ABSTRACT
Resistance to multiple antimicrobials is the major cause of debility and death due to infectious diseases around the world. Our objective was to determine the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of aerobic microbial isolates in a clinical laboratory. All culture specimens of tissue, pus, urine, bone, blood, fluid, stool, sputum, and high vaginal swab received in the Microbiology Department of Clinical and Research Laboratory, Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology from May 2010 to January 2011 were included in the present study. Bacterial isolates were identified and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern was determined. Out of 312 cultured specimens, 272 [87.17%] were found infected with 437 microbial organisms [412 bacteria and 25 Candida isolates]. A total of 90 [20.59%] multi-drug resistant [MDR] isolates were found. MDR Escherichia coli was isolated in 40 [34.19%] out of 117 culture specimens which showed the growth of Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 17 [22.08%], Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in 13 [11.50%], Klebsiella pneumoniae in 7 [22.58%], Proteus species in 6 [31.58%], Acinetobacter species in 3 [33.33%], Enterobacter species in 2 [28.57%], Coliform [Escherichia coli] in 1 [16.67%] and Enterococcus species were isolated in 1 [50%] culture specimen. High prevalence of multi-drug resistant bacteria was found in the present study. Emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a major challenge in infectious disease medicine. Antimicrobial resistance may be due to misuse of antimicrobials by physicians and self medication in Pakistan. Further large scale studies are needed to validate our findings
Subject(s)
Drug Resistance, Microbial , Bacteria, Aerobic/drug effects , Drug Resistance, Multiple, BacterialABSTRACT
The main objective of this retrospective study was to observe Ramadan related awareness, practices and experiences of diabetic patients. It is expected that the outcome of this study would assist the healthcare professionals in providing effective fasting related guidance. A total number of 1050 diabetic patients were interviewed post Ramadan. Closed ended questionnaires were administered and responses were recorded by the trained data collectors. Out of 1050 subjects, 33% [n=350] were males and 67% were females [n=700]. About two third of the study participants monitored their blood glucose at home or at health care facilities. Frequency of monitoring blood glucose once a month was the most common pattern. During Ramadan blood glucose level was monitored by 70% of subjects. Majority of the subjects did their blood sugar 1-3 times in a month. Dosage of oral hypoglycemic/insulin was adjusted before Ramadan in 80.8% of the patients with diabetes who planned to fast. Overall 3.1% of subjects broke the fast due to hypoglycemia, while 75% of study population had never experienced symptoms of hypoglycemia during fasting. The majority of diabetic patients were fasting without any adverse events however 15-20% of them were at risk as they continued fasting without checking their blood sugar even when they felt hypoglycemia. Diabetic patients should be counseled about the symptoms of hypoglycemia during fasting and the option for breaking the fast in case of low blood sugar
ABSTRACT
To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in different ethnic subgroups of urban population of Karachi, Pakistan. This cross sectional study was conducted in Lyari Town. Data of 856 adults >25 years old was available in terms of ethnic subgroups for analysis; 363 of these subjects gave blood samples. Their anthropometric, demographic and biochemical data was collected. Distinct ethnic subgroups- Muhajir, Punjabi, Sindhi, Baluchi and Pushtun were defined on the basis of mother tongue. Out of 856 subjects, 73% were females. Mean age of the subjects was 40.7 +/- 14.1 years. Metabolic syndrome was found in 34.8% subjects according to the IDF criteria. In terms of ethnic groups the highest prevalence of metabolic syndrome was seen in Pushtuns [41.3%] and the lowest in Muhajirs [32.5%]. Statistically significant differences were seen in the age adjusted waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, fasting triglycerides, insulin and HOMA levels among ethnic subgroups. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the studied population was found to be significantly high but there was no statistical difference seen among various ethnic subgroups. Further large scale studies are needed to confirm these findings