The first complete mitochondrial genomes of three dobsonfly species (Megaloptera: Corydalidae) from Pakistan with phylogenetic implications

ABSTRACT Megaloptera is a small holometabolous insect order that includes two genera and three species of Corydalidae in Pakistan. Here we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genomes of these three Pakistani corydalids: Nevromus intimus (McLachlan, 1869) (16,614 bp), Protohermes motuoensis Liu & Yang, 2006 (16,238 bp), and Protohermes walkeri Navás, 1929 (16,514 bp). It also represents the first set of complete mitogenomes sequenced for Neuropterida in Pakistan. The gene order was found to be similar to other published dobsonfly mitogenomes except the variable length of the non-coding region in each species. The phylogenetic analysis using 13 protein-coding genes by Maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference yielded largely consistent topologies, in which the phylogenetic positions of the three species herein studied are recovered.

Evaluating therapeutic potential of coriander seeds and leaves (Coriandrum sativum L.) to mitigate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits

Objective: To evaluate the hepatic and renal protective potential of coriander seeds and leaves using animal feed model. Methods: Coriander seeds- and leaves-based sauces were administrated to normal (Study I) and carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg B.W.)-induced hepatotoxic rabbits (Study II). Hepatic and renal biomarkers like aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured. Results: Coriander leaves-based sauce exerted more decline (P<0.05) in serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in the study II as 18.32%, 19.91% and 21.24%, respectively. While, hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were raised significantly (P<0.05) in both studies. Renal parameters also depicted positive impact by the provision of developed sauces. Conclusions: Coriander seeds and leaves based sauces are effective in alleviating the hepato/renal toxicity. The hepatoprotective effect of coriander leaves is more pronounced as compared to coriander seeds.

Evaluating therapeutic potential of coriander seeds and leaves (Coriandrum sativum L.) to mitigate carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rabbits

Objective:To evaluate the hepatic and renal protective potential of coriander seeds and leaves using animal feed model.Methods:Coriander seeds- and leaves-based sauces were administrated to normal (Study I) and carbon tetrachloride (2 mL/kg B.W.)-induced hepatotoxic rabbits (Study II). Hepatic and renal biomarkers like aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured.Results:Coriander leaves-based sauce exerted more decline (P<0.05) in serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase levels in the study II as 18.32%, 19.91% and 21.24%, respectively. While, hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were raised significantly (P<0.05) in both studies. Renal parameters also depicted positive impact by the provision of developed sauces.Conclusions:Coriander seeds and leaves based sauces are effective in alleviating the hepato/renal toxicity. The hepatoprotective effect of coriander leaves is more pronounced as compared to coriander seeds.

Enhanced production of Lovastatin by filamentous fungi through solid state fermentation

Lovastatin is a natural competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme-A [HMG-CoA] reductase and inhibits specifically rate limiting step in cholesterol biosynthesis. Further, lovastatin in comparison with synthetic drugs has no well-reported side effects. Four pure isolated filamentous fungal strains including Aspergillus niger IBL, Aspergillus terreus FFCBP-1053, Aspergillus flavus PML and Aspergillus nidulans FFCBP-014 have been cultured by solid state fermentation [SSF] using rice straw as substrate for the synthesis of lovastatin. After selecting Aspergillus terreus FFCBP-1053 as the best producer of lovastatin, various selected physical parameters including pH, temperature, inoculums size and moisture content were optimized through response surface methodology [RSM] under center composite design [CCD] for lovastatin hyper production. Maximum lovastatin production of 2070+/-91.5 was predicted by the quadratic model in the medium having moisture content 70% and pH 4.5 at 35 degree C which was verified experimentally to be 2140+/-93.25Mug/g DW of FM [microgram/gram dry weight of fermentation medium], significantly [P<0.05] high as compared to un-optimized conditions while it was noted that lovastatin production is independent on inoculum size [P>0.05] measured by spectrophotometer at 245 nm against standard. It was determined that optimized conditions for the hyper-production of lovastatin from fungal sources have a significant effect

