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Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences
Igg Antibodies To Sars-Cov-2 In Asymptomatic Blood Donors At Two Time Points In Karachi, Muhammad Hasan, Bushra Moiz, Shama Qaiser, Kiran I. Masood, Zara Ghous, Areeba Hussain, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Syed Hani Abidi, Kulsoom Ghias, Erum Khan, Zahra Hasan
Igg Antibodies To Sars-Cov-2 In Asymptomatic Blood Donors At Two Time Points In Karachi, Muhammad Hasan, Bushra Moiz, Shama Qaiser, Kiran I. Masood, Zara Ghous, Areeba Hussain, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Syed Hani Abidi, Kulsoom Ghias, Erum Khan, Zahra Hasan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Introduction: An estimated 1.5 million cases were reported in Pakistan until 23 March, 2022. However, SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing capacity has been limited and the incidence of COVID-19 infections is unknown. Volunteer healthy blood donors can be a control population for assessment of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in the population. We determined COVID-19 seroprevalence during the second pandemic wave in Karachi in donors without known infections or symptoms in 4 weeks prior to enrollment.
Materials and methods: We enrolled 558 healthy blood donors at the Aga Khan University Hospital between December 2020 and February 2021. ABO blood groups were determined. Serum IgG reactivity …
Characterisation Of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Mutations And Transmission In Pakistan, Gary Napier, Anwar Sheed Khan, Abdul Jabbar, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Sajid Ali, Muhammad Qasim, Noor Mohammad, Rumina Hasan, Zahra Hasan, Susana Campino
Characterisation Of Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Mutations And Transmission In Pakistan, Gary Napier, Anwar Sheed Khan, Abdul Jabbar, Muhammad Tahir Khan, Sajid Ali, Muhammad Qasim, Noor Mohammad, Rumina Hasan, Zahra Hasan, Susana Campino
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is a high-burden disease in Pakistan, with multi-drug (MDR) and extensive-drug (XDR) resistance, complicating infection control. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of M. tuberculosis is being used to infer lineages (strain-types), drug resistance mutations, and transmission patterns-all informing infection control and clinical decision making. Here we analyse WGS data on 535 M. tuberculosis isolates sourced across Pakistan between years 2003 and 2020, to understand the circulating strain-types and mutations related to 12 anti-TB drugs, as well as identify transmission clusters. Most isolates belonged to lineage 3 (n = 397; 74.2%) strain-types, and were MDR (n = …
Practices Of Vitamin D Supplementation Leading To Vitamin D Toxicity: Experience From A Low-Middle Income Country, Siraj Muneer, Imran Siddiqui, Hafsa Majid, Nawazish Zehra, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib
Practices Of Vitamin D Supplementation Leading To Vitamin D Toxicity: Experience From A Low-Middle Income Country, Siraj Muneer, Imran Siddiqui, Hafsa Majid, Nawazish Zehra, Lena Jafri, Aysha Habib
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Introduction: The trend of prescribing VD preparations for nonspecific body aches and self-medication has increased significantly. The importance of vitamin D toxicity (VDT) has been underestimated and under recognized. This study was done to determine the frequency toxicity (>150 ng/ml) in subjects for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and evaluate the vitamin D (VD) supplements used by these subjects.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at the Section of Chemical Pathology, Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi from April 2020 to March 2021. Subjects with 25OHD toxicity were contacted and information related to history of calcium and VD supplementation were collected. …
Impact Of Covid-19 On The Pre And Post Analytical Clinical Laboratory Testing Processes- A Performance Evaluation Study Using Six Sigma, Sibtain Ahmed, Farhat Jahan, Muhammad Umer Naeem Effendi, Farooq Ghani
Impact Of Covid-19 On The Pre And Post Analytical Clinical Laboratory Testing Processes- A Performance Evaluation Study Using Six Sigma, Sibtain Ahmed, Farhat Jahan, Muhammad Umer Naeem Effendi, Farooq Ghani
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the total testing process using six sigma metrics based on a comparison of pre and during pandemic periods.
