Hypovitaminosis D in Hepatitis C patients and its relation with demographic and laboratory data.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of vitamin-D deficiency in hepatitis C patients and its relation with demographic and baseline laboratory data. METHODS: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the University Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, The University of Lahore, Pakistan, from April 3 to July 24, 2017, and comprised diagnosed hepatitis C genotype 3 patients aged 18-60 years. Demographic data was collected on a predesigned proforma. Tests included complete blood counts, liver function test, hepatitis C viral load and 25-hydroxy Vitamin-D level. Data was analysed using SPSS 24. RESULTS: Of the 115 patients, 54(47%) were male and 61(53%) were females. Mean vitamin-D level was 22.3±11.3. Total 25(21.7%) patients showed normal level of vitamin-D while the level was low in 90(78.3%) patients; 41(35.6%) showed vitamin-D insufficiency and 49(42.6%) vitamin-D deficiency. Significant effect of sun exposure was recorded on patient's vitamin-D level (p=0.00). Significantly low hepatitis C viral load was seen in patients with normal vitamin-D (p= 0. 02 6 ). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with hepatitis C virus infection had high incidence of hypo-vitaminosis D.

Use of colistin for the treatment of multi drug resistant isolates in neonates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the impact of using colistin for multidrug-resistant organisms in neonates. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at the Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan, and comprised microbiological data of babies from January 2010 to October 2012.The data was reviewed to identify the babies infected with multidrug-resistant organisms and who had received colistin therapy. SPSS 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Of the 30 neonates, 24(80%) were males and 6(20%) were females. Besides, 16(53.3%) neonates were preterm babies (< 37 weeks gestation). Two or more risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms were present in 13(44%) babies. Mechanical ventilation was found in 26(87%) neonates and prior prolonged use of antibiotics in 7(23%). The commonest pathogen isolated was Acinetobacter, in 22(73%) cases. All isolates were susceptible to colistin but pan-resistant to multiple antibiotics, including cephalosporins, amikacin, meropenem and piperacillin/tazobactam. Colistin therapy was used for bacteraemia in 2(7%) cases, clinical sepsis 18(60%), pneumonia 2(7%) and tracheitis 8(26.7%). Moreover, 15(50%) neonates received both intravenous and aerosolised colistin while 9(30%) received aerosolised therapy alone. CONCLUSIONS: Colistin therapy was well tolerated in neonates for the treatment of multidrug-resistant organisms.