Frequency and risk factors of hepatitis B and C in Afghan patients presenting to tertiary care hospital in Peshawar

To document the frequency and risk factors of Hepatits B and C in Afghan patients presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Peshawar. Descriptive study. Rehman Medical Institute [RMI], Peshawar from 1st January, 2012 to 31st December, 2012. A total of 2166 Afghan national were included in the study who underwent surgery in RMI through consecutive, non-probability sampling. Hepatits B surface antigen [HBsAg] and anti-HCV antibody tests were performed by ELISA method. All patients who were positive for either of the two or both were investigated by a researcher-administered questionnaire to find the risk factors for seropositivity of hepatitis. Out of a total of 2166 patients, 104 patients [4.8%] were found to be positive. Seventy-eight patients [75%] were HepBsAg positive while 24 patients [23%] were anti-HCV antibodies positive while 2 patients were positive for both viruses. Re-use of unsterilized syringes [23%] and history of previous surgery [19.2%] were the most common risk factors whereas no risk factor could be identified in 15 patients [14%]. Seventynine patients [76%] were newly diagnosed at time of test while 25 patients [24%] were known cases of either HBV or HCV. Only one patient had clinical/laboratory features of chronic liver disease while no patient had underwent Hep B vaccination or had hepatocellular carcinoma. A high seroprevalance of HBV and HCV was found in this study. Reuse of unsterilized syringes, history of previous surgery and tattoos piercing were found to be the most common risk factors

Unrecognised peripartum cardiomyopathy will have dire consequences

We report an undiagnosed case of Peripartum cardiomyopathy [PPCM] in our tertiary care hospital, who presented for an elective cesarean section [CS] with cough and orthopnea in her late gestational period. She was treated for upper respiratory tract infection; whereas her heart failure leading to pulmonary edema causing cough and orthopnea, remained unidentified and thus uninvestigated. The disease was only diagnosed during the postoperative period when she suffered from cardiac arrest and had to be ventilated mechanically. She was effectively managed after correct diagnosis; weaned successfully off the ventilator and transferred to the Obstetrics/Gynecology ward in a stable condition

Chronic suppurative otitis media: disease pattern and drug sensitivity

To identify the frequency of bacterial isolates associated with chronic suppurative otitis media [CSOM] and to determine their antibiotic sensitivity pattern. Descriptive study. Department of E.N.T, Jinnah Medical and Dental College Hospital, Korangi Karachi, from April 2003 to June 2005. Two hundred patients of CSOM were included in this study. Ear swabs were taken from these patients and cultured on chocolate and blood agar. Antibiotic sensitivity was determined by disc diffusion method using Muller Hinton agar. Biochemical tests were used in identifying gram-negative bacteria. From 200 ear swabs different micro-organisms were isolated. The bacteria isolated were Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 83 cases, Staphylococcus aureus in 38 patients, Proteus mirabilis in 36, Klebsiella pneumoniae in 21, Escherichia coli in 8, beta haemolytic Streptococcus in 10 and Serratia species in 4 patients. Most of the bacterial isolates were resistant to common antibiotics but they were sensitive to ofloxocin [92.2%], ciprofloxocin [92.2%], amikacin [90%], gentamycin [88.4%], ceftazidime [86.4], ceftriaxone [70.4%], polymyxin B [70%], amoxicillin clav.[40%], ampicillin [10%], cephradine [10%] erythromycin [6%].In CSOM, high rate of multiple drug resistance specially to frequently used antibiotics has risen

Comparison of body temperature recordings using mercury and liquid crystal forehead thermometers

The study was carried out to compare the recordings of body temperature using oral mercury thermometer and liquid-crystal forehead thermometer, so as to assess and ascertain the accuracy and validity of the later method. Setting: Hira General Hospital, Abbottabad. Subjects and Materials: Simultaneous recordings were made using the two devices in randomly enrolled 147 patients. The ages of patients ranged from 10 years to 90 years. FeverScan liquid-crystal forehead thermometer, Boots [UK] was used for forehead temperature while Chinese made mercury thermometer [Safety] was used to check oral temperature. Significant difference existed between the recordings of two devices. The mean difference was 1.19 degree F [p<0.001]. FeverScan liquid-crystal forehead thermometer recorded higher temperatures. In patients without pyrexia both devices recorded temperature within normal range. Conclusions: The sensitivity of FeverScan liquid-crystal forehead thermometer to detect fever was comparable to mercury thermometer but was unreliable in grading fever and showed a tendency to over estimate the temperature. It is a good device for home use but health providers should not use it. Mercury thermometer remains the gold standard