Material & methods: The study duration was over 12 months, 6 months before and 6 months after the COVID-19 onset in Pakistan in March 2020 after the recognition of the first case, using quality indicators (QIs). QIs were chosen from a model of QIs recommended by the CAP. Analysis was performed using Six Sigma calculators and QIs were expressed in percentage (%) and Sigma value were computed. …
Higher Entropy Observed In Sars-Cov-2 Genomes From The First Covid-19 Wave In Pakistan, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Asghar Nasir, Kiran I. Masood, Syed Hani Abidi, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Akber Kanji, Safina Abdul Razzak, Waqasuddin Khan, Saba Shahid, Maliha Yameen, Ali Raza, Javaria Ashraf, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Mohammad Buksh Dharejo, Nazneen Islam, Zahra Hasan, Rumina Hasan
Higher Entropy Observed In Sars-Cov-2 Genomes From The First Covid-19 Wave In Pakistan, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Asghar Nasir, Kiran I. Masood, Syed Hani Abidi, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Akber Kanji, Safina Abdul Razzak, Waqasuddin Khan, Saba Shahid, Maliha Yameen, Ali Raza, Javaria Ashraf, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Mohammad Buksh Dharejo, Nazneen Islam, Zahra Hasan, Rumina Hasan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: We investigated the genome diversity of SARS-CoV-2 associated with the early COVID-19 period to investigate evolution of the virus in Pakistan.
Materials and methods: We studied ninety SARS-CoV-2 strains isolated between March and October 2020. Whole genome sequences from our laboratory and available genomes were used to investigate phylogeny, genetic variantion and mutation rates of SARS-CoV-2 strains in Pakistan. Site specific entropy analysis compared mutation rates between strains isolated before and after June 2020.
Results: In March, strains belonging to L, S, V and GH clades were observed but by October, only L and GH strains were present. The …
Establishing Reference Interval For Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone In Children Below Two-Year Ages In Pakistani Population, Siraj Muneer, Imran Siddiqui, Hafsa Majid, Lena Jafri, Khadija N Humayun, Sibtain Ahmed, Aysha Habib Khan
Establishing Reference Interval For Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone In Children Below Two-Year Ages In Pakistani Population, Siraj Muneer, Imran Siddiqui, Hafsa Majid, Lena Jafri, Khadija N Humayun, Sibtain Ahmed, Aysha Habib Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Introduction: Reference intervals (RIs) of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4) are age, assay and population specific. Currently, the age and assay-specific RIs for TSH are not available for children under two years of age. This study aimed to establish reference intervals for serum concentrations of TSH and FT4 in healthy children aged 1-24 months as per CLSI C28-A3 guidelines.
Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in children from 1 to 24 months visiting the clinical laboratory for serum vitamin D testing but without any recent illness, hospitalization, medication and history of maternal thyroid diseases from August 2018 …
Indirect Determination Of Serum Creatinine Reference Intervals In A Pakistani Pediatric Population Using Big Data Analytics, Sibtain Ahmed, Jakob Zierk, Imran Siddiqui, Aysha Habib Khan
Indirect Determination Of Serum Creatinine Reference Intervals In A Pakistani Pediatric Population Using Big Data Analytics, Sibtain Ahmed, Jakob Zierk, Imran Siddiqui, Aysha Habib Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: The indirect methods of reference intervals (RI) establishment based on data mining are utilized to overcome the ethical, practical challenges and the cost associated with the conventional direct approach.
Aim: To generate RIs for serum creatinine in children and adolescents using an indirect statistical tool.
