Pak J Med Sci
-
To determine diagnostic accuracy of Cerebro Spinal Fluid (CSF) Adenosine De-Aminase (ADA) in detecting Tuberculous Meningitis (TBM) keeping CSF Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Mycobacterium Deoxy Ribonucleic Acid (DNA) as gold standard. ⋯ The study concludes that diagnostic accuracy of CSF ADA in detecting TBM is high which is proposed as an investigation to differentiate it from other causes of meningitis in places where PCR test is not available.
-
Blood transfusion is an essential and life-saving medical intervention. Despite multiple preventive measures transfusion-transmitted hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection continues to be a major healthcare issue in Pakistan. This study was conducted at National Institute of Blood Diseases & Bone Marrow Transplantation to evaluate the frequency of active HCV infection with or without co-infection in blood donors and also to determine comparative efficacy of Multisure HCV antibody assay (MHAA); a new serological device. ⋯ Active HCV infection was present in 0.94% donors. With a sensitivity of 96.89% (95% CI: 95.66-98.12) the multi-parametric device MHAA can effectively detect HCV infection in donors. Thus, it can be used in limited health care settings for HCV screening.
-
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) is a non-invasive method that is effective at crushing stones in the upper urinary tract. Disturbance of the thiol/disulfide homeostasis, in favor of the disulfide, has been shown to be involved in the disease pathogenesis. ⋯ ESWL treatment disrupts thiol/disulfide homeostasis and the structure of albumin at the acute term. Therefore, it increases protein oxidation and leads to increased oxidative stress. However, this state is transient and returns to normal within the proceeding days.
-
To compare the prophylactic use of antibiotic with placebo to prevent post intra-vitreal endophthalmitis and other complications. ⋯ This study showed that topical antibiotic, as a prophylaxis after intravitreal injections has no role in the prevention of post intravitreal endophthalmitis and other complications.
-
To see the frequency of incidental fatty liver on ultrasound and its association with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. ⋯ Fatty liver is a frequently found incidental finding on ultrasound. There is a significant association of fatty liver with diabetes mellitus and hypertension.