Frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization among patients suffering from methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia

To determine rate of nasal colonization in Patients suffering from bacteraemia caused by methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus. This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out in a tertiary care, University Teaching Hospital [Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore] from October 2010 to August 2011. Nasal swabs were taken from patients suffering from MRSA bacteraemia and were plated on mannitol salt agar plates to isolate Staphylococcus aureus [S. aureus] which were then tested for oxacillin susceptibility. Nasal colonization was present in 52.5% of patients suffering from MRSA bacteraemia. Nasal colonization rates with MRSA were high among patients suffering from MRSA bacteraemia especially in those undergoing dialysis or surgical procedures. Therefore, screening and nasal decolonization should be practiced in hospitals

Sexually transmitted infections [syphilis] in long distance truck drivers

To find out the frequency of sexually transmitted infections [Syphilis] in long distance truck drivers [LDTDs]. This study was conducted in the department of Microbiology Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore on 199 long distance truck drivers. Presence of syphilis was detected by rapid plasma reagin and enzyme link immunosorbent assay for treponema pallidum syphilis. 10.5% long distance truck drivers showed syphilis positive by enzyme link immunosorbent assay and 20.1% by rapid plasma reagin. Number of cases missed by rapid plasma regain were 03 [1.5%]. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of rapid plasma reagin compared with enzyme link immunosorbent assay were 85%, 87%, 42% and 98% respectively. Enzyme Link immunosorbent assay syphilis is more accurate for diagnosis of syphilis than rapid plasma reagin.

Antimicrobial resistance; comparison of Escherichia coli in different areas of Lahore

Since the development of antibiotics there is a growing concern about the increasing incidence of antibiotic resistance. As a result the therapeutic value of originally effective antibiotics become significantly reduced overtimes. Extensive data is available on antibiotic susceptibilities of hospital isolates but very little information is available about the susceptibilities of community strains. Descriptive. July 2004 to June 2005. Department of Microbiology, Shaikh Zayed Hospital Lahore. Hence the present study was design to assess the environmental load of the antibiotic resistance using fecal flora as an indicator of overall problem. It will also provide guidance in antibiotic protocol for antibiotic policy. Objective of the present study was to determine the developing resistance to beta - Lactam Antibiotics which is the commensal microbe of enteric tract. One hundred samples were collected from ten different areas of Lahore city [10 samples from each area] and were inoculated on Mac Conkey's agar. Five morphologically distinct lactose fermenting colonies were selected and identified using standard laboratory methods. Five hundred different colonies of E.coli were identified and analyzed for their susceptibility to b-lactam antibiotic. Out of 500 isolates, the resistant isolates with ampicillin [48%], coamoxiclav [40%] and cephradine [37%] were detected, with cheaper oral agents high prevalence of resistance was detected. Ampicillin, co-amoxiclav and cephradine are not much useful for the treatment of urinary tract infection and septicemia caused by E-coli and other Members of fecal flora

Helicobacter pylori in dental plaque; is it related to brushing frequency, plaque load and oral health status?

To determine the relation between presence of H. pylori in supra-gingival dental plaque with oral hygiene habits and oral health status of patients suffering from symptomatic dyspepsia. Descriptive study. The Department of Oral Health Sciences, Shaikh Zayed FPGMI, Lahore, from September 2008 to August 2009. One hundred and fifty dyspeptic subjects with dental plaque were enrolled. After recording brushing frequency, oral health status and plaque load, the supra-gingival dental plaque samples were collected by sterile curettes. Helicobacter pylori were detected in dental plaque samples through PCR assay. Presence of H. pylori in dental plaque was found to be 37.5% in the sample. Most of the subjects brushed once daily, had plaque index score of 1 and had fair to poor oral hygiene status. Approximately 35% of the individuals who brushed once or twice a day harbored the bacterium in their dental plaque. There was no difference between bacterial detection rates among different categories of plaque index and oral health status of the study subjects. Presence of H. pylori in dental plaque was found to be associated with neither brushing frequency nor with the plaque load nor with the oral health status of individuals suffering from symptomatic dyspepsia

Carbapenemase intrudes K. pneumoniae in local clinical isolates

To determine the sensitivity pattern of the isolates under study against commonly used antimicrobials. The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, University of Health Sciences Lahore. Two hundred Clinical isolates [n=200] of Enterobacteriaceae were collected from various tertiary care hospitals of Lahore. The isolates were identified by their morphology and cultural characteristics. API 20E was used for their biochemical profile. Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method was employed for their susceptibility according to CLSI 2009 guidelines. Modified Hodge Test was used for testing carbapenemase production. Further confirmation was done using EDTA disk potentiation method. Susceptibility pattern of two hundred isolates showed multidrug resistance pattern. All the isolates showed least resistance to Imipenem and Meropenem [0.5%] followed by Amikacin [24%] and Tetracycline [61%]. Only one strain of K. pneumoniae was found to be resistant to carbapenems and it was confirmed to be carbapenemase producer by Modified Hodge Test, and metallo [3-lactamase producer by EDTA disk potentiation method. Carbapenemase has intruded local isolates of K. pnuemoniae. It can result in outbreak of carbapenem resistant strains as it can spread through vertical as well as horizontal transmission. The carbapenem resistant isolates must be contained in order to prevent its further spread among other members of Enterobacteriaceae and other bacteria

