Molecular Detection of Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium parvum in Different Water Sources of District Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Province of Pakistan.

Background: Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia are intestinal parasites that predominantly causes "waterborne" infections that are transmitted through consumption of contaminated water. Both parasites typically cause an acute short-term infections with selflimiting diarrhea as the main symptom in people with intact immune systems. However, in immunocompromised individuals, the symptoms are particularly severe and might be fatal. Methods: The study was carried out in District Bannu Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan for the detection of G. lamblia and C. parvum parasites in drinking water in different villages/localities (Kakki, Jamon Road, Kotka Juma Khan, Sokari, Mandan and Bannu City). Water samples n=75 were collected from different water sources between 1st August 2011 to 30th January 2012. These samples included tap, pond, borewell and hand pump water that were filtrated and residue was subjected to amplify by PCR. Results: Overall prevalence of parasites was 36% (25/75), containing tap 17.64% (9/51) and pond water 75% (6/8), bore well water 41.66% (5/12) and hand pump water 50% (2/4). Similarly over all prevalence rate of tap water for C. parvum was 7.84% (4/51) while for G. lamblia was 9.80% (5/51) positive. The present study revealed that the people of the area should use the cleaned and filtered water. Conclusion: Contamination of water with G. lamblia and C. parvum was found in water sources especially the drinking ones, of District Bannu which need proper water treatment to decontaminate and large scale studies are needed.

Oral health status among partially dental patients - a study

The objective of this study was to determine the oral health status of partially dentate patients reporting to the Department of Prosthodontics, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. One hundred and fifty patients were included in the study. The data were collected on special designed proforma. Mouth mirror, dental explorer, periodontal probe, radiograph was used for oral health status assessment. Eighty-six were males [57.33%] and 64 were females [42.67%]. Their ages ranged from 14 to 70 years. Caries, gingivitis, periodontitis and number of missing teeth were more prevalent in illiterate and primary level partially dentate patients. Oral health was worse in medically compromised patients. All diabetic patients had some degree of periodontitis. Caries, periodontal diseases and tooth loss were more prevalent in medically compromised and illiterate partially dentate patients