidazole against leishmania tropicin growth in vivo [embryonated eggs]

To delermine the anti-leishmanial activity of sodium stibogluconate, rifampicin and metronidazole in vivo. Design: Six to eight days chick embryo for in vivo anti leishmania activity. Settings: Department of Microbiology, BMSI, JPMC and Dr. Ehsanullah's Laboratory Karachi. Subjects: Locally isolated strain of Leishmania tropica. Main outcome measures: Inhibition of growth by the drugs used in the study. Sodium stibogluconate, rifampicin and metronidazole were used in different concentrations. There was complete inhibition of organisms observed with 100ug/gm for three days of sodium stibogluconate and of metronidazole. No toxic effects on chick embryos were observed. Chick embryo proved successful model for in vivo growth of leishmania tropica by yolk sac route. Base line sensitivity was determined. It was found that activity of metronidazole was comparable to sodium stibogluconate. Organisms were inhibited by administration of either drug in 100ug/mg for three days in yolk sac. Metronidazole may be used in the trial study for the treatment of Cutaneous leishmaiasis

Microbiological quality of talc based dusting powders

Microbiological examination of 19 talc-based powders collected from local market, was performed. Fourteen of these were Pakistani made, while 5 were of imported brands. One sample of powder talc was also included. Thirty% of these samples were found to have contaminants much in excess to the values by Cosmetics, Toiletries and Perfumery Association [CTPA] and United States Pharmacopea [USP]

Pyrogen testing in parenterals by limulus amebocyte lysate [LAL] assay

Microslide method of Limulus Amebocyte Lysate [LAL] was used to detect pyrogenic substances in twenty five volume parenterals. Only one sample exhibited positive LAL test. It is the most economical method because a single drop of lysate is required to detect the presence of pyrogenic substance

In vivo antibacterial activity of berberis asiatica

Antibacterial activity of the extract of roots of berberis asiatica was tested in white mice against pneumococcal infection. A dose of 6 mg given intraperitonealy at 6 hour interval over a period of 24 hours, protected 57% of the infected mice from pneumococcal infection and subsequent death. Ampicillin in a total dose of 2 mg over a period of 24 hours protected 100% of the infected mice from pneumococcal infection and death