Assessment of killing kinetics assay and bactericidal mechanism of crude methanolic bark extract of Casuarina equisetifolia

Casuarina equisetifolia L. is an important medicinal plant widely used to treat various diseases particularly ulcers, diabetes, cough, diarrhea and many infectious and skin diseases. The aim of this research study was to examine the killing mechanism and killing kinetics assay of methanolic bark extract of C. equisetifolia against some highly resistant human pathogens. The comparison on antibacterial activity of extract was firstly done with six different well reputed antibiotics using disk diffusion method. The broth dilution method was used to measure the MIC and MBC values. The mechanism of killing was identified by scanning electron microscopy [SEM] technique. Results showed that higher inhibitory zones were produced by methanolic plant extract than that of some tested antibiotics. The lower MIC and MBC values indicated the antibacterial potency of plant extract. The extract of C. equisetifolia produced a more drop in optical density of S. aureus, MRSA B. subtilis and S. epidermidis up to 12 hrs. The complete destruction of the cell membrane of MRSA was observed after 12 h treatment with plant extract. It is concluded that crude bark extract of C. equisetifolia is potent antimicrobial agent and produced both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects. Its killing time was extremely faster especially against MRSA. The cell membrane rapturing is a suggested killing mechanism of plant extract

Outcome of patients with acute pancreatitis requiring intensive care admission: a retrospective study from a tertiary care center of Pakistan

Background and Objective: Acute pancreatitis [AP] is an inflammatory disease. Patients presenting with severe disease may require intensive care unit [ICU] admission. Factors predicting mortality and morbidity need to be identified for improving outcome. The objective of this study was to see the outcome of these patient presented to single center over a period of ten years. The secondary objective was to identify the factors responsible for adverse outcome

Methods: The medical records of adult patients from year 2006 to 2016 requiring ICU admission for AP were reviewed retrospectively. The data was collected on the predesigned Performa for patient's demographic, etiology, severity of disease and reason of ICU referral. Besides this physiological and biochemical parameters at time of arrival in ICU were also recorded. Management aspects related to disease course including the ICU related complications were also recorded. The outcome was predicted on the basis of mortality and length of stay [LOS] in ICU and hospital

Results: Total 85 patients were identified of having AP requiring ICU admission. 56 percent of these cases were referred from emergency. Mean Ranson score [RS] was 2.6 and 2.7, at and after 48 hours of admission. Necrosis was present in 48 percent of cases. Mean APACHE-II score was 23. Sepsis was the commonest complication in ICU. The median LOS in ICU and hospital was six and 12 days respectively. The overall hospital mortality was 52 percent, out of which 82 percent died in ICU. RS at admission and APACHE were correlated well with outcome. Similarly associations of factors like need of vasopressors, ARDS, pneumonia, sepsis and AKI requiring intervention were also related to mortality. Likewise development of necrosis or intra-abdominal hypertension showed increased mortality. Biochemical parameters serum blood urea nitrogen [BUN], PH and serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase were also directly linked to adverse outcome

Conclusion: AP patients requiring ICU admission represent severe form of disease. There is a need to develop protocol based care, which should be started immediately after hospital admission. This should have special focus on fluid resuscitation and nutritional therapy. Role of simple bed site parameters like BUN needs to be evaluated

Use of penile skin flap in complex anterior urethral stricture repair: our experience

Objective: To present our experience of treatment of complex anterior urethral strictures using penile skin flap

Study Design: Descriptive, case series

Place and Duration of Study: Department of urology Combined Military Hospital Malir Cantonment, Karachi and Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi from Jan 2012 to Feb 2014

Material and Methods: Total 18 patients with complex anterior urethral strictures and combined anterior and bulborurethral strictures were included. Patients underwent repair using Orandi or circularfacio-cutaneous penile skin flap depending upon the size and site of stricture. First dressing was changed after two days and an in dwelling silicone two way foleycatheter was kept in place for three weeks. Graft was assessed with regards to local infection, fistula formation and restricturing. Re-stricture was assessed by performing uroflowmetery at 6 months and 1 year. Ascending urethrogram was reserved for cases with less than 10 ml/sec Q max on uroflowmetery. Repair failure was considered whenthere was a need for any subsequent urethral procedure asurethral dilatation, dorsal visual internal urethrotomy, or urethroplasty

