Pathology Commons^™

Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy For Analysis Of Kidney Stones, Aysha Habib Khan, Sheharbano Imran, Jamsheer Talati, Lena Jafri

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Purpose:
To compare the results of a chemical method of kidney stone analysis with the results of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.
Materials and Methods:
Kidney stones collected between June and October 2015 were simultaneously analyzed by chemical and FT-IR methods.
Results:
Kidney stones (n=449) were collected from patients from 1 to 81 years old. Most stones were from adults, with only 11.5% from children (aged 3-16 years) and 1.5% from children aged adults, the calcium oxalate stone type, calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM, n=224), was the most common crystal, followed by uric acid and calcium oxalate dihydrate (COD, n=83). In …

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%) …

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 …

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

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• 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

High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib Khan, 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 …

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 …

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms In Efflux Pumps Genes In Extensively Drug Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis Isolates From Pakistan, Akbar Kanji, Rumina Hasan, Asho Ali, Ambreen Zaver, Ying Zhang, Kehkashan Imtiaz, Wanliang Shi, Taane G. Clark, Ruth Mcnerney, Jody Phelan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

It is challenging to understand mechanisms of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) due to the large variability in resistance associated genes. Efflux pump genes contribute to drug resistance and thus add to this complexity. Efflux pump gene protein superfamilies have been characterized by genome analysis of drug resistant strains and through invitro transcriptional studies. However, there is limited information regarding efflux pump genes in extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) isolates. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) based analysis of 37 extensively drug resistant (XDR) and five drug sensitive (DS) MTB clinical isolates was performed. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in efflux …

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation In Pakistan – Country Report, Parvez Ahmed, Tahir Sultan Shamsi, Salman Adil, Tariq Mahmood Satti, Qamar Un Nisa Chaudhry, Tahir Sultan Shamsi, Syed Kamran Mahmood, Saqib Ansari, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Tariq Ghafoor

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

High Burden Of Subclinical Lead Toxicity After Phase Out Of Lead From Petroleum In Pakistan, Hafsa Majid, Aysha Habib Khan, 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 …

Intrahepatic Biliary Cystadenoma Mimicking Hydatid Cyst Of Liver: A Clinicopathologic Study Of Six Cases, Zubair Ahmad, Nasir Uddin, Wasim Memon, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Arsalan Ahmed

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Intrahepatic biliary cystadenomas are rare hepatic neoplasms, which are usually cystic. These tumors are often misdiagnosed as simple liver cysts and hydatid cysts clinically and radiologically owing to nonspecific clinical and radiologic features. These tumors require complete resection, as recurrence and malignant transformation can occur following incomplete excision. It is essential that these tumors be diagnosed accurately so that they can be adequately excised.
Methods: Clinical and radiological features of six cases of biliary cystadenoma are described.
Results: All of these cases were resected with the clinical and/or radiological impression of simple liver cysts and/ or hydatid cysts. Out …

Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical settings and injudicious use of antibiotics, resistance among MRSA against commonly used antibiotics is increasing. To assess the susceptibility pattern of MRSA against vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, rifampicin, fosfomycin fusidic acid, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and teicoplanin, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for given antimicrobials were performed on 234 MRSA clinical isolates using automated VITEK 2 system. Vancomycin, linezolid, rifampicin, clindamycin, co-trimoxazole and teicoplanin susceptibilities were interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, while tigecycline, fosfomycin and fusidic acid were interpreted according to BSAC breakpoints. All isolates were found susceptible to vancomycin, tigecycline, teicoplanin and linezolid. …

Susceptibility Pattern Of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus To Vancomycin And Other Alternate Agents: Report From A Private Sector Hospital Laboratory, Faryal Saleem, Naima Fasih, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

With increasing prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in clinical settings and injudicious use of antibiotics, resistance among MRSA against commonly used antibiotics is increasing. To assess the susceptibility pattern of MRSA against vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline, rifampicin, fosfomycin fusidic acid, clindamycin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and teicoplanin, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for given antimicrobials were performed on 234 MRSA clinical isolates using automated VITEK 2 system. Vancomycin, linezolid, rifampicin, clindamycin, cotrimoxazole and teicoplanin susceptibilities were interpreted according to CLSI breakpoints, while tigecycline, fosfomycin and fusidic acid were interpreted according to BSAC breakpoints. All isolates were found susceptible to ancomycin, tigecycline, teicoplanin and linezolid. …

