New cases and types of leprosy in Interior Sindh: an analysis of 3 years [2012-2014]

Objective: To evaluate the new cases and clinical types of leprosy in interior Sindh

Methods: Data analysis and evaluation of 3-year record of leprosy centers/clinics in Interior Sindh

Results: Of total 238 new registered cases, 98 [41%] were diagnosed after a delay of 1 year. The types of disease found were tuberculoid 59 [25%], borderline tuberculoid 100 [42%], borderline 13 [5%], borderline lepromatous 53 [22%] and lepromatous lepromatous 13 [5%] cases. Multibacillary cases were 179 [75%] and paucibacillary 59 [25%]

Conclusion: The 3-year analysis of Interior Sindh shows endemic regions of leprosy in Pakistan which will help in devising strategy for an effective leprosy control program

Awareness of leprosy - knowledge and practices among general practitioners in leprosy endemic areas of Larkana region, Sindh, Pakistan

To assess awareness about leprosy among general practitioners in endemic areas of Larkana region Sindh, Pakistan. The survey was carried out during January to March 2010 among general practitioners practicing in leprosy endemic areas of Larkana region. A total of 250 general practitioners were surveyed by questionnaires. 225 properly filled questionnaires were scrutinized and included in the study. Out of these, 172 [76.4%] practitioners had enough knowledge of the leprosy symptoms, while remaining 53 [23.5%] were unaware of them. Among 172 aware practitioners, 133 [77.3%] had enough knowledge regarding source of leprosy infection while 39 [22.6%] had no such knowledge. Out of these, 133 practitioners who knew the source, 60 [45.2%] were sure about the disease cure but 73 [54.8%] were unsure. Among 60 practitioners who knew about the cure of the disease, 21 [35%] showed social acceptance like having cup of tea with leprosy patients or working in same environment or keeping them as helpers with while 39 [65%] practitioners rejected them socially. Leprosy control needs more efforts to create awareness and to combat irrational fear still largely associated with this disease.

Leprosy in Larkano region; an analysis of 102 cases from 2001-2011 at leprosy centre Larkano, Sindh, Pakistan

To evaluate the prevalence of leprosy in Larkano Region, Sindh, Pakistan. A total of 102 new leprosy cases referred and registered in Leprosy Centre Larkano from 2001-2011 were studied. Of the 102 new cases 49 [48.03%] were males and 53 [51.96%] were females. They were born in rural area of Larkano region with the peak age of disease at their fourth decade. The most common form of the disease was borderline tuberculoid [BT] form and found especially in female patients. Ulnar nerve was the most frequently affected peripheral nerve. Although Leprosy is a rare disease but in Larkano region it is still encountered. It is important for the practitioners to be aware of its diagnosis when they meet with patient of leprosy with peripheral nerve involvement

HDV infection in HBV infected individuals

To determine the status of HDV infection in HBV infected individuals at Larkana. This is a laboratory based retrospective study conducted at Molecular Laboratory PHCP-CMI Central laboratory CMC Hospital City block Larkana from October 2010 to September 2011. During the study period all the serum samples in which the HBV DNA was qualitatively detected were further processed for HDV RNA detection by the method of Real time PCR. During the study period a total of 1564 HBV DNA detected serum samples were processed for HDV RNA detection. The males were 1078 [69.0%] and females 486 [31.0%]. The age were ranged between 15 to 73 years. Out of the 1564 HBV DNA detected serum samples, the HDV RNA was detected in 865 [55.31%] and not detected in 699 [44.69%] individuals. This study showed 55.3% HDV infection in the HBV infected patient. Hence, to formulate the treatment option and to predict the response of treatment it is necessary that every HBV infected case should be processed for HDV RNA detection

Cutaneous malignant tumors: a profile of ten years at LINAR, Larkana-Pakistan

Malignant tumors of skin are a group of malignancies comprising primary and metastatic tumors which involve the skin and its appendages. In this observational study, a total of 300 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors were included, who visited the Larkana Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy [LINAR] for management after confirmation by histopathological examination. Out of 300 cases studied, the males were 195 [65%] and females were 105 [35%], showing M: F ratio of 1.85: 1. The mean age of affected cases was 47 +/- 7.694 years and mostly affected patients were farmers [47%]. The duration of symptoms in majority of cases [27%] was 3-6 months. Most of the patients [71%] had lesions on face, while other parts of body like extremities, scalp and trunk were involved in 13%, 9% and 7%, respectively. Basal cell carcinoma [BCC] was confirmed in 183 [61%] cases, while squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] and malignant melanoma [MM] were found in 96 [32%] and 21 [7%] cases, respectively. BCC was found to be the commonest morphological type amongst the cutaneous malignant tumors. The increasing incidence rate shows an alarming situation for our population. The unawareness of public and medical professionals about the disease and late diagnosis are contributing factors in high morbidity and mortality