Results: Overall success rate was 83.3%. Of all the patients operated 1[5.6%] had infection with loss of flap, 3[16.7%] had urethral fistula and none had re stricture confirmed by uroflowmetery

Conclusion: In our study the excellent results of the penile skin flap both in anterior urethral strictures and combined anterior and bulbar urethral strictures are quite encouraging. It is easy to harvest and seems anatomically more logical

Islanded greater palatine artery flap for anterior oronasal fistula repair

Objective: To describe the usefulness of islanded greater palatine artery flap for repair of anterior oronasal fistula

Study design: Descriptive case series

Place and Duration of study: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Bahawal Victoria Hospital, Bahawalpur, from January2013 to January 2015

Methodology: Five patients were selected for the study who had history of cleft palate repair. Selection was based on location and size of fistula and amount of residual palatal mucosa. Assessment was done for postoperative wound complications, postoperative speech and swallowing and donor site morbidity

Results: All the patients underwent islanded greater palatine artery flap. One patient was operated with bilateral islanded flaps. Postoperative diet started between 1[st] to 3[rd] day [mean 2 days]. Patients were discharged on 3[rd] -5[th] [mean 4[th] day] postoperative day without any postoperative donor site or recipient site complications. Donor site re-epithelialized within 4 weeks in all patients

Conclusion: The islanded greater palatine artery flap offers a reliable method of primary reconstruction of anterior oronasal defects

Dealing a neonate with CHARGE syndrome: Anaesthesia perspective of perioperative care

CHARGE syndrome is a condition that can disturb numerous areas of human body. As an abbreviation CHARGE stands for: coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, and retardation of growth, genital, and ear abnormalities. The configuration of malformations differs among individuals with this disorder, and the various health issues can be life-threatening during infancy and childhood. Affected individuals typically have several main features or a combination of major and minor appearances. Here we are presenting a case report of a neonate with CHARGE syndrome who underwent successful repair of choanal atresia under general anaesthesia with invasive monitoring

Oral ephedrine is useful to wean patients off long term parenteral vasopressors after cervical spinal cord injury

Traumatic spinal cord injury [SCI] in young adults not only increases the risk of mortality but more commonly it complicates with life-long disability. Cervical SCI patients are particularly susceptible and sensitive to phases of cardiovascular instability and respiratory failure directly consequential from their injuries. Furthermore, long term vasopressor requirement is not uncommon though weaning from parenteral vasopressor is a challenge. We document a case of the use of oral ephedrine, which we used to wean our patient from parenteral vasopressors. Oral ephedrine can be an appropriate option to get rid of long term use of infusion of vasopressor

Accuracy of anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA antibody in the diagnosis of paediatric celiac disease

Objective: to determine the accuracy of anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA [TTG] antibody titer in the diagnosis of celiac disease, taking small intestine histopathology as the gold standard

Study Design: cross-sectional analytical study

Place and Duration of Study: department of Paediatrics, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, from February to July 2013

Methodology: sixty patients aged 2 - 13 years, admitted in the Paediatric Department of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, having at least 3 features from chronic diarrhea, malnutrition, short stature, anemia, abdominal distension and clubbing, were included. Age, gender, weight and height were recorded. Abdominal distension and clubbing were clinically noted. For hemoglobin, blood complete picture was done. For determination of nutritional status and short stature, standard centile charts were used. TTG titer upper GI endoscopy, duodenal biopsy, and histopathology were done in all cases

Results: there were 60 patients; 32 males, 28 females with mean age of 5.85 +/- 3.36 years. Frequency of CD was 63.33% in study population. Sensitivity of TTG was 86.84%, with 81.82% specificity, 89.19% positive predictive value, and 78.26% negative predictive value for diagnosing CD. TTG titre more than 50 iu/ml had a 100% positive predictive value

