Staphylococcal resistance against five groups of life saving antibiotics in the year 2003-2005.

In the year 2003 to 2005 a prospective study was conducted to find out the predominance of Staphylococcus (Staphylococcus aureus) resistance pattern in opposition to five life saving antibiotics as these are the sole agents to treat critically ill patients in hospitals. During the period of two years almost 2500 samples of bacterial culture were taken from different pathological laboratories and hospitals in Karachi. Among these 1500 were Gram positive cocci and 1000 samples were identified as Staphylococcus aureus. Life saving antibiotics were taken from five different groups and by mean of disk diffusion technique antibiogram of Staphylococcus aureus against these antibiotic were determined. During the course of study imipenem showed 11%, amikacin exhibited 58%, cefipime showed 31%, vancomycin and piperacillin/tazobactam displayed 24% resistance against Staphylococcus aureus. Imipenem was found to be most effective against Staphylococcus aureus.Resistance to other antibiotics developed quickly in Staphylococcus aureus collected from clinical areas where these antimicrobial agents are extensively used.

Human Pappilomavirus (HPV) induced cancers and prevention by immunization.

Incidences of different types of cancer are increasing in Pakistan, among which cancer of Cervix and Respiratory pappilomatosis are of great concern because of their association with human Pappilomavirus (HPV). Cervical cancers typically distress women of middle age or older; however it may affect women in any age after the puberty. Two serotypes of HPV (16 & 18) accounts 70% of cervical cancer cases, while HPV (6 & 11) are considered low-risk viruses associated with genital warts (Condyloma acuminata) and Respiratory pappilomatosis in both gender. Generally, there is transient role of HPV in human body and are removed by immune system in or around 1 year. Data from different Pakistani hospitals provides sound evidence for increasing trends of cervical cancer, which is, being developing country imperative for us. As the cost of cancer management is increasing day by day with poor survival rate and its burden is borne by patient, their family or society in-large, so if screening or prevention is possible then there would be need to identify target population for screening and vaccination. By quality adjusted life year (QALY) measurement, the data from different sources indicates that adolescent age is the appropriate target population and is cost effective for vaccination. Two vaccines manufactured by recombinant DNA technology are licensed in some parts of the world for prevention of HPV related cancers, however both have certain advantage over another, as one of the vaccines contains viral like proteins of two HPV serotypes 16 & 18 and provide additional cross protection against HPV type 13 and 45 with 100% seroprotection, while the other vaccine, being quadrivalent offers protection against four serotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18. Both vaccines tolerability and safety profiles are similar and acceptable, however bivalent vaccine appears to provide long-lasting immunity by the development of memory B-cells hypothetically due to difference of adsorbing agent used by manufacturer, on the other hand, quadrivalent vaccine offers protection against cervical cancer but also offers additional protection against Condyloma acuminata and respiratory Pappilomatosis. As these vaccines are new in the market and initial trials indicate availability of antibodies for up to around 5 years i.e. why it is controversial at the moment that whether booster dose is recommended or not, however it is assumed that, there is no harm to have booster dose at 5th year of vaccination.

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of ethanolic extract of Sphaeranthus indicus Linn.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the intensity of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities of Sphaeranthus indicus on albino mice and rat of either sex. The flowers of S. indicus are an important herb used in folk eastern medicines. In this study, the ethanolic extract of S. indicus in doses of 300 and 500 mg/kg was used. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated by measuring the mean decrease in hind paw volume after the sub planter injection of carrageenan. The analgesic activity was tested against acetic acid induced writhing response using albino rats. Result of the study shows that at the end of one hour the inhibition of paw edema was 42.66 and 50.5% respectively and the percentage of protection from writhing was 62.79 and 68.21 respectively. S. indicus possesses several important pharmaceutical and pharmacological properties. The current study describes that flower of S. indicus has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Conclusion of the study is that this herbal medicine can be used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of minor to moderate types of inflammation and as a painkiller.