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Articles 181 - 210 of 230
Full-Text Articles in Infectious Disease
Intimate Partner Violence After Disclosure Of Hiv Test Results Among Pregnant Women In Harare, Zimbabwe, Simukai Shamu, Christina Zarowsky, Tamara Shefer, Marleen Temmerman, Naeemah Abrahams
Intimate Partner Violence After Disclosure Of Hiv Test Results Among Pregnant Women In Harare, Zimbabwe, Simukai Shamu, Christina Zarowsky, Tamara Shefer, Marleen Temmerman, Naeemah Abrahams
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa
Background: HIV status disclosure is a central strategy in HIV prevention and treatment but in high prevalence settings women test disproportionately and most often during pregnancy. This study reports intimate partner violence (IPV) following disclosure of HIV test results by pregnant women.
Methods: In this cross sectional study we interviewed 1951 postnatal women who tested positive and negative for HIV about IPV experiences following HIV test disclosure, using an adapted WHO questionnaire. Multivariate regression models assessed factors associated with IPV after disclosure and controlled for factors such as previous IPV and other known behavioural factors associated with IPV.
Results: Over …
Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Barbers And Their Knowledge, Attitude And Practices In The District Of Sukkur, Sindh ., Imran Naeem Abbasi, Zafar Fatmi, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Nalini Sathiakumar
Prevalence Of Hepatitis B Virus Infection Among Barbers And Their Knowledge, Attitude And Practices In The District Of Sukkur, Sindh ., Imran Naeem Abbasi, Zafar Fatmi, Muhammad Masood Kadir, Nalini Sathiakumar
Community Health Sciences
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
Several occupations in developing countries lag behind in ensuring the safety of their workers in occupational settings. Lack of implementation of safety guidelines at workplaces can expose workers to health risks. In Pakistan, barbers are one of the un-regulated occupational groups. Low literacy, increased frequency of direct skin contact and blade/razors use can expose barbers to body fluids including blood of the customers. We conducted this study in order to determine hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence among barbers and their knowledge, attitude and practices in a peri-urban district of Sindh.
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Three hundred eighty-five barbers from …
Tackling The Existing Burden Of Infectious Diseases In The Developing World: Existing Gaps And The Way Forward, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Rehana A. Salam, Jai K. Das, Zohra S. Lassi
Tackling The Existing Burden Of Infectious Diseases In The Developing World: Existing Gaps And The Way Forward, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Rehana A. Salam, Jai K. Das, Zohra S. Lassi
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
This series evaluates the effectiveness of community-based interventions (CBIs) to prevent and control infectious diseases of poverty (IDoP). Evidence from our reviews suggests that CBIs and school-based delivery platforms are effective in averting risk behaviors and reducing the disease burden. Co-implementation of interventions through existing community-based programs including immunization campaigns, antenatal care and maternal and child health programs have the potential to scale-up interventions for IDoP. Future research should focus on the process of developing and implementing efficient community-based programs through a comprehensive approach, and to gauge the effectiveness of various existing delivery models in order to improve morbidity and …
Clinical, Lifestyle, Socioeconomic Determinants And Rate Of Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis In Stroke Free Pakistanis., Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Farzin Majeed, Omrana Pasha, Hasan Rehman, Muhammad Islam, Iqbal Azam Syed, Muhammad Saleem Ilyas, Munawar Hussain, Kamran Masood, Bilal Ahmed, Sumaira Nazir, Zafar Sajjad, Scott E. Kasner
Clinical, Lifestyle, Socioeconomic Determinants And Rate Of Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis In Stroke Free Pakistanis., Ayeesha Kamran Kamal, Farzin Majeed, Omrana Pasha, Hasan Rehman, Muhammad Islam, Iqbal Azam Syed, Muhammad Saleem Ilyas, Munawar Hussain, Kamran Masood, Bilal Ahmed, Sumaira Nazir, Zafar Sajjad, Scott E. Kasner
Department of Medicine
Background: Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (ICAD) is the most frequent etiology of stroke with high prevalence among Asians. Despite this, early determinants of ICAD have not been described from this region.
