Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Molecular Characterization Of Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella Pneumoniaeand Escherichia Coliharbouring Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases Andcarbapenemases Genes At A Tertiary Hospital, Kenya, Daniel Maina, Gunturu Revathi, Andrew C. Whitelaw

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram negative rods are increasingly being reported in sub-Saharan Africa. Molecular investigations play an important role, alongside other measures, in controlling nosocomial infections attributed to these organisms.

This study aimed to determine the common extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemases genes, and clonal relationship in MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli.

Methods: Fifty-four MDR isolates collected at the Aga Khan University hospital, Nairobi in the month of August 2012 formed the study. These were picked after an increase in the number of resistant strains during the said period was experienced.

Results: blaCTXM was present in 41 (74%) …

Prevalence And Possible Factors Associated With Anaemia, And Vitamin B 12 And Folate Deficiencies In Women Of Reproductive Age In Pakistan: Analysis Of National-Level Secondary Survey Data, Sajid Bashir Soofi, Gul Nawaz Khan, Kamran Sadiq, Shabina Ariff, Atif Habib, Sumra Kureishy, Imtiaz Hussain, Muhammad Umer, Zamir Suhag, Arjumand Rizvi, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To determine the prevalence and possible factors associated with anaemia, and vitamin B12 and folate deficiencies in women of reproductive age (WRA) in Pakistan.
Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted on data collected through the large-scale National Nutrition Survey in Pakistan in 2011. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin levels <12 g/dL, vitamin B12 deficiency as serum vitamin B12 levels of <203 pg/mL (150 pmol/L) and folate deficiency as serum folate levels <4 ng/mL (10 nmol/L).
Results: A total of 11751 blood samples were collected and analysed. The prevalence of anaemia, vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency was 50.4%, 52.4% and 50.8%, respectively. After adjustment, the following factors were positively associated with anaemia: living in Sindh province (RR 1.07; 95%CI 1.04 to 1.09)P<0.00, food insecure with moderate hunger (RR 1.03; 95%CI 1.00 to 1.06)P=0.02, four or more pregnancies (RR 1.03; 95%CI 1.01 to 1.05)P<0.00, being underweight (RR 1.03; 95%CI 1.00 to 1.05)P=0.02, being overweight or obese (RR 0.95; 95%CI 0.93 to 0.97)P<0.00 and weekly intake of leafy green vegetables (RR 0.98; 95%CI 0.95 to 1.00)P=0.04. For vitamin B12 deficiency, a positive association was observed with rural population (RR 0.81; 95%CI 0.66 to 1.00)P=0.04, living in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province (RR 1.25; 95%CI 1.11 to 1.43)P<0.00 and living in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (RR 1.50; 95%CI 1.08 to 2.08)P=0.01. Folate deficiency was negatively associated with daily and weekly intake of eggs (RR 0.89; 95%CI 0.81 to 0.98)P=0.02 and (RR 0.88; 95%CI 0.78 to 0.99)P=0.03.
Conclusions: In Pakistan, …

Comparison Of Equations For Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate In Screening For Chronic Kidney Disease In Asymptomatic Black Africans: A Cross Sectional Study, Geoffrey Omuse, Daniel Maina, Jane Mwangi, Caroline Wambua, Alice Kiyua, Elizabeth Kagotho, Angela Amayo, Peter Ojwang, Rajiv Erasmus

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Several equations have been developed to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The common equations used were derived from populations predominantly comprised of Caucasians with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Some of the equations provide a correction factor for African-Americans due to their relatively increased muscle mass and this has been extrapolated to black Africans. Studies carried out in Africa in patients with CKD suggest that using this correction factor for the black African race may not be appropriate. However, these studies were not carried out in healthy individuals and as such the extrapolation of the findings to an asymptomatic black …

Iron Deficiency Anemia As A Risk Factor For Simple Febrile Seizures, Tipu Sultan, Abdul Islam Hanif Hanif, Shaila Ali

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To determine the association of iron deficiency anemia with simple febrile seizures in children presenting in a tertiary care hospital.

