Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria: first case report from Northern Pakistan

Dyschromatosis universalis hereditaria is a rare genodermatosis, first reported from Japan. Later on many cases have been reported from other countries of the world. It is characterized by mottled pigmentation. We report first case of this disorder from Northern Pakistan with positive family history

Frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter species isolated from pus and pus swab specimens

To evaluate the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter species isolated from pus and pus swab specimens at a tertiary care setting. Cross-sectional observational study. Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from July 2008 to July 2012. Data regarding positive culture and antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was retrieved from the pus and pus swab culture records of the Microbiology Department, AFIP, Rawalpindi. Only those pus and pus swab specimens which yielded the growth of Acinetobacter species were included in the study. Out of 2781, 1848 were of pure pus while 933 were pus swab specimens. Out of 2538 culture positive isolates, 276 [10.9%] were identified as Acinetobacter species. Among 276 Acinetobacterspp., 245 [88.8%] were Acinetobacter baumannii and 31 [11.2%] were Acinetobacter johnsonii. Male/female ratio of the affected patients was 5.6:1. Doxycycline was the most sensitive antibiotic to which 45% of the tested isolates were sensitive. Sensitivity to all other antimicrobials was 15% or less. About 11% of soft tissue and wound infections are caused by Acinetobacter species in our set up particularly in male. Doxycycline was the most sensitive antibiotic. Sensitivity to all other antimicrobials was 15% or less. In vitro sensitivity to carbapenems is very low

Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria isolated from patients with urinary tract infection

To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens in the patients of urinary tract infection reporting at a tertiary care hospital. Laboratory based study. Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from January to December 2012. A total of 440 culture positive bacterial isolates from 1110 urine samples; submitted over a period of one year were included in this study. Identification of bacterial isolates was done by standard biochemical profile of the organisms. The antimicrobial susceptibility of culture positive bacterial isolates was performed by disk diffusion method as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines [CLSI]. Out of the 440 culture positive urine samples, 152 [34.6%] were from indoor patients whereas 288 [65.4%] from outdoor patients. Gram negative bacteria accounted for 414 [94%] of the total isolates while rest of the 26 [6%] were Gram positive bacteria. The most prevalent bacterial isolate was Escherichia [E.] coli 270 [61.3%] followed by Pseudomonas [P.] aeruginosa 52 [12%] and Klebsiella [K.] pneumoniae 42 [9.5%]. The susceptibility pattern of E. coli showed that 96.2% of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to imipenem, 85.1% to amikacin, 80.7% to piperacillin/tazobactam and 72.6% to nitrofurantoin. In case of P. aeruginsosa, 73% bacterial isolates were sensitive to tazobactam/piperacillin, 69.2% to sulbactam/cefoperazone and 65.38% to imipenem. The antibiogram of K. pneumoniae has revealed that 76.1% of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to imipenem and 52.3% to piperacillin/tazobactam. Nitrofurantoin and imipenem were the most effective antimicrobials amongst the Enterococcus spp. as 92.3% showed susceptibility to this bacterial isolate. Majority of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to imipenem and piperacillin/tazobactam while susceptibility to most of the commonly used oral antibiotics was very low. Among the oral antimicrobials, nitrofurantoin showed good susceptibility against Enterobacteriaceae family and Gram positive organisms

Useful ethnophytomedicinal recipes of angiosperms used against diabetes in South East Asian Countries [India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka]

This paper is based on data recorded from various literatures pertaining to ethnophytomedicinal recipes used against diabetes in South East Asia [India, Pakistan and Srilanka]

Traditional plant treatments have been used throughout the world for the therapy of diabetes mellitus. In total 419 useful phytorecipes of 270 plant species belonging to 74 Angiospermic families were collected. From the review it was revealed that plants showing hypoglycemic potential mainly belong to the families, Cucurbitaceae [16 spp.], Euphorbiaceae [15 spp.], Caesalpiniaceae and Papilionaceae [13 spp. Each], Moraceae [11 spp], Acanthaceae [10 spp.], Mimosaceae [09 spp], Asteraceae, Malvaceae and Poaceae [08 spp. Each], Hippocrateaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae [07 spp. Each], Apocynaceae, Asclepiadaceae and Verbenaceae [06 spp. Each], Apiaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Solanaceae [05 spp.each]