Methods: The study is an analytical prospective cross-sectional study of 200 adults from Radiology Departments of two diagnostic centers in Karachi. Eligible participants confirmed the absence of stroke symptoms via the Questionnaire for Verifying Stroke Free Status (QVSFS) and underwent an interview covering medical, socio demographic, lifestyle and anthropometric evaluation using locally validated and standardized definitions. Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) were centrally reviewed to detect ICAD using the criterion used …
Impact Of Peak/Mid Luteal Estradiol On Pregnancy Outcome After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Rehana Rehman, Zahir Hussain, Huma Zahir, Rakhshaan Khan
Impact Of Peak/Mid Luteal Estradiol On Pregnancy Outcome After Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Rehana Rehman, Zahir Hussain, Huma Zahir, Rakhshaan Khan
Department of Biological & Biomedical Sciences
Abstract
Objective: To compare peak to mid estradiol ratio with the probability of successful conception after intracytoplasmic
sperm injection.
Method: The quasi-experimental study was conducted in an infertility clinic at Islamabad from June 2010 till August
2011, and comprised couples subjected to intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. Down-regulation of ovaries was
followed by calculated stimulation, ovulation induction, oocytes retrieval, intra cytoplasmic sperm injection, in vitro
maturation of embryos and finally blastocysts transfer. Serum estradiol was measured by enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay on ovulation induction day and the day of embryo transfer. Failure of procedure was detected
by beta human chorionic gonadotropin5-25mIU/ml (Group I; …
Myocarditis Complicating Plasmodium Vivax Malaria., Noreen Nasir, Saima Lalani, Zahra Aziz Samani, Aysha Almas
Myocarditis Complicating Plasmodium Vivax Malaria., Noreen Nasir, Saima Lalani, Zahra Aziz Samani, Aysha Almas
Department of Medicine
Myocarditis complicating Plasmodium vivax malaria is an extremely rare complication. We report this development in a young girl who was diagnosed to have P. vivax malaria on the basis of peripheral smear. While undergoing antimalarial treatment, she developed respiratory distress requiring invasive mechanical ventilation and inotropic support due to cardiogenic shock secondary to myocarditis. Cardiovascular complications are well recognized with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Nevertheless, a high index of suspicion should be maintained for the same in Plasmodium vivax infection especially if symptoms of heart failure develop in a young patient.
Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Regarding Hiv/Aids Among Adult Fishermen In Coastal Areas Of Karachi., Mubashir Zafar, Nighat Nisar, Masood Kadir, Zafar Fatmi, Zeeshan Ahmed, Kashif Shafique
Knowledge, Attitude And Practices Regarding Hiv/Aids Among Adult Fishermen In Coastal Areas Of Karachi., Mubashir Zafar, Nighat Nisar, Masood Kadir, Zafar Fatmi, Zeeshan Ahmed, Kashif Shafique
Community Health Sciences
BACKGROUND:
Migrant populations are at high risk of Human Immuno Deficiency Virus infection (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Studies of HIV/AIDS knowledge, attitudes and practices among fishermen in developing countries have shown gaps in knowledge and fear of contagion with ambivalent attitudes towards HIV/AIDS and inconsistent universal precautions adherence. The aim of this study was to determine the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding HIV/AIDS among adult fishermen in a coastal area of Karachi, Pakistan.
METHODS:
Community based cross sectional study was conducted among fishermen in coastal area of Karachi from June to September 2012. A total of 297 adult …
Ct Scan In Children With Acute Bacterial Meningitis: Experience From Emergency Department Of A Tertiary-Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Jabeen Fayyaz, Arshalooz Rehman, Akhter Hamid, Munawar Khursheed, Nukhba Zia, Asher Feroze, Uzma R. Khan
Ct Scan In Children With Acute Bacterial Meningitis: Experience From Emergency Department Of A Tertiary-Care Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Jabeen Fayyaz, Arshalooz Rehman, Akhter Hamid, Munawar Khursheed, Nukhba Zia, Asher Feroze, Uzma R. Khan
Department of Emergency Medicine
Objective: To determine the role of computed tomography scan in children presenting to emergency department with symptoms and signs of suspected acute bacterial meningitis.
Methods: The retrospective analysis was done on children who were admitted through the Emergency Department at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from September 2009 to September 2011 with the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis. Information related to age, gender, presenting complaints, clinical signs and symptoms, computed tomography scan findings and final outcome of patients was gathered from the medical records. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 192 patients were admitted with …
Emerging Challenges And Health System Capacity: The Case Of Non- Communicable Diseases In Pakistan; A Review, Mubashir Zafar, Muhammad Ashar Malik
Emerging Challenges And Health System Capacity: The Case Of Non- Communicable Diseases In Pakistan; A Review, Mubashir Zafar, Muhammad Ashar Malik
Community Health Sciences
Background: Pakistan is facing double burden of disease and the contribution of mortality by non-communicable diseases has over numbered the communicable diseases. The focus of health system of Pakistan is inclined more towards communicable disease and maternal & child health. Therefore, there is a need to review health policy, health sector budgeting and health setup in order to meet the needs of healthcare in context of non-communicable disease.