Methods: Data mining of the laboratory information system was performed for serum creatinine analyzed from birth to 17 years for both genders. The timeline was set at six years from January 2013 to December 2018. Microsoft Excel 2010 and an indirect algorithm developed by the German Society of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine's Working …
A Cross Sectional Evaluation Of The Corona-Score For Swift Identification Of Sars-Cov-2 Infection At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Sibtain Ahmed, Muhammad Umer Naeem Effendi, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Imran Siddiqui, Lena Jafri
A Cross Sectional Evaluation Of The Corona-Score For Swift Identification Of Sars-Cov-2 Infection At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Sibtain Ahmed, Muhammad Umer Naeem Effendi, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Imran Siddiqui, Lena Jafri
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: The Corona-Score is one of the first and most widely used predictive model for coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The purpose of this study was to validate the performance of Corona-Score in a cohort of Pakistani patients pursuing care for suspected infection.
Methods: After seeking institution's ethical committee exemption, results of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, absolute lymphocyte and neutrophil counts, chest x-ray findings and demographics of suspected COVID-19 cases with respiratory symptoms were recouped from electronic medical record. The pre-validated score as proposed by Kurstjens S et al., was calculated. The subjects were divided into SARS-CoV-2 …
Plasmodium In The Bone Marrow: Case Series From A Hospital In Pakistan, 2007-2015, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Basim Ali, Mahin Janjua, Ayesha Akbar, Syed Arish Haider, Bushra Moiz, Ahmed Raheem Buksh, John Kevin Baird, Mohammad Asim Beg
Plasmodium In The Bone Marrow: Case Series From A Hospital In Pakistan, 2007-2015, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Basim Ali, Mahin Janjua, Ayesha Akbar, Syed Arish Haider, Bushra Moiz, Ahmed Raheem Buksh, John Kevin Baird, Mohammad Asim Beg
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: Malaria is a life-threatening, multisystem disease caused by the plasmodial parasite with a global incidence of approximately 229 million annually. The parasites are known to have unique and crucial interactions with various body tissues during its life cycle, notably the liver, spleen, and recent work has shown the bone marrow to be a reservoir of infection.
Methods: This study is a case series of patients in whom examination of bone marrow revealed malarial parasites. A retrospective record review of 35 parasite-positive bone marrow specimens examined at Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, Pakistan, over the years 2007 to 2015 …
Chikungunya Outbreak In Karachi Pakistan 2016-2017: An Analysis Of Viral Isolates, Dhani Prakoso, Kelli Barr, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Joveria Farooqi, Erum Khan, Maureen Long
Chikungunya Outbreak In Karachi Pakistan 2016-2017: An Analysis Of Viral Isolates, Dhani Prakoso, Kelli Barr, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Joveria Farooqi, Erum Khan, Maureen Long
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
In December 2016 physicians in Karachi, Pakistan,witnessed an increase in patients presenting with febrile illness and severe polyarthralgia. Subsequently, chikungunya virus (CHIKV)) was isolated from three patients. This virus was sequenced and compared with other isolates of CHIKV obtained in India and Pakistan during recent outbreaks. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the Karachi isolates were most similar to the East Central South African CHIKV lineage and showed sequence homology to isolates obtained in other parts of Pakistan and India. More importantly, two of the CHIKV isolates had a nucleotide substitution in the E1 gene corresponding to an amino acid change at …
Molecular Surveillance Of Drug Resistance: Plasmodium Falciparum Artemisinin Resistance Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Kelch Protein Propeller (K13) Domain From Southern Pakistan, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Bushra Qurashi, Hadiqa Raees, Mohammad Asim Beg
Molecular Surveillance Of Drug Resistance: Plasmodium Falciparum Artemisinin Resistance Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Kelch Protein Propeller (K13) Domain From Southern Pakistan, Najia Karim Ghanchi, Bushra Qurashi, Hadiqa Raees, Mohammad Asim Beg
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: K13 propeller (k13) polymorphism are useful molecular markers for tracking the emergence and spread of artemisinin resistance in Plasmodium falciparum. Polymorphisms are reported from Cambodia with rapid invasion of the population and almost near fixation in south East Asia. The study describes single nucleotide polymorphisms in Kelch protein propeller domain of P. falciparum associated with artemisinin resistance from Southern Pakistan.
