Frequency and antibiogram of isolates from surgical units of a tertiary care hospital in Quetta

Objective: To determine the frequency and antibiogram of the isolates from infected patients in surgical units of a tertiary care hospital

Study Design: Cross-sectional, descriptive study

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Combined Military Hospital, Quetta, from March to October 2015

Methodology: Clinical samples from the surgical units received in Department of Microbiology for culture and sensitivity were analyzed by Gram stain, culture and biochemical tests for identification of the isolates; and the antibiotic susceptibility was determined by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Data was analyzed by Statistical Package for Social Sciences [SPSS] version 19

Results: The commonest isolate was Acinetobacter baumannii [22%] followed by Escherichia coli [20%], Pseudomonas spp. [15%] and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] [11%]. Acinetobacter baumannii showed highest susceptibility to doxycycline [41%], Enterobacteriaceae to meropenem [96%], Pseudomonas spp. to polymyxin-B [100%] and Gram positive bacteria to linezolid [100%]. Seventy-two percent of the isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant

Conclusion: There was a high infection rate in surgical patients with Acinetobacter baumannii, Eschericia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and MRSA being the commonest isolates. Acinetobacter baumannii showed highest susceptibility to doxycycline, Enetrobacteriaceae to meropenem, Pseudomonas spp. to polymyxin-B and Gram positive bacteria to linezolid

Coronary heart disease risk factors in male-type androgenetic alopecia

Hyperandrogenaemia and androgenetic alopecia has some association with increased risk of coronary heart disease. Conflicting data has since been reported with regards to levels of biochemical markers of coronary heart disease risk factors in androgenetic alopecia. A case control study was planned to evaluate biochemical markers of coronary heart disease in hyperandrogenaemia of males and androgenetic alopecia. Patients of androgenetic alopecia [n=22] were men with fronto-occipital baldness, aged 20-30 years. Healthy controls [n=20] were age-matched males without alopecia. The individuals with clinical evidence of any systemic or localised scalp disease were excluded. Levels of fibrinogen, glucose, Insulin, uric acid, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol were measured. The levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, insulin, glucose, and uric acid in patients of androgenetic alopecia when compared with normal controls were raised significantly. Fibrinogen levels were raised while HDL-Cholesterol was lower in patients than controls but the difference was not significant statistically. The results support the hypothesis that androgenetic alopecia in males is associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease