Prevalence and susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing respiratory tract infections in North Waziristan, Pakistan

Respiratory tract infections [RTIs] are the most common infectious diseases in humans and are the major cause of mortality and morbidity in Pakistan. These infections are the leading causes of consultations in primary care in Pakistan. Therefore, this study was aimed at determining bacterial pathogens of respiratory tract infections and the susceptibility patterns of bacterial isolates to antibiotics. The study was conducted between February, 2013 and March, 2014 in North Waziristan region of Pakistan. Sputum specimens were collected aseptically from 227 patients and cultured on the appropriate bacteriological media. Bacterial isolates were identified by biochemical tests and their antibiotics susceptibility patterns were determined by standard methods. Out of 227, various species of bacteria were isolated from 152 [75%] specimens. The prevalence of bacteria species isolated were as follows Pseudomonas aeruginosa [42.8%], Streptococcus pneumoniae [26.7%], Corynebacterium diphtheria [10.6%], Staphylococcus aureus [5.9%], Proteus vulgaris [4.6%], Micrococcus species [3.3%], Klebsiella pneumoniae [2.6%] and Bacillus species [2.6%]. The susceptibility patterns varied among bacterial species depending on the antibiotics. For the susceptibility test 11 commercially available antibiotics against bacterial isolates were used. The results revealed that generally the bacterial isolates were susceptible to gentamicin [80.9%], meropenem [75%], ceftazidime [62.5%], cefotaxime [57.9%] and ceftriazone [57.9%] and resistant to penicillin [84.9%] and doxycycline [78.9%]. The antibiotics gentamicin [100%] meropenem [100%], ceftriaxone [58.5%], ciprofloxacin [60%] trimethoprim [60%], ceftazidime [66.2%] and cefotaxime [64.6%] were observed effective against the P. aeruginosa isolates. The findings of our study provide significant information for empiric therapy of patients with RTIs in North Waziristan region of Pakistan

Effect of toothpaste in reducing dentine hypersensitivity

The present study was conducted at Khyber College of Dentistry during the year 2014 with the aim to investigate dentine hypersensitivity [DH], one of an unpleasant condition experienced by young to middle age people which restricts the daily drinking/eating habits of patients. For this purpose fifty patients [25 male, 25 female] were randomly selected and examined for sensitivity. The patients were divided in to 2 groups i.e. treatment [Sensodyne Rapid action tooth paste] and control [Colgate total care tooth paste]. The patients were given blast of air for 10 seconds and tooth sensitivity was evaluated by Visual analogue scale. Statistical analysis of the data revealed that all of the subject patients had DH due to periodontal problem/attachment loss. Results indicated that regular use of desensitizing tooth paste drastically reduced dentine hypersensitivity when compared to the daily use tooth paste [control]

Severity of periodontal disease - a study

Current study was done to assess the severity of gingivitis and periodontitis in adult patients who were examined at the Department ofPeriodontology, Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar. It was conducted from September 2013 to November 2013. Six hundred patients were examined. All willing adult patients were included in the study and those who refused to give consent, edentulous patients, pregnant females, and patients with a recent history of cardiovascular disease or any other systemic disease were excluded. A printed self designed questionnaire containing demographic data and information regarding oral hygiene habits was completed by a single operator. CPITN probe was used to carry out periodontal screening. Mouth was divided into six sextants and each tooth was examined at six different sites and highest score was recorded. Codes 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 were used as scoring criteria denoting good oral hygeine, bleeding on probing, presence of dental calculus, pocket depths measuring 3.5-5.5mm and pocket depths of more than 6mm respectively. Among the 600 subjects examined, mean age of respondents was 32.6 years. There were 324 [54%] males and 276 [46%] females in the study. Pocket depth of 3.5-5.5mm was observed in 264 [44%] patients and 54 [9%] patients had a pocket depth of 6 mm or more. Among the subjects 312 [52%] were illiterate. Those who belonged to urban areas were 342 [57%] where as 258 [43%] were from rural areas

Antifungal activity of denture cleansers: a comparative study

The objective of current study was to compare the efficacy of denture cleansers and to find out the most efficacious denture cleanser against Candida. This randomized control trial study with sample size eighty was conducted at Prosthodontic Department de,Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore, Microbiological test were performed at PGMI Lahore from Febuary 2003 to October 2003. Patients who were regularly wearing their dentures without any occlusal disharmony for more than six months were included. Group A, B, C, and D of dentures were used to determine the effect of'Sno Wite [4% sodium hypochlorite], [Klinzar] [effervescent tablet of sodium metaborate], [Lacer Chlorhexidine] [0.12% Chlorhexidine], and plain water [control] respectively on Candida. Sabouraud's dextrose agar [Laboratorios Britania S.A. Los Patos, Argentina] was used as a culture medium. Germ tube test was performed to identify Candida albicans. Where sodium hypochlorite was added Candida CPUs were found in non of the cases, no gram negative rods or gram positive streptococci were seen. With sodium metaborate only in one case of Candida CPUs [5%] were detected, with chlorhexidine also in one case of CPUs [5%] were detected. While with distilled water as a control group 13 cases with Candida [65%] has been detected. It was concluded that denture cleansers are more effective than the plain water [control] and sodium hypochloride is more effective denture cleaners as compared to sodium metaborate and 0.12% chlorhexidine

