Prevalence of hepatitis b virus in the employees of university of agriculture, Peshawar

Objectives: To detect the presence of Hepatitis B virus [HBV] in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar

Method: Two hundred employees [180 males and 20 females] of the University were selected on the given criteria. Blood samples were collected and serum was separated by centrifuging the samples at 5,000 rpm for 8 minutes. The sera were transferred to eppendorf tubes and stored at -20°C. Samples were initially screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen [HBsAg] by Immuno Chromatographic Test [ICT]. All the serum samples were used for HBV DNA extraction and subsequent two steps Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] assay developed at the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering [IBGE] for the confirmation of active infection of HBV. PCR products were detected on 2% Agarose gel pre-stained with Ethedium Bromide

Results: Results of ICT indicated that 6 [3%] were anti HBsAg hepatitis positive, of which 5 [2.5%] were males and 1 [0.5%] was female. The PCR results confirmed that 4 [2%] were actively infected, of which 3 [1.5%] were male and 1 [0.5%] was female. The results indicated that infection with HBV was more in male than female and was more in the age group of 25-35 years

Conclusion: The infection with HBV in the employees of the University of Agriculture, Peshawar was 3% as determined by ICT method and 2%. It was more in male than female and was more in younger age than older age. Screening and vaccination of the employees is recommended

Socio-demographic risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus

The objective of the study was to report the socio demographic risk factors of gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. This study was conducted in the Institute of Chemical Sciences, University of Peshawar. In this study 103 GDM and 97 healthy pregnant women [HPW] were registered in Khyber Teaching Hospital [KTH], Peshawar, Pakistan. Women with gestational diabetes were diagnosed with 75mg Oral Glucose Tolerance Test [OGTT]. Data was collected through questionnaire which had information about sociodemographic risk factors. Maternal age, BMI and parity of GDM were significantly higher at P < 0.05 as compared to HPW. Previous history of gestational diabetes and family history of diabetes of GDM women were also significantly higher at P < 0.001 as compared the control group. Socioecnomic status, education level and occupations of GDM and HPW were not significantly different. Maternal age, BMI, parity, previous history of gestational diabetes and family history of diabetes are the high risk factors of GDM. Socioeconomic status does not affect the prevalence of GDM

Effect of gestational diabetes on blood sugar, liver and renal function tests

Type 2 diabetes adversely affects the liver and kidney function tests. This study was conducted to determine that either the liver and kidney functions are disturbed in the patients having gestational diabetes mellitus [GDM]. One hundred and three women with GDM, and 97 healthy pregnant women [HPW] in their third trimester were registered in the Obs/Gyn Unit of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar in the time period Apr-Sep 2012. Blood sugar level, glycosylated haemoglobin status HbA1c, haemoglobin concentration, platelet count, liver function tests including alanine amino transferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin, renal function tests including urea and creatinine were determined. Blood glucose level and HbA1c of GDM was significantly higher [p<0.001] than HPW. Fasting and random blood glucose and HbA1c of GDM and HPW were 110.90 +/- 9.10 vs 84.68 +/- 7.01 mg/dl, 148.53 +/- 7.21 vs 124.42 +/- 9.46 mg/dl and 6.49 +/- 1.20 vs 4.99 +/- 0.55 respectively. Haemoglobin percentage, platelet count, ALT, ALP, serum bilirubin and urea were not significantly different among the two groups. However, mean serum creatinine [0.82 +/- 0.32 mg/dl] in GDM was significantly higher [p<0.05] than in HPW [0.74 +/- 0.15 mg/dl]. In gestational diabetes the LFTs may not be disturbed, however serum creatinine value is increased.