HCV transmission between serodiscordant couples through sexual route

To determine the rate of transmission of HCV between spouses through sexual route. Descriptive study. This study was carried out at Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It was conducted over a period of 4 years from June 2009 to June 2013. One hundred and sixty eight consecutive patients confirmed to have HCV infection by PCR for HCV RNA were enrolled in the study. Their spouses were also included in the study, and it was established through PCR for HCV RNA that the spouses were not suffering from HCV infection. All couples were inducted in the study within the first two months of starting the study. Therefore, the maximum and minimum follow-up time was 48 months and 46 months, respectively. The spouses were questioned for HCV risk factors and were tested for HCV antibodies six monthly. Once spouses were found to be anti-HCV positive, their HCV status was confirmed with PCR for HCV RNA. Out of 168 patients, 90 [53.57%] were males and 78 [46.43%] were females. PCR for HCV RNA was found to be positive in 4 of 168 [2.38%] spouses. All these 4 couples in whom HCV transmission was found had genotype 3a. Out of the 4 spouses who tested positive for HCV RNA PCR, 3 [75%] were females and 1 [25%] was male. So HCV infection was transmitted in 3 out of 90 [3.33%] and 1 out of 78 [1.28%] female and male spouses, respectively. In PCR for HCV RNA positive and negative spouses, the duration of marriage was 202 +/- 53 and 199 +/- 49 weeks; and the number of total sexual intercourses was 171 +/- 93 and 169 +/- 89, respectively. HCV transmission among serodiscordant couples in our setup did occur. The overall rate of transmission was 2.38%. The rate of transmission from male to female [3.33%] was higher than female to male [1.28%]. However, a large scale study conducted over a longer duration of time is needed to recommend protected sex in serodiscordant couples if either partner is suffering from HCV infection

Comparison of efficacy of calcium channel blockers with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors in the treatment of essential hypertension in elderly men

To cornpare efficacy of calcium channel blockers [CCBs] with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] in the treatment of elderly men [age more than 55 years] with essential hypertension. Randomized controlled trial. Military Hospital Rawalpindi, one year [From September 2005 to September 2006]. One hundred male patients with stage 2 hypertension, aged more than 55 years, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized in 2 groups by non-probability convenience sampling. One group received calcium channel blockers [CCBs], and the other group received angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors [ACEIs] daily for duration of 6 months from the day of enrolment during the one year study period. Reductions in blood pressure means were observed in both groups after six months of therapy i.e. 28.52 mm Hg [with CCBs] and 26.4 mm Hg [with ACEIs] for systolic blood pressure and 16.32 mm Hg [with CCBs] and 13.4 mm Hg [with ACEIs] for diastolic blood pressure. The mean drop of systolic blood pressure in group 1 was 2.12 mm Hg more than group 2 and was significant [p value < 0.05]. The mean drop of diastolic blood pressure in group 1 was 2.92 mm Hg more than group 2 and was significant [p value < 0.05]. The study suggests that calcium channel blockers have a superior efficacy in controlling blood pressure; both systolic as well as diastolic, as compared to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors for stage 2 hypertension in elderly men

Malign ant lung tumors; efficacy of bronchial wash cytology and its correlation with biopsy in diagnosis

To determine sensitivity and specificity of bronchial wash cytology in diagnosis of malignant lung tumors, with histopathology as gold standard. Validation study of bronchial wash cytology as a screening procedure. Pulmonology unit, Department of Medicine, Military Hospital Rawalpindi. Six months [from Nov 2004 to May 2005]. Hundred indoor patients either gender with clinical suspicion of lung tumors were included in this study by convenience non probability sampling. Transbronchial biopsies of the lesions were done and samples to tissues were collected for histopathological examination. Ten ml of reaspirated isotonic saline was sent for bronchial wash cytology examination. Out of 100 patients histopathological examination confirmed malignancy in 75 [75%], whereas cytology could detect malignancy in 58 [58%]. Thus bronchial wash cytology had a sensitivity of 77.33% and a specificity of 1-00%. Pulmonary wash cytology has good sensitivity and specificity but yields less information as compared to biopsy. It is particularly useful in patients were the latter is contraindicated or the required expertise is not available