Frequency Of G6pd Mediterranean In Individuals With And Without Malaria In Southern Pakistan, Bushra Moiz, Haroon Muhammad Arshad, Ahmed Raheem Raheem, Hasan Hayat, Najia Karim Ghanchi, M Asim Beg

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Pakistan has an estimated annual burden of 1.5 million malaria cases. The current situation calls for an efective malaria control and eradication programme in this country. Currently, primaquine is an attractive option for eliminating reservoirs of Plasmodium vivax hypnozoites and killing gametocytes of Plasmodium falciparum. However, this drug causes haemolysis in individuals who are glucose-6-phosphate (G6PD) defcient. It is important to map G6PD defciency and malaria distribution in Pakistan to design an efective malaria eradication regimen. Frequency of G6PD defciency (G6PDd) in malaria patients has not been reported from Pakistan in any meaningful way. The purpose of this study …

Bk Polyomavirus Virus Hemorrhagic Cystitis Following Allogeneic Bone Marrow Transplant With Haploidentical Related Donor: Case Reports From Two Patients, Danish Shakeel, Natasha Bahadur Ali, Mohammad Usman Shaikh, Salman Adil

Section of Haematology/Oncology

BK virus is well known to be associated with allograft failure in renal transplant recipients due to polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN). BK viruses are increasingly recognized an important cause of hemorrhagic cystitis during hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Here we describe two patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who received a haplo identical match related donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant after myeloablative conditioning and post-transplant cyclophosphamide. They developed cytology proven BK Virus cystitis. Both were treated with Leflunomide. Treatment was effective in alleviating the symptoms temporarily but eventually the symptoms progressed and resulted in mortality of both patients.

Labrad : Vol 43, Issue 2 - October 2017, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi

LABRAD - Departments of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and Radiology Archives

• Clinical Applications of Platelet-Rich Plasma
• Rota Virus: Diagnosis & Prevention of Infection
• Anti-Musk Antibodies for Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis
• Clinical Utility of Plasma Homocysteine
• Patient Based Quality Control: Hitting a Moving Target
• Diagnosing Alkaptonuria: A Rare Inherited Metabolic Disease
• Recently Described Soft Tissue Lesions: An Update
• A Snapshot of the Standards of Medical Care -2017: American Diabetes Association Guidelines

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.

Iron Overload Assessment In Beta Thalassemia Major - Is T2* Magnetic Resonance Imaging The Answer?, Natasha Ali

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing For Rapid Diagnosis Of Childhood Pulmonary Tuberculosis In Children By Xpert Mtb/Rif Testing Of Stool Samples In A Low Resource Setting, Zahra Hasan, Sadia Shakoor, Fehmina Arif, Aisha Mehnaz, Alnoor Akber, Marium Haider, Akber Kanji, Rumina Hasan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: Children with tuberculosis (TB) remain underdiagnosed due to difculty in testing for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection. We evaluated the Xpert MTB/RIF assay for respiratory and stool testing in children for pulmonary TB through a cross-sectional study at tertiary care facilities in Karachi, Pakistan. Fifty children aged 0–15 years screened by a modifed Kenneth-Jones (KJ) score were included. Mycobacterial culture of respiratory samples was the microbiological standard against stool Xpert TB results. All positive TB cases were compared against a treatment response standard (TRS).
/="/">Results: Twelve study subjects were diagnosed by Xpert TB and nine by MTB culture. Compared …

Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, Erum Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed Haq, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Limited capacity of laboratories for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) presents a critical diagnostic bottleneck in resource limited countries. This paper aims to identify such gaps and to explore whether laboratory networks could contribute towards improving AST in low resource settings.
Methods: A self-assessment tool to assess antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was administered as a pre-workshop activity to participants from 30 microbiology laboratories in 3 cities in Pakistan. Data from public and private laboratories was analyzed and capacity of each scored in percentage terms. Laboratories from Karachi were invited to join a support network. A cohort of five laboratories that …

Readiness For Antimicrobial Resistance (Amr) Surveillance In Pakistan; A Model For Laboratory Strengthening, Dania Khalid Saeed, Rumina Hasan, Mahwish Naim, Afia Zafar, Erum Khan, Kauser Jabeen, Seema Irfan, Imran Ahmed Haq, Mohammad Zeeshan, Zabin Wajidali, Joveria Farooqi, Sadia Shakoor, Abdul Chagla, Jason Rao

