Effect of different factors; interferon alpha plus ribavirin combination therapy

To determine the effect of different factors on the efficacy of treatment in Hepatitis C patients. Descriptive, analytical study. Shalamar hospital Lahore. October 2010 to May 2013. A total of 254 Hepatitis C patients infected with different genotypes of Hepatitis C virus [HCV] were treated with Interferon alpha 2b plus Ribavirin [IFN alpha-2b+RBV] for 6-12 months according to viral genotype. Before starting the treatment, the presence of HCV and its quantity in the patient was done by real-time PCR. HCV Genotyping was done by multiplex PCR. The patients with <40 years of age or had less than 2 million international units per milliliter basic viral load [<2 MIU/ml] showed better end of therapy [EOT] and sustained virological response [SVR] than >/=40 years of age or >/=2 MIU/mL basic viral load. The response of males to Interferon therapy was better than females. The patients infected with HCV genotype 1 or 4 exhibited lower response than those infected with other than 1 or 4 genotype. The affect of other variables like alcohol, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, injection brand change or missing the injection during therapy were also remarkable in the present study. With proper management of the factors mentioned in the present study efficacy of the treatment can be improved

Otomycosis; a clinicomycological study and efficacy of tincture mertheolate in it's treatment

To determine the efficacy of tincture mertheolate in otomycosis. An experimental study. Department of ENT Aliama Iqbal Medical College/ Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. From Dec. 2007 to April 2008. A total of 60 patients of symptomatic otomycosis were investigated prospectively. Aural swabs were collected on first, 7[th] and 14[th] day and examined, by direct microscopy of external auditory canal and culture for fungi. Of these 60 patients found to be having pure fungal infection were taken up for mycological and therapeutic study. Fungi belonging to Aspergiilus were isolated in 57 [95%] patients of which Aspergillus niger was the commonest isolated in 34[56.6%] patients followed by Aspergillus flavus in 21[35%] and Aspergillus fumigates in 2[3.33]. Candida species in 2 [3.3%] and Mucor in 1 [1.6%] of patients. The patients were of all age groups but majority were between 21 and 30 years and the male to female ratio was equal. No patient had fungal infection elsewhere in the body. The patients were called for regular follow-up for three weeks. In 30 cases tincture mertheolate was applied as topical antifungal agent after cleaning the external auditory canal, in 17 patient's clotrimazole and in rest of the 13 patients miconazole was used. On 7[th] day, only 8 [13.3%] patients grew fungi in culture. They became symptom free on 14[th] day and no fungal material could be seen on otoscopy, direct microscopy or culture. Tincture mertheolate was found to be most effective in these patients

Infiltration of bone marrow in solid tumours

In this study a total of 51 patients were selected with established malignant disorders. The frequency of metastatic involvement of the bone marrow was determined by obtaining concurrent bilateral aspiration and biopsy from posterior iliac spine. Routine investigations [hemoglobin, total and differential leucocyte count platelets and ESR] were performed in all cases. Specific investigations included bilateral bone marrow biopsies and trephines. In these tumors, breast, prostate and lung most commonly metastasized to marrow in adults, whereas neuroblastoma was most common in pediatric age group. It is suggested that the aspirate and biopsy were found complementary in the diagnosis of bone marrow metastases