Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Inducible Clindamycin Resistance Due To Expression Of Erm Genes In Staphylococcus Aureus: Report From A Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi, Pakistan, Naima Fasih, Seema Irfan, Afia Zafar, Erum Khan, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of phenotypic expression of inducible resistance of clindamycin due to expression of erm genes, in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), by double disk diffusion test (D-test).

METHOD: This was a cross sectional study conducted in the clinical laboratory of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. A total of 2432, non duplicate clinical isolates of S. aureus, consisting of 1562 methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 870 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA), were selected from February 2007 to January 2008. One hundred and thirty eight isolates of S. aureus were selected based on discordant resistance …

Increased Isolation Of Esbl Producing Klebsiella Pneumoniae With Emergence Of Carbapenem Resistant Isolates In Pakistan: Report From A Tertiary Care Hospital, Erum Khan, Muslima Ejaz, Afia Zafar, Kauser Jabeen, Sadia Shakoor, Raunaq Inayat, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To report trends of extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL), multidrug resistant (MDR) ESBL and emergence of carbapenem resistant ESBL producing isolates of K. pneumoniae from Pakistan.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of laboratory data was conducted (2002-2007). K. pneumoniae were isolated and identified from clinical samples using standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby Bauer. ESBL was detected using combined disc method. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 13.

RESULTS: 15914 K. pneumoniae isolates (2002-2007) were analyzed. Significant increase in ESBL and MDR ESBL producing K. pneumoniae (p = or < 0.0001) was observed. We found significant association of ESBL positive K. pneumoniae with age less than 10 years, males and blood isolates (p = 0.001). 0.4% (n=23) of ESBL positive isolates were carbapenem resistant.

CONCLUSIONS: Increase in ESBL and carbapenem resistant …

Impact Of Infection Control Activities On The Rate Of Needle Stick Injuries At A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Pakistan Over A Period Of Six Years: An Observational Study., Afia Zafar, Faiza Habib, Roshan Hadwani, Muslima Ejaz, Khurshid Khowaja, Rozina Khowaja, Seema Irfan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background:Accidental exposure to blood and body fluids is frequent among health care workers. They are at high risk of nosocomial transmission of blood borne pathogens due to injuries caused by used sharps. We are reporting impact of surveillance and educational program on the rate of needle stick injuries among health care workers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan.

Methods:

At Aga Khan University Hospital sharp injuries are reported to infection control office. To reduce these incidents a quality improvement project was inducted in the year 2005. Health care workers were educated, surveillance data from 2002 to 2007 was …

Spot Urine Protein: Creatinine Ratio Versus 24 Hour Urine Protein At Various Levels Of Gfr Patients Referred To A Tertiary Care Hospital Of Pakistan, Absar Ali, Naila Asif, Sonia Yaqub, Waqar Kashif, Diamond Merchant, Iffat Yazdant

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation of "random single voided urine protein: creatinine ratio" to "twenty four hour urine protein" at different levels of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in Pakistani population.

METHODS: A total of 107 patients were included in this cross section study. Patients were divided into five groups according to the GFR. Spot urine protein: creatinine ratio and 24 hour urine protein was measured by the standard methods. The correlation coefficient ( r) between the two was calculated in each group separately.

RESULTS: The GFR in groups 1 to 5 was > or =90, 60-89, 30-59, 15-29, and /minute/1.73 m2 …

Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Health Care Workers Regarding Needle Stick Injuries At A Tertiary Care Hospital In Pakistan, Afia Zafar, Naveen Aslam, Nosheen Nasir, Riffat Meraj, Vikram Mehraj

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

OBJECTIVE: To assess the knowledge, attitude and practices of HCWs regarding needle stick injuries at the Aga Khan University Hospital.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on medical personnel. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was administered during June-July 2003. The data was analysed by SPSS 13.0. Percentages of the categorical variables were computed and compared by Chi square test at a 5% level of significance. Odds ratios and their 95% CIs were also computed.

RESULTS: Of 80 participants, 29 were doctors and 51 were registered nurses. About 45% reported having a needle stick injury in the past. Frequency of injury was …