Methods: Two hundred and forty-nine samples were collected from patients with microscopy confirmed P. falciparum malaria attending Aga Khan University Hospital during September 2015-April 2018. DNA was isolated using the whole blood protocol for the QIAmp DNA Blood Kit. …
Need For Clinical Guidelines For Management Of Osteoporosis And Way Forward For Pakistan, Aysha Habib Khan, Manju Chandran
Need For Clinical Guidelines For Management Of Osteoporosis And Way Forward For Pakistan, Aysha Habib Khan, Manju Chandran
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
No abstract provided.
Determination Of Reference Interval (Ri) Of Spot Urinary Oxalate To Creatinine Ratio In Children Of Pakistani Origin Under Six Years Of Age: A Cross-Sectional Study, Syed Bilal Hashmi, Lena Jafri, Jamsheer Jehangir Talati, Hafsa Majid, Saqib Hamid Qazi, Aysha Habib Khan
Determination Of Reference Interval (Ri) Of Spot Urinary Oxalate To Creatinine Ratio In Children Of Pakistani Origin Under Six Years Of Age: A Cross-Sectional Study, Syed Bilal Hashmi, Lena Jafri, Jamsheer Jehangir Talati, Hafsa Majid, Saqib Hamid Qazi, Aysha Habib Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: The gold standard screening method of hyperoxaluria in children is using 24-hour urine collection. Urine collection may be cumbersome and challenging for children. Reference intervals (RI) of oxalate for the Pakistani population are not readily available. Therefore we aimed to determine the oxalate to creatinine ratio (Ox: Cr) for Pakistani children <6 years of age.
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Aga Khan University from June 2018 to October 2019. Random urine samples from apparently healthy children < 6 years were collected and stored at -30°C until analysis after adding 6M HCl. Oxalate was measured on Micro lab 300 using a kit based on oxalate oxidase principle, while creatinine was measured by kinetic Jaffe reaction. Data was analyzed by EP evaluator and SPSS 23. Ox: Cr ratio was calculated and reported with 90% confidence interval (CI) and interquartile range (IQR).
Results: The mean age of study subjects (n=120) was 29 ±22.3 months with an M: F ratio of 1:1. Children of various ethnicities …
Hajdu Cheney Syndrome Due To Notch2 Defect - First Case Report From Pakistan And Review Of Literature, Sibtain Ahmed, Aahan Arif, Saadia Abbas, Muhammad Osama Khan, Salman Kirmani, Aysha Habib Khan
Hajdu Cheney Syndrome Due To Notch2 Defect - First Case Report From Pakistan And Review Of Literature, Sibtain Ahmed, Aahan Arif, Saadia Abbas, Muhammad Osama Khan, Salman Kirmani, Aysha Habib Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Introduction and importance: Hajdu Cheney Syndrome (HCS) is a rare skeletal disease characterized by severe, progressive focal bone loss with osteoporosis, variable craniofacial, vertebral anomalies and distinctive facial features. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant disease although sporadic cases have been described in literature. Identifying these cases in clinical practice is important for proper diagnosis and management.
Case presentation: We report a case of a 36-year-old male patient presented at metabolic bone disease clinic at the Aga Khan University Hospital with history of multiple fragility fractures and juvenile osteoporosis since childhood. DNA sequence analysis of the NOTCH2 coding sequence …
Karachi Cancer Registry (Kcr): Age-Standardized Incidence Rate By Age-Group And Gender In A Mega City Of Pakistan, Shahid Pervez, Adnan Jabbar, Ghulam Haider, Shamvil Ashraf, Muhammad Asif Qureshi, Fouzia Lateef, Imtiaz Bashir, Manzoor Zaidi, Mohammad Khurshid, Mohammad Saeed Quraishy
Karachi Cancer Registry (Kcr): Age-Standardized Incidence Rate By Age-Group And Gender In A Mega City Of Pakistan, Shahid Pervez, Adnan Jabbar, Ghulam Haider, Shamvil Ashraf, Muhammad Asif Qureshi, Fouzia Lateef, Imtiaz Bashir, Manzoor Zaidi, Mohammad Khurshid, Mohammad Saeed Quraishy
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objectives: To estimate the cancer incidence by age group and gender for the population of Karachi Division by analyzing the Karachi Cancer Registry data of 2017-19.