The most active plants are Syzigium cumini[14 recipes], Phyllanthus emblica [09 recipes], Centella asiatica and Momordica charantia[08 recipes each], Azadirachta indica [07 recipes], Aegle marmelos, Catharanthus roseus, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus racemosa, Gymnema sylvestre [06 recipes each], Allium cepa, A. sativum, Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa [05 recipes each], Citrullus colocynthis, Justicia adhatoda, Nelumbo nucifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Ziziphus mauritiana and Wattakaka volubilis [4 recipes each]

These traditional recipes include extracts, leaves, powders, tlour, seeds, vegetables, fruits and herbal mixtures

Data inventory consists of botanical name, recipe, vernacular name, English name

Some of the plants of the above data with experimentally confirmed antidiabetic properties have also been recorded. More investigations must be carried out to evaluate the mechanism of action of diabetic medicinal plants

Toxicity of these plants should also be explained. Scientific validation of these recipes may help in discovering new drugs from these medicinal plants for diabetes

In vitro activity of fosfomycin tromethamine against extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing urinary tract bacteria

To determine the in vitro activity of Fosfomycin tromethamine against extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing uropathogens. Experimental study. Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from October 2011 to October 2012. A total of 381 culture positive ESBL producing isolates from 2400 urine samples submitted over a period of one year were included in this study. Identification of isolates was done by standard biochemical profile of the organisms. The antimicrobial susceptibility of culture positive isolates was performed by disk diffusion method as recommended by Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines [CLSI]. The antimicrobial activity of Fosfomycin to various isolates revealed that 93% of E. coli, 64% Klebsiella spp. 50% Proteus spp. 75% Enterobacter cloacae, 100% Citrobacter freundii, 100% Burkholderia spp. 100% Serratia spp. and 50% Stenotrophomonas maltophilia were susceptible to this chemical compound. Fosfomycin showed excellent effectiveness to most of the common ESBL producing bacteria such as E. coli, Klebsiella and Proteus spp

Clinical presentation of non-HIV Kaposi sarcoma

Kaposi Sarcoma [KS] is a rare entity. In the north west of Pakistan and Aghanistan, we mostly come across non-HIV related Kaposi sarcoma as Human Immunedeficiency Virus [HIV]. Infections are rare in this part of the world. Here, we present a case of a non-auto Immunedeficiency Disease [AIDS] related KS. A 45-year-old male, Afghan patient presented to our oncology outpatient's unit with multiple subcutaneous nodules. The sites of involvement were the periorbital region, retro-auricular region, forearms, legs, chest and back. Oral mucosa was spared at the nodules. The patient had no visceromegaly at the time of presentation. A biopsy specimen from the retro-auricular region revealed a KS with dermal lymphatic involvement. His serum was negative for the common types of viral infections including Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] on routine serology. His total B-lymphocytes [CD 19+], total T-lymphocyte [CD3+], total CD4+ lymphocyte [CD3+, CD4+] and total CD8+ [CD3+, CD8+] counts were all normal or borderline high. The patient was under treatment with 3 weekly chemotherapeutic regimens of Adriamycin, Bleomycin, Vincristine [ABV] keeping in view socioeconomical constrains, logistical difficulties in getting proper medical care and side effects of other options like radiotherapy for extended surface areas

Ventricular septal defect in infants and children with increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary hypertension - surgical management leaving an atrial level communication

To evaluate the surgical and medical efficacy of the patients operated for Ventricular Septal Defect [VSD] with Pulmonary Hypertension and Pulmonary Vascular Resistance [PVR]. Infants and children with elevated PVR and Pulmonary Hypertension are associated with significant mortality and morbidity after surgical closure. Circulatory assist devices and sophisticated medicines may not be available to help in the management of infants and children with elevated Pulmonary artery pressure and resistance. We left Patent Foramen Ovale [PFO] or made atrial communication to decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with the closure of large VSD in this risky group. Sixteen infants and children were operated with median age of 12 months, operated by the same surgeon [IU], from January' 2004 to December' 2005. They were with large VSD of elevated PVR [3.9+0.3] and underwent VSD closure leaving PFO or artificial ASD [5mm]. Surgical approach was through right atrium. Post operatively, all the patients were electively ventilated for 36 hours. They were given intravenous dilators [Glyceral Trinitrate + Phentolamine] and oral Sildenafil up to 1mg /Kg, six hourly. Five cases went into acute pulmonary hypertensive crisis postoperatively, and were rescued by Prostacycline Nebulization. Sixteen patients had VSD as the primary lesion that underwent operation. The overall early mortality was 6.25% [1/16]. There have been no late deaths. Closure of large VSD with elevated PVR can be performed, leaving PFO or artificial ASD, with acceptable mortality and morbidity