Aim: To determine the prevalence and risk of anemia in type-2 diabetes mellitus. In addition, the incidence and risk of anemia in these patients were assessed according to gender and glycemic control status. Methods: The study group comprised 200 patients with type-2 diabetes. Patients were divided into groups according to glycemic control and gender. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), blood glucose level, hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) of subjects were evaluated. The presence of anemia was defined by a hemoglobin level <13.0 g/dl for men and <12.0 g/dl for women. The patients were considered as diabetic if he/she had glycated hemoglobin >6.5%, fasting blood glucose >126 mg/dl and random blood glucose >200 mg/dl. Result: 63% of diabetic patients had anemia. There was higher incidence and risk of anemia in females (36%) as compared to males (27%) (p < 0.05) and in poorly controlled diabetes HbA1C >7.5% (49.5%) compared to those with controlled diabetes HbA1C < 7.5% (13.5%) (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study indicated that poor glycemic control and gender difference are associated with the incidence of anemia in type II diabetes. Our findings suggest the need of screening for anemia in diabetes outpatient clinics. Routine hematological tests along with blood glucose level should be mandatory in order to make therapeutic decisions for the treatment of anemia in type II diabetes mellitus.

Background: This study was conducted to examine the frequency of contamination in retail meat available in Karachi, Pakistan. Methodology: Raw meat samples (250) and surface swabs (90) from meat processing equipment and the surrounding environment were analyzed for microbiological contamination. Results: Out of 340 samples, 84% were found to be contaminated with bacterial species, including Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis. A total of 550 (66%) of the bacterial isolates were potential pathogens. Of these, 342 and 208 isolates were from meat and environmental samples respectively. Food-borne pathogens isolated from meat samples included Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria, Salmonella Enteritidis and Shigella species whereas environmental samples yielded Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella species. Four strains of Brucella species were also isolated from meat samples. Total aerobic counts ranged between 108 -1010 CFU/g or cm2. Resistance to a wide range of antibiotics was observed. Resistance rates to ampicillin, amoxicillin, novobiocin and cefaclor were from 62 to 75% in general. Thirty-three percent of Salmonella isolates were resistant to ampicillin.  No quinolone resistance was observed. Biofilm formation was observed among 88 (16%) pathogenic bacteria including E. coli, Klebsiella, Enterobacter species and Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusions: Food-borne pathogens found in retail shops could be sources for horizontal contamination of meat. Our data confirm the circulation of antibiotic resistant and biofilm forming pathogens in raw meat and its environment in retail shops in Pakistan, which could play a role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance amongst food-borne bacteria.

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The most common drinking beverage in large portion of the world is Camellia sinensis (green tea). In the present study, we evaluated the adjuvant effect of green tea and tea polyphenols to particulate and non-particulate antigens. BALB/c mice were immunized with particulate and non-particulate antigens. Modulation of immunoglobulin-secreting splenocytes, IgG-mediated and IgM-mediated immunity, was evaluated by hemolytic plaque assay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Dose-dependent response of tea polyphenols was also assayed. Phenolic content was measured in crude preparations of green tea. We observed a stimulatory effect of green tea preparations on humoral immune response mediated by the increased number of antibody-secreted cells in spleen. A significant increase in IgM-mediated and IgG-mediated immune response to non-particulate antigen was also observed in green tea-treated animals. A dose-dependent adjuvant effect was seen in the case of tea polyphenols for a longer period of time compared with crude tea preparations. This study indicates polyphenols as major constituents responsible for the enhanced and sustained adjuvant activity of green tea. We suggest that tea polyphenols might be considered for real-life evaluation during adjuvant-mediated vaccination trial programs.