Disaster management in combined military hospital Quetta

Objective: To review the mass casualty management at Combined Military Hospital Quetta [CMH QTA], from 2012 to 2015 and to recommend measures for enhancement of capabilities in order to handle major mass casualty events

Study Design: Descriptive, cross sectional

Place and Duration of Study: Combined military hospital Quetta, from Jan 2012 to Dec 2015

Material and Methods: This study is a review of the patients brought to CMH QTA, in different types of mass casualty events from 2012 to 2015. The type of trauma, the procedure carried out and the patient outcome in each case was recorded. The data were analyzed and based upon the mortality and morbidity of casualties, the evaluation of facilities available and required was carried out as per Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations [JCAHO] standards

Results: Over a period of four years, out of 3507, the highest number of casualties [42%] were received in year 2013. Civilians represented the commonest victims [79%] followed by army personnel [13%] and frontier corps [8%]. The gunshot wounds and Improved Explosive Device [IED] blasts were on the top [53.5%] as a cause of mass casualty followed by road traffic accidents [37.5%]. The highest number of patients [89%] underwent minor procedures like debridement, stitching and aseptic dressing. Twenty five percent of patients required a team work of various surgical specialists

Conclusion: The existing resources are sufficient for managing minor and moderate mass casualty scenarios but proper planning and enhancement of resources [equipment, infrastructure and personnel] is essential to cope with any probable major mass casualty event. We recommend training of paramedical staff for receiving, triage, resuscitation and definitive management of casualties

Frequency and antibiogram of isolates from surgical units of a tertiary care hospital in Quetta

Objective: To determine the frequency and antibiogram of the isolates from infected patients in surgical units of a tertiary care hospital

Study Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, from March to October 2015

Methodology: Clinical samples from the surgical units received in Department of Microbiology for culture and sensitivity were analyzed by Gram stain, culture and biochemical tests for identification of the isolates; and the antibiotic susceptibility was determined by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 19

Results: The commonest isolate was Acinetobacter baumannii [22%] followed by Escherichia coli [20%], Pseudomonas spp. [15%] and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] [11%]. Acinetobacter baumannii showed highest susceptibility to doxycycline [41%], Enterobacteriaceae to meropenem [96%], Pseudomonas spp. to polymyxin-B [100%] and Gram positive bacteria to linezolid [100%]. Seventy-two percent of the isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant

Conclusion: There was a high infection rate in surgical patients with Acinetobacter baumannii, Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and MRSA being the commonest isolates. Acinetobacter baumannii showed highest susceptibility to doxycycline, Enetrobacteriaceae to meropenem, Pseudomonas spp. to polymyxin-B and Gram positive bacteria to linezolid

In vitro efficacy of meropenem, colistin and tigecycline against the extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing gram negative bacilli

To compare the in vitro efficacy of meropenem, colistin and tigecycline against extended spectrum Beta-lactamase producing Gram negative bacilli by minimal inhibitory concentration. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, from June to December 2010. Routine clinical specimens were subjected to standard microbiological procedures and the isolates were identified to species level. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Gram negative bacilli were detected by Jarlier disc synergy method and confirmed by ceftazidime and ceftazidime-clavulanate Etest. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration [MIC[90]] of meropenem, colistin and tigecycline was determined by Etest [AB BIOMERIUX] and the results were interpreted according to the manufacturer's instructions and Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines and Food and Drug Authority recommendations. Results were analyzed by using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20. A total of 52 non-duplicate extended spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing Gram negative bacilli were included in the study. The MIC[90] of tigecycline [0.75 microg/ml] was lowest as compared to the meropenem [2 microg/ml] and colistin [3 microg/ml]. Tigecycline is superior in efficacy against the extended spectrum Beta-lactamase producing Gram negative bacilli as compared to colistin and meropenem

Carbapenem resistant acinetobacter-A major pathogen in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Objective: To determine the frequency of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter in the Military Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Study Design: Descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, from Oct, 2012 to Feb, 2013

Material and Methods: Clinical specimens like naso-bronchial lavage, blood, pus, sputum and catheter tips were inoculated on blood agar and Mac Conkey agar while the urine samples were inoculated on Cystine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient [CLED] agar. Acinetobacter spp. isolated, were later subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar as per Clinical Laboratory and Standards Institute [CLSI] guidelines

Results: Out of a total of 85 Acinetobacter spp. 62 isolates were found to be carbapenem resistant. They were also found to be 100% resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone thus becoming multidrug resistant followed by tazobactam piperacillin [98%] and trimethoprim sulphamethoxazole [92%]. Minimum resistance was seen against tigecycline being 21%

Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that there is a high frequency [72.94%] of resistance to carbapenems in Acinetobacter spp. in our setup which is associated with increased morbidity and mortality due to limited treatment options

Frequency and antibiogram of vancomycin resistant enterococcus in a tertiary care hospital

To determine the frequency of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus [VRE] in a tertiary care hospital of Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Observational, cross-sectional study. Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from May 2011 to May 2012. Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus isolated from the clinical specimens including blood, pus, double lumen tip, ascitic fluid, tracheal aspirate, non-directed bronchial lavage [NBL], cerebrospinal fluid [CSF], high vaginal swab [HVS] and catheter tips were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar, while the urine samples were grown on cystine lactose electrolyte deficient agar. Later the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was carried out using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar. A total of 190 enterococci were isolated. Of these, 22 [11.57%] were found to be resistant to vancomycin. The antimicrobial sensitivity pattern revealed maximum resistance against ampicillin [86.36%] followed by erythromycin [81.81%] and gentamicin [68.18%] while all the isolates were 100% susceptible to chloramphenicol and linezolid. The frequency of VRE was 11.57% with the highest susceptibility to linezolid and chloramphenicol

