Profile of opportunistic infections in HIV-infected patients at a tertiary care center in Lebanon

According to statistics published in December 2007 by the National AIDS Program, Lebanon is home to 1056 individuals infected with HIV. Little is known about the clinical profile of opportunistic infections [OIs] and AIDS defining illnesses [ADIs] and their relative contribution to the morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients in Lebanon. The aim of this study is to describe the spectrum of OIs and ADIs in HIV-infected patients diagnosed and/or treated at the American University of Beirut Medical Center [AUBMC] in Lebanon. Data on various OIs and ADIs were collected from the medical records of patients with HIV infection who were diagnosed or received their medical care at AUBMC from 1984 to January 2008. Eighty-nine HIV-infected patients were included in the analysis. The incidence of ADIs was 72% [64/89]. The most commonly diagnosed OIs were cerebral toxoplasmosis [21%], followed by fungal infections [17%]. The majority of ADIs [75%] occurred when the CD4 count was below 200 cells/mm3. Clinical guidelines for the prevention of OIs in HIV-infected individuals have been developed on the basis of natural history data collected in industrialized countries. Our results can be used to define local priorities for opportunistic infection prophylaxis

Antimicrobial activity of lawsonia inermis linn

Leaf extracts of Lawsonia inermis Linn. [Lythraceae] were screened for their antimicrobial activity against 11 human pathogenic bacteria [Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. megaterium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Sal. paratyphi, Shigella dysenteriae, Sh. sonnei, and Vibrio cholerae] and 6 fungal phytopathogens [Alternaria alternata, Botryodiplodia theobromae, Colletotrichum corchori, Curvularia lunata, Fusarium equiseti and Macrophomina phaseolina]. During preliminary screening, the chloroform soluble fraction of L. inermis was found active against all the bacterial test organisms. The antifungal activities of extracts were found non-potential. VLC analysis of chloroform fraction showed 10 groups [A to J] depending on TLC behavior [Rf. value]. Fraction C showed highest antibacterial activity [20-41 mm] against all the pathogens tested at a concentration of 1000 microg/disc. GC/MS analysis of fraction C characterizes 14 components representing 89.14% of the total fraction. The major components were Diisooctylphthalate, 3-Octadecane [E], Heptadecane, 2, 6-Dimethyl etc

Effect of chronic treatment with a cyclooxygenase inhibitor on reproductive parameters in male rat

Indomethacin is a member of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] commonly used for treatment of gout, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. It has been shown to inhibit ovarian prostaglandins synthesis in mammals, birds, fish and reptiles. However, the effects of its chronic administration on male reproductive functions remain largely unknown. Using rat as a model, we studied the effect of chronic treatment with indomethacin on the male reproductive system. Testosterone was measured in the serum, testicular tissue, and testicular interstitial fluid by radioimmunoassay. Moreover, we also studied the direct effect of indomethacin in vitro on luteinizing hormone stimulated testosterone secretion from the Leydig cells isolated from various treatment groups. Indomethacin treatment for 50 days caused a significant but reversible decrease in prostate weight, epididymal sperm reserves and sperm motility score compared with control rats [p<0.05]. In vitro stimulation of Leydig cells isolated from treated rat's testes with luteinizing hormone [250 micro IU] produced significantly reduced testosterone compared with cells from control groups [p<0.05]. Furthermore, stimulatory effect of luteinizing hormone on the control Leydig cells was significantly reduced when these cells were challenged with luteinizing hormone in the presence of reduced after indomethacin treatment [p<0.05]. Due to its significant inhibition of key reproductive hormones, indomethacin effectively inhibits reproductive functions if used on a long-term basis. In his, study we have identified potential risks in the long-term use of cyclooxygenase inhibitors

Cases of mucocele treated in the Dental Department of Penang Hospital

A mucous cyst is a benign, self limiting mucous containing cyst of the salivary glands commonly occuring in the oral cavity. Mucocele may develop following the obstruction of the salivary flow from secretory apparatus of the salivary gland. Mucoceles commonly occur on the lower lip but may occur in other locations too. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with mucocele in patients attending the dental clinic of Penang Hospital from January 2000 to December 2005. This is a retrospective record review analysis of all the total 35 cases treated during this period, comprising of 20 males (57.1%) and 15 females (42.9%) with Malays as the largest group of patients treated and, mainly students had seek treatment. Mucocele was frequently treated in patients aged 21 to 24 year old. The site of the mucocele was the lower lip and all of the cases were treated surgically. The size of the mucocele ranged from 0.5 to 5 centimetres with 1.0 cm as the most common size. Most of the patients gave a history of spontaneous development (71.4%), followed by lip biting (25.7%) and trauma (2.9%). Lip biting was more common among students (55.6%) as compared to others. There were only two recorded cases of recurrence.

Antibacterial activity of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester isolated from the root of plumbago zeylanica linn

1,2-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, diisooctyl ester [diisooctyl phthalate] isolated from the roots of Plumbago zeylanica was screened for its antibacterial activity against eleven human pathogenic bacteria viz., Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. megaterium. Escherichia coli, INABA ET [Vibrio], Shigella dysenteriae, S. sonnei, Salmonella typhi, S. paratyphi, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas mutabilis. The antibacterial activity of the compound was evaluated using the disc diffusion and macrodilution method. The compound showed moderate to good antibacterial activity against almost all the test bacterial pathogens. The largest zone of inhibition 22 mm, 14 mm, 11 mm, and 6 mm in diameter were recorded against Pseudomonas mutabilis at the concentration of 50 micro g, 20 micro g, 10 micro g and 5 micro g/disc respectively. The compound exhibited the lowest MIC [40 micro g/ml] against Bacillus subtilis, B. cereus, B. megaterium, Escherichia coli, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella paratyphi and Pseudomonas mutabilis and MBC [160 micro g/ml] against Bacillus cereus, B. megaterium, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas mutabilis

Prevalence of bacteria in urenary tract infections among children

The aim of the study was to identify the most common bacteria responsible for the UTI's among the hospitalized children of various sex and age groups. The study was carried out in the Microbiology section of The Children's Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore during July to October 2004. A total of hundred positive samples were included in this study. The pure growth of bacteria was isolated by inoculating the specimens on Cysteine Lactose Electrolyte Deficient [CLED] Agar. The organisms were identified with the help of biochemical testing. The most frequently isolated organisms in this study were E. coli and Klebsiella [both 37%], followed by pseudomonas [23], Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter 1% each]

Tuberculosis in a solitary kidney

A case report of acute renal insufficiency due to non-obstructive tuberculous involvement of a solitary kidney in a middle aged lady with restoration of normal renal function upon successful completion of treatment is presented. Possible mechanisms of renal dysfunction are elucidated