Prevalence of pharyngitis and tonsilitis among children

Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are very common medical problems especially among the children. Tonsillitis affects mostly children between the age of 3-5 years because this is when their tonsils are in their most active stage, fighting infectious. When the child grown older, the tonsils will shrink and infection will become less common. Tonsillopharyngitis is one of the most common infections worldwide especially in children and young adults. Viruses are often involved in children younger than 5 years of age and a bacterial etiology is more usual after this age. Cross Sectional Study. This study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from Dec. 2008 to June 2009. A total of 300 subjects [250 suspected children and 50 healthy children as control] of age /= 5-8 years, it was 13 [13.7%], among the age of 9-12 years it was 6 [6.2%] and among the age group of 13-15 years it was 5 [8.6%]. Distribution of tonsillitis and pharyngitis among 166 male children, 4 [2.4%] were positive for tonsillitis, while 11 [6.6%] were positive for pharyngitis, while in female children, which 84 in total, 3 [3.65] were positive for tonsillitis and 6 [7.1%] were positive for pharyngitis. Group A beta hemolytic Streptococcal infection of throat constitute one of the major public health problems due to its post infectious complications. The data obtained provides information about the commonly prevalent bacteriological agent in pharyngitis and tonsillitis. Furthermore, it helps to outline the strategy towards appropriate therapy. It has also been concluded from this study that pharyngitis is more prevalent than tonsillitis

Incidence of liver cirrhosis in infancy and childhood

Cirrohsis is the end result of chronic liver disease caused by the different pathological factors including congenital malformation, inflammation [hepatitis] and metabolic /storage disorders, leading to liver cell damage. To determine the incidence of liver cirrhosis and childhood with chronic hepatitis, we studied 41 biopsies of children for the presence of cirrhosis. To provide an overview of current childhood statistics of hepatitis and liver cirrhosis to facilitate analysis of the impact of past research discoveries on outcome and provide essential information for prioritizing future research directions. Retrospective study. This study was conducted at the Department of Basic Medical Sciences Institute, JPMC, Karachi from Jan.2000 to Dec. 2007. Slides/ paraffin blocks of liver biopsies from patients under 15 years of age. The cases were of two categories i.e. retrospective and prospective. The distribution of 41 cases of hepatitis was according to Age and Sex. Total 22 [53.7%] cases were encountered in the youngest of 0-5 years age group, 13 [13.7%] cases in 6-10 years and only 6 [14.6%] cases in 11-15 years age group. The distribution of 41 cases of cirrhosis of liver, according to age and sex. The maximum 22 [53.7%] youngest case in 0-5 years, 13 [31.7%] cases in 6-10 years and 6 [14.6%] cases were found in 11-15 year age group. It is observed that the tendency of liver inflammation was decreased with increasing age and sexual differentiation shows male predominance with male to female ratio of 2.4:1. Liver cirrhosis discovered with increasing age in children. It is found to be a common cause for enlargement of liver with associated hepatitis and chronic liver diseases in infants and children. It can lead to higher risks of acute or chronic responses in adulthood and will require new treatment paradigms building on an increased understanding of the molecular processes for infancy and childhood liver cirrhosis

Frequency of streptococcus pneumoniae, haemophilus influenzae and moraxella catarrhalis causing lower respiratory tract infection in local population

To see the frequency of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis causing lower respiratory tract infection and sensitivity pattern of the isolated organisms to various antibiotics. Experimental Study. This study was conducted at the Dept. of Microbiology Basic Medical Sciences Institute, JPMC, Karachi, from January 2001 to September 2001. A total of one hundred clinically suspected cases of lower respiratory tract infections attending OPD or admitted to the wards of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre [JPMC] and Civil Hospital, Karachi were included in the study. Out of 100 cases 53% cases were positive for bacterial pathogens. Of the positive cases. S. pneumonae was 35.9%, H.influenzae 30.2% and other bacteria were 34.9%, in rest of the cases no bacterial pathogen was isolated. Age range in this study was 15-90 years and mean age was 38 years. Smokers have higher frequency i.e., 65.5% as compared to non-smokers in which 47.9% cases were positive for bacterial pathogens. Higher the number of pus cells /HPF [high power field] in sputum greater was the positivity of bacterial pathogen. Sensitivity pattern to antibiotics of different organisms was also seen in this study. The goal of the study was to see the behavior of the frequent organisms on the culture and to see the antibiotic sensitivity of lower respiratory tract specimen for the treatment. It requires increased number of patients with more advanced testing system