In vitro efficacy of Colistin against multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa by minimum inhibitory concentration

Multi-drug resistant bacteria are an important cause of mortality and morbidity. In the management of various infections, timely detection and appropriate treatment, in accordance with the culture and sensitivity reports can help improve the treatment outcome. Colistin is a bactericidal antibiotic which is emerging as a reliable solution for treating infections with multi-drug resistant Gram negative bacilli. The aim of this study was to find out the in-vitro efficacy of colistin against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates by minimum inhibitory concentration. This cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad from February 2010 to January 2011. Antimicrobial sensitivity testing was done on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from routine clinical specimens received and the strains which appeared resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent in three or more anti-pseudomonal antimicrobial categories were subjected to the Colistin Etest. The MIC endpoint of colistin was read, as per manufacturer's instructions [AB Biodisk, Solna, Sweden]. The isolates showing MIC of 2micro.g/ml or less were considered sensitive, those with 4-6 micro.g/ml as intermediate and >/= 8 micro.gg/ml as resistant. MIC[50] and MIC[90] of colistin against MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa was determined. A total of 52 MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were isolated during the period of the study. The highest percentage was isolated from urine [36%] followed by respiratory tract infections [18%] and pus specimens [20%]. The highest percentage of these isolates was found to be susceptible to colistin followed by piperacillin-tazobactam and cefoperazone-sulbactam. A total of 36 [69%] isolates were sensitive, 10 [20%] were intermediate and 6 [11%] were resistant to colistin by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. MIC[50] was found to be l.0 micro.gg/ml while MIC[90] was 3.0 micro.gg/ml. Colistin is a reliable solution in cases of infections with MDR, XDR or PDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Evaluation of different phenotypic methods for detection of amp C beta-lactamase producing bacteria in clinical isolates

To compare the sensitivity and specificity of different phenotypic methods for detection of Amp C beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Analytical study. Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College / National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST], Islamabad, Pakistan, from June 2010 to December 2010. A total of 150 clinical isolates were screened for presence of Amp C beta-lactamase by using the cefoxitin disc. The confirmatory methods evaluated were inhibitor based assay [boronic acid], Amp C disc test and Amp C Etest. Three dimensional enzyme extract assay was used as the reference method for determining the sensitivity and specificity. Among the total isolates tested, 62.8% bacteria showed the presence of Amp C beta-lactamase by standard three dimensional enzyme extract assay. Among the three methods compared, boronic acid disk test found out to be highly sensitive [88%] and specific [92%] for the detection of Amp C beta-lactamase producing bacteria. Detection of Amp C production is crucial in order to establish the antibiotic therapy and to attain the favourable clinical outcomes. Implementation of simple tests like boronic acid disk tests in the laboratories will help to alleviate the spread of Amp C beta-lactamase harboring organisms

Frequency and antibiogram of multi-drug resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa

To find out the frequency and susceptibility pattern of multi-drug resistant [MDR] Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical specimens. Cross-sectional observational study. Department of Microbiology, Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology [NUST], Rawalpindi, from January to September 2010. Routine clinical specimens were subjected to standard microbiological procedures and the isolates were identified to the species level. The antibiotics susceptibility was determined by Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method and the results were interpreted according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute [CLSI] guidelines. The frequency of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa among all the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated was found to be 22.7%. These isolates were most sensitive to Colistin followed by Piperacillin-Tazobactam and Cefoperazone-Sulbactum. Increasing fequency of infections due to MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an emerging threat in our set up which can be prevented by prescribing antibiotics judiciously and by adopting proper disinfection measures

Relative changes in hepatitis-C virus RNA titre and serum ALT levels before, during and after treatment with interferon and ribavirin

Hepatitis C is commonly treated with Interferon and Ribavirin combination therapy. The aim of this study was to find the relative change in the Hepatitis C virus [HCV] RNA titre and serum alamine aminotransferase [ALT] levels before, during and after completion of treatment with Interferon [IFN] and Ribavirin therapy in HCV positive patients. This cross- sectional descriptive study was conducted from May 2010 to August 2010. Seventy hepatitis C patients reporting to the Laboratory of Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, were included in the study. Blood samples were first subjected to centrifugation and stored at -20[degree sign] C till tested. HCV RNA titre was determined by Real Time PCR while ALT estimation on serum samples was done on Selectra-E by kinetic method. The age, gender and treatment status of the patients was also recorded. In a total of 70 patients, 30% were females while 70% were males. The mean age of patients was 38 +/- 11 yrs. On applying, analysis of variance [ANOVA], we found that the change in serum ALT level was significant [F = 6.044 and p = 0.004] while it was not significant in case of HCV RNA [F = 1.93 and p = 0.153] treatment with Inj. IFN and Ribavirin. There is a definite decreasing trend in the serum ALT levels while no definite relationship of the HCV RNA level to the treatment with combination therapy with IFN and Ribavirin