Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnant women

To study the prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria [ASB] in pregnant women of local population in Karachi. Prospective, hospital based conducted during September 2001-March 2002. Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center Karachi. Group A [study group] consisted of 290 pregnant women attending the OPD of Gynaecology and Obstetrics units for antenatal check up and Group B [control] consisted of 70 nonpregnant women of fertile age. Midstream urine was collected and aerobically incubated at 37°C on CLED agar. Growth of >1x10[5] CFU/mL was taken as significant bacteriuria. Gram-negative bacteria were identified by API 20-E and gram-positive by standard routine methods. The two groups were age matched [P value>0.05]. Prevalence of asymptomatic bacteriuria was 6.2% [18/290] in the study group and 2.85%[2/70] in control group. E. coli was the common uropathogen in both groups and Staph. saprophyticus the second common only in-group A. Prevalence of ASB remained statistically the same in pregnant and nonpregnant women [P value >0.05] by X[2] application. Prevalence of ASB before pregnancy continues during pregnancy, if not treated. Uropathogens remain the same. All pregnant women should be screened for ASB by culture

Relative frequency of hepatitis B and C viruses in patients with hepatic cirrhosis at DHQ teaching hospital D. I. Khan

Background: Hepatic cirrhosis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is generally considered irreversible and premalignant condition. However reversibility of the disease has been demonstrated in some cases after removal of the cause. There are various causes leading to cirrhosis but viral cause is the most common cause worldwide. In developing countries its prevalence i$ more where poor knowledge about viral infections is the main cause of spread. Mode of spread and sequel of Hepatitis B Virus [HBV] and Hepatitis C Virus [HCV] are almost similar. The present study was designed to know the relative frequency of both viruses in patients with cirrhosis

Method: This study was conducted in the Medical unit of District Teaching Hospital of Dera Ismail Khan, from the first of May to 30[th] November 2002. Cirrhotic patients were admitted to Medical ward and necessary investigations were done on blood specimen for HBV and HCV. Immunoassay chromatographic technique one-step device [ACON Laboratories, USA] was applied for its viral screening. At the end 60 cirrhotic patients were analyzed for findings and comparison with other studies

Results: Out of 60 patients, 28 [46.67%] were found infected with HBV, 8[13.33%] with HCV, 24 [40%] with no markers of either two viruses. One case [0.16%] was found positive for both viruses

Conclusion: Cirrhosis liver due to HBV is more common than HCV in this region. Males are affected more than females