In vitro activity of glycopeptides against clinical isolates of enterococci from a tertiary care hospital

The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of glycopeptide [vancomycin and teicoplanin] resistance among clinical isolates of enterococci in Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, and comparison of antimicrobial sensitivities of vancomycin and teicoplanin among these isolates. A comparative analytical study. This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. 60 [Sixty] enterococci isolates were collected from clinical specimens received in the laboratory. Identification of these bacteria was done utilizing standard laboratory operating procedures. Their sensitivity to glycopeptide antibiotics was tested by disk diffusion method in accordance with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS] guidelines. Results show that all enterococci were sensitive to teicoplanin. However, among these isolates 1.7% resistance to vancomycin was detected. The results indicate that resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics in the test organisms is low in our hospital. The presence of vancomycin resistance in 1.7% clinical enterococcal isolates necessitates strict surveillance of these organisms, institution of effective infection control policies and judicious use of antibiotics

Serum folate levels in end stage renal disease patients

This study was aimed to measure serum folate levels in patients of end stage renal disease [ESRD] on regular haemodialysis and compared with normal healthy individuals. It is a comparative study. Department of Pathology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. One hundred subjects were selected and divided into two groups. Group A include fifty patients of end stage renal disease on regular haemodialysis and group B include fifty normal healthy individuals as control. Two ml of blood was drawn by venepuncture, one ml for complete blood examination and one ml for serum folate level. A significant decrease in folate level was observed in end stage renal disease patients on regular haemodialysis as compared to control group. By measuring serum folate level in patients on regular haemodialysis we can manage anaemia due to folate deficiency

Glycopeptide sensitivity patterns in staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens in a tertiary care hospital

Staphylococci are among the most important and common human pathogens worldwide. Their resistance to antibiotics is increasing. The glycopeptide antibiotics [vancomycin and teicoplanin] are the last resort to treat serious infections caused by these bacteria. During the last decade the strains of staphylococci have developed intermediate levels of resistance to teicoplanin and vancomycin. The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence glycopeptide resistance among clinical isolates of staphylococci in Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, and comparison of antimicrobial sensitivities of vancomycin and teicoplanin among these isolates. 75 [Seventy five] consecutive staphylococci isolated from clinical specimens received in the laboratory were collected and their sensitivity to antibiotics was tested by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards [NCCLS] disk diffusion method. Results show that all staphylococci were sensitive to the glycopeptide antibiotics. This indicates that no high-level resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics in these organisms is present in our hospital. However, the emerging resistance in staphylococci against these drugs worldwide necessitates strict surveillance of these organisms, institution of effective infection control policies and judicious use of antibiotics