Sensitivity and specificity of saliva in estimation of anti-HCV antibodies

This study was done to assess the efficacy of saliva as a screening tool in Hepatitis C infection when collected in a sterile test tube by simple spitting process. Anti Hepatitis C Virus antibodies [Anti-HCV] were detected in salivary samples of patients and healthy controls without using any special salivary collection device. Paired serum and oral fluid collections were obtained from 50 HCV positive cases and twenty five negative individuals. Saliva samples were collected in a sterile disposable plastic test tube by simple spitting of un-stimulated saliva by the study subjects. A modification of the serum HCV ELISA assay was developed to improve test accuracy for an oral fluid substrate. The presence or absence of anti-HCV antibodies in the blood serum was taken as gold standard against which anti-HCV levels in saliva were comparid. Overall sensitivity of saliva to detect Anti HCV antibodies was found to be 94.2% while specificity was 100%. This simple method of oral fluid collection proved to be an effective alternative to special collection saliva can be used as a cost effective screening tool for initial screening of hepatitis C infection in high risk populations

Bacteriology of [CSOM] tubotympanic disease and antimicrobials

Chronic suppurative otitis media is the inflammation of middle ear by pus producing organisms characterized by discharge and conductive deafness, and is still prevalent around the world. To study the prevalent bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern of these isolates. Study of CSOM [tubotympanic diseased] patients at out patient ENT clinic and Microbiology department Sh. Zayed Hospital Lahore. Selection of 100 tubotympanic disease cases from CSOM patients for Bacterial culture and sensitivity. Among Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus represented 34.3% while among gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa represented 24.4% and Proteus species were 11.7% of the total isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility to ciprofloxacin was observed in 92.9% of total isolates followed by sparfloxacin in 92.4%. Septran was the least effective antimicrobial with a sensitivity of only 20.1%. Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus species continue to be the major infecting pathogens

Comparison of isolates using conventional sterile swab and nichrome wire loop in chronic suppurative otitis media cases

In chronic suppurative otitis media aerobic Gram positive, Gram negative and anaerobes are found. Middle ear specimen for bacterial culture can be obtained by using sterile swabs and nichrome wire loop separately. To study difference in isolation of bacterial pathogens in cases of CSOM using sterile swabs and nichrome wire loop to obtain middle ear specimen and find a simple, safe, and effective method of collecting middle ear specimen. Study of 100 tubotympanic cases from CSOM patients and collection of ear discharge samples with conventional sterile swabs and Nichorme wire loop separately. Selection of 100 tubotympanic cases from CSOM patients on the basis of history, clinical features, microscopic examination of tympanic membrane by E.N.T. consultant and processing of ear swabs for bacterial culture isolation. The ear discharge sampled with nichrome wire loop [n=100] and conventional sterile swab [n=100] yielded 208 and 221 isolates respectively. Staphylococcus aureus represented 36.5% and 34.3% Pseudomonas aeruginosa 25.9% and 24.4% proteus species 12.5% and 11.7% of the total isolates obtained. Bacterial isolates from ear samples taken with conventional sterile swab were found to be identical to those with nichrome wire loop. Conventional sterile swab is a simple, safe, cheap and effective method of collecting middle ear specimen

Bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis using reagent strips

To determine the efficacy of reagent strip for bedside diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis [SBP]. Cross-sectional analytical study. Place and Duration of Study: Shaikh Zayed Postgraduate Medical Institute from November 2003 to August 2004. Patients with cirrhosis and ascites underwent diagnostic paracentesis. Fluid was checked for leukocyte esterase released by PMN by using Combur 10 urine strip and graded for color change from 0-3. Fluid was also analyzed by cytology for PMN count. Results of both methods were compared to determine sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of strip for diagnosis of SBP. Of 214 paracentesis performed, SBP was diagnosed in 38 patients whereas 176 were negative for infection. Strip test was 97.7% sensitive and 89.4% specific with positive predictive value of 90%, negative predictive value of 97.7% and accuracy of 96.2%, when reagent strip grade 3 was considered as positive for diagnosis. Reagent strip is a quick bedside test, highly sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of SBP, based on polymorphonuclear count in ascitic fluid, to initiate early treatment, thus improving patient's outcome

Coagulation profile in male albino rats fed on Nigella sativa and aspirin for six weeks duration

In this study ninety male albino rats were selected and were divided into six groups on the basis of different diets given. Control group [I] was fed on synthetic diet and experimental groups [IIA, IIB, IIC, IID and IIE] were fed on I mg aspirin, 15 mg, 30 mg, 45 mg Nigella sativa per kg body weight respectively while HE was given 30 mg Nigella sativa and I mg aspirin/kg body weight. Blood samples were collected by heart puncture and coagulation parameters were done. BT was prolonged in groups taking aspirin only. APTT was reduced significantly in groups taking different concentrations of Nigella sativa when compared with the control. Percentage of clot retraction was weak significantly in groups taking aspirin only when compared with other groups of male albino rats