Conclusion: TTG is an excellent screening test for the diagnosis of paediatric CD. TTG value > 50 IU/ml has 100% positive predictive value

Acute scrotal pain: a two year prospective cohort study

Objective: To determine the cause of acute scrotal pain and its subsequent treatment

Study Design: Prospective cohort study

Place and Duration of Study: This was carried out in Armed Forces Institute of Urology Rawalpindi and Combined Military Hospital Abbotabad from 1[st] Jan 2014 to 31[st] Dec 2015

Materials and Methods: A total of 116 patients who presented with acute scrotal pain were included in the study

Those presenting within six hrs and a history consistent with testicular torsion underwent urgent exploration. Those presenting with a history of more than six hours or within six hrs but clinically suggestive of testicular torsion underwent emergency Doppler ultrasonography before surgery

Results: The occurance of different conditions were as follows: testicular torsion 10, torsion of appendix testis 02, Epididymo-orchitis 4, orchitis 10, trauma 12, infected hydrocelei 12 ,strangulated inguinal hernia 3, and idiopathic scrotal pain 18. Mean age [in years] for testicular torsion was 13 +/- 5 for Torsion of appendix testis 16 +/- 8, and for epididymo-orchitis 50 +/- 22. Mean duration of symptoms [in hours] for testicular torsion was 10+/-4, torsion of appendix testis was 11 +/- 3 and epididymo-orchitis 18 +/- 14. During surgery for testicular torsion ,detorsion of the affected testis was done and bilateral orchidopexy was performed in 04 patients. Orchidectomy with orchidopexy of the contralateral side was done in 06 patients who had nonviable testis

Conclusion: Acute scrotal pain is a common presentation. Our study concluded that in such cases colour Doppler ultrasonography is important to reach a definitive diagnosis

The occurance of testicular torsion is very high in patients less than 18 years of age .Moreover if there is a clinically strong suspicion of testicular torsion then yield of immediate surgery is high, because delay in exploration proves detrimental to the efforts of salvaging the testis. Patients with epididymo-orchitis respond well to ciprofloxacin prescribed for two weeks

Diarrheal versus non-diarrheal presentations of paediatric celiac disease

Objective: to compare the frequencies and clinical features of diarrheal versus non-diarrheal presentation of celiac disease [CD]

Study Design: cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: paediatric Department, Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi, from January to December 2013

Methodology: children with celiac disease, newly diagnosed on the basis of tissue transglutaminasel [TTG] and intestinal histopathology, were included in the study by consecutive non-probability sampling. Patients were divided into diarrheal and non-diarrheal groups on the basis of presence or absence of chronic or recurrent diarrhea. Comparison between two groups was done and a p-value < 0.05 was considered significant

Results: total patients were 54 [26 males, 28 females] with mean age of 6.67 +/-3.35 years. Chronic diarrhea was present in 31 [57.4%] and absent in 23 [42.6%]. Patients in non-diarrheal group were diagnosed at a significantly later age [p=0.038] and had a greater frequency of severe malnutrition [p=0.02]. Short stature, anemia, rickets, clubbing and abdominal distension were equally prevalent. There was no significant difference in TTG value and intestinal histopathology among two groups

Conclusion: children with atypical presentation of CD had significant severe malnutrition and higher age at diagnosis than at diarrheal presentation

Complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy single center experience of 103 cases

Objective: To present our complications of percutaneous nephrolithotomy [PCNL] during initial one year using modified Calvien system

Study Design: Observational prospective cohort

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Urology [AFIU] Rawalpindi from 1[st] January 2014 to 31[st] December 2014

Material and Methods: The study was conducted at AFIU, Rawalpindi from 1[st] January 2014 to 31[st] August 2014. All of the consecutive 103 patients who underwent PCNL were included. Single-stage PCNL was performed in all the cases under general anesthesia. Pneumatic and ultrasound probes [alone or in combination] were used to fragment the calculi. Stone fragments were removed using graspers. A 16 Fr Foley catheter was used as nehrostomy tube. It was clamped on the first postoperative day. Foley catheter and ureteric stent was removed one day later. Intravenous antibiotics were given during admission period, i.e. 3-5 days. The complications were classified according to modified Clavien system. The data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS] version 16