Objective: To review the health system capacity to manage the emerging challenge of non-communicable diseases in Pakistan.
Methodology: A thorough literature search on PubMed and Google Scholar was done. Reports from W.H.O, …
Salmonella Cholecystitis: Atypical Presentation Of A Typical Condition, Rehan Ali, Shakeel Ahmed, Maqbool Qadir, Huba Atiq, Muhammad Hamid
Salmonella Cholecystitis: Atypical Presentation Of A Typical Condition, Rehan Ali, Shakeel Ahmed, Maqbool Qadir, Huba Atiq, Muhammad Hamid
Department of Emergency Medicine
Salmonella cholecystitis is a rare but important complication of Salmonella typhi infection. We are reporting an 11 years old female child who presented with complaints of high-grade fever, jaundice and right sided abdominal pain (Charcot's triad). Her examination showed tender hepatomegaly. Initial blood results revealed high white cell counts with left shift, deranged liver function tests. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed distended gallbladder with minimal layer of sludge seen within its lumen along with streak of pericholecystic fluid. Blood culture grew Salmonella typhi. She was successfully treated with intravenous ceftriaxone.
Photo Quiz: Young Girl With Cough, Headache, And Visual Loss., Aisha Ilyas, Naima Fasih, Kauser Jabeen, Ehsan Bari, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Photo Quiz: Young Girl With Cough, Headache, And Visual Loss., Aisha Ilyas, Naima Fasih, Kauser Jabeen, Ehsan Bari, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Department of Medicine
No abstract provided.
Ultrasound Based Evaluation Of Hepatic Steatosis And Fibrosis In Hepatitis C Non-Responders, Saba Sohail, Sina Aziz, Talat Mirza
Ultrasound Based Evaluation Of Hepatic Steatosis And Fibrosis In Hepatitis C Non-Responders, Saba Sohail, Sina Aziz, Talat Mirza
Department of Radiology
Objective: To determine the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis and grading of steatosis and fibrosis in Hepatitis C (HCV) patients not responding to ribavarin-interferon therapy.
Study design: A cross-sectional, analytical study.
Place and duration of study: Radiology Department, Civil Hospital, Karachi, from March 2008 to August 2010.
Methodology: Patients with positive HCV RNA despite 24 weeks ribavarin-interferon therapy (non-responders) were subjected to ultrasound and biopsy prior to institution of pegylated interferon therapy for detection and grading of steatosis and fibrosis. Using histopathology as the gold standard, sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values for ultrasound were determined.
Results: The …
A Comparison Of Who Guidelines Issued In 1997 And 2009 For Dengue Fever - Single Centre Experience., Munawar Khursheed, Uzma R. Khan, Kiran Ejaz, Jabeen Fayyaz, Irum Qamar, J. Razzak
A Comparison Of Who Guidelines Issued In 1997 And 2009 For Dengue Fever - Single Centre Experience., Munawar Khursheed, Uzma R. Khan, Kiran Ejaz, Jabeen Fayyaz, Irum Qamar, J. Razzak
Department of Emergency Medicine
Objective: To compare the original (1997) and revised (2009) versions of World Health Organization guidelines for dengue patients
Methods: Adult patients with a positive dengue Immunoglobulin M serology, and a diagnosis of dengue were included in the study at Aga Khan University Hospital during a three-year period from January 2005 to December 2007. Data related to these dengue patients was collected from their medical records. Guidelines were then applied by the research assistant and correlation among these guidelines was computed. SPSS 19 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 612 patients were found with a diagnosis of dengue, …
A Double Blind Community-Based Randomized Trial Of Amoxicillin Versus Placebo For Fast Breathing Pneumonia In Children Aged 2-59 Months In Karachi, Pakistan (Retapp), Fyezah Jehan, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Salima Kerai, Nick Brown, Benazir Balouch, Zulfiqar Hyder, Gwen Ambler, Amy Sarah Ginsburg, Anita K. M. Zaidi
A Double Blind Community-Based Randomized Trial Of Amoxicillin Versus Placebo For Fast Breathing Pneumonia In Children Aged 2-59 Months In Karachi, Pakistan (Retapp), Fyezah Jehan, Muhammad Imran Nisar, Salima Kerai, Nick Brown, Benazir Balouch, Zulfiqar Hyder, Gwen Ambler, Amy Sarah Ginsburg, Anita K. M. Zaidi
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
Background: Fast breathing pneumonia is characterized by tachypnoea in the absence of danger signs and is mostly viral in etiology. Current guidelines recommend antibiotic therapy for all children with fast breathing pneumonia in resource limited settings, presuming that most pneumonia is bacterial. High quality clinical trial evidence to challenge or support the continued use of antibiotics, as recommended by the World Health Organization is lacking.
