Isolation and identification of pathogenic bacterial species from public hospital patients at Zakho and Duhok cities

Aims@#This study aimed to isolate and identify different types of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria from patients admitted to the general hospital of Duhok and Zakho cities. Isolates were identified based on standard microbiological and biochemical methods of bacterial identification.@*Methodology and results@#In total, 2922 urine, throat swab and sputum samples (1941 females and 981 males) were collected and investigated. The findings indicated that Staphylococcus pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus were prevalent among pathogens isolated from patients admitted to the general hospital of Zakho and Duhok cities, respectively. At Zakho hospital, the analysis of samples revealed that the rate of Streptococcus pneumonia isolation in urine samples was 15.83% for males and 22.92% for females. Regarding throat swabs, the rate was 5.43% for males and 4.87% for females. In terms of sputum, the rate of S. aureus isolation was 3.78% for males and 4.10% for females. On the other hand, in Duhok City, the results showed that the isolation rate of S. aureus was 20.25%, 3.58% and 4.83% in males for urine, sputum and throat swabs, respectively. The isolation rate of S. aureus 19.23%, 3.58% and 4.92% in females for urine, sputum and throat swabs, respectively. Moreover, the study highlighted the resistance of selected bacteria to different antibiotics, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being the most resistant and Escherichia coli being the most sensitive. @*Conclusion, significance and impact of study @#The study highlights the prevalence of S. pneumonia and S. aureus in Zakho and Duhok cities. Gender-based differences were observed in the S. pneumonia rates in urine samples of patients from Zakho hospital. The findings of this study revealed antibiotic resistance in bacterial isolates, with P. aeruginosa being the most resistant and E. coli was the most sensitive. These findings can assist in forming more effective management strategies for patients with bacterial infections.

Pattern of addiction and its relapse among habitual drug abusers in Lahore, Pakistan

This study assessed the pattern of drug abuse and the reasons for relapse of addiction among male drug addicts seeking rehabilitative services in different centres in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on male drug abusers from April to December 2016. Nonprobability purposive sampling was done to collect a sample of 119 participants. A structured questionnaire and in-depth interviews were used for data collection. Out of 119 participants, 71.4% were in the age group 15-35 years. Educational levels were low in the majority, with 68.1% below secondary education. Unmarried [51.3%] and unemployed [44.5%] participants were at the greatest risk of using drugs. The age of addiction in 45% of patients was 5 years. Reasons for starting drug abuse were recreation [37%], curiosity [34.5%], and life-changing events [14.3%]. Reasons for relapse included association with former addicts, negative reactions from family, inability to manage the craving and work/social stress