Effects of Ramadan fasting on some physiological and biochemical parameters in healthy and hypertensive subjects in Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India

Throughout the world, millions of Muslims fast daily during the month of Ramadan from sunrise [Sahar] until sunset [Iftar]. Considering the impacts of environment on physiological functions, we performed this study in order to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on some blood parameters of healthy volunteers and hypertensive patients. According to the results, there were no significant changes in the weight, heart rate [HR], blood pressure [BP], serum total cholesterol and packed cell volume [PCV] of volunteers before and after fasting [P<0.05]. However, considering hypertensive patients, blood urea significantly increased, while blood pressure [both systolic and diastolic pressures] significantly decreased during the fasting period [P>0.05]. Therefore, it can be concluded that hypertensive patients, while continuing their previous medications, can safely fast during the month of Ramadan

Aerobic vaginal pathogens and their sensitivity pattern

The vaginal flora is a complicated environment, containing dozens of microbiological species in variable quantities and relative proportions. The frequent cause of vaginal discharge is an infection or colonization with different microorganisms. Some pathologic conditions causing vaginitis are well defined yet, 7-72% of women with vaginitis may remain undiagnosed and such forms of abnormal vaginal flora neither considered as normal, nor can be called bacterial vaginosis have been termed as 'intermediate flora' and its management probably differ from that of bacterial vaginosis. It is of crucial importance in pregnant females at risk of preterm delivery. The present study has been conducted especially to elucidate this type of aerobic vaginal isolates and their culture and sensitivity towards currently used antibiotics. This study was conducted at the Microbiology Department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi over a period of two years [April 2004-March 2006]. One thousand, nine hundred and twenty three high vaginal swabs, both from indoor and outdoor patients were collected, cultured and their susceptibility to various antibiotics was determined. Significant growth was obtained in 731 samples. The highest frequency of infection [39.5%] was observed at 31-40 years followed by 41-50 years [35.8%]. About 76% were from outdoor and 24% were from indoor patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent vaginal pathogen at 11-60 yrs and with highest prevalence at 31-40 years followed by 41-50 years. It was a predominant pathogen in both indoor [35%] as well as outdoor [41.6%] patients, followed by enteric gram-negative bacilli and other gram-positive cocci. There were very few antibiotics among the conventionally available aminoglycosides, third generation cephalosporins, penicillin, quinolones, sulfonamides and tetracyclines possessing good sensitivity [>80%] against any one the common aerobic vaginal pathogens. The effective chemotherapeutics agents belong to the groups of carbapenems and beta-lactams beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations. The high prevalence of gynaecological infections demands that the patients with gynaecological symptoms be investigated thoroughly. Culture must invariably be done. Currently the antibiotics showing good sensitivity are very expensive. So there is a need for an effective antimicrobial policy. Effective drug should be reserved for the treatment of serious life threatening situations only

Extended Spectrum beta-Lactamases in enteric gram-negative bacilli: Related to age and gender

Extended Spectrum beta-Lactamases [ESBLs]-producing strains of Enterobacteriaceae have emerged as a major problem in hospitalized as well as community based patients. Infections due to ESBLs-producers range from uncomplicated urinary tract infection to life threatening sepsis. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of ESBLs-producing Gram- negative bacilli among clinical isolates. This descriptive study was conducted at the Microbiology department of Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi over a period of two years [March 2004-April 2006]. Six hundred and nine isolates of Enteric Gram-negative rods from various samples were tested for ESBLs- production by double disc synergy test. In 176 ESBLs-producing isolates, source of samples in term of indoor/outdoor was analyzed. In 165 ESBLs-producing isolates, patients' gender and age was analysed from 3 months to 70 years. The ESBLs-producing isolates were more commonly isolated from indoor patients [88.1%] as compared to outdoor patients [11.9%]. Escherichia coli was found to be most prevalent organism in indoor patients while Klebsiella pneumoniae, was the most prevalent organism in outdoor patients. ESBLs were most commonly isolated from female patients [64.3%] suffering from urinary tract infections [[41.5%], as compared to male patients [35.7%] in which the organisms were most commonly isolated from pus samples [54.2%]. ESBLs-producing Enteric Gram-Negative rods were most frequent at later part of life where they were most common [27.9%] at 61-70 years, followed by 41-50 years of age group [20.0%]. Another peak [13.3%] was also seen at younger age group [11-20 years]. The least prevalence [5.5%] was seen in two age groups [0-10 and 31-40 yrs]. In case of female patients, ESBLs-producing EGNR were most frequently [29.2%] isolated from middle age group [41-50 years] followed by later age groups [51-60 and 61-70 years, [15.1% and 25.5%]. Considering the high prevalence of ESBLs in Enteric Gram-negative rods, it is suggested that all such isolates should be tested for the production of ESBLs in the routine microbiology laboratory

An enzymatic method for the detection of human serum albumin

Albumin is the most abundant protein in human serum. A dye-binding method is commonly used in clinical laboratories for its estimation using different types of dyes. However, all these dye methods were interfered by a variety of compounds. Here we present a method for the detection of albumin in human serum and other biological fluids. The principle is based on the fact that lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme-5 (LDH-5) binds specifically to Dextran-Blue (DB). Albumin inhibits the binding of LDH-5 with DB. Absence of LDH activity in DB fraction after gel filtration indicates the presence of albumin in sample and vice versa.

Lactate metabolism in chronic liver disease

The purpose of this study was to observe lactate metabolism in chronic liver disorders. Seventy four [74] cases were selected on the basis of history, clinical examination and laboratory aids. It was tried to correlate the arterial lactate levels with various hepatic functional reserves according to Child's criteria. It was revealed by this study that patients with chronic liver disorders have progressive hyperlactatemia according to decreasing hepatic functional reserve. Furthermore it is suggested that arterial lactate can be helpful in treating such patients when there are concomitant acid-base disturbances