Settings: The population of Karachi division is 16.1 million according to national census 2017. 'Karachi Cancer Registry' which is a part of 'National Cancer Registry' is collecting data from eight major hospitals in Karachi since 2017. For outcome measures, cancer counts and the age standardized incidence rates (ASIR) per 100,000 population were computed for age groups (0-14, 15-19 and ≥20 years), in both genders and all cancer site/type.
Methods: The population denominators were based …
Evaluation Of Semi-Quantitative Compared To Quantitative Cultures Of Tracheal Aspirates For The Yield Of Culturable Respiratory Pathogens - A Cross-Sectional Study, Salima Rattani, Joveria Farooqi, Ghazala Jabeen, Saeeda Chandio, Qaiser Kash, Aijaz Khan, Kauser Jabeen
Evaluation Of Semi-Quantitative Compared To Quantitative Cultures Of Tracheal Aspirates For The Yield Of Culturable Respiratory Pathogens - A Cross-Sectional Study, Salima Rattani, Joveria Farooqi, Ghazala Jabeen, Saeeda Chandio, Qaiser Kash, Aijaz Khan, Kauser Jabeen
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: Diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) depends on the presence of clinical, radiological and microbiological findings. Endotracheal suction aspirate (ETSA) is the commonest respiratory sample sent for culture from intubated patients. Very few studies have compared quantitative and semi-quantitative processing of ETSA cultures for LRTI diagnosis. We determined the diagnostic accuracy of quantitative and semi-quantitative ETSA culture for LRTI diagnosis, agreement between the quantitative and semi quantitative culture techniques and the yield of respiratory pathogens with both methods.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the Aga Khan University clinical laboratory, Karachi, Pakistan. One hundred and seventy-eight …
Draft Genome Sequences Of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Strains Of Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolated From Clinical Samples In Pakistan, Sara Lomonaco, Matthew A. Crawford, Christine Lascols, Debra J. Fisher, Kevin Anderson, David R. Hodge, Segaran P. Pillai, Stephen A. Morse, Erum Khan, Molly A. Hughes, Marc W. Allard, Shashi K. Sharma
Draft Genome Sequences Of Two Extensively Drug-Resistant Strains Of Acinetobacter Baumannii Isolated From Clinical Samples In Pakistan, Sara Lomonaco, Matthew A. Crawford, Christine Lascols, Debra J. Fisher, Kevin Anderson, David R. Hodge, Segaran P. Pillai, Stephen A. Morse, Erum Khan, Molly A. Hughes, Marc W. Allard, Shashi K. Sharma
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Infections in immunocompromised patients that are caused by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Acinetobacter baumannii strains have been increasingly reported worldwide. In particular, carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii strains are a prominent cause of health care-associated infections. Here, we report draft genome assemblies for two clinical XDR A. baumannii isolates obtained from hospitalized patients in Pakistan.
Comparison Of Clinical Presentation And Out-Comes Of Chikungunya And Dengue Virus Infections In Patients With Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness From The Sindh Region Of Pakistan, Uzma Shahid, Joveria Farooqi, Kelli L. Barr, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Bushra Jamil, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Zahida Azizullah, Faisal Malik, Dhani Prakoso, Maureen T. Long, E. Khan
Comparison Of Clinical Presentation And Out-Comes Of Chikungunya And Dengue Virus Infections In Patients With Acute Undifferentiated Febrile Illness From The Sindh Region Of Pakistan, Uzma Shahid, Joveria Farooqi, Kelli L. Barr, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Bushra Jamil, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Zahida Azizullah, Faisal Malik, Dhani Prakoso, Maureen T. Long, E. Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: Arboviruses are a cause of acute febrile illness and outbreaks worldwide. Recent outbreaks of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) in dengue endemic areas have alarmed clinicians as unique clinical features differentiating CHIKV from Dengue virus (DENV) are limited. This has complicated diagnostic efforts especially in resource limited countries where lab testing is not easily available. Therefore, it is essential to analyse and compare clinical features of laboratory confirmed cases to assist clinicians in suspecting possible CHIKV infection at time of clinical presentation.
