Introduction and Importance: Primary sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP), commonly known as abdominal cocoon syndrome (ACS), is considered to be one of the rare causes of intestinal obstruction. This syndrome is characterized by the formation of a fibrous-collagenous membrane that encapsulates the intestine and other abdominal organs. Several theories have been proposed to explain the disease’s etiology. Patients often present with symptoms of partial intestinal obstruction, which is challenging to diagnose before laparotomy. Of all the available investigations, the contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen is the most sensitive, showing a sac-like fibrous membrane covering the bowel loops along with the fluid collection. Definitive treatment includes excision and adhesiolysis. Case Presentation: We present a case report of ACS in a 30-year-old male patient. Clinical Findings and Investigations: The patient presented with a chronic history of progressive colicky abdominal pain associated with nausea, vomiting, constipation, and weight loss. Interventions and Outcome: Multiple investigations, including abdominal X-rays, ultrasound, and upper GI endoscopy, were unremarkable. However, the contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen suggested small bowel obstruction with a differential diagnosis of SEP. Later explorative laparotomy and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of ACS. Adhesiolysis was performed intraoperatively, which resolved the patient’s symptoms. The patient was asymptomatic at the 6th month follow-up visit. Relevance and Impact: Being a fairly rare condition, primary SEP can lead to a plethora of misdiagnoses and discomfort to the patient if not diagnosed on time. This case report aims to create awareness of this disease outside of the expected demographics- perimenarchal Asian girls. It is highly important for this unusual case to serve as an educative tool for physicians all over the world.
Objective: To determine the frequent bacterial pathogens causing blood stream infections in various age brackets, and to discover their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Method: The retrospective, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at the microbiology laboratory of Patel Hospital, Karachi, and comprised positive blood culture bacterial isolates analysed between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019. Standard microbiological techniques were employed for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. Results: Of the 3450 specimen, 1243(36%) were positive; 668(53.7%) from male and 575(46.3%) from female subjects, and gram-positive 771(62%) and gram-negative 472(38%). Salmonella typhi was the most common pathogen 139(11.1) among gram-negative organisms, followed by acinetobacter species 103(8.2%), escherichia coli 96(7.7%) and klebsiella species 42(3.4%). Among gram-positive bacteria, the predominant isolates were staphylococcus epidermidis 650(52%), staphylococcus aureus 67(5.4%) and enterococci 28(2.3%). Linezolid (99.8%), vancomycin (99%) and chloramphenicol (69%) were found to be the most sensitive antibiotics among gram-positive cocci. Meropenem (60%), amikacin (46%) and gentamicin (40%) were the most sensitive antibiotics for multidrug resistant gram-negative bacteria. Conclusion: The identification of frequent bacterial pathogens in blood cultures of patients may guide clinicians in proper empirical selection of antibiotics in patients with bacteremia. Key Words: Blood stream infection, BSI, Antibiotic susceptibility, AST, Bacteriological profile, Multi-drug resistance, MDR.
Background: Hepatitis C is associated with a wide range of health repercussions. Pakistan is one of the highly prevalent countries of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. The availability of cost-effective, robust, and reliable screening and diagnostic tests for hepatitis C is important to address the disease burden. Standardization of screening and diagnostic assays in clinical laboratories is crucial for achieving big goals. Objectives of this study are to correlate the results of two different HCV antibody (HCV Ab) assays and to examine the correlation of HCV core antigen (HCV c Ag) results with HCV PCR for HCV infection diagnosis. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from November to December 2020 at Dow University of Health Sciences. Total number of 40 HCV Ab samples were analysed by both chemiluminescence (CMIA) and electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) immunoassays. Tests for HCV RNA PCR and HCV c Ag were performed on all samples. Results of screening and diagnostic assays were correlated and agreements were examined. Statistical analysis for agreement was carried out by using R software version 3.6.3 through AC1 Gwetz Statistic. The study was approved by the institutional ethical review committee. Results: An agreement of 0.73 and 0.95 was found between two different HCV Ab immunoassays and HCV c Ag and HCV PCR, respectively. Conclusion: We found a good correlation between CMIA and ECLIA for HCV Ab. An excellent correlation was found between HCV c Ag and HCV PCR. Based on our study findings, HCV c Ag is a candidate test for the diagnosis of active HCV infection.
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