Antibiotic susceptibility and R-olasmid mediated drug resistance in staphylococcus aureus

A total of twenty-eight Staphylococcus aureus strains were isolated from skin lesion samples. Results of antibiotic susceptibility test showed that these twenty-eight Staphylococcus aureus strains were resistant to ampicillin [72%], amoxycillin [72%], penicillin [72%], cotrimoxazole [15%], cloxacillin [50%] tetracycline [11%], cephradine [22%], cephalexine [7%] and nalidixic acid [18%]. To understand whether this drug resistance phenomenon was plasmid mediated or not, plasmids were isolated from a chosen strain of Staphylococcus aureus [S2] and a 23 KB plasmid was obtained. This 23 KB plasmid was then transferred to an antibiotic sensitive E. coli LE 392 and after which the sensitive E. coli LE 392 strain developed drug resistance. Plasmid analysis of the transformed E. coli LE 392 revealed that it contains a 23 KB plasmid corresponding to that of the donor Staphylococcus aureus strain which may harbor the gene[s] encoding multidrug resistance in the donor Staphylococcus aureus

Electrodiagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome

This is a prospective study of 50 patients of suspected neurogneic thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS] who were referred to Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [AFIRM], Rawalpindi. In this article we have presented our 2 years experience [Jul 1998 to Jun 2000] of clinical evaluation and electrophysiological studies of patients between 14 -75 years of age [mean age 39.72]. Nerve conduction studies [NCS] were performed on MS6 system [MEDELEC] and needle electromyography [NEMG] was performed with NEUROPACK electromyography model MEM -7102 K. Final diagnosis made on electrophysiological studies showed 30 cases of TOS, CTS, ulnar tardy syndorme, ulnar compression at canal of Guyon, C8 radiculopathy and normal study. TOS was twice more common in women. It most commonly affected patients in the 3'd and 4"' decade. Most frequent symptoms were pain, paraesthesia and weakness of hand muscles. Roos test was positive in 92% patients. Electrophysiological studies are very useful to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other entrapment neuropathies and decide the mode of treatment in neurogenic TOS