ABSTRACT
Objectives: To investigate the burden of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus and to explore route of transmission in internally displaced persons of South Waziristan
Methodology: A cross sectional study was carried out in Gomal Medical Collage, Dera Ismail Khan; Mufti Mehmood Teaching Hospital Bannu and Basic Health Unit Zaferabad, Dera Ismail Khan. Total 300 internally displaced persons [IDPs] of South Waziristan who were undiagnosed and presented with non-specific symptoms were included in the study. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 16. Confidentiality of subjects was ensured
Results: In this study 300 IDPs were screened for HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti HIV antibodies. Out of which male were 190 and female were 110. More males were suffering from hepatitis B [10.3%] than hepatitis C [6.7%] or HIV [0.7%] as compared to females [3.3%], [5%] and [0.3%] respectively. A total of 5[1.7%] cases had history of previous surgery and 17[5.7%] had history of tooth extraction
Conclusion: The frequency of HBV was higher as compared to HCV and HIV infections. The frequency of all the three infections was comparatively more in males as compared to females. Most likely Most likely risk factors for acquistion of infection were unhygienic tooth extractions, unsafe blood transfusions and iatrogenic
ABSTRACT
Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is an emerging pathogen responsible for chronic diarrhoea in children and immuno-compromised individuals, especially AIDS patients. Currently, there is no effective therapeutic strategy for treating cryptosporidiosis, therefore control and supportive treatment of cryptosporidiosis depends upon rapid and accurate diagnosis of this infection. Methodology: A descriptive study was conducted in the Pathology Department of Khyber Medical College and Pathology Laboratory of Khyber Teaching Hospital over a period of one year March 2007April 2008. A total of 200 stool samples were tested for the presence of C. parvum oocysts from children <5 years age suffering from diarrhoea for >5 days. Total and differential leukocyte count was determined to assess immune status of the patients. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen [Z-N] staining, a rapid, sensitive and easy test, was used successfully for the detection of C. parvum oocysts in stool specimen. Results: Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 18 [9.0%] samples. Out of 18 positive cases, 13 [72.2%] children had lymphopenia hence their immune status was impaired. Infection was common in children between 124 months of age. Mean duration of diarrhoea was 11 months. Most of C. parvum infected children were consumers of well water [77.8%]. Conclusion: Cryptosporidiosis, although a self-limiting disease, rarely investigated routinely, can become chronic and life threatening in immuno-compromised individuals. Majority of affected patients are immunecompromised. Modified Z-N is a sensitive and rapid method which can explore the gravity of this infection even further if used routinely and may control morbidity and mortality associated with this infection. Keywords: Chronic diarrhoea, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining, immuno-comprised
ABSTRACT
There is considerable variation in the percentage of isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA]. There are several mechanisms for methicillin resistance. The most important is low affinity of penicillin binding proteins for beta-lactam antibiotics. The objectives of this study were to establish the pattern of MRSA incidence in Peshawar in recent years, and to identify high risk groups for acquiring infection amongst the city population. All positive MRSA cases reported at city laboratory were employed in the study. These were recorded over the time period elapsing from 2009 to 2011. For each patient, records were looked at for age, sex, specimen tested positive, hospital/community acquired and if hospital acquired then which particular hospital within the city was infection contracted at. Also patient records were addressed for any immune system abnormalities, any operation conducted, presence or absence of diabetes and any history of intravenous drug use. There were a total of 929 MRSA cases in our study, of which 538 were males and 391 were females. MRSA frequency for the year 2009 was 207, for 2010 it was 284 and for 2011 it was 438. The frequency of MRSA increased by 54% from the year 2009 to 2011. A potentially alarming increase in MRSA incidence within the city has been observed in recent years threatening to rise further judging the current trend. Those at a high risk of contracting infection include males aged between 20-29 years, hospitalised, diabetics, immune system compromised, and individuals with a history of IV drug use