Effect of obesity on periodontal disease

The present study investigates the effect of obesity on periodontal diseases. For this purpose a sample of 80 subjects [20-50 years age] was collected at the Department of Periodontology, Khyber College of Dentistry [KCD] during July 2015 to September 2015. The periodontal examination consisted of Pocket probing depth [PPD], Clinical attachment level [CAL]. Body mass index [BMI] and Waist Circumference [WC] were used as obesity indicators. The data indicated significant relation of BMI and WC with CAL in obese group as compared to non-obese .The results also suggested that the overall and abdominal obesity were associated with extent of periodontal disease in sample of patients studied

Study of tooth wear in canine guidance versus group function occlusion

The objective of this study was to determine tooth wear in canine guidance and group function occlusion in both genders. A cross sectional descriptive study with sample size of 84 having 42 in each gender was conducted at OPD of Sardar Begum Dental College Peshawar from February 2013 to March 2014. Patients of both genders having all permanent teeth present except third molar were included in the study. Patient's age, gender and occlusion type [canine guidance or group function] were recorded. All posterior teeth wear were graded according to Eccles and Jenkins index. Mean age of patients was 23.9 +/- 3.27 years. Twenty seven [32.1%] patients were reported with no wear and 57[67.9%] were observed with tooth wear. Patients having canine guidance occlusion were 53[63.1%] and group function were observed in 31[36.9%]. Tooth wear in group function was reported in 53% and 15% in canine guidance. Canine guided occlusion was common in both males and females as compared to group function. This study revealed that group function occlusion is more prone to tooth wear and the observed population has more frequency of canine guidance occlusion

Status of postgraduate training and continuing medical education of family physicians in Pakistan

The study aimed to find out the status of postgraduate training and continuing medical education [CME] of family physicians of Pakistan. It was a 10 months postal survey between November 2009 and September 2010. Postal questionnaires were sent to randomly selected 1200 family physicians. The data was analyzed using SPSS v-17. The response rate of survey was 24%. The number of family physicians receiving any kind of post graduate training was 104 [36%] while 184 [64%] had no postgraduate training at all. Medicine was the most common subject in postgraduate training [N=19, 18% of 104]. The number of family physicians holding any degree was 87 [30%]. Mean weekly time spent on self education was 6.5 hours with a range of 1 to 10 hours. Most of family physicians are practicing without training and mostly update their knowledge from books and use of online CME is low

Continuing medical education as a tool for postgraduate qualification for family physicians

To find the effectiveness of Continuing Medical Education [CME] program as a tool for professional development by comparing the passing rates of those doctors who participated in CME course with those who did not take the CME program. Doctors who appeared in Membership of Royal College of General Practitioners [MRCGP] exam in 2007 and 2008 from Lahore Examination Center were included in the study. Their data was compiled from copies of their registration forms and results announced by Royal College of General Practitioners, UK. A total of 145 Family Physicians appeared in MRCGP Exam in 2007 and 2008. One hundred fourteen [78%] were members of CME and 31 [22%] were not. Twenty eight were successful in final part 2 of MRCGP Exam, out of which 27 [96% of 28] were CME members and one [6%] were non members. Continuing Medical Education programs can also be used to prepare practicing Family Physicians for postgraduate exam

review of classification systems for cleft lip and palate patients-I. morphological classifications

Clinicians should know classifications of cleft lip and palate as grading the severity of condition will help in communication, diagnosis and treatment planning. Each classification. System has some deficiencies and sonic advantages over others. Some classification systems are simple while others are complicated incorporating more information regarding the anomaly. Some systems are descriptive while others have graphic representation. Systems with graphic representation have been explained with examples. Classification systems for cleft lip and palate can be further classified into two groups i.e.; Morphological classifications and Embryological. classifications. This paper looks at the morphological classifications of cleft lip and palate while the second article will look at the embryological classifications. Occurrence of cleft lip and palate features are different in different regions of the world. So, a clinician should adopt time classification system which best suits and covers all the necessary features of diagnostic and therapeutic interest

study of tooth loss pattern and treatment in partially dentate patients

The objective of this study was to find out the pattern of tooth loss and type of treatment provided to partially dentate patients. This cross sectional study was carried out on partially dent ate patients. Patients were interviewed and examined intra-orally according to pro forma specifically designed to collect information regarding patients' age, sex, type of saddle area, type of missing teeth, and treatment to be provided. The period of study was from April 2006 to December 2006. Seven Hundred and eighty six patients were interviewed and examined. Out of 786 patients 378were males and 408 were females with age range of 18 to 70. It was found that out of 786, 466 patients had Kennedy Class III saddle. One hundred and fifty eight patients were found to have Kennedy's class II saddle area. One hundred patients had Kennedy's Class IV saddle area. Sixty-two patients were found to have Kennedy's class I saddle area. Out of 786 patients 74 patients were provided fixed partial dental prostheses [FPDP] and 712 received removable partial dental prostheses [RPDP]