Background: The genus Candida includes about 200 different species, but only a few species are human opportunistic pathogens. Candida albicans is a commensal and opportunistic pathogenic agent that causes infection in immune compromised individuals. This work was conducted to study the detection of virulence factors of Candida spp. in clinical female samples from tertiary care hospitals of Kohat. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during April to July 2017. Patients data and samples were collected from Liaqat Memorial Hospital (LMH), Fauji Foundation Hospital, and Family Health Hospital, Kohat. Morphological identification was done by using different media i.e SDA and PDA. Further identification was done through gram staining and germ tube method. Results: A total of one hundred and sixty (n=160) clinical samples were collected from outdoor patients, in which only 50 were Candida positive. Among all the 50 isolates of 13(26%) Candida spp. were germ tube positive. Further identification were done through Chrome Agar in which 17(34%) isolates were C. albicans, followed by 19(38%) were C. tropicalis, and 4(8%) isolates were C. glabrata. Detection of virulence factors is done by different methods in which 30(60%) isolates showed phospholipase activity in which 12(24%) of Candida spp. were large positive. In haemolytic activity showed 28(56%) strong haemolytic activity, 5(10%) were weak positive. Candida positive patients high 36 (72%) in 21 to 40 years. Conclusion: In the present study, the results concluded that patient infected with Candida are highly virulent as about more than 60% of Phospholipase, Biofilm and Haemolytic positive. Candida species have high prevalence rate among 21 t0 40 years from the rest of very late and early age. Finding novel antibacterial chemicals is highly advised in view of the study's findings. Additionally, it is crucial to assess the candida resistant patterns at the genomic and proteomic levels in order to identify the genes causing the patterns of antibiotic resistance. Keyword: Candida, Virulence Factors, Germ Tube, Chrome Agar, opportunistic pathogens, Haemolytic positive, Gram staining, Germ tube method.

Background: In Pakistan Plasmodium falciparum has been on the rise over the last few decades. Objective: This study primarily focused upon finding out the prevalent occurrence of malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum in Pakistan. Methodology: This research analyzed different variables related to the respondents (n=209) of the study. The variables included age, occupation, education, patient’s visit to the hospital, transmission of malaria, prior treatment of the patient (if any), usage of long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs), hygienic/unhygienic conditions and insecticidal spraying. Investigative analysis was purely based upon a questionnaire followed by the fundamental microscopic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for assessing the disease index. Results: The results indicated that out of 209 respondents of the study, 100% tested positive for malaria whereas, only 179 (85.6%) cases were confirmed via PCR analysis and were chosen for further investigations. Males (67%) were found to be more prone for malarial infection. Respondents in the age group of 26 to 35 years were the most (43.5%) vulnerable to this infection. 32.9% laborers, as compared to any other occupation affected by plasmodium. About 77.6% of people had already been infected by malaria and were treated, but only 14.5 % people visited the hospital. In addition to this, merely 12.2% respondents had used LLINs and 2.23% of them had utilized insecticidal spray. Conclusion: Lack of awareness, selfmedication, unhygienic environment, unemployment, and political instability contributed to malarial transmissions. Keywords: Malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, Pakistan, Microscopy, PCR.

