Risk Factors of Extensively Drug Resistant Typhoid Fever Among Children in Karachi: Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: Extensively drug resistant typhoid fever (XDR-TF) has been responsible for an ongoing outbreak in Pakistan, which began in November 2016. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the risk factors associated with XDR-TF. METHODS: This age- and sex-matched case-control study was conducted during May-October 2018 in Karachi. All patients with XDR-TF were identified from the laboratory-based surveillance system data. Cases included patients aged <15 years living in Karachi with culture-positive Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi with resistance to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, and third-generation cephalosporins. Age- and sex-matched controls included children free from the symptoms of TF, aged under 15 years, and residing in Karachi. All controls were recruited from among those who attended outpatient clinics. RESULTS: A total of 75 cases and 75 controls were included in this study. On univariate analysis, the odds of having XDR-TF were 13-fold higher among participants who used piped municipal water than among those who did not (odds ratio [OR] 12.6, 95% CI 4.1-38.6). The use of bore water was significantly associated with XDR-TF (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.4-19.0). Cases were more likely to report eating French fries with sauce (OR 13.5, 95% CI 3.9-47.0) and poppadum (OR 3.4, 95% CI 1.7-6.7) from street vendors than controls. Boiling water at home was negatively associated with XDR-TF (OR 0.3, 95% CI 0.2-0.7). On multivariate analysis, 2 factors were independently associated with XDR-TF. Using piped municipal water (OR 10.3, 95% CI 3.4-30.4) and eating French fries with sauce from street vendors (OR 8.8, 95% CI 2.1-36.2) were significantly associated with an increased odds of XDR-TF. CONCLUSIONS: Community water supply and street food eating habits were implicated in the spread of the superbug S typhi outbreak, which continues to grow in Karachi. Therefore, it is recommended to improve the community water supply to meet recommended standards and to develop a policy to improve the safety of street food. In addition, health authorities are required to conduct mass vaccination for TF among high-risk groups.

Ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella Typhi Outbreak in Hyderabad City of Sindh, Pakistan: High Time for the Introduction of Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine.

BACKGROUND: The Aga Khan University clinical microbiology laboratory identified an outbreak of ceftriaxone-resistant Salmonella Typhi in Hyderabad, Pakistan, through antimicrobial resistance surveillance. An outbreak investigation was carried out to identify the risk factors and institute control measures. Here we report the preliminary findings of this outbreak investigation, using data collected from 30 November 2016 to 28 March 2017. METHODS: The design for the investigation was a case-control study that included identification of culture-proven ceftriaxone-resistant S. Typhi cases, suspected cases from the households or neighborhood of the confirmed cases, and enrollment of controls matched by age to identify the risk factors. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Blood cultures were obtained from all suspected cases. Drinking water samples from each household of cases and controls were obtained for microbiological testing. Geographic Information System coordinates were obtained for all cases and controls. RESULTS: Only 2 subdistricts of Hyderabad (Latifabad and Qasimabad) were affected. A total of 101 confirmed cases of ceftriaxone-resistant S. Typhi had been reported in 4 months with the first case reported on 30 November 2016. Median age was 48 (interquartile range, 29-84) months. The majority (60% [61/101]) of the cases were 6-60 months old. More than half (56% [57/101]) of the cases were male. About 60% of the cases were admitted to hospital and treated as inpatient. More than half (57/101) of the patients developed complications related to typhoid. CONCLUSIONS: Community awareness was raised regarding chlorination of drinking water and sanitation measures in Hyderabad. These efforts were coordinated with the municipal water and sewage authority established to improve chlorination at processing plants and operationalize fecal sludge treatment plants. Outbreak investigation and control efforts have continued. Immunization of children with typhoid conjugate vaccine within Hyderabad city is planned.

Facilitated blind nasotracheal intubation in paralysed patients with temporomandibular joint ankylosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of blind nasal intubation technique, in cases of ankylosis of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without the facility of fiber optic bronchoscope. DESIGN: Analytical study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Maxillofacial Surgery Department, Armed Forces Institute of Dentistry, Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from August 2002 to October 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 35 patients of ankylosis of TMJ were included in the study. Blind nasotracheal intubation technique was attempted after induction of anaesthesia and paralyzing the patients. Where blind nasotracheal intubation technique was not successful, one nasotracheal tube was passed into the esophagus and retained. Nasotracheal intubation was attempted through contralateral nares by second tube. RESULTS: Out of 35 patients male to female ratio was 1:1.2. The age of the patients ranged between 5 to 35 years with a mean age of 14.5 years. Blind nasotracheal intubation technique was successful in 23 cases (65.7%), whereas in 12 patients intubation was not successful. The 12 cases of failed blind nasotracheal intubation technique were successfully intubated nasotracheally by prior placement of nasotracheal tube into the esophagus through contralateral nares, which facilitated re-intubation (34.3%). CONCLUSION: In the selected patients blind nasotracheal intubation was facilitated by prior placement of the endotracheal tube into esophagus. This technique may be helpful in reducing the psychological trauma and complications of tracheostomy in such patients. However, to-date, fiber optic intubation remains the safest and widely accepted intubation technique in such patients.