Methods/Design: This is a randomized double blinded placebo-controlled non-inferiority trial using parallel assignment with 1:1 allocation ratio, to be conducted in low income squatter settlements of urban Karachi, Pakistan. Children 2-59 months old with fast …
Vitamin D Accelerates Clinical Recovery From Tuberculosis: Results Of The Succinct Study [Supplementary Cholecalciferol In Recovery From Tuberculosis]. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial Of Vitamin D Supplementation In Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis'., Nawal Salahuddin, Farheen Ali, Zahra Hasan, Nisar Rao, Masooma Aqeel, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Vitamin D Accelerates Clinical Recovery From Tuberculosis: Results Of The Succinct Study [Supplementary Cholecalciferol In Recovery From Tuberculosis]. A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Trial Of Vitamin D Supplementation In Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis'., Nawal Salahuddin, Farheen Ali, Zahra Hasan, Nisar Rao, Masooma Aqeel, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Department of Medicine
BACKGROUND:
Vitamin D enhances host protective immune responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis by suppressing Interferon-gamma (IFN-g) and reducing disease associated inflammation in the host. The objectives of this study were to determine whether vitamin Dsupplementation to patients with tuberculosis (TB) could influence recovery.
METHODS:
Two hundred and fifty nine patients with pulmonary TB were randomized to receive either 600,000 IU of Intramuscular vitamin D3 or placebo for 2 doses. Assessments were performed at 4, 8 and 12 weeks. Early secreted and T cell activated 6 kDa (ESAT6) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis sonicate (MTBs) antigen induced whole blood stimulated IFN-g responses were measured …
Parallel Ngo Networks For Hiv Control: Risks And Opportunities For Ngo Contracting., Shehla Zaidi, Xaher Gul, Noureen Aleem Nishtar
Parallel Ngo Networks For Hiv Control: Risks And Opportunities For Ngo Contracting., Shehla Zaidi, Xaher Gul, Noureen Aleem Nishtar
Community Health Sciences
Policy measures for preventive and promotive services are increasingly reliant on contracting of NGOs. Contracting is a neo-liberal response relying on open market competition for service delivery tenders. In contracting of health services a common assumption is a monolithic NGO market. A case study of HIV control in Pakistan shows that in reality the NGO market comprises of parallel NGO networks having widely different service packages, approaches and agendas. These parallel networks had evolved over time due to vertical policy agendas. Contracting of NGOs for provision of HIV services was faced with uneven capacities and turf rivalries across both NGO …
Triple Valve Endocarditis By Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: A Case Report., Quratulain Shaikh, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Triple Valve Endocarditis By Mycobacterium Tuberculosis: A Case Report., Quratulain Shaikh, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Department of Medicine
BACKGROUND:
Granulomas caused by Mycobacterium Tuberculosis have been observed at autopsy in the heart, pre-dominantly in the myocardium and endocardium, but rarely involving the coronary vessels and valvular structures. Mycobacterium tuberculosis valvular endocarditis is extremely rare, with most reports coming from autopsy series.
