Objective:To determine pathogen burden and susceptibility pattern of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from clinical specimens in Karachi.Methods:It was In-vitro Clinical study, conducted in department of Pharmacology, Ziauddin University, and isolates were collected from various specimens such as pus, tracheal aspiration, wound swab, blood and urine in Microbiology department of Ziauddin Hospital, Nazimabad campus, Karachi. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method. Samples were processed as per procedures defined by Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines 2018.Results:About 55% were found to be multi drug resistant P. aeruginosa. Majority of the isolates (35.4%) were recovered from the age range 60-80 years. Maximum number of MDR P. aeruginosa was isolated from pus (33.1%) followed by tracheal aspiration (20.6%). Highest sensitivity was seen by colistin (100%) followed by ceftolozane/tazobactam (60%). Least sensitivity was observed with imipenem (19%). However, increase trend of resistance was seen among all antipesudomonal drugs.Conclusion:Increasing frequency of infections due to MDR P. aeruginosa is an emerging threat in our set up which can be prevented by prescribing antibiotics judiciously. Consistent lab detection and surveillance regarding this resistant pathogen is compulsory for providing effective health care to community.

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Objective: The objective of the study was to compare the salivary Superoxide dismutase (mU/L) level among stage one patients of Oral sub mucous fibrosis and healthy controls. Study Design and Setting: It was a comparative cross sectional study design conducted at Outpatient clinic of Dental Department at Ziauddin University Hospital from January 2012 till December 2013. Methodology: Eighty histo-pathologically confirmed patients of clinical stage one Oral Sub mucosal fibrosis (OSMF) and eighty healthy controls were matched for age and gender to recruit in the study. Socio demographic information (i.e. age, gender, ethnicity, education and occupation), oral health status, measurement of mouth opening (mm) and Superoxide dismutase (mU/L) were recorded. The study was conducted after the approval granted from the ethical review committee of Ziauddin University Hospital. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21 (IBM). Result: The standard mean (+/-SD) of Superoxide dismutase (mU/L) in both groups was 4.99 (+/-2.18). The mean of Superoxide dismutase (mU/L) in confirmed cases of oral sub mucosal fibrosis was 3.02 (+/-0.44) which was significantly lower as compared to the control group which was 6.96(+/-1.24) and the calculated p value was 0.001.The strong positive correlation was identified in mouth opening (mm) and superoxide dismutase (0.842). Conclusion: It was concluded that the levels of salivary superoxide dismutase was significantly lower in the sample of OSMF and lower levels of superoxide dismutase (mU/L) was the indication of decrease in mouth opening among the cases of OSMF. Therefore, salivary superoxide dismutase can be used as a biomarker for the early detection as well as successful treatment of OSMF

Objective: Antibacterial effects of Cranberry fruit extract on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Extended Spectrum beta lactamase producing E. coli and its comparison with Linezolid and Meropenem. Materials and Methods: It is a Pre Clinical (in-vitro) study conducted in Ziauddin University from January 2020 to October 2020. All samples were collected from Ziauddin University.  All clinical samples were collected inform of pus, urine, blood, tracheal aspirations, patients admitted in surgical and medical wards, intensive care units and outdoor patients who were attending clinics. All these samples were transported to Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Ziauddin hospital, North Nazimabad campus and then culture and sensitivity test were performed there. Sample showing double growth and contamination on agar plates were excluded from study. Results: Out of 80 samples included in this study 46(57.5%) were female and 34(42.5%) samples were male; female to male samples ratio of 1.35:1.The mean age was 45.71±11.83 years. MRSA commonly found in pus swab 15(37.5%) and 21(52.5%) ESBL producing E. coli found in urine samples. 14(35%) samples were observed anti-bacterial activity of cranberry fruit extracts against Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli at 50 mg/ml concentration, followed by 10(25%) and 9(22.5%) samples at  60 mg/ml, 40 mg/ml were respectively. While resistance of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Producing Escherichia coliwere observed high at different concentration level of cranberry fruit extracts. Good anti-bacterial activity of cranberry fruit extracts observed  against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus at different                      levels of concentration 20(50%), 23(57.5%), 21(52.5%), 26(65%), 29(72.5%) samples were 20 mg/ml,30mg/ml,40mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 60mg/ml respectively. Most superior and best dose of cranberry fruit extract against Staph Aureus in about 72.5% (29) at 60mg/ml and their Comparison with linezolid and meropenem against Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and found best positive results as compared with Linezolid and found significant p value 0.005. Conclusions: Cranberry extract has a lot of potential to prove itself to be a good antimicrobial agent. The cranberry fruit extract has high antimicrobial activity against methicillin resistant S.aureus and resistant strains of E. coli in comparison to linezolid and meropenem.