Results: Sixty nine [67%] patients were males and thirty four [33%] were females. Their ages ranged from 7 years to 81 years with mean age 41.7 +/- 16.34 years. PCNL was performed on right side in 48 [46.6%] cases while 55 [53.4%] underwent PCNL on left side. Overall complication rate was 21.35%. Grade 1 complications in 7.7%, grade 2 in 7.8%, grade 3a in 2.8% and grade 4a complications in 2.9% were seen

Conclusion: PCNL is associated with low incidence of major complications even in the hands of beginners when carefully performed

Comparison of mean operative time in patients undergoing Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy and pneumatic lithotripsy in ureterorenoscopy for ureteric calculus

Objectives: To compare the mean operative time in patients undergoing Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy and pneumatic lithotripsy for ureteric stones

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi from August 2015 to 12 February 2016

Materials and Methods: The study included 60 patients requiring ureteroscopic lithotripsy for treatment of ureteric calculi. Patients were divided into Ho:YAG lithotripsy group [30] and pneumatic lithotripsy group [30]. The operative time in minutes was calculated in all patients from initial cystoscopy till ending of ureteroscopy after the stone fragmentation into small particles. All the information was recorded on a specially designed questionnaire

Results: The mean age and SD of all patients was 36.90 +/- 12.11. The male to female ratio was 49:11. The baseline demographic variables; mean age, gender, side of stone and location of stone were found similar between the two groups [p>0.05]. The type of intra-ureteral lithotripsy was found a significant predictor of mean operative time taken for the procedure. The average operative time taken for Pneumatic lithotripsy procedure increased by 9.13 minutes as compared to the Ho: YAG laser lithotripsy procedure [R[2]=0.33, p<0.001]. The mean operative time was not found significantly different between males and females; age groups; sides of stones and different locations of stones, as a whole, as well as in both groups separately [p>0.05]

Conclusion: It is speculated that the Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy is a better procedure compared to the Pneumatic lithotripsy, in terms of the operative time required for the procedure

Comparison of HO:YAG laser and pneumatic lithotripsy in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of treatment for proximal ureteral stones with pneumatic lithotripsy compared to holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet [HO: YAG] laser therapy

Study Design: Randomized control study

Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Urology, Rawalpindi from Sep 2014 to Mar 2015

Material and Methods: This randomized control trial was conducted at Armed Forces institute of Urology Rawalpindi. A total of 73 patients who underwent treatment between Sep 2014 and Mar 2015 were included in the study. Of the patients, 37 had pneumatic lithotripsy [PL group] and 36 had ureteroscopic HO: YAG laser lithotripsy [LL group] using rigid 8 Fr-ureteroscope for the fragmentation of the ureteric stones. Patients were evaluated for stone clearance after 3 weeks, with X-ray KUB, ultrasound and plan CT KUB [where indicated]. All the data were recorded in a proforma and analyzed in SPSS version 11

Results: There was a difference between the two groups according to overall stone clearance rate 83.8% for PL group vs. 86.5% for LL group. Proximal stone migration was seen in 16.2% of cases in PL group while in only 5.5% of cases in LL group. The overall complication rate was 35.1% in PL group while 30.5% in LL group. The mean procedure time was 28.8 +/- 4.5 minutes for PL group while it was 35.5 +/- 8.6 minutes for LL group

Conclusion: The pneumatic and holmium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser lithotripsy both are established choices for treatment of ureteral stone but in terms of stone clearance rate and decrease incidence of proximal stone migration HO: YAG lithotripsy is better than pneumatic lithotripsy

Efficacy of lactobacillus acidophilus dds-1, lactobacillus bulgaricus, bifidobacterium infantis in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates

Objectives: To compare the efficacy of combination of lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, lactobacillus bulgaricus, bifidobacterium infantis in the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm neonates with placebo. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Duration of Study: May 2012 to October 2012. Setting: Department of Pediatric Medicine, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad

