Clinicomycological study in Karachi

To find out frequency of dermatophytosis in Karachi and correlation between clinical types and strain isolated. This prospective study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi from September 2000 to August, 2001.Three hundreds seventy-three patients having skin, hair and nail infection [clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis] were examined. The skin scraping, hair plucking and nail clipping were taken and subjected to direct microscopy and culture on mycobiotic agar [Difco] for isolation of dermatophytes. Various special media were used for species identification. Dermatophytosis was predominantly found among adults 246 [66.8%] population. Most common clinical pattern was of tinea corporis [26.9], followed by tinea cruris [25.8],tinea unguium [19.3], tinea capitis [17.4], tinea pedis [7.9], tinea faciei [4.6] tinea manuum [2.2] and tinea barbae [0.8] respectively. Tinea cruris was significantly found more in males 83 [36.9%] than females 12 [8.4%] [P<0.001]. Species of dermatophytes were recovered from 184 cases, out of which 95 [51.6%] strains of Trichophyton rubrum, 43 [23.4%] strains of Trichophyton violaceum, 25 [13.7%] strains of Epidermophyton floccosum,15 [8.2%] strains of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and 06 [3.2%] strains of Trichophyton tonsurans respectively. Trichophyton rubrum was found to be commonest etiological agent in different clinical types. Dermatophytosis is found to be more common in adult population. Tinea cruris being more common in miles while tinea corporis and tinea unguium relatively common in females Trichophyton rubrum was found to be commonest etiological agent in different clinical types

Patient perception for dentist's attire and hygienic practices

To determine the patient's preferences for the attire, general behavior and hygienic practices of the dentists during treatment and its influence on patient-dentist relationship in Karachi, Pakistan. This cross sectional Study was conducted using a questionnaire comprising of eleven closed ended questions related to perception for attire, behavior and hygienic practices of the dentist during the treatment of the patients. The study was conducted between August to September, 2008. A total of 100 patients participated in the study; ages were between 16 years to 65 years. The questions were asked from the patients by the dental students of a medical college. Demographic data were obtained together with the details to know the perception of the patients visiting for their treatment to the dental surgeons in different hospitals and private clinics of various towns of Karachi. Some degree of privacy was attempted while administering the questionnaire. Male subjects were interviewed by the male students, while female participants were interviewed by the female students. The data was entered and analyzed through SPSS Version 13.0. Patients showed significant preferences towards dentists with formal dress code, covered hair, use of perfume, use of hand gestures only to explain important points, wearing white coat, identity badge, mask and eyewear. Nobody liked the dentist not using eyewear and mask. It was also observed that 63% of the patients were of the opinion to have their surgeons to adopt sterilization of the equipments before going for the dental procedures. With regards to the general outlook for male dentist; significant preference was observed for clean shave. Eighty eight percent of the patients showed their liking towards friendly expressions of the dentists to improve their confidence in seeking the treatment from them Patients prefer the dentists with professional image, formal attire and short hair. The use of white coat, identity badge, mask, protective eyewear, perfume, and appropriate hand gestures and most importantly the friendly expression of the dentist were highly favored by the patients. The educated patients required their surgeons to adopt sterilization of the equipments before going for the dental procedures. Less educated people were not aware of the importance of sterilization of instruments. A greater sense of awareness regarding sterilization needs to be created even in the less educated people to avoid serious infections like hepatitis

evaluation of etiologic factors for root canal therapy

To determine the etiological factors for root canal therapy in 400 patients visiting the out patient department [OPD] of Karachi Medical and Dental College. It was an analytical, descriptive and cross sectional study. Information about the etiologic factors of root canal therapy was collected from around 400 patients at the dental out patient department Karachi Medical and Dental College through specially designed forms by trained investigators posted in the department. The results showed that irreversible pulpitis [3 8%] as being the predominant cause for root canal therapy followed by necrotic pulp [33.5%], trauma [16%] and failed RCT [8%]. Reasons for root canal failure comprised of short obturation [71.8%], over-obturation [15.6%] and others [12.5%] the most commonly exposed teeth were mandibuIar first molars [32%%]. Irreversible pulpitis was the most common cause for initial root canal treatment, while short obturation was found to be the predominant reason for failed root canal treatment