Malarial parasites species; Jacobabad District Sindh, Pakistan

To determine the pattern of malarial parasites species in Jacobabad District Sindh. A retrospective observational study. This study was conducted at District Malarial control Centre Jacobabad with collaboration of pathology Department C.M.C Larkana and Leishmaniasis / Mosquito Zoology Lab: University of Balochistan Quetta. One year 2005. During the study period blood smears were prepared from the suspected cases of malaria. The suspected cases with fever referred from various areas of Jacobabad District by General Practitioners, Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and Taluka Hospital were included in the study for conformation of malaria. The parasites were identified by using Giemsa stained thick and thin smears. During the study period total of 58,989 blood smears were examined irrespective of age and sex and were conformed for malarial parasites, giving over all positivity rate of 0.91% [540 cases]. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 154 [28.52%] and Plasmodium vivax in 386 [71.48%] cases. The positive cases for malarial parasites were 0.91% and Plasmodium vivax found as most predominant species in the region

Malarial parasite; slide positivity rate at shikarpur district Sindh Pakistan

To determine the slide positivity rate and to document the different species of malarial parasite at district Shikarpur, Sindh, Pakistan. A retrospective study. This study was conducted at district Malaria control centre Shikarur with collaboration of Pathology Department CMC Larkana and Leishmaniaisis/Mosquito Zoology Lab: University of Balochistan Quetta over the period of one year i.e. 2006. During the study period blood smears were prepared from the suspected cases of malaria. The patients with differentiated fever referred from various areas of Shikarpur District by general practitioners, basic health units, rural health centres and taluka hospitals were included in the study for confirmation of malaria. The parasites were identified by using Giemsa stained thick and thin smears following Mansen-Bahar and Bell, 1987. During the study period total of 67550 Blood smears were examined irrespective of age and se and 740 were confirmed for malarial parasites, giving an overall slide positivity rate of 1.09%. Plasmodium falciparum was identified in 267 [36.08%] cases and plasmodium vivax in 473 [63.92%] cases. The slide positivity rate of malarial parasite in this study was 1.09% and plasmodium vivax found as most predominant species in this part of the world

Ocular disabilities in leprosy, Larkana district, Sindh, Pakistan

Eye involvement is a common cause of disability and morbidity in leprosy patients. During the Leishmaniasis survey in the mountainous belt, leprosy patients were also checked for different eye complications. The purpose of this survey was to find out the frequency and severity of ophthalmic disabilities and deformities associated with leprosy in Larkana district. The disabilities and deformities noted were graded according to WHO criteria [1982] as grade I, II and III. Eye complications were seen in 43.4% of leprosy patients. There were 71% males and 29% females. Both eyes were affected. Grade I disabilities were more frequent. Eye complications are quite common in leprosy patients of Larkana region. Patients` education, early diagnosis and treatment and continuous surveillance are mandatory to reduce this high figure

Leprosy awareness among doctors during survey of district Larkana

The purpose of study was to measure the level of awareness about Leprosy among doctors working at Chandka Medical College Hospital Larkana and Talukas of Larkana district. The survey was primarily focused on disease symtomatology, source of infection, cure and acceptance of leprosy patients in society. The results obtained show that doctors knew the symptoms and source of leprosy but majority of the doctors were ill informed about its cure and acceptance in civil society. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed out of which 25/250 questionnaires were improperly filled and 225/250 questionnaires were properly filled and scrutinized. Out of 225 doctors 172/225 [76.4%] knew the symptomatology of the disease while 53/250 [23.5%] doctors were unaware about the symptoms of leprosy. 133/172[77.3%] doctors had knowledge about the source of infection, while 39/172[22.6%] did not. Regarding treatment of leprosy 60/133 [45.1%] doctors knew management and on the contrary 73/133[54.8%] doctors were not sure about treatment. 21/60[[35%] doctors accepted social activities like having a cup of tea with a leper or working in the same environment or keeping them as helpers. While 39/60[65%] doctors rejected lepers socially

Clinical trial of 20% Mat lippia [bucan] topical ointment for cutaneous leishmaniasis; a preliminary trial

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in many parts of Pakistan. The mainstay of treatment is systemic pentavalent antimonials. However, many indigenous plants are also used for its treatment. To test the hypothesis that Mat lippia [Bucan], a local plant, may be topically effective in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The study comprised of two parts. Part 1: An alcoholic extract from the leaves of the plant was obtained and then 20% ointment in petroleum jelly was made. In part 2, eighty patients of cutaneous leishmaniasis were treated with this ointment applied thrice daily for six weeks. Patients were followed up initially twice a week and then at weekly intervals for six weeks. 60% showed excellent response and 20% exhibited fair improvement. 20% Mat lippia ointment seems to be effective in the treatment of leishmaniasis. However, further comparative studies are warranted to confirm these findings