CASE PRESENTATION:
We report the case of a 17 year old immunocompetent girl who presented with history of fever, malaise, foot gangrene and a left sided hemiparesis. On investigation she was found to have infective endocarditis involving the aortic, mitral and tricuspid valves. She had developed a right middle cerebral artery stroke. She underwent dual valve replacement …
Fulminant Invasive Aspergillosis Of The Mediastinum In An Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report., Muhammad Tariq Shakoor, Samia Ayub, Zunaira Ayub, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Fulminant Invasive Aspergillosis Of The Mediastinum In An Immunocompetent Host: A Case Report., Muhammad Tariq Shakoor, Samia Ayub, Zunaira Ayub, Syed Faisal Mahmood
Department of Medicine
Introduction: Invasive aspergillosis is a serious complication in immunocompromised patients. It is an opportunistic disease, which predominantly occurs in the lungs, although dissemination to virtually any organ is possible. Invasive aspergillosis in an immunocompetent patient with extension to the mediastinum has rarely been reported. Here, we present the case of a patient with no apparent immunodeficiency state, who presented with Aspergillus endocarditis and fulminant invasive aspergillosis with extensive involvement of the mediastinal structures, which ultimately was responsible for her death. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case in the literature on fulminant invasive mediastinal aspergillosis …
Prolonged Intermediate Syndrome Pue To Prganophosphate Poisoning, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Muhammad Junaid Patel, M. N.M. Hifath, Saima Kamal, Syed Ather Hussain
Prolonged Intermediate Syndrome Pue To Prganophosphate Poisoning, Nadeem Ullah Khan, Muhammad Junaid Patel, M. N.M. Hifath, Saima Kamal, Syed Ather Hussain
Department of Emergency Medicine
Organophosphate poisoning can present as acute cholinergic syndrome, Intermediate syndrome and delayed neuropathy. Intermediate syndrome secondary to organophosphate poisoning is a serious health problem leading to increased morbidity and mortality. The incidence of problem varies and range from 8%-84% of organophosphate poisoning cases. The factors account for this difference is nature of organophosphate compound, severity of poisoning and inadequate Oxime therapy. The recognition of this syndrome is important as organophosphate poisoning is common in our country. We presented this case of organophosphate poisoning leading to prolonged intermediate syndrome. The muscle weakness associated with this syndrome generally resolves in 5-18 days …
Randomized Controlled Trial Of Interferon Gamma Versus Amantadine In Combination With Interferon Alpha And Ribavirin For Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Non-Responders And Relapsers, Z Abbas, Sajjad Raza, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri
Randomized Controlled Trial Of Interferon Gamma Versus Amantadine In Combination With Interferon Alpha And Ribavirin For Hepatitis C Genotype 3 Non-Responders And Relapsers, Z Abbas, Sajjad Raza, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri
Section of Gastroenterology
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of triple combination regimens comprising of interferon alpha-2b (IFN-alpha) and ribavirin plus either IFN-gamma or amantadine in genotype 3 patients, responders or relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin combination.
METHODS: Patients were randomized to receive IFN-alpha 3MU thrice a week, ribavirin 800-1200 mg per day with either IFN-gamma 2 MU thrice a week or amantadine 100 mg twice daily. Treatment was continued for 48 weeks in patients showing complete or partial (2 log reduction) early virological response (EVR) at 12 weeks and negative PCR at 24 weeks.
RESULTS: Total enrollments were 44; 25 were …
Knowledge And Attitudes About Tetanus And Rabies: A Population-Based Survey From Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammad Wasay, Abdul Malik, Ammad Fahim, Adnan Yousuf, Rajesh Chawla, Haroon Daniel, Muhammad Rafay, Iqbal Azam, Junaid Razzak
Knowledge And Attitudes About Tetanus And Rabies: A Population-Based Survey From Karachi, Pakistan, Mohammad Wasay, Abdul Malik, Ammad Fahim, Adnan Yousuf, Rajesh Chawla, Haroon Daniel, Muhammad Rafay, Iqbal Azam, Junaid Razzak
Section of Neurology
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate public knowledge regarding predisposing factors, fatality and prevention of Tetanus and Rabies and attitudes toward vaccination and post-exposure prophylaxis.
METHODS: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted in all the 18 towns of Karachi, the largest metropolitan city of Pakistan, from December 2007 to January 2008. Men and women of more than 18 years of age were included in the study which used a self-reporting questionarre as its tool.
RESULTS: There were 1201 people interviewed by the study. The majority of respondents had known or heard about Tetanus (n = 973; 81%) and rabies (n = 699; 58%). …
Nutritional Status In Patients With Hepatitis C, Faisal Wasim Ismail, Rustam A. Khan, Lubna Kamani, Ashfaq A. Wadalawala, Hasnain Ali Shah, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri
Nutritional Status In Patients With Hepatitis C, Faisal Wasim Ismail, Rustam A. Khan, Lubna Kamani, Ashfaq A. Wadalawala, Hasnain Ali Shah, Saeed Hamid, Wasim Jafri
Section of Gastroenterology
Objective: To assess the nutritional status via the SGA (subjective global assessment) screening tool of patients at all stages of hepatitis C virus (HCV) liver disease.
