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Objective: To determine antiacanthamoebic activity of natural and marketed honey samples. Methods: Natural honey samples were collected directly from the bee hive and marketed honey samples were purchased from the local market in Karachi, Pakistan. Both honey samples were tested for their flavonoid content (quercetin equivalent per gram of the extract) and phenolic content (gallic acid equivalent per gram). Furthermore, their anti-oxidant activity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl. Using amoebistatic and amoebicidal assays, the effects of honey samples were tested against growth and viability of Acanthamoeba parasites. Results: Natural honey exhibited potent amoebistatic and amoebicidal effects, in a concentration-dependent manner. Honey-treated Acanthamoeba castellanii showed loss of acanthopodia, following which amoebae detached, rounded up, reduced in size, decreased in cytoplasmic mass and they were observed floating in the culture medium. Importantly, honey-treated amoebae did not revive when inoculated in fresh growth medium, however, glycerol-treated amoebae exhibited viable trophozoite and active growth. In contrast, marketed honey samples varied in their efficacy against Acantha-moeba castellanii. The proportion of flavonoid, as determined by quercetin measurements and the proportion of phenolic, as determined by gallic acid measurements was higher in natural honey compared with marketed honey. Similarly, the antioxidant activity, as determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity was higher in natural honey vs. marketed honey. Conclusions: This study shows that natural honey has antiacanthamoebic properties and possesses higher flavonoid, phenolic and antioxidant properties compared with the marketed honey. These findings are of concern to the public, health officials, and to the manufacturers regarding production of honey for medical applications.
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The study was carried out to evaluate the frequency and types of gestational. Trophoblastic diseases [GTD] in endometrial curettings received for histopathology examination. Data Source: Pathology Department, Shifa Naval Hospital Karachi. It was a Retrospective Descriptive Observational study. Department of Pathology, Pakistan Naval Ship; Shifa Naval Hospital Karachi. Period: From 2009 till 2010. A total of 170 cases of endometrial curettage were examined. All specimens received with a diagnosis of product of conceptions [POC] or with the clinical suspicion of a gestational trophoblastic disease were included. It was observed that partial mole identified in 57.1% cases followed by complete mole 21.4%, choriocarcinoma 14.2% and placental site Trophoblastic disease 7.1% cases. Nearly half of the cases were diagnosed as having a gestational trophoblastic disease; these were from the age groups of 26-30 years followed by 21-25 years. Hydatidiform mole is the commonest gestational trophoblastic disease, Most complete moles are detected clinically but partial moles are misdiagnosed as abortions therefore all cases of abortions should be sent for histopathological examinations
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To assess the spectrum of microbes isolated from body fluids and secretions. It is a Descriptive: Observational study which was carried out from January 2010 at Taj Medical Complex Karachi. Pakistan. A total of three thousand and fifty six [3056] samples received in the laboratory of the Taj Medical Complex [both from indoor as well as outdoor patients] were included from both sexes satisfying the inclusion criteria. Included patients had a mean age of 40.5 years with female predominance. Nearly a third of included samples yielded any growth by microbial agents. Most commonly isolated pathogen was Klebsiella spp. followed by the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. The regular and meticulous monitoring of the pattern and distribution of microbial isolates can guide our choices in terms of empirical antibiotic therapies. Our study is a snapshot of the current microbiological occurrence
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Humans , Male , Female , Escherichia coli , Staphylococcus , KlebsiellaABSTRACT
To determine the influence of time on development of high degree Atrioventricular [AV] block in patients with inferior Myocardial Infarction [MI], its association with Right Ventricular [RV] infarction and its ultimate morbidity and mortality. A descriptive study. The Emergency Department [ED] and the units of adult cardiology at National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases [NICVD], Karachi, from October 2006 to March 2007. Patients presented at ED with typical chest pain and subsequently diagnosed by standardized diagnostic criteria as having inferior MI were recruited prospectively. Patients were first analyzed on the basis of absence [Group A] or presence [Group B] of high degree AV block regardless of RV infarction Then after patients were divided into two groups, those without RV infarction [Group I] and with RV infarction [Group II]. Each group was further sub-divided as Ia, IIa and Ib, IIb depending on absence or presence of high degree AV block respectively. Each group was analyzed for comparisons with different variables for prediction of influence of time, proportion of RV infarction, association of AV block with RV infarction, complication profile and immortality. Of the 220 patients with inferior MI, 52 [23.6%] had high degree AV block and 83 [37.7%] had RV infarction. They were older in age [p < 0.003]. Patients who took more time to seek medical treatment from onset of symptoms were more prone to develop AV block [p < 0.001]. Among patients with block, 73% received thrombolytic therapy [p < 0.009] and temporary pacemaker [TPM] was implanted in 75% [p < 0.0001]. Mortality was significantly high in those patients [p < 0.0001]. In group II, 61.4% presented with sinus rhythm [p < 0.001]. TPM was implanted to 31.3% [p < 0.0001]. In the 4 days of hospital course, 8.4% of patients with RV infarction developed AV block [p < 0.005], whereas 10.8% of patients without RV infarction experienced post MI angina [p < 0.031]. Mortality was found significantly high when block was associated with RV infarction [p < 0.007]. No significant difference was found in response to atropine, volume replacement or streptokinase administration and reverting of block to sinus rhythm. Patients with inferior MI who took more time to seek medical treatment were found to be more prone to develop high degree AV block. RV infarction was found in about 38% of patients defined a high risk subgroup. High degree AV block significantly influenced the outcome when associated with RV infarction, leading to high mortality