Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting smaller airways. Airflow obstruction leading to airway hyper-responsiveness and increased mucus production are salient features of asthma pathophysiology. Generally, Th2 cytokines are increased in allergic asthma. Aim: To propose the molecular mechanisms by which Carica Papaya Leaves Extract (CPLE) alleviates pulmonary edema in animal model of allergic airway inflammation comparable to methylprednisolone. Place and duration of study: Pharmacology Department, University of Health Sciences Lahore for 1 year. Methods: We took twenty four male BALB/c mice and divided them equally into four groups. The control group was given PBS only, while Group II served as diseased group and induced airway inflammation by ovalbumin. Group III and IV were first induced with airway inflammation and side by side treated with Carica papaya leaf extract (CPLE) 100mg/kg body weight orally and methylprednisolone 15 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally for seven consecutive days respectively. At the end of the experimental protocol, mice were euthanized and lung wet/dry ratio was measured. mRNA expression of AQP1 and AQP5 in lung tissue were also determined using RT-PCR. Results: Ethanolic extract of Carica Papaya leaves decreased all markers of pulmonary edema in mouse model of allergic airway inflammation comparable to methylprednisolone by decreasing lung wet/dry ratio and enhancing AQP1 and AQP5 mRNA expression. Conclusion: Carica Papaya leaves extract may diminish pulmonary edema in mice associated with allergic asthma. Keywords: AQP1, AQP5 (Aquaporins), Carica Papaya Leaves Extract (CPLE), Pulmonary Edema, Th2 cytokines.

Aim: To Isolate Non fermenting Gram negative bacteria (NFGNB) from clinical specimens of infected patients in a tertiary care hospital and then determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates to Carbapenems Methodology: It was a Retrospective Cross-Sectional study conducted in the department of Pathology, of a tertiary care hospital, Lahore from December 2020-November 2021. The study included 4320 specimens received in Microbiology lab, for culture and sensitivity and consisted of urine, sputum, bronchial washings, pus, wound swabs, ETT, Folly’s catheter tip, HVS, body fluids, blood etc. All other specimens were inoculated on Blood agar (Oxoid UK), Mac Conkey agar (Oxoid UK), and urine was inoculated on CLED (Oxoid UK). The culture plates were incubated overnight at 37°C. Bacterial identification was achieved by gram staining, and biochemical profile. Analytical profile index API-20NE (Biomerieux, France) was used for non fermenting gram negative bacteria (NFGNB). Results: Four thousand three hundred and twenty specimens were processed and Gram negative bacteria were isolated in 651 cases constituting 15.1%. Out of these GNR, 130(19.97%) NFGNB were isolated. Maximum number of NFGNB were obtained from patients admitted in Surgery ward constituting 46 cases followed by Medical ward consisting of 38 cases, 15 cases each from ICU and OPD. Pus/wound swabs yielded majority of NFGNB 58(44.6%), followed by urine 33(25.3%), sputum 15(11.5%), and HVS 14(10.7%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited 35.29% and 32.35% resistance to meropenem (MEM) and imepenem (IPM) respectively. Conclusion: NFGNB are emerging pathogens responsible for variety of infections. These resilient pathogens have developed alarming resistance against the previously considered last therapeutic resort, carbapenems. Keywords: NFGNB, Carbapenems, Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method, CLSI, meropenem, imepenem,

Background: There is an emerging trend of pseudomonas infections in immune-compromised patients, specifically in hospital settings. The flagship member of this family is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is a major infectious agent. This study assessed the distribution and susceptibility patterns of Pseudomonas species isolated from various specimens as a part of surveillance program, in order to devise antibiograms. Aim: To determine frequency & antimicrobial sensitivities of Pseudomonas species in a tertiary care hospital from Lahore. Study design: Retrospective, descriptive, cross sectional study Place & duration of study: Conducted in a tertiary care hospital in Lahore, from January 2021 to January 2022. Methods: Thirty two isolates of Pseudomonas species from different clinical specimens were isolated in microbiology section of a tertiary care hospital during a period of 13 months. MacConkey and blood agar were utilized for culturing of organisms. Gram staining, oxidase, and catalase testwere utilized for phenotypic characterization. Antibiotic susceptibility testing against anti-pseudomonal drugs was performed according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (CLSI) 2021. Results: The inference drawn at the end of study was that, out of thirty two isolates of Pseudomonas species received and pus was the most common specimen (46.8%), followed by 18.75% from urine specimens. 62.5% of the pseudomonas species were obtained from male patients. The most affected age group was 40-60 years, followed by 1-20 years. The most sensitive options turned out to be Imipenem (65.6%) and Pipericillintazobactam (62.5%), followed by 59.3% sensitivity in Amikacin. The least sensitive options in the study isolates were Aztreonam (15.6%) and Ticarcillin clavulanic acid (25%). In 18% of pseudomonas species isolated from urine cultures, fosfomycin was 83.3%, whereas nitrofurantoin turned out to be 50% sensitive. Conclusions: The steadily rising resistance in Pseudomonas species againstavailable antibiotics optionsnecessitates their use inlife-threatening and hospital acquiredinfections. Keywords: Peudomonas, Flouroquinolones, Carbapenem

Objectives: To find out the probable association of iron deficiency anemia in patients with chronic renal failure and to find out serum hepcidin and hemoglobin levels with iron and inflammation status in patients of chronic renal failure Study Design: Cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Social Security Teaching Hospital Lahore from 1st March 2016 to 30th September 2016. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients were included. Serum hepcidin, ferritin, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and iron levels were measured using standard methods. Statistical correlations were established. Results: There were 15 (30%) females and 35 (70%) males with mean age of 50.55±14.4 years. A significant correlations was seen between hepcidin with iron status, nutritional and inflammatory markers such as ferritin, total iron binding capacity and albumin (p<0.05 respectively). An inverse relationship was seen between hepcidin and hemoglobin levels (p<0.05) Conclusion: A negative correlation of hepcidin with hemoglobin level in these patients with inadequate iron stores, which could be effective in the development of an anemia in such patients.

Objective: To determine the association of Chlamydial infection with infertility in patients reporting to tertiary care set up for evaluation. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, from Jun 2015 to Jun 2016. Methodology: A total of 100 women with primary or secondary infertility were included. Endo cervical swabs were taken. PAP smear was performed. One drop of anti-chlamydial monoclonal antibody was added to each slide, incubated at 37oC for 10 minutes, and examined for Chlamydia trachomatis under the fluorescent microscope. Results: The mean age was 29.878±3.48 years. 89.0% of the patients had primary infertility, and 11.0% had secondary infertility. The mean age of primary infertile patients was 29.98 ± 3.51 years, while the same was 29.00 ± 3.28 years among patients with secondary infertility. Chlamydial infection was detected positive by direct immunofluorescence (Elementary Bodies) in 6 patients with mean age of 27.17 ± 1.72 years and positive in 13 patients by polymerase chain reaction with mean age of 28.38 ± 1.85 years, having a significant p-value (<0.05). Conclusion: There was an association between Chlamydia trachomatis infection and female infertility.