A Silver Lining In The Dark Clouds: Medical Marijuana, In The Neurological Disorders And Its Future In Pakistan., Qamar Zaman, Maimoona Siddiqui

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Marijuana has been included in the list of illicit drugs for a long time despite its use as a remedy for several medical problems. However this use has been on the basis of the individual experiences with no concrete scientific evidence. Its positive effects have been mostly overshadowed by its recreational use worldwide. It has recently become the topic of hot debate due to several studies showing its role in various medical and especially neurological disorders. These new findings have created a controversy and world is still divided on its legalization for medicinal purpose. Several countries and states have legalized …

Repeat Abortion In Chinese Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study In 30 Provinces, Jinlin Liu, Shangchun Wu, Jialin Xu, Marleen Temmerman, Wei-Hong Zhang

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: Premarital sex has become more acceptable in China nowadays. The Chinese Family Planning (FP) programme mainly focuses on married couples, and young unmarried women have little access to information or advice about contraception. Abortion is commonly used to end unintended pregnancies in China. This study aimed to determine risk factors related to repeat abortions in Chinese adolescents.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was one component of an EU-funded project and was conducted between March 20, and Oct 5, 2013 in China. We collected data using a questionnaire filled by abortion service providers for all women seeking abortions within 12 weeks …

Low Birth Weight: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Maternal Immunization Safety Data, Clare L. Cutland, Eve M. Lackritz, Tamala Mallett-Moore, Azucena Bardají, Ravichandran Chandrasekaran, Chandrakant Lahariya, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Milagritos D. Tapia, Jayani Pathirana, Sonali Kochhar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Failure To Thrive: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Maternal Immunisation Safety Data, Elizabeth Ross, Flor M. Munoz, Bassey Edem, Cassandra Nan, Fyezah Jehan, Julie Quinn, Tamala Mallett Moore, Sanie Sesay, Hans Spiegel, Librada Fortuna

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Small For Gestational Age: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Maternal Immunisation Safety Data, Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, Flor M. Munoz, Azucena Bardají, Nansi S. Boghossian, Asma Khalil, Hatem Mousa, Mirjana Nesin, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Vitali Pool, Hans M.L. Spiegel

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Respiratory Distress In The Neonate: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Maternal Immunization Safety Data, Leigh R. Sweet, Cheryl Keech, Nicola P. Klein, Helen S. Marshall, Beckie N. Tagbo, David Quine, Pawandeep Kaur, Ilia Tikhonov, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Sonali Kochhar

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Congenital Microcephaly: Case Definition & Guidelines For Data Collection, Analysis, And Presentation Of Safety Data After Maternal Immunisation, Malini Desilva, Flor M. Munoz, Erick Sell, Helen Marshall, Alison Tse Kawai, Alisa Kachikis, Paul Heath, Nicola P. Klein, James M. Oleske, Fyezah Jehan

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

No abstract provided.

Setting Priorities For Knowledge Translation Of Cochrane Reviews For Health Equity: Evidence For Equity, Peter Tugwell, Jennifer Petkovic, Vivian Welch, Jennifer Vincent, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Rachel Churchill, Don Desavigny, Lawrence Mbuagbaw, Tomas Pantoja

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: A focus on equity in health can be seen in many global development goals and reports, research and international declarations. With the development of a relevant framework and methods, the Campbell and Cochrane Equity Methods Group has encouraged the application of an 'equity lens' to systematic reviews, and many organizations publish reviews intended to address health equity. The purpose of the Evidence for Equity (E4E) project was to conduct a priority-setting exercise and apply an equity lens by developing a knowledge translation product comprising summaries of systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library. E4E translates evidence from systematic reviews into …

Survival Benefit Of Surgery In Recurrent Glioblastoma Multiforme, Usama Khalid Choudry, Saad Akhtar Khan, Muhammad Shahzad Shamim

Section of Neurosurgery

There is an ongoing debate regarding role of surgery for recurrent glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Older literature hinted at only modest survival benefits with surgery and a high rate of morbidity. However, more recent literature suggests better survival that may be attributed to better surgical techniques and better options in adjuvant treatment. Herein the authors review recent literature with regards to the possible role of surgery in recurrent GBM and also look into the key factors impacting second surgery.