Background: The role of Ethno-pharmacology is important to discover the new biologically active compounds. The process usually starts with searching of useful plants from different records to the development of methods for the industrial production of drugs. World Health Organization (WHO) states that more than 80% of population of the world makes the use of plants for the treatment of diseases. The extensive use of plants for therapeutic purposes has the history of centuries. Herbal pharmaceuticals have treated many diseases and confirmed the importance of medicinal plants on curative ground. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antibacterial activity of traditionally used Acacia nilotica by aqueous and Ethanolic extraction, against Lactobacilli casei. Methodology: Disc diffusion method for antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out according to the Kirby-Bauer method to assess the presence of antibacterial activities of Ethanolic and Aqueous extracts of Acacia nilotica, against Lactobacillus casei. Results: It was found that Ethanolic extracts have antibacterial activity which was close to the positive controls (standards) of the study; 2.5% Sodium hypochlorite and 2% Chlorhexidine. Conclusion: it was concluded that Ethanolic extract of Acacia nilotica, possesses antibacterial activity against Lactobacillus casei.

Objectives: To study the spectrum of chronic hepatitis in haemodialysis patients. Study Design:  Cross Sectional study. Setting: Kutiyanana Memon Hospital (KMH), A Tertiary Care, Charity Hospital at Karachi, Pakistan. Period: Jun 2015 to May 2020. Material & Methods: During the study period, 87 patients were followed up on and tested for hepatitis B and C virus infection. The patients were included in the study after calculation of sample size and application of inclusion and exclusion criteria. AxSYM, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based fast immunochromatographic technology, was used to screen the samples (Abbott Laboratories, Abbot Park, IL, USA). Hepatitis B and C prevalence was established, as well as the frequency of different sequelae such cirrhosis, encephalopathy, and hepatocellular cancer. Results: Our sample population was almost evenly split between males and females, with 44 (51%) males and 43 (59%) females. Three of the 43 females tested positive for HBV, whereas 19 (63 %) tested positive for HCV. On the other hand, in males, 11 (37 %) had chronic HCV and 9 (75 %) had Chronic HBV infection, accounting for 34% of the total HBV population. Conclusion: In haemodialysis patients, hepatitis B and C are very common. They are adding to morbidity and mortality of already suffering community. This trend is surrogate marker of suboptimal infection control techniques during dialysis in underdeveloped countries like Pakistan. To protect an already afflicted community from a potentially preventable disease, immediate measures are required for prevention and early diagnosis of chronic hepatitis.

Background: Depression refers to a wide range of mental health problems characterized by the loss of interest in routine activities, low mood and a range of associated emotional, cognitive, physical and behavioral symptoms. It is one of the major causes of mortality as tendency of suicidal attacks are exhibited in these patients. The diagnosis of depressive patients is very complicated in many cases and they do not respond to rational clinical prescription. In traditional medicine, Nardostachys jatamansi has been used as stimulant, antispasmodic, laxative and antiepileptic in ayurvedic and unani systems of medicine. The objective of our study was to evaluate and compare the antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract with fluoxetine in animal models of depression. Methodology: It was a preclinical experimental study in which Total 100 BALB/c mice divide into 14 groups i.e. Group 1 & 2 control 0.9% NaCl i.p for forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) respectively, Group 3 & 4 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg i.p for FST and TST respectively, Group 5, 6 & 7 of N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for FST, Group 8, 9 & 10 N. jatamansi 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg respectively for TST, Group 11 N. jatamansi (most effective dose) for Locomotor Test, Group 12 NaCl 0.9% for Yohimbine Potentiation Test (YPT), Group 13 Fluoxetine 0.5 mg/kg for YPT and Group 14 Received extract of N. jatamansi (most effective dose) for YPT. Antidepressant activity of N. jatamansi extract at different doses after induction of depression via FST and TST was recorded. Moreover the antidepressant effect was confirmed by locomotor test. YPT was also applied to comment on possible underlying mechanism. Results: In our study 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg doses of N. jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and 500 mg/kg showed significant reduction as compared to group given fluoxetine in FST model. All the groups in TST model showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine given group. N. jatamansi at the dose of 500 mg/kg was found to be most effective in both the models. No significant change in locomotor activity was found in locomotor test. The percentage mortality of 50% was observed in N. jatamansi group using yohimbine potentiation test. Conclusion: In our study Nardostachys jatamansi showed significant reduction in immobility time when compared to controls and fluoxetine.