Study design: Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: Out-patient Clinics of the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, conducted from October 2009 to January 2011.
Methodology: Patients with hepatitis C virus infection and their HCV-negative attendants were enrolled from the outpatient clinics, and categorized into 4 groups of 100 patients each: healthy controls (HC), those with chronic hepatitis C infection (CHC), compensated cirrhotics (CC) and decompensated cirrhotics (DC). The validated subjective global assessment (SGA) …
Nitric Oxide Metabolites As Biomarkers For Influenza-Like Acute Respiratory Infections Presenting To The Emergency Room, Asad Mian, Federico R Laham, Andrea T Cruz, Harsha Garg, Charles G Macias, A. Chantal Caviness, Pedro A Piedra
Nitric Oxide Metabolites As Biomarkers For Influenza-Like Acute Respiratory Infections Presenting To The Emergency Room, Asad Mian, Federico R Laham, Andrea T Cruz, Harsha Garg, Charles G Macias, A. Chantal Caviness, Pedro A Piedra
Department of Emergency Medicine
Aims: Nitric oxide (NO) is increased in the respiratory tract in pulmonary infections. The aim was to determine whether nasal wash NO metabolites could serve as biomarkers of viral pathogen and disease severity in children with influenza-like illness (ILI) presenting to the emergency department (ED) during the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic.
Methods: Children ≤18 years old presenting to the ED with ILI were eligible. Nasal wash specimens were tested for NO metabolites, nitrate and nitrite, by HPLC and for respiratory viruses by real-time PCR.
Results: Eighty-nine patients with ILI were prospectively enrolled during Oct-Dec, 2009. In the …
Cerebral Nocardiosis, Rohana Naqi, Humera Ahsan, Muhammad Azeemuddin
Cerebral Nocardiosis, Rohana Naqi, Humera Ahsan, Muhammad Azeemuddin
Department of Radiology
Localized and multisystem nocardiosis is an opportunistic disease that occurs commonly in immunocompromised patients. Rarely, it is also seen in immunocompetent individuals. The most common disease sites include lung, skin and central nervous system. We report a case of 73 years old man who is a known case of rheumatoid arthritis for more than 15 years and was on Methotrexate and Prednisolone. Now presented with generalized tonic clonic seizures. His Magnetic Resonace Imaging (MRI) scan showed a ring enhancing lesion with mild surrounding oedema in right posterior parietal cortex. Based on the finding, the most probable diagnosis of cerebral abscess …
Real-World Comparison Of Two Molecular Methods For Detection Of Respiratory Viruses, Syed Asad Ali, James E. Gern, Tina V. Hartert, Kathryn M. Edwards, Marie R. Griffin, E Kathryn Mille, Tebeb Gebretsadik, Tressa Pappas, Wai Ming Lee, John V. Williams
Real-World Comparison Of Two Molecular Methods For Detection Of Respiratory Viruses, Syed Asad Ali, James E. Gern, Tina V. Hartert, Kathryn M. Edwards, Marie R. Griffin, E Kathryn Mille, Tebeb Gebretsadik, Tressa Pappas, Wai Ming Lee, John V. Williams
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health
Background: Molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assays are increasingly used to diagnose viral respiratory infections and conduct epidemiology studies. Molecular assays have generally been evaluated by comparing them to conventional direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) or viral culture techniques, with few published direct comparisons between molecular methods or between institutions. We sought to perform a real-world comparison of two molecular respiratory viral diagnostic methods between two experienced respiratory virus research laboratories.
Methods: We tested nasal and throat swab specimens obtained from 225 infants with respiratory illness for 11 common respiratory viruses using both a multiplex assay (Respiratory MultiCode-PLx Assay [RMA]) …
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Caused By Naegleria Fowleri, Karachi, Pakistan., Sadia Shakoor, Mohammad Asim Beg,, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Rebecca Bandea, Rama Sriram, Fatima Noman, Farheen Ali,, Govinda S. Visvesvara, Afia Zafar
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis Caused By Naegleria Fowleri, Karachi, Pakistan., Sadia Shakoor, Mohammad Asim Beg,, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Rebecca Bandea, Rama Sriram, Fatima Noman, Farheen Ali,, Govinda S. Visvesvara, Afia Zafar
Department of Medicine
We report 13 cases of Naegleria fowleri primary amebic meningoencephalitis in persons in Karachi, Pakistan, who had no history of aquatic activities. Infection likely occurred through ablution with tap water. An increase in primary amebic meningoencephalitis cases may be attributed to rising temperatures, reduced levels of chlorine in potable water, or deteriorating water distribution systems.