Role of rapid antigen detection test [RADT] and throat culture in the diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis

To observe the sensitivity and specificity of the rapid antigen detection test and throat culture in the diagnosis of pharyngo tonsillitis. An Experimental study. This study was conducted in microbiology department, basic medical sciences institute, Jinnah post graduate medical centre, National institute of child health, and civil hospital Karachi, from May 2003- April 2004. A total of 300 children attending OPD's and admitted [250 suspected and 50 Normal as control cases] of age group 5-15 years were included in this study and this age group was again divided into three sub groups I.e: first group from 5-8 years, second groups was from 9-12 years, and the third group was from 13- 15 years. Rapid antigen test carried out was based on immuno- chromato graphic membrane assay procedure, a total of 24 positive antigen detection test from suspected 250 cases and 5 from 50 control cases were isolated and these isolated [RADT positive] cases were again confirmed by throat culture. The Bacitracin sensitivity and catalase tests were also performed. The Rapid antigen detection test [RADT] is a rapid way of diagnosing the group A, Beta hemolytic streptococci, result can be obtained within 5-10 minutes so the treatment may be started accordingly, while the throat culture is still considered as the Gold standard for the diagnosis of group A beta hemolytic streptococcal pharyngotonsillitis. The positive as well as negative RADT cases were confirmed by the culture

Significance of gram's stain in the diagnosis and management of lower respiratory tract infections

Respiratory tract infections are one of the leading causes of ill health worldwide. For the diagnosis of LRTI, expectorated sputum is the most commonly used specimen. To establish the importance and relationship of Gram's staining and positivity of sputum culture in lower respiratory tract infections. Experimental study. This study was carried out in the Dept. of Microbiology Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, from January 2001 to September 2001. Sputum sample of one hundred clinically suspected cases of lower respiratory tract infections attending OPD or admitted in the wards were included in the study. Early morning sputum samples were collected in sterile container. Gram's staining culture and sensitivity were carried out according to the standard methods. It was very interesting to note that a direct relationship exists between Gram's staining and positivity of culture. Number of pus cells seen per HPF was directly proportional to the isolated bacterial pathogen. <15 pus cells/ HPF had 13.2% cases positive for bacterial pathogen. Pus cells 15- 20/HPF had 54.5% cases positive for bacterial pathogen and specimens in which there were >20 pus cells/ HPF, 90% cases were positive for bacterial pathogens. Gram's staining is a simple and cost effective method that could provide a basis for culture positivity of the specimen. Higher the number of pus cells in sputum sample greater was the culture positivity. Based on Grams staining results it would be possible to start empiric therapy and alter the therapy after the sensitivity of isolates if needed

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Karachi

Cutaneous leishmaniasis [CL] is an infection caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania, which is endemic in various parts of Sindh and Baloachistan and is widely spreading day by day. To know the frequency of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the dermatology OPD and ward of JPMC, Hospital, Karachi. These patients were sent to microbiology Department, Basic Medical Centre, Karachi, for observing Amastigotes [LD Bodies] by microscopy to diagnose the cases. Experimental study. This study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology at BMSI, JPMC, Karachi, from November 2003 to April 2004. The suspected cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on clinical ground were sent by the dermatology OPD and ward of JPMC, Hospital, wounds were cleaned by the alcohol [spirit] swab. The smear prepared from the skin ulcer tissues were stained Field Stain A and B for microscopy for confirm the diagnosis by detecting Amastigotes [LD Bodies]. The total of 67 suspected patients with skin lesions were examined and 42 were found to be suffering from CL, on the basis of observing Amastigotes [LD Bodies] by microscopy. Their ages ranges from 2 years to 58 years. Among these cases 29 [69.04%] were males and 13 [30.96%] were females. Multiples lesions were seen in 16 [38.10%] cases only. Size of lesion varies from 1-10cms. Body distribution were 16 [38.10%] on upper limbs, 13 [30.95%] on lower limbs, followed by 2 [4.76%] head, 3 [7.15%] neck, 4 [9.53] face and 2 [4.765] nose, 1[2.38%] trunk and abdomen 1 [2.38%]. Morphological patterns seen were crusted plaques, non-healing ulcers, erythematous infiltrated nodules and papules. From above morphological forms 25 [59.14%] were wet type of lesions and 17 [42.86%] were dry type of lesions Majority of the cases were from the rural area 32 [76.19%] as compared to 10 [23.81%] urban area of the city. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic and increasing in Karachi and its surrounding area

role of vitamin 'C' on the thickness of the epidermis after x-irradiation of the guinea pigs a morphological study under light microscope