Background: Dengue is a viral infection affecting different parts of the world, particularly the under developed countries including Pakistan. Changes in hematological parameters are frequently observed in dengue viral infection out of which the changes in the structure of platelets and their levels are a predominant factor in dengue viral infection. In view of the foresaid, this study was conducted to find the platelet levels and indices in confirmed cases suffering from dengue fever. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in Peshawar in a duration of five months from September to December 2022. A total of five hundred patients were screened for dengue viral infection. Blood samples were collected from all suspected dengue infected patients and processed for complete blood count (CBC). Percentage and mean standard deviation were calculated and data were expressed in tables and graphs. Results: Among total suspected patients, one hundred fifty patients were found positive in which highest number of patients were male (65.3%) than female patients (34.7%). The minimum hemoglobin, white blood cells, and platelets were 6.9 g/dl, 2400 g/dl, and 43000 g/dl respectively. Low level of hemoglobin was found in 9.4% patients, 25.3% patients had below normal white blood cell count, and 30.4% patients were observed with less than normal platelet count. Few patients were noted with lower mean platelets volume and plateletcrit than normal. Conclusion: The study showed a significant impact of dengue viral infection on complete blood count. The hemoglobin, WBC, platelets, and platelet indices were potentially affected with dengue viral infection. It is necessary to design a strategy for early diagnosis of dengue infected patients for timely treatment, which can together save patients from severe impact of dengue viral infection such as dengue shock syndrome which could be fatal. Keywords: Dengue viral infection, Hematological parameters, Platelets, Mean Platelets Volume, Plateletcrit, Platelet distributive width.

Background: Pakistan is one of the world's uppermost burdens of hepatitis C and B. Our research will assist to enhance and update preventative and treatment methods across the country. Methods: We screened 408 drug abusers for HBV and HCV in the medical and public health literature from study 1 June 2021 to 31 December 2021 on oral and injection drug users from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mardan District, Pakistan to evaluate the frequency of hepatitis B and C. Results: Out of 408 half of the individuals were screened for HCV-specific antibodies 204 and 204 for HBV surface antigen by a one-step rapid immune-chromatographic test. For all those who were screened for HCV antibodies, 171 individuals were negative and 30 individuals were positive and 14 % prevalence was observed in drug-addicted individuals. All those were screened for HBV surface antigen 161 individuals were negative and 43 % individuals were positive and 21 % prevalence was observed in drug addicted individuals. According to Age -wise distribution the high prevalence was found between 17-30 years Age 57 % and then followed by the 31-45 years age group having 28 % and the lowest HBV infection was observed in above 45 years Age group was only 15 %. Among HBV 43 positive individuals 70 % were drug abusers while the rest 30 % were oral drug users. In HCV 30 positive individuals 76 % were drug abusers while the rest 23 % were oral drug users. Among drug abusers, an injection drug user infectivity rate of 72 % was high as compared to oral drug abusers' 28 %. Conclusions: Our findings show that the prevalence of HCV and HBV is much higher among IDUs than in the overall population of Pakistan. Injecting drug users are at high risk of HBV and HCV infection transmission, and they can transfer diseases to the community through risky behavior such as syringe exchange and unsafe sex. As a result, various levels of prophylaxis are necessary for these fatal illnesses.

Background & Objective: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has become a major therapeutic issue across the world. The current study is designed to evaluate the trends in the susceptibility pattern of MRSA strains isolated from various clinical samples in a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern will not only add data but will also guide us about treatment options for MRSA infection. Methodology: This study was done in the Microbiology laboratory of Dr. Akbar Niazi Teaching Hospital, Islamabad after approval from the institutional ethical committee from May 2021 to December 2021. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study in which 155 clinical samples which revealed growth of Staphylococcus aureus were included by nonprobability convenient sampling technique. The cefoxitin disk was used to detect methicillin susceptibility. The susceptibility pattern of MRSA strains was seen against various antibiotics. The data entry and analysis were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. Results: Out of 155 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, 90(58.1%) isolates were MRSA. All the MRSA strains were sensitive to linezolid and vancomycin. The majority of the strains were sensitive to minocycline (71.1%), gentamycin (70%), and clindamycin (68.9%). The strains showed a relatively lower degree of sensitivity to other antimicrobials: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (20%), ciprofloxacin (25.6%), levofloxacin (31.1%), and erythromycin (24.4%). There were only 2 MRSA strains isolated from urine samples which were sensitive to nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: There is a very high prevalence of MRSA in our setup. The majority of isolates are also resistant to macrolides, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and fluoroquinolones. Fortunately, all the MRSA strains are sensitive to vancomycin and linezolid.