Dyslipidemia among Pilots visiting a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Dyslipidemia is the imbalance of various lipids in our body like cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein. It has been established as a major factor associated with cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study was to find out the prevalence of dyslipidemia among pilots visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in the family medicine department of Grande International Hospital, Dhapasi, Kathmandu from 1 May 2022 to 30 July 2022 (Reference number: 08/2022). Seventy pilots were included in this study. Lipid profiles like total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured. Results: Among 70 pilots, only 2 (2.85%) (0-6.12, 90% Confidence Interval) had dyslipidemia with an increased level of triglycerides. Dyslipidemia was seen among pilots 41 to 60 years. Conclusions: Dyslipidemia among pilots was lower than in other studies done in similar settings. Keywords: dyslipidemia; lipids; pilot.

Role of Biofilm in Bacterial Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance.

Biofilm refers to the complex, sessile communities of microbes found either attached to a surface or buried firmly in an extracellular matrix as aggregates. Microbial flora which produces biofilm manifests an altered growth rate and transcribes genes that provide them resistance to antimicrobial and host immune systems. Biofilms protect the invading bacteria against the immune system of the host via impaired activation of phagocytes and the complement system. Biofilm-producing isolates showed greater multidrug resistance than non-biofilm producers. Biofilm causes antibiotic resistance through processes like chromosomally encoded resistant genes, restriction of antibiotics, reduction of growth rate, and host immunity. Biofilm formation is responsible for the development of superbugs like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and metallo-beta-lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Regular monitoring of antimicrobial resistance and maintaining hygiene, especially in hospitalized patients are required to control biofilm-related infections in order to prevent antimicrobial resistance.

Side Effects after Second Dose of Covishield Vaccine among Health Care Workers: A Descriptive Cross Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: COVID 19 vaccination will protect us from getting COVID-19. Some side effects are common which are signs that our body is building protection. This side effects will go away in a few days. The aim of this study is to find out side effects seen among health care workers after second dose of covishield vaccination. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at Kathmandu medical college and Teaching Hospital from 22nd April 2021 till 30th April 2021. Ethical approval was revceived from Institutional Commitee of Institiute. Convienient sampling was done. The second dose of covishield vaccine was administered 12 weeks after its first dose. The vaccine was administered intramuscularly (IM) into deltoid muscle. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences were used for analysis. RESULTS: Out of 220 cases taken, 135 were male and 85 were female. In our study 178 (80.90%) complaint of pain at injection site after second dose of covishield vaccine followed by 97 (44.09%) complaint of fatigue, 43 (19.54%) complaint of headache, 18 (8.18%) complaint of chills, 11 (5.00%)complaint of fever, 6 (2.72%) complaint of dizziness and 5 (2.27%) complaint of nausea. CONCLUSIONS: Pain at injection site, fatigue and headache were common side effects seen after second dose of Covishield vaccination.

Acute Poisoning among Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department of a Tertiary Care Center: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Acute poisoning is a major global public health problem contributing to one of the leading causes for a visit to an emergency department. This study aims to analyse the demographic and psychosocial characteristics of patients with acute poisoning presented to the emergency department. METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary care hospital from June to December 2019 after obtaining ethical approval from Institutional review board (reference number. 041-075/0760). A convenient sampling method was applied. Epidemiological factors, types of poison consumed, reason, motive, and place to take poison, time elapse in the presentation to the hospital were studied. Statistical analysis was done using statistical package for the social sciences version 20. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. RESULTS: Out of 76 cases of acute poisoning, the organophosphorus poisoning was 18 (23.7%) followed by unknown 12 (15.8). Of total, 28 (36.8%) had quarrel before taking poison and 41 (53.9 %) had intention to commit suicide. Sixty-seven (88.2%) took a poison at home. The average elapsed time to the visit of the emergency department was 110±80 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: The most common poisoning was organophosphorus with a suicide being the most common intention. Quarrel was the most frequent reason to take poison and the home was the most common place to take poison.

Prevalence of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa and its Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which causes most of the chronic infection in humans. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is isolated from various clinical specimens along with its antibiotic susceptibility pattern. METHODS: This descriptive cross sectional study was conducted in Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital (KMCTH) from February to May 2018. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from various clinical specimens were processed in clinical laboratory, Department of Microbiology, KMCTH. Isolation, identification and sensitivity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to antibiotics were measured. RESULTS: A total of 7527 samples were been processed of which 46 isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were obtained. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was isolated mainly from Pus, Wound swab, Sputum and Tracheal aspirate. Here 63.04% Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were resistant to Ceftazidime, 65.21% to Cefixime, 56.52% to Ceftriaxone and Cefotaxime followed by 56.52% to Piperacillin. Furthermore, the current study reveals antibiotics like Imipenem, Meropenem, Piperacillin/Tazobactam, Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Amikacin and Tobramycin were found to be good choice for the treatment of infection caused by this organism. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is essential and rational treatment regimens prescription by the clinicians is required to limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

Resistance Pattern of Carbapenem on Enterobacteriaceae.

INTRODUCTION: Gram negative bacilli are the important causes of common clinical infections. Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae are considered as important public health threat and is classified as urgent by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention because of their progressive geographic dissemination and limited therapeutic alternatives. This study was done to find out the resistance pattern of Carbapenem among Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: The descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Clinical Microbiology laboratory from February 2018 to May 2018 after ethical approval. Organism was identified on the basis of its microscopic observation by performing Gram's stain and by identification of morphology after its growth in culture media followed by its biochemical reactions. Antibiotic sensitivity test of isolated pathogens was done using Muller Hinton Agar by the standard disk diffusion technique of Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS: In our study, total 1055 sample belongs to the family Enterobacteriaceae. From the family Enterobactericeae, 348 (27%) of the bacilli were found to be Carbapenem resistant. Among which most common bacteria was Klebsiella pneumoniae followed by Escherichia coli. All strains of Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae were sensitive to Colistin, Polymyxin B and Tigecycline. CONCLUSIONS: Among Enterobacteriaceae, around one-third of the bacterial isolates were Carbapenem resistant. However, to reduce drug resistance antimicrobial stewardship programme and proper infection control measures is required.