Antimicrobial and clinical profile of uropathogens isolated at a tertiary care level laboratory

Background: Urinary tract infection is common in all age groups. It is more common in females, immunocompromised patients and those who have been catheterized or had some other invasive procedure of urinary tract. Gram negative and gram positive microorganisms are responsible for UTI. Sensitivity of uropathogens to antimicrobial drugs has changed over the past many years

Objective: The present study was planned to determine the common uropathogens, their antimicrobial sensitivity and clinical profile at a tertiary level health facility

Material and Methods: In this cross sectional study, urine samples of two hundred symptomatic patients were studied and the underlying pathogens were identified by appropriate methods. The present study was conducted from 1st May, 2009 to 31st May, 2012 in Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. This study was conducted from 1st May, 2009 to 31st May, 2012, in Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad. Subsequently their sensitivity to antibiotics was determined by the recommended method. The data was entered and analyzed in SPSS 15

Results: Female patients were more than males. Increased frequency and dysuria were observed in all patients. E.coli was the commonest pathogen identified, followed by Klebsiella, Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas species. E.coli was sensitive to aminoglycosides, carbapenum and quinolones in decreasing order of frequency. Klebseilla and pseudomonas are sensitive to nor floxacin, whereas, Staphylococcus are sensitive to quinolones

Conclusion: E.coli remains the most common uropathogen. Antimicrobial sensitivity of uropathogens showed a changing pattern

Clinical presentations in immune thrombocytopenic purpura

Thrombocytopenia is an important cause of mucocutanaeous bleeding in adult and paediatric patients. Immune thrombocytopenia is one of the common causes of thrombocytopenia. Its clinical presentations vary from patient to patient, not studied in our area previously. The present study was planned to see the frequency of clinical presentations of Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura [ITP] in our patients. This prospective study was conducted on 125 patients with ITP, diagnosed by exclusion of secondary causes of thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow examination was performed on all the patients. Bruising, epistaxis and gum bleeding were the commonest clinical presentations in adults and children. Bleeding was more severe in acute cases. Increased menstrual bleeding was seen in female patients. Bruising, epistaxis and gum bleeding are the commonest clinical presentations of ITP. Our results are not much different from those of the other studies conducted in Pakistan.

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B in outdoor female patients of reproductive age group at Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad

Hepatitis B is inflammation of the liver caused by a Hepatitis B virus, having a parenteral mode of entry and infecting millions of people around the world. The present study was planned to assess the seroprevalence of Hepatitis B in women of reproductive age in Hazara in order to promote disease prevention in the perinatal period by vaccination against Hepatitis B. Women 15-45 years old belonging to Hazara Division were included in this descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted over a period of one year at the Department of Microbiology, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad in collaboration with the Department of Pathology, Ayub Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad from 1[st] March 2006 to 28[th] February 2007. Non-probability convenience sampling was done to select 500 females from those visiting Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad as outdoor patients or accompanying person. History, examination, and serum alanine aminotransferase estimation were followed by the initial screening for Hepatitis B surface Antigen [HBsAg] using immunochromatographic device. Enzyme linked Immunosorbent assay was used to confirm the presence of HBsAg. HBsAg was detected in 3% of the women. History of multiple injections was present in 100%, blood transfusion in 22%, dental procedure in 46% and surgical procedure in 43% of the subjects. Only 1% women had been vaccinated. Seroprevalence of the Hepatitis B is not different from the figures reported by the studies previously conducted on general population in Pakistan. However it is different from those reported for the special groups

Seroprevalence of hepatitis C in pregnant females of hazara division

Hepatitis C Virus [HCV], the causative agent of Hepatitis C is prevalent in different countries including Pakistan. Studies have been conducted on various aspects of HCV in Pakistan. The present study was planed to see the prevalence of hepatitis C in pregnant females of Hazara Division. Five hundred pregnant females of reproductive age group from Hazara Division selected by non probability convenient sampling technique were studied from 1st March 2006 to 28th February 2007 at Ayub Teaching Hospital, and District Headquarter Hospitals Abbottabad, Haripur and Mansehra. After initial serving by immunology technique positive cases were confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Essay [ELISA]. Seroprevalence of HCV in pregnant females of Hazara division was 8.9%. Females aged from 25-35 constituted the largest group among positive cases. HCV was more prevalent in District Abbottabad as compared to the other districts of Hazara division. Seroprevalence of HCV in pregnant females of Hazara Division is different from the figures already reported form the other parts of Pakistan

Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and hepatitis C in health care workers in Abbottabad

Hepatitis B and C viruses [HBV and HCV] are hepatotropic viruses causing viral hepatitis, chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma. Modes of infection are more or less similar. HBV is vaccine preventable while HCV is not. They are prevalent in different parts of the world including Pakistan. The rate of prevalence varies from region to region and among different population segments. The present study was planned to see the prevalence of HBV and HVC among health care workers in various hospitals of Abbottabad. The study was conducted at the District Headquarter Teaching Hospital Abbottabad over a period of one year on 125 health care workers of different categories and either sex. Brief history was taken from each individual and physical examination was performed. Blood samples were taken for HBV and HC serology. Positive sera were confirmed by 3rd generation ELISA. As much as 8% individuals were positive for HBV or HCV. HBV alone was seen in 3 out of 10 [30%] individuals. HCV alone was also found in 3 out of 10 [30%] individuals. HBV and HCV co-infection was seen in 4 out of 10 [40%] individuals. Dental procedures, needle prick and surgical procedures were found the common risk factors. Blood transfusion was known in 2 out of 10 [20%] individuals. Family history of hepatitis was not positive in any individual. Results of the present study differ from those of the previous studies conducted on health care workers in Pakistan