Albuminuria And Kidney Function As Prognostic Marker Of Left Ventricular Mass Among South Asians With Hypertension, Liang Feng, Aamir Hameed, Imtiaz Jehan, John Allen, Tazeen Jafar

Section of Cardiology

We aimed to evaluate the association of albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at baseline and changes in these parameters with left ventricular mass index (LVMI) at 7 years in adults with hypertension from communities in Pakistan. A nested cohort of 539 hypertensives aged 40 years and older from a community-living population in Karachi, Pakistan, followed up for 7 years in the Control of Blood Pressure and Risk Attenuation trial. Urine spot albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) and serum creatinine-based eGFR were assessed at baseline and 7 years, and echocardiography at 7 years. Mean age of participants was 50.9 ± 9.1 …

5th National Headache Update, Abdul Malik

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Headache is one of the most common disorders worldwide. On the World Health Organization's ranking of causes of disability, this would bring headache disorders into the 10 most disabling conditions for both genders, and into the five most disabling for women. The prevalence of headache disorders in Pakistan is high, and would be at least on par with that reported in other parts of the world, although a recent epidemiological survey suggests that the prevalence of migraines could be as high as 22%, almost twice that noted in the international literature. Over the years, the Pakistan Headache Society (PHS) has …

Dealing A Neonate With Charge Syndrome: Anaesthesia Perspective Of Perioperative Care, Khalid M Siddiqui, Muhammad Ali Asghar, Amjad Nadeem

Department of Anaesthesia

CHARGE syndrome is a condition that can disturb numerous areas of human body. As an abbreviation CHARGE stands for: coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, and retardation of growth, genital, and ear abnormalities. The configuration of malformations differs among individuals with this disorder, and the various health issues can be life-threatening during infancy and childhood. Affected individuals typically have several main features or a combination of major and minor appearances. Here we are presenting a case report of a neonate with CHARGE syndrome who underwent successful repair of choanal atresia under general anaesthesia with invasive monitoring.

Labrad : Vol 43, Issue 3 - December 2017, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD

• Levey Jennings Chart and Guide to use Westgard Rules
• Quality Assurance in Frozen Section Studies
• Performance Improvement Monitors in Histology
• Quality Assurance in Immunohistochemistry: The Way We Do It
• Quality Assurance in Laboratory Biosafety
• Quality Control of Culture Media Used in Clinical Microbiology
• Quality Assurance (QA) in Qualitative Tests in the Clinical Laboratory
• Radiology Pathology Correlation
• Quality Requirements for Reporting Sickle Haemoglobin
• Meeting Report of International Federation of Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) Conferences- 2017

Negative Predictive Value Of Ultrasound In Predicting Tumor-Free Margins In Specimen Sonography, Saira Naz, Saima Hafeez,, Zainab Hussain, Kiran Hilal

Department of Radiology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success of ultrasound in post-excision specimen visualization, and negative predictive value of ultrasound for estimation of tumor-free margins using histopathology as the gold standard.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional analytical study.

PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan, from May 2010 till January 2013.

METHODOLOGY:

Sonography of all breast nodules was done before and after exicision by two female radiologists with at least five years clinical experience. All surgeries were performed by the same referring breast surgeons. All nodules were non-palpable and had histopathology as well as specimen sonography performed at AKUH. …

Primary Headache Disorders In The Adult General Population Of Pakistan – A Cross Sectional Nationwide Prevalence Survey, Herekar Aa, Ahmad A, Uqaili Ul, Ahmed B, Effendi J, Alvi Sz, Shahab Ma, Javed U, Herekar Ad, Khanani R, Steiner Tj

Section of Neurology

Back Ground: The large geographical gaps in our knowledge of the prevalence and burden of headache disorders include almost all of Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We report a nationwide population-based study in Pakistan, an EMR country with the sixth largest population in the world, conducted as a project within the Global Campaign against Headache.

