ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the in vitro susceptibility of MRSA clinical isolates to ceftaroline, using interpretation of zones of inhibition by disk diffusion method. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology, Combined Military Hospital Peshawar, from Jan to Dec 2014
Material and Methods: To carry out this descriptive cross sectional study, clinical specimens were obtained from indoor and outdoor patients of Combined Military Hospital Peshawar. All the isolates of MRSA cultured with CLSI guidelines and identified with standard microbiological procedures, from clinical specimens of pus, body fluid, urine, tissue and blood were included in the study. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of ceftaroline was determined according to CLSI guidelines. The data was analyzed in SPSS [version 19] software
Results: Out of a total 190 MRSA isolates, 183 [96.3%] were susceptible to ceftaroline in vitro, whereas 5 [2.6%] were resistant and 2 [1.1%] were intermediate in their response to ceftaroline
Conclusion: Ceftaroline can be used effectively against infections caused by MRSA as it has shown very high in vitro activity against MRSA strains of clinical origin
ABSTRACT
Background: Medical education has undergone a paradigm shift from traditional disciplinary teaching to 'outcome based integrated medical education system'. AJK Medical College, since its inception, made an effort to bring the basic, clinical and social sciences into one course by adopting an indigenously designed 'system based vertically and horizontally integrated modular curriculum' to meet the local needs and global demands at undergraduate level. This study aimed to assess 'the Renal Module' by evaluation of the processes of module designing, content delivery, students learning and academic environment
Methods: The renal module program was evaluated by using level 1 [reaction] and level 2 [learning] of the Kirkpatrick Model. The student performance was assessed in the integrated practical examination where basic science knowledge was linked with real life clinical tasks
Results: A large number of students and faculty involved in module delivery and assessment showed satisfaction over implementation of the module. Many gave feedback responses with suggestions to improve the organization, delivery and/or assessment of the module that identified the weakness and challenges in design, delivery and assessment of the module. Eleven problem areas were identified by 22 respondents, which were conveyed to the module team for evaluation and recommendation of the required corrective measures in design, delivery and assessment
Conclusion: Integrated modular medical curriculum can be implemented at any medical college to replace the traditional system and the evidence based practices are possible, even in resource constraint environment
ABSTRACT
Objectives: To detect the presence of Hepatitis B virus [HBV] in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar
Method: Two hundred employees [180 males and 20 females] of the University were selected on the given criteria. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated by centrifuging the samples at 5,000 rpm for 8 minutes. The sera were transferred to eppendorf tubes and stored at -20°C. Samples were initially screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen [HBsAg] by Immuno Chromatographic Test [ICT]. All the serum samples were used for HBV DNA extraction and subsequent two steps Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] assay developed at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering [IBGE] for the confirmation of active infection of HBV. PCR products were detected on 2% Agarose gel pre-stained with Ethedium Bromide
Results: Results of ICT indicated that 6 [3%] were anti HBsAg hepatitis positive, of which 5 [2.5%] were males and 1 [0.5%] was female. The PCR results confirmed that 4 [2%] were actively infected, of which 3 [1.5%] were male and 1 [0.5%] was female. The results indicated that infection with HBV was more in male than female and was more in the age group of 25-35 years
Conclusion: The infection with HBV in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar was 3% as determined by ICT method and 2%. It was more in male than female and was more in younger age than older age. Screening and vaccination of the employees is recommended