Methodology: Over 6 months, 220 preterm neonates meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and were assigned randomly to two groups after parental informed consent was obtained. The neonates in study group received probiotic with breast milk or preterm formula milk and neonates in control group received breast milk or preterm formula milk. Both groups were observed for the development of clinical evidence of NEC. The Data was statistically analyzed; Chi square test and Fischer's exact test was applied to compare both groups for presence of NEC

Results: The number of days required to reach full enteral feeding [study group 8.73 +/- 3.87 days vs control group 10.72 +/- 5.43 days; p-value 0.002] and duration of hospital stay was [study group 11.35 +/- 6.74 vs control group 15.35 +/- 10.29; p-value 0.001] significantly low in the probiotic-exposed group compared with the control. The incidence of NEC [study group 10.0% vs control group 22.72%; p-value 0.011] was significantly low in the probiotic-exposed group when compared with non-exposed group

Conclusion: Alteration of microbial florae following oral supplementation of probiotics along with human milk have beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of NEC especially in pre-term neonates

Comparison of spinal anesthesia dosage based on height and weight versus height alone in patients undergoing elective cesarean section / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: Spinal anesthesia with bupivacaine, typically used for elective and emergency cesarean section, is associated with a significant incidence of hypotension resulting from sympathetic blockade. A variety of dosing regimens have been used to administer spinal anesthesia for cesarean section. The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of hypotension following two different fixed dosing regimens. METHODS: This was a randomized double-blind clinical trial with a two-sided design, 5% significance level and 80% power. After approval of the hospital ethics review committee, 60 patients were divided randomly into two groups. In one group, the local anesthetic dose was adjusted according to height and weight, and in the other, the dose was adjusted according to height only. RESULTS: Sixty women with a singleton pregnancy were included. Of the factors that could affect dose and blood pressure, including age, weight, height, and dose, only height differed between the groups. Mean heart rate was similar between the groups. Hypotension was significantly more frequent with dosage based on height alone than with two-factor dose calculation (56.7% vs. 26.7%; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting the dose of isobaric bupivacaine to a patient's height and weight provides adequate anesthesia for elective cesarean section and is associated with a decreased incidence and severity of maternal hypotension and less use of ephedrine.

Synthesis, Spectral investigation [[1]H, [13]C] and Anti-microbial Screening of benzophenone imines

New series of benzophenone imines with general formula Ph[2]-C=NR; R = Benzyl, 4-Fluorobenzyl, Naphthyl, Phenyl, 4-Nitrophenyl were synthesized by condensation of dichlorodiphenylmethane and different aromatic primary amines [1:1] Those imines were characterized by different physiochemical and spectroscopic techniques like melting point, elemental analysis, FT-IR, multinuclear NMR [[1]H, [13]C]. After characterization, imines were subjected to antimicrobial activities. All compounds showed promising activity against different bacterial strains like Escherichia coli, Bacillussubtilis, Pasturellam ultocida and Staphylococcus aureus as well as fungal strains like Alternata alternaria, Ganoderma lucidium, Penicillium notatum and Trichoderma harzianum using Amoxicillin and Flucanazole as a standard drugs respectively

Measles; review of cases admitted in paediatric department Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi during epidemic 2013

Background: Despite efforts to promote widespread vaccination, measles still remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to review the pattern and outcome of measles patients admitted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital [BBH] Rawalpindi during measles epidemic 2013

Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study

Period: Three months during measles epidemic 2013 [March - May]

Setting: Pediatric department BBH Rawalpind

Materials and Methods: Data regarding demographic profile, clinical presentation, complications and outcome of measles patients was collected and analyzed using SPSS 15

Results: A total of 192 patients of both sexes were included with mean age of 35.48 +/- 32.71 months. Majority of patients[71.4%] were unvaccinated and 88% had history of contact with measles patients. The common complications observed were pneumonia and pneumonia with gastroenteritis and both were found statistically significant in patients with malnutrition and low socioeconomic status

Conclusion: The current study concluded that improving measles immunization and nutritional status in children is essential for reducing morbidity and mortality of measles