Methods: We surveyed six locations from the four provinces of Pakistan: Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan. We randomly selected and visited rural and urban households in each. One adult member (18-65 years) of each household, also randomly selected, was interviewed by a trained non-medical interviewer …

Health Literacy In Pakistan: Exploring New Ways Of Addressing An Old Challenge, Saniya Raghib Sabzwari

Department of Family Medicine

Pakistan continues to struggle with low health literacy that often results in late presentation of disease, poor adherence to treatment and meagre understanding of wellness and disease prevention. In a country burdened by diseases of the developing and the developed world, with poor healthcare infrastructure and low literacy levels improving healthcare literacy could have major influence on health and wellness of our masses. Utilising our rapidly expanding mobile technology and media for dissemination of health information is a viable solution. Public service announcements for media and health information apps for mobile technology can be developed by the government, health sector …

Children’S Oxygen Administration Strategies Trial (Coast): A Randomised Controlled Trial Of High Flow Versus Oxygen Versus Control In African Children With Severe Pneumonia., Kathryn Maitland, Sarah Kiguli, Robert Opoka, Peter Olupot-Olupot, Charles Engoru, Patricia Njuguna, Victor Bandika, Ayub Mpoya, Andrew Bush, Thomas Williams

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: In Africa, the clinical syndrome of pneumonia remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children in the post-neonatal period. This represents a significant burden on in-patient services. The targeted use of oxygen and simple, non-invasive methods of respiratory support may be a highly cost-effective means of improving outcome, but the optimal oxygen saturation threshold that results in benefit and the best strategy for delivery are yet to be tested in adequately powered randomised controlled trials. There is, however, an accumulating literature about the harms of oxygen therapy across a range of acute and emergency situations that have …

Anaesthetic Management Of Supratentorial Tumor Craniotomy Using Awake-Throughout Approach, Faraz Shafiq, Fahad Salim, Ather Enam, Jai Parkash, Mohammad Faheem

Department of Anaesthesia

The authors are reporting an anaesthetic management of patient presenting with left parietal lobe space occupying lesion and scheduled for Awake-craniotomy. Awake-throughout approach using scalp block was planned. Among techniques reported for keeping patient awake during the surgery, this one is really underutilized. The successful conduct requires thorough preoperative assessment and psychological preparation. We used powerpoint presentation as a preoperative teaching tool. The anatomical landmark technique was used to institute scalp block, where individual nerves were targeted bilaterally. Patient remained stable throughout and participated actively in intraoperative neurological monitoring. Postoperative period showed remarkable recovery, better pain control, and shorter length …

Anaesthetic Management Of Nesidioblastosis In Two Infants, Muhammad Saad Yousuf, Mohsin Nazir, Fauzia Khan

Department of Anaesthesia

Nesidioblastosis is the most common cause of non-transient, recurrent and persistent hypoglycaemia in neonates and infants. It is a disorder of diffuse proliferation of beta cells of the pancreas leading to hyperinsulinemia and hypoglycaemia. The main aim is to prevent the severe episodes of hypoglycaemia which can cause damage to the brain and/or mental retardation. In this case report we present two cases of nesidioblastosis and their perioperative anaesthetic course for near-total pancreatectomy. First case was a 7 months old female who had repeated episodes of convulsions since birth. Second case was a 4-month-old female child who again presented with …

Graft And Mesh Use In Vaginal Surgery, Raheela Mohsin Rizvi, Novera G. Chughtai

Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence are among the most common chronic disorders in women. These are common problems whose pathogenesis remains unclear. As life expectancy increases, significantly greater number of women now present with pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence requiring surgical intervention. Currently, the lifetime risk of undergoing prolapse or continence surgery is one in 11, and up to 30% of patients will require repeat reconstructive surgery and repeat surgery for incontinence in 10%. In an attempt to improve surgical outcomes and to preserve vaginal capacity and coital function, a number of synthetic and biological prostheses have been …

High-Volume Forced Diuresis With Matched Hydration Using The Renalguard System To Prevent Contrast-Induced Nephropathy: A Meta-Analysis Of Randomized Trials, Rahman Shah, Sarah J. Wood, Sajjad A. Khan, Amina Chaudhry, M. Rehan Khan, Mohamed S. Morsy