To study the role of vitamin 'C' on X-irradiated epidermis of Guinea pigs under light microscope. A prospective experimental study. This study was conducted at the Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi 2008 to 2009. Twenty seven animals were taken and were divided in to three groups. Each group was further subdivided into three subgroups containing three animals each according to the time of sacrifice i.e. 48 hours, 15[th] day and 45[th] day respectively. A single whole body x-irradiation in a dose of 5 Gy was given. Group C animals were also given injection of vitamin-C intraperitoneally in the dose of 1mg/G/day. Animals were sacrificed under ether anaesthesia after completion of their respective periods. Tissues were processed and 4-5 micron thick paraffin embedded sections were cut and stained with Hematoxylin and eosin. Decrease in epidermal thickness was observed in Group B1 animals. Which is highly significant [P <0.001] when compared to control. Results of animals of Group B2, and B3 were non significant [P>0.05] when compared to control. Non significant results were obtained when Group C was compared to control group. X-irradiation damages the epidermis and vitamin 'C' minimizes the damaging effects

Prevalence of hepatitis in neonates and children in Karachi

Inflammation of liver is known as "hepatitis" is commonly found in infant as neonatal hepatitis and in children as acute and chronic hepatitis. Neonatal hepatitis is a general term for inflammation of the liver that occurs shortly after birth in newborns [less than 3 months of age] for which a specific cause cannot be identified. To provide an overview of current childhood statistics of hepatitis and jaundice to facilitate analysis of the impact of past research discoveries on outcome and provide essential information for prioritizing future research directions. Experimental Study. This study was conducted at the Department of Histopathology, BMSI, JPMC, Karachi from May 2004 to March 2005. Slides / paraffin blocks of liver biopsies from patients under 15 years of age. The cases were of two categories i.e. retrospective and prospective. The distribution of 480 cases of hepatitis was according to Age and Sex. Total 200 [41.7%] cases were encountered in the youngest of 0-5 years age group, 180 [37.5%] cases in 6-10 years and only 100 [20.8%] cases in 11-15 age group. The distribution of 24 cases of hepatitis was according to Age and Sex. Total 200 [41.7%] cases were encountered in the youngest of 0-5 years age group, 180 [37.5%] cases in 6-10 and only 100 [20.8%] cases in 11-15 age group. It is observed that the tendency of liver inflammation was decreased with increase in age and sexual differentiation showing male predominance with male to female ratio of 2:1. The inflammation of liver /hepatitis in young children, can be caused by infectious, metabolic, and genetic disorders. Physiological jaundice or neonatal hepatitis is mostly reported in male population than females, in children. In Karachi this is found that neonatal jaundice can be recovered with the growing age and it is found to be a common cause for enlargement of liver and associated liver diseases in infants and children that can lead to higher risks of acute or chronic liver diseases in adulthood

Etiological aspects of penicillin-failure in the treatment of tonsillitis and pharyngitis caused by group A, beta-hemolytic streptococci [GABHS]

To observe and study the cause of penicillin-failure and to see the therapeutic effects of other drugs and find out more effective and better remedy. A Retrospective study. This study was conducted in Microbiology Department, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, National institute of Child Health from April 2004 - June 2005. A total of 300 children attending OPD's and admitted [250 suspected and 50 Normal as control cases] of age group 5 - 15 years were included in this study. Drug sensitivity pattern of streptococcus pyogenes isolated in infected and control children was observed. Antibiotic discs used were Penicillin [10] units and Erythromycin [15 micrograms]. The organism isolated GABHS shows 100% sensitivity to penicillin, while in case of erythromycin, it was sensitive in 24[85.7%] infected cases and resistant to 4[14.3%] cases. Pharyngotonsillitis is a disease of poor community, the therapy with penicillin is economical compared with Cephalosporin group. Penicillin therapy is helpful in preventing the supporative and n supporative complications caused by GABHs