Methodology: A prospective point prevalence study was conducted, with the hypothesis that not all patients presenting with clinical suspicion …
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Outbreak In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Farida Lalani, Naureen Anjum, Nadia Mohammad, Maria Owais, Afia Zafar
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Outbreak In A Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed, Farida Lalani, Naureen Anjum, Nadia Mohammad, Maria Owais, Afia Zafar
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
The global and national burden of communicable and noncommunicable diseases continues to rise, thus making access to Healthcare workers (HCWs) colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may pose transmission risk to vulnerable patients including neonates. This study reports an MRSA outbreak in a level-II neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a secondary care hospital in Pakistan. Once identified, an infection control team from the parent hospital visited the facility, risk factors were listed and infection control measures taken to control the outbreak. Screening cultures of NICU staff and environmental cultures from NICU were obtained for the presence of MRSA. Five …
Microbiological And Clinical Profile Of Infective Endocarditis Patients: An Observational Study Experience From Tertiary Care Center Karachi Pakistan, Uzma Shahid, Hasanat Sharif, Joveria Farooqi, Bushra Jamil, E. Khan
Microbiological And Clinical Profile Of Infective Endocarditis Patients: An Observational Study Experience From Tertiary Care Center Karachi Pakistan, Uzma Shahid, Hasanat Sharif, Joveria Farooqi, Bushra Jamil, E. Khan
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background:
The study analyzed microbiological and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of organisms isolated from patients with infective endocarditis (2015–17) and compared disease outcomes in cohorts of endocarditis patient with history of prior invasive vascular intervention (high risk group) vs those without (native valve group). We hypothesized that high risk group would be more likely to have severe disease outcomes.
Methods:
This was a prospective cohort study (2015–17). All blood and cardiac tissue samples of enrolled patients suspected of endocarditis according to modified Duke’s criteria were followed for microbiological and antimicrobial susceptibility profile. The high risk group was compared with the native …
Cancer Prevalence In Pakistan: Meta-Analysis Of Various Published Studies To Determine Variation In Cancer Figures Resulting From Marked Population Heterogeneity In Different Parts Of The Country, Romana Idress, Saira Fatima, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Ahmed Raheem, Zubair Ahmad
Cancer Prevalence In Pakistan: Meta-Analysis Of Various Published Studies To Determine Variation In Cancer Figures Resulting From Marked Population Heterogeneity In Different Parts Of The Country, Romana Idress, Saira Fatima, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Ahmed Raheem, Zubair Ahmad
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: Pakistan’s population is ethnically diverse with distinct ethnic groups inhabiting various parts of the country. Cancer statistics obtained from specific regions populated by distinct ethnic groups may vary considerably. There is no national cancer registry. To determine whether there are indeed significant statistical differences in cancer incidence and prevalence, data was recorded from different parts of Pakistan based on the ethnic composition of the population in those parts.