Section of Internal Medicine

Background: Contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) is a well-recognized complication of coronary angiography that is associated with poor outcomes. Several small randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have recently shown that in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), furosemide-induced forced diuresis with matched hydration using the RenalGuard system can prevent its occurrence. However, individual studies have been underpowered and thus cannot show significant differences in major clinical endpoints.
Hypothesis: Forced diuresis with matched hydration using the RenalGuard system improves clinical outcomes in patients undergoing coronary angiography.
Methods: Scientific databases and websites were searched for relevant RCTs. The pooled risk ratios were calculated using random-effects …

Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella Syndrome It's In The Community!, Muneeba Ahsan Sayeed, Nida Latif, Syed Faisal Mahmood

Section of Internal Medicine

Hypermucoviscous Klebsiella syndrome is a unique syndrome caused by a new variant of Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP), characterized by abscess formation at distant body sites. This emerging KP strain is different from the usual classic strains in having the rmp gene which increases capsule formation making this strain resistant to phagocytosis and helping in its dissemination to distant organs. A 50 years old diabetic man presented with facial swelling after dental procedure which progressively increased despite being on antibiotics. On examination he was febrile, had neck swelling with signs of inflammation and tender hepatomegaly. Ultrasonography showed submental and liver abscesses which …

A Suggested Plan For Specialist Doctor's Professional Growth And Development, Ahmed Nadeem Abbasi, Bilal Mazhar Qureshi

Department of Radiation Oncology

No abstract provided.

Cxc Chemokines Exhibit Bactericidal Activity Against Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Pathogens, Erum Khan, Matthew A. Crawford, Debra J. Fisher, Lisa M. Leung, Sara Lomonaco, Christine Lascols, Antonio Cannatelli,, Gian Maria Rossolini, Yohei Doi, David R. Goodlett

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The continued rise and spread of antimicrobial resistance among bacterial pathogens pose a serious challenge to global health. Countering antimicrobial-resistant pathogens requires a multifaceted effort that includes the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we establish the capacity of the human CXC chemokines CXCL9 and CXCL10 to kill multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and colistin-resistant members of the family Enterobacteriaceae that harbor the mobile colistin resistance protein MCR-1 and thus possess phosphoethanolamine-modified lipid A. Colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates affected by genetic mutation of the PmrA/PmrB two-component system, a chromosomally encoded regulator of lipopolysaccharide modification, and containing …

Cost And Quality Issues In Establishing Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Program In Developing Countries, Shahrukh K. Hashmi, Alok Srivastava, Walid Rasheed, Salman Adil, Tong Wu, Madan Jagasia, Amr Nassar, William Y. K. Hwang, Amir Ali Hamidieh, Hildegard T. Greinix

Section of Haematology/Oncology

The hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) activity has grown significantly over the past two decades in both developing and developed countries. Many challenges arise in establishing new HCT programs in developing countries, due to scarcity of resources and manpower in expertise in HCT. While cost issues can potentially hinder establishment of new HCT programs in certain regions, the focus on quality and value should be included in the general vision of leadership before establishing an HCT program. The main challenge in most developing countries is the lack of trained/qualified personnel, enormous start-up costs for a tertiary care center, and quality maintenance. …

Cerebrospinal Fluid Kynurenine And Kynurenic Acid Concentrations Are Associated With Coma Duration And Long-Term Neurocognitive Impairment In Ugandan Children With Cerebral Malaria, Dag Holmberg, Elisabeth Franzén-Röhl, Richard Idro, Robert Opoka, Paul Bangirana, Carl Sellgren, Anna Färnert, Lilly Schwieler, Göran Engberg, Chandy John

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Background: One-fourth of children with cerebral malaria (CM) retain cognitive sequelae up to 2 years after acute disease. The kynurenine pathway of the brain, forming neuroactive metabolites, e.g. the NMDA-receptor antagonist kynurenic acid (KYNA), has been implicated in long-term cognitive dysfunction in other CNS infections. In the present study, the association between the kynurenine pathway and neurologic/cognitive complications in children with CM was investigated.

Methods: Cerebrospinal fuid (CSF) concentrations of KYNA and its precursor kynurenine in 69 Ugandan children admitted for CM to Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda, between 2008 and 2013 were assessed. CSF kynurenine and KYNA were compared to …