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Background: Limited capacity of laboratories for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) presents a critical diagnostic bottleneck in resource limited countries. This paper aims to identify such gaps and to explore whether laboratory networks could contribute towards improving AST in low resource settings.
Methods: A self-assessment tool to assess antimicrobial susceptibility testing capacity was administered as a pre-workshop activity to participants from 30 microbiology laboratories in 3 cities in Pakistan. Data from public and private laboratories was analyzed and capacity of each scored in percentage terms. Laboratories from Karachi were invited to join a support network. A cohort of five laboratories that …

Knowledge, Attitude And Perceptions Of Muslim Cancer Patients Regarding Cancer Treatment During Ramadan: Results From A Tertiary Care Hospital Karachi, Afshan Asghar Rasheed, Yasmin Abdul Rashid, Farah Tahir Pirzada, Fawad Haroon, Adnan Jabbar, Ahmed Raheem Buksh

Department of Radiation Oncology

Objective: To assess the knowledge and attitude of Muslim cancer patients regarding cancer treatment during Ramadan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from July to August 2015, and comprised cancer patients. .Adult Muslim cancer patients receiving active oncological treatment or on surveillance were included. Patients on only supportive treatment were excluded. SPSS 19 was used for data analysis.
Results: Of the 265 patients, 87(32.8%) were males and 178(67.2%) were females. The overall mean age was 49±13.87 years. Besides, 184(70.9%) patients belonged to the middle class. Breast cancer was the most common cancer 106(40.6%). …

Evaluation Of 'Ckd-Epi Pakistan' Equation For Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (Egfr): A Comparison Of Egfr Prediction Equations In Pakistani Population, Sibtain Ahmed, Lena Jafri, Ayesha Habib Khan

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Objective: To evaluate the results of 24-hour urinary creatinine clearance (CrCl) with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI), CKD-EPI Pakistan (CKD-EPI Pak), Cockcroft Gault (CG) and 4-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equations.
Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Section of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, from June to October 2013. Methodology: Laboratory data of subjects ≥18 years ordering 24-hour urinary CrCl from June to October 2013 was retrieved. Statistical comparison of eGFR using CKD-EPI, CKD-EPI Pak, CG and …

Metabolic Syndrome And Its Predictors In An Urban Population In Kenya: A Cross Sectional Study, Geoffrey Omuse, Daniel Maina, Mariza Hoffman, Jane Mwangi, Caroline Wambua, Elizabeth Kagotho, Angela Amayo, Peter Ojwang, Zul Premji, Kiyoshi Ichihara, Rajiv Erasmus

Pathology, East Africa

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of interrelated risk factors which doubles the risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) in 5–10 years and increases the risk of type 2 diabetes 5 fold. The identification of modifiable CVD risk factors and predictors of MetS in an otherwise healthy population is necessary in order to identify individuals who may benefit from early interventions. We sought to determine the prevalence of MetS as defined by the harmonized criteria and its predictors in subjectively healthy black Africans from various urban centres in Kenya.

Method: We used data collected from healthy black Africans in …

Experience With The Quantitative Lyta Gene Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction For The Detection Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae From Pediatric Whole Blood In Pakistan, Furqan Kabir, Sahrish Muneer, Adil Kalam, Ana Sami, Shahida Qureshi, Aneeta Hotwani, Atif Riaz, Syed Mohiuddin, Mohammad Tahir Yousafzai, Sara Hussain, Syed Asad Ali, Sadia Shakoor

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Background: We present our experience with optimization and diagnostic use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the lytA gene of Streptococcus pneumoniae for the detection of S. pneumoniae in whole blood of children ≥5 CFU/10 μl or 1 copy of DNA/2 μl of blood.
Methods: This assay was applied on 1912 whole blood specimens collected from children pneumonia, of which 35 specimens were lytA positive. The bacterial loads were determined through categorization of load into five different categories, i.e., very high load, high load, moderate load, low load, and very low load.
Results: Of the 35 lytA-positive …

Serious Fungal Infections In Pakistan, Kauser Jabeen, Joveria Farooqi, Sajjad Mirza, D Denning, Afia Zafar

