Prevalence of nonfermenters in clinical specimens

One hundred and thirty three non fermenting gram negative bacilli isolated out of 625 different clinical specimens were identified and characterised. Samples were exudate from chronic suppractive otits media (341), diabetic foot (117) wound (116) and blood (51). Of these isolates Pseudomonas aeruginosa 105(78.94%) predominated followed by Acinetobacter sp 8 [6.1%], Pseudomonas putrifaciens 6(4.5%), Flavobacterium sp 6(4.5%), Xanthomonas maltophilia 5(3.75%), Alkaligenes sp 3 (2.25). 31 (23.30%) were resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Amikacin 85 (63.90%) was found to be more effective than fluoroquinolones (27.8-48.12%).     

Culdocentesis in Tubal Pregnancy

Summary: Culdocentesis was carried out in 92 suspected cases of ectopic pregnancy and was positive in 90%. Laparotomy confirmed the accuracy of culdocentesis in 97.5% of the cases of acute tubal rupture, 87.5% of tubal abortions and 80% of 'intact' tubal pregnancies.     

Antagonism of P2Y₁₂ reduces physiological thromboxane levels

Antiplatelet therapy for the management of patients with cardiovascular risks often includes a combination therapy of aspirin and clopidogrel, acting through inhibition of thromboxane generation and blockade of G(i)-coupled P2Y?? receptor, respectively. We hypothesized that ADP acting through P2Y?? regulates physiological thromboxane levels. The serum thromboxane levels in mice (n?=?3) dosed with clopidogrel and prasugrel were decreased by 83.1?±?5.3% and 94.26?±?1.75% respectively compared to untreated mice. Pre-treatment of human blood (n?=?3) ex vivo with active metabolites of clopidogrel or prasugrel led to a reduction in thromboxane levels to 16.3?±?3.2% and 4.9?±?0.8% respectively, compared to untreated human serum. We also evaluated serum thromboxane levels in P2Y receptor null mice (n?=?4). Whereas serum thromboxane levels in P2Y? null mice were similar to those in wild type littermates, those in the P2Y?? null mice were inhibited by 83.15?±?3.8%. Finally, in a pilot study, serum thromboxane levels were reduced by 76.05?±?8.41% in healthy human volunteers (n?=?6) upon dosing with clopidogrel, compared to the levels before dosing. In conclusion, P2Y?? antagonism alone can decrease physiological thromboxane levels. Thus, this study could pave way the for newer/modified treatment regimens for the management of patients with thrombotic complications who are allergic or non-responsive to aspirin.     

Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Bangladesh

Bangladesh faces increasing levels of chloroquine resistance, and drug sensitivity to sulfadoxine-pyremethamine is already compromised. Therefore, the Ministry of Health recently changed the national treatment guidelines to artemisinin-based combination therapies. The purpose of this study was to determine the baseline therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine used as a six-dose regimen for the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Sixty-seven patients were enrolled in the study; the cure rate in a 42-day follow-up after an adjustment by polymerase chain reaction was 94.3%. The treatment led to rapid fever (mean +/- SD = 25.82 +/- 12.14 hours) and parasite (30.36 +/- 19.43 hours) clearance. These data suggest that artemether-lumefantrine is a highly efficacious and well-tolerated treatment for uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria in Bangladesh.