Post-Dural Puncture Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome, Fauzia N. Minai, Syeda Fauzia Hasan, Mughis Sheerani
Post-Dural Puncture Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome, Fauzia N. Minai, Syeda Fauzia Hasan, Mughis Sheerani
Department of Anaesthesia
We report the case of a young patient with 36 weeks pregnancy, and an acute respiratory infection with severe bronchospasm, who developed an occipital headache and neck pain on the third day of inadvertent dural puncture during placement of combined epidural spinal anaesthesia for caesarian section. It was diagnosed as post-dural puncture headache until generalised tonic clonic siezures occurred the next day raising the suspicion of postpartum eclampsia or meningitis. Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome was diagnosed on MRI of the brain which showed features of reversible ischemia in the posterior region of the brain. With anticonvulsant therapy and antibiotics there …
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever In A Dengue-Endemic Region: Lessons For The Future., Farheen Ali, Taimur Saleem, Umair Khalid, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Bushra Jamil
Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever In A Dengue-Endemic Region: Lessons For The Future., Farheen Ali, Taimur Saleem, Umair Khalid, Syed Faisal Mahmood, Bushra Jamil
Department of Medicine
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever are endemic in Pakistan. However, the overlap of geographic distribution and early clinical features between the two conditions make a reliable diagnosis difficult in the initial stage of illness. A 16-year-old boy presented with a history of hematemesis and high-grade fever. A preliminary diagnosis of dengue hemorrhagic fever was made and supportive treatment was instituted; however, the patient continued to deteriorate clinically. Dengue IgM antibody testing was negative on the third day of admission. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction test for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever viral RNA was sent but the patient expired shortly after …
Prevalence Of Hepatitis B And C Viral Infections In Pakistan: Findings Of A National Survey Appealing For Effective Prevention And Control Measures, H Qureshi, K M. Bile, Rashid Jooma, S E. Alam, H U R. Afridi
Prevalence Of Hepatitis B And C Viral Infections In Pakistan: Findings Of A National Survey Appealing For Effective Prevention And Control Measures, H Qureshi, K M. Bile, Rashid Jooma, S E. Alam, H U R. Afridi
Section of Neurosurgery
A prevalence survey on hepatitis B and C infections was carried out to obtain national estimates and assess epidemiological dynamics and underlying risk factors. Overall prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) of 2.5% and 4.8%, respectively, reflected a combined infection rate of 7.6% in the general population, consistent with an ongoing high burden of chronic liver disease (CLD). There was significant association of these viral infections with a range of risk factors led by reuse of syringes. These findings validate currently implemented strategies by the national programme for the control of hepatitis viral infections, …
Identification And Genotyping Of Bacteria From Paired Vaginal And Rectal Samples From Pregnant Women Indicates Similarity Between Vaginal And Rectal Microflora, Nabil Abdullah El Aila, Inge Tency, Geert Claeys, Hans Verstraelen, Bart Saerens, Guido Lopes Dos Santos Santiago, Ellen De Backer, Piet Cools, Marleen Temmerman, Rita Verhelst
Identification And Genotyping Of Bacteria From Paired Vaginal And Rectal Samples From Pregnant Women Indicates Similarity Between Vaginal And Rectal Microflora, Nabil Abdullah El Aila, Inge Tency, Geert Claeys, Hans Verstraelen, Bart Saerens, Guido Lopes Dos Santos Santiago, Ellen De Backer, Piet Cools, Marleen Temmerman, Rita Verhelst
Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa
Background: The vaginal microflora is important for maintaining vaginal health and preventing infections of the reproductive tract. The rectum has been suggested as the major source for the colonisation of the vaginal econiche.
Methods: To establish whether the rectum can serve as a possible bacterial reservoir for colonisation of the vaginal econiche, we cultured vaginal and rectal specimens from pregnant women at 35-37 weeks of gestation, identified the isolates to the species level with tRNA intergenic length polymorphism analysis (tDNA-PCR) and genotyped the isolates for those subjects from which the same species was isolated simultaneously vaginally and rectally, by RAPD-analysis. …