Showing papers by "Chandka Medical College published in 2003"

Detection of new endemic areas of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan: a 6-year study.

Abstract: Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in Pakistan and is widely spreading. Recently, an outbreak of the disease was observed in the region. We report some new endemic areas of CL in the country. Methods A total of 1210 cases of CL who visited our department from 1996 to 2001 are reported. Among them, 760 were residents of the Jacobabad, Larkana, and Dadu districts of Sindh province and had never previously traveled to endemic areas. These districts have never been reported/recognized as endemic for CL. Others were residents of endemic areas of Balochistan province. Diagnosis was made on clinical presentation; a giemsa-stained smear test and histopathological results. All the cases were treated with the meglumine antimoniate 600 mg/day (adults) and 15 mg/kg/day (children) intramuscularly for 20 consecutive days. Results All the patients were aged between 2.5 months and 65 years. Three hundred and ninety-two patients were females and 368 were males. Duration of the disease ranged from 2 to 18 months. Most of the patients had a single lesion on the face and/or extremities. Clinically, the disease was classified as: dry papular type, 407 cases; dry ulcerative type, 335 cases; and wet ulcerative type, 18 cases. No cases of muco-cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis were found during this period. Smear testing was positive in 845 cases, while 365 cases were histopathologically positive. An ultrastructural study was performed using specimens of a few of the cases. Leishmania parasites were detected in the dermal tissues as well as in the macrophages. Conclusions We propose that the Jacobabad, Larkana and Dadu districts could be