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

The true burden of fungal infection in Pakistan is unknown. High-risk populations for fungal infections [tuberculosis (TB), diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, asthma, cancer, transplant and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection] are numerous. Here, we estimate the burden of fungal infections to highlight their public health significance. Whole and at-risk population estimates were obtained from the WHO (TB), BREATHE study (COPD), UNAIDS (HIV), GLOBOCAN (cancer) and Heartfile (diabetes). Published data from Pakistan reporting fungal infections rates in general and specific populations were reviewed and used when applicable. Estimates were made for the whole population or specific populations at risk, as previously …

Prevalence Of Double Myc/Bcl2 Expression And The Cell Of Origin In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas Diagnosed At A Tertiary Level Referral Laboratory, Jonathan Wawire

Master of Medicine in Anatomic Pathology

Introduction: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is the most commonly diagnosed non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in adults worldwide. In Kenya DLBCL accounts for 64% of all non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas diagnosed in adults. It is a heterogeneous disease and patients show varying outcomes despite standard treatment. This variability is attributed to the differences in the biology and molecular pathogenesis of DLBCL. The five most important prognostic factors for DLBCL include scores for the revised international prognostic index (R-IPI), the cell of origin (COO), presence of myelocytomatosis (MYC) and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) gene rearrangements by fluorescent in situ hybridisation (FISH) or standard cytogenetics, the …

Diagnostic Accuracy Of Hba1c Test In Diagnosis Of Diabetes And Prediabetes In A Multiethnic Population At Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi., Francis Kiigu Wathigo

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycaemia secondary to impaired insulin secretion, impaired insulin action or both. In Kenya, an estimated 750,000 people are diabetic with more than 50% estimated to be unaware of their status. Conventionally, diagnosis has been based on plasma glucose levels. In 2010, Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) was approved by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and World Health Organisation (WHO) for diagnosis of diabetes. However, different studies have shown variations in diagnostic performance of HbA1c. Research question: What is the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of HbA1c in diagnosis of diabetes and prediabetes at Aga …

Comparison Of The Sensitivity Of Biomarker Based Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (Maldi-Tof Ms) And Conventional Methods In The Identification Of Clinically Relevant Bacteria And Yeast, Ali Abdow Kassim

Master of Medicine in Clinical Pathology

Background: MALDI-TOF MS is an analytical method that has recently become integral in the identification of microorganisms in clinical laboratories. It relies on databases that majorly employ pattern recognition or fingerprinting. Biomarker based databases have also been developed and there is optimism that these may be superior to pattern recognition based databases. This study compared the performance of ribosomal biomarker based MALDI-TOF MS and conventional methods in the identification of selected bacteria and yeast. Methodology: The study was a cross sectional study carried out in collaboration with the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Switzerland and Mabritec laboratory, Riehen, Switzerland. …

Comparison Of Biomarker Based Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time Of Flight Mass Spectrometry (Maldi-Tof Ms) And Conventional Methods In The Identification Of Clinically Relevant Bacteria And Yeast, Ali Kassim, Valentin Pflüger, Zul Premji, Claudia Daubenberger, Gunturu Revathi

Pathology, East Africa

Background: MALDI-TOF MS is an analytical method that has recently become integral in the identification of microorganisms in clinical laboratories. It relies on databases that majorly employ pattern recognition or fingerprinting. Biomarker based databases have also been developed and there is optimism that these may be superior to pattern recognition based databases. This study compared the performance of ribosomal biomarker based MALDI-TOF MS and conventional methods in the identification of selected bacteria and yeast.

Methods: The study was a cross sectional study identifying clinically relevant bacteria and yeast isolated from varied clinical specimens submitted to a clinical laboratory. The identification …

Hybrid Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumors: Report Of Five Cases And Detailed Review Of Literature, Nasir Ud Din, Zubair Ahmad, Jamshid Abdul Ghafar, Rashida Ahmed

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

BACKGROUND: Hybrid peripheral nerve sheath tumors (PNSTs) have been recognized recently and were first included in the 4th edition of World Health Organization (WHO) Classification of Tumors of Soft tissue and Bone, published in 2013. These tumors show combined features of more than one type of conventional benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The most common combinations are those of schwannoma/perineurioma followed by combinations of neurofibroma/schwannoma and neurofibroma/perineurioma. A detailed literature review of published cases is presented. We have discussed the types and etiology, epidemiology and sites of localization, gross and microscopic appearances and immunohistochemical features of hybrid PNSTs and association …