Molecular Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes (qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr) in Drug Resistant Escherichia coli, Sudan

Background: The quinolone group, a synthetic antimicrobial, is widely used worldwide to treat many diseases, including those caused by Gram-negative bacteria. Escherichia coli and others are among the bacteria that produce quinolone resistance genes (qnr) such as qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr. Objective: The present study aimed to the isolate Escherichia coli from patients attending some Hospitals in Wad Medani city, identification of drug resistance patterns and detection of the frequency of quinolones resistance genes; qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr among isolated strains. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive, hospital-based study included 119 Escherichia coli strains was conducted. A designed questionnaire used for demographic data collection and the attitude toward antimicrobials usage. Clinical specimens were processed for aerobic bacterial isolation and identification. Antimicrobial sensitivity performed by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique according to the CLSI guidelines. Presence of qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr genes was assessed by multiplex PCR. Results: Most strains of Escherichia coli originated from urine 53.8% (64/119) and wounds 42.9% (51/119) specimens. Meropenem had the best effect against tested strains with susceptibility of 85% (101/119). Multiplex PCR assay, using specific primers, demonstrated that 41.2% (49/119) and 37.8% (45/119) of isolated Escherichia coli possessed qnrA and aac(6?)-Ib-cr genes respectively. Conclusion: The high rate of qnrA and aac (6)-Ib-cr genes among Escherichia coli necessitate the usage of molecular tools in detecting the genetic determinants of drug resistance microorganisms in countries such as Sudan.

Assessment of field size on radiotherapy machines using texture analysis

The main objective of this study was to verify the superimposition of light and radiation field automatically using image processing technique. For radiotherapy machines [Co-60 and linear accelerator], each film scanned using digitizer scanner then treat using image processing program MatLab, where the congruence of the light and radiation field should be determined. The scanned image saved in a TIFF file format to preserve the quality of the image. The data analyzed include upper, lower, right, and left borders of the light and radiation field in megavoltage films. The result showed that the mean light field size was 10.0 X 10.1 cm, medical physicist score was 10.2 +/- 0.11608 cm X 10.2 +/- 0.099861 cm, and the field size that calculated by computerized score using MatLab program was 9.9 +/- 0.36049 cm X 9.9 +/- 0.1123 cm, the result also showed that the computerized score is more accurate in determining of borders and penumbra than medical physicist score

ASD, anophthalmia and aicardi syndrome

Aicardi syndrome is a rare genetic disorder, X linked dominant; the syndrome is almost exclusively seen in females. It is characterized by classic triad of agenesis of corpus collosum, infantile spasm, and chorioretinal lacune. We report a case of this rare disorder, two and half month old female child who presented with frequent episodes of seizures and multiple congenital anomalies. Examination revealed microcephaly, anophthalmia, cleft lip and palate and atrial septal defect [ASD]. MRI revealed agenesis of corpus callosum and dilated ventricular system. In this paper we present a case of Aicardi Syndrome associated with anophthalmia and ASD which were not reported before. She was put on clonazepam and was having a good seizure control

Availability of Essential Medicines in Sudan?

Introduction: Although availability of essential medicines is one of the most important objectives of national medicines' policies; the unavailability of essential medicines remains a major problem for poor countries. Objective: The study was carried out to measure availability and duration of out of stock of essential medicines in Sudan. Method: The study was carried out using the World Health Organization (WHO) Operational Package for Assessing and Monitoring Pharmaceutical Situation in Countries format for data collection. Results: On the average; availability of selected essential medicines at the public pharmacy; medicine stores and the private pharmacies was found to be 80.6; 90.0and 93.0; respectively. The survey found the mean duration of stock out at medicines store was 26.5 days and no records available about inventory control at the pharmacy level. Among the states; the study found low availability of medicines at North Kordufan public pharmacies. The study found no statistical significant difference as far as a Developing country concerning availability of medicines at rural or urban areas (p 0.05). Conclusion: Generally availability and stock out duration of essential medicines in the Sudan were acceptable

Pemphigus in Khartoum skin teaching hospital

This study was conducted in Khartoum Skin Teaching Hospital to determine the profile of the disease and the most common variant in the Sudan. The study included 50 patients [38 females and 12 males]. Pemphigus vulgaris was found to be the predominant variant in the Sudan [88%] as compared to pemphigus vegetans [12%]

effect of some maternal risk factors in glucose tolerance impairment among Sudanese pregnant women in the third trimester

To show the effect of some maternal risk factors in glucose tolerance impairment in pregnancy, a study was carried out on thirty pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus, thirty ones with impaired glucose tolerance and thirty control ones with normal glucose tolerance. Age and parity of the GDM and the IGT groups were significantly greater than that of the control group: 32.77 +/- 5.08 years [mean +/- S.D.], 31.1 +/- 6.04 vs 23.93 +/- 4.46 respectively, p<0.0001 and 5.23 +/- 2.69, 5.6 +/- 3.07 vs 2.77 +/- 1.48 respectively, p< 0.0001. Also, The GDM and the IGT groups were found to have a family history of diabetes and previous heavy babies, incidence significantly higher than that of the control group. Finally, it was concluded that Age, parity, previous heavy babies' incidence and family history of diabetes are very important maternal risk factors that affect glucose tolerance in pregnancy

Schistosoma mansoni associated mortaiity in Gezira: Determined by clinical and ultrasound examination

Schistosomiasis is the most common problem in Gezira area. The prevalence among school children could reach up to 90% in some villages. This study was conducted in a small village in the Gezira area in central Sudan. This part of the Gezira is well known for its high endemicity of Bilharzia. A total of 428 individuals were included in the study. All were examined clinically and by Ultrasoungraphy for spleen and liver. Stoll specimens were also taken from all the subjects and were examined for Schistosoma mansoni ova. The prevalence of schistosomasis was found to be 72% in males and 68 3% in females. It was also observed that the overall prevalence of splenomegaly on the examined subjects was 35.8%. Males recorded higher prevalence of splenomegaly [38.8%] compared to females [32.7%] [p =/< 0.05]. The observed prevalence of hepatomegaly was 12.6%., with high prevalence among males [13.1%] compared to females [11.2%]. Out of the 406 subjects examined by ultrasound, 266 [63.1%] were found to have evidence of periportal fibrosis. The hepatomegaly in the different grades1.2 and 3 are 12.6%, 3.8% and 0% respectively. It is clear from the above data that the size of the spleen increases while the size of the liver decreases with the severity of periportal fibrosis

Harlequin ichthyosis: four cases

Harlequin icthyosis [HI] is inherited as autosomal recessive gene. Many cases are sporadic, but others occur in consanguineous families, in which than one may be affected child