Methods: Ten papers (original articles) on cancer incidence and prevalence in Pakistan published in the last two decades were selected from PubMed and Google Scholar. Meta-analysis of findings of these studies …
Distribution Of Chromosomal Abnormalities Commonly Observed In Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Pakistan As Predictors Of Prognosis, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid, Tariq Moatter, Anila Rashid, Farheen Karim, Ahmed Raheem, Natasha Ali
Distribution Of Chromosomal Abnormalities Commonly Observed In Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia In Pakistan As Predictors Of Prognosis, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid, Tariq Moatter, Anila Rashid, Farheen Karim, Ahmed Raheem, Natasha Ali
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objectives: The heterogenous response to treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) can be attributed largely to the difference in cytogenetic features identified in between cases. Cytogenetic analysis in acute leukemia is now routinely used to assist patient management, particularly in terms of diagnosis, disease monitoring, prognosis and risk stratification. Knowing about cytogenetic profile at the time of diagnosis is important in order to take critical decisions in management of these patients. The study was conducted to determine the distribution of cytogenetic abnormalities in Pakistani adult patients with AML in order to have insights regarding behavior of the disease.
Methods: A …
Osteoporosis And Its Perspective In Pakistan: A Review Of Evidence And Issues For Addressing Fragility Fractures, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Sibtain Ahmed, Shahryar Noordin
Osteoporosis And Its Perspective In Pakistan: A Review Of Evidence And Issues For Addressing Fragility Fractures, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Sibtain Ahmed, Shahryar Noordin
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Despite major advances in osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, low rates of investigating and treating osteoporosis in patients with fragility fracture are reported in Pakistan. Cost of therapies, time and cost of resources for diagnosis, concerns about medications and lack of clarity regarding the onus of responsibility to undertake this care, are some of the barriers to osteoporosis identification and treatment. Data from our part of the world on osteoporosis as well as on fragility fractures is sparse. This review addresses the current screening and diagnostic strategies for osteoporosis and reviews the existing literature to highlight the issues prevalent in our …
Diagnostic Dilemma Of Patients With Methylmalonic Aciduria: Experience From A Tertiary Care Centre In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Azeema Jamil, Nasir Yousufzai, Midhat Fatima, Zeba Zulfiqar Ali, Bushra Afroze
Diagnostic Dilemma Of Patients With Methylmalonic Aciduria: Experience From A Tertiary Care Centre In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Azeema Jamil, Nasir Yousufzai, Midhat Fatima, Zeba Zulfiqar Ali, Bushra Afroze
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objective: To determine the frequency of disorders leading to methylmalonic acidurias.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2013 to April 2016 at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, and comprised patients diagnosed with methylmalonic acidurias based on urine organic acid analysis. Clinical history and biochemical data was collected from the biochemical genetics laboratory requisition forms. Organic acid chromatograms of all the subjects were critically reviewed by a biochemical pathologist and a metabolic physician. For assessing the clinical outcome, medical charts of the patients were reviewed. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 1,778 patients 50(2.81%) …
High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the frequency of subclinical lead toxicity.
STUDY DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study.
PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY:
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2014.
METHODOLOGY:
Analysis of laboratory data for blood lead levels (BLL) was performed. Lead was tested by atomic absorption spectrometer. For all subjects, only initial test results were included while the results of repeated testing were excluded. Exemption was sought from institutional ethical review committee. BLL of 2-10 ug/dl and 10-70 ug/dl in children and adults, respectively were taken as subclinical lead toxicity.
RESULTS:
Amongst …
High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Imran Siddiqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objective: To evaluate the frequency of subclinical lead toxicity.
Study design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and duration of study: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2011 to December 2014.
Methodology: Analysis of laboratory data for blood lead levels (BLL) was performed. Lead was tested by atomic absorption spectrometer. For all subjects, only initial test results were included while the results of repeated testing were excluded. Exemption was sought from institutional ethical review committee. BLL of 2-10 ug/dl and 10-70 ug/dl in children and adults, respectively were taken as subclinical lead toxicity.
Result: Amongst …
Burden Of Zinc (Zn) Deficiency: A High Volume Clinical Laboratory Data Analysis, Hafsa Majid, Shabnum Khawaja, Aysha Habib Khan, Imran Siddqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
Burden Of Zinc (Zn) Deficiency: A High Volume Clinical Laboratory Data Analysis, Hafsa Majid, Shabnum Khawaja, Aysha Habib Khan, Imran Siddqui, Farooq Ghani, Lena Jafri
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
A cross-sectional survey was done at the Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, AKUH, Karachi, to determine frequency of Zn deficiency, the second major micronutrient deficiency in developing countries, in subjects coming for investigations. Data of plasma Zn, from Jan 2013 to Dec 2014 was analyzed and deficiency was labeled at <65ug/dl. Total 469 subjects were tested for plasma Zn levels over the period of 24 months and complete information was available for 422 subjects, included in final analysis. Median age of subjects was 13 yrs (IQR 7-35) and 57% were male. Mean plasma Zn levels of the total subjects were 105±42.6ug/dl. Out of the total subjects 13.5% (n=57) had Zn deficiency (mean plasma Zn 52±11 ug/dl), and most of them were of age group 6-16yrs. These findings advocate that diet of Pakistani children should be revised in order to provide sufficient amounts of Zn.
Selective Screening For Organic Acidurias And Amino Acidopathies In Pakistani Children, Noreen Abbas Sherazi, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Azeema Jamil, Nasir Ali Khan, Bushra Afroze
Selective Screening For Organic Acidurias And Amino Acidopathies In Pakistani Children, Noreen Abbas Sherazi, Aysha Habib Khan, Lena Jafri, Azeema Jamil, Nasir Ali Khan, Bushra Afroze
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objective: To determine the frequency of organic acidurais (OA) and amino acidopathies (AA) in selected high-risk patients screened in two years.
Study Design: Retrospective Observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH), Karachi, from January 2013 to December 2014.
Methodology: Patients with OA and AA were included in the study and patients with IMDs other than OA and AA were excluded. Amino acids and organic acids were analyzed on high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry respectively. Clinical data and chromatograms of patients screened for IMDs were reviewed by chemical pathologist and metabolic physician. …
Clinico-Pathological Profile And Outcomes Of Patients With Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia And Idiopathic Myelofibrosis: A Tertiary Care Center Experience From Southern Pakistan, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed
Clinico-Pathological Profile And Outcomes Of Patients With Polycythaemia Vera, Essential Thrombocythaemia And Idiopathic Myelofibrosis: A Tertiary Care Center Experience From Southern Pakistan, Muhammad Shariq Shaikh, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Naseem Adil, Mohammad Khurshid, Zeeshan Ansar Ahmed
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Background: The “Philadelphia Negative Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms” include polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) andidiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF). These three disorders share several clinical and laboratory features including JAK2 V617F mutation. Our objectives were to determine the clinicoat hological profile and outcomes of Pakistani patients with polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) in order to have an insight regarding behaviour of these conditions.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the cases of PV, ET and IMF diagnosed at our institute from January 1995 to December 2013 was performed.Age, gender, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, treatment provided and …
Symptomatic Surgically Treated Non-Neoplastic Cysts Of The Central Nervous System: A Clinicopathological Study From Pakistan, Nasir Ud Din, Huma Arshad, Zubair Ahmad, Sheema H Hasan, Mohammad Ehsan Bar
Symptomatic Surgically Treated Non-Neoplastic Cysts Of The Central Nervous System: A Clinicopathological Study From Pakistan, Nasir Ud Din, Huma Arshad, Zubair Ahmad, Sheema H Hasan, Mohammad Ehsan Bar
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Objective: To report clinicopathologic features of symptomatic surgically removed non-neoplastic cysts of the central nervous system (CNS). Study Design: Case series. Place and Duration of Study: The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from 2003 to 2012. Methodology: All non-neoplastic CNS cysts reported during the study period were retrieved and reviewed. Age, gender, location, histologic type and clinical features were noted. Results: A total of 124 cysts were diagnosed in the study period. These included 44 epidermoid cysts (mean age 30.5 ± 13.8 years), 35 colloid cysts (mean age 31 ± 13.2 years), 32 arachnoid cysts (mean age 24.8 ± 20.2 …