Objective: To assess the coagulation test abnormalities (prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and fibrin degradation products) in dengue fever patients and its impact on clinical outcomes of the patient. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Hematology Department, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Hospital, Karachi Pakistan, from Aug 2016 to Feb 2017. Methodology: A total of 135, serologically proven positive dengue-infected IgM cases, based on enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay, were included in the study. Prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrin degradation products levels were measured on STA Compact Max® (STAGO) and SysmexCA-1500. Clinical Outcomes of the patient were noted. Results: At the time of admission, elevated prothrombin time was observed in 8(5.6%) cases and remained high at the time of discharge (p-value 0.008). Elevated activated partial thromboplastin time was observed in 57 (42.2%) cases at admission whereas, at discharge, it was observed in 56 (41.5%) cases. Increased level (>5) of fibrin degradation products was seen in 30 (22.2%) cases while at the time of discharge increased level of fibrin degradation products was observed in 25 (18.5%) cases (pvalue 0.007). Out of 135 patients, mortality was observed in two cases and the remaining 133 (98.52%) survived and were discharged. Conclusion: In conclusion, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and fibrin degradation products can be labeled as early predictors of disease severity and their derangements are associated with clinical outcome in dengue infection.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological profile of dermatophytes among patients of tinea capitis and their susceptibility pattern to fluconazole and terbinafine. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi, from August to December 2019, and comprised samples of hair and skin from the scalp of tinea capitis patients regardless of age and gender. Demographic details were collected and the samples were processed for direct microscopy and mycological culture. Antifungal susceptibility testing for fluconazole and terbinafine was performed using broth microdilution method. Data was analysed using SPSS 21. Results: Of the 207 patients, 115(55.5%) were males, and 114(55.1%) were children. Alopecia was the most common presenting complaint 141(68.1%), while grey patch tinea was the most characteristic clinical form 53(25.6%). Dermatophytes were yielded in 61(29.5%) cases, non-dermatophytes were isolated in 45(21.7%) specimens, and 101(48.8%) were culture-negative. Among the dermatophytes, trichophyton violaceum was the most common pathogen 21(34.4%), followed by trichophyton mentagrophytes 18(29.5%). Resistance to fluconazole and terbinafine among dermatophytes was recorded in 12(19.7%) and 7(11.5%) isolates, respectively. Conclusion: The frequency of dermatophytes among tinea capitis patients was higher compared to non-dermatophyte species. Antifungal resistance was predominantly seen in trichophyton violaceum and trichophyton mentagrophytes. Key Words: Antifungal agents, Drug resistance, Fluconazole, Terbinafine, Tinea capitis.

Background: To determine the prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among females of reproductive age and assessment of the effectiveness of pH and the Whiff test in its diagnosis. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. A total of 100 subjects were included, coming with a complaint of vaginal discharge. The bacterial vaginosis was diagnosed by using the Nugent scoring system, Whiff and pH tests. The prevalence was calculated by descriptive statistics and using the Chi-square test and results were shown in percentages and mean with standard deviation. Results: The estimated prevalence of bacterial vaginosis among the local population of females of child-bearing age was found to be 39%. The mean age of females with bacterial vaginosis was 33.33±10.46 years. The Whiff test was positive in 89.74% cases, while pH was elevated in 94.87% females with bacterial vaginosis. Conclusion: Bacterial vaginosis is a frequent cause of vaginal discharge in females of reproductive age in Pakistan. The diagnosis can be easily made by using Whiff and pH tests even at resource-poor settings. Keywords: Bacterial vaginosis, Child-bearing age, pH test, Whiff test.

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The severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus (SARSCoV-2), the etiologic agent of the most detrimental disease of the century, has tragically influenced the world dynamics. One of the major challenges faced by health sector globally, was to establish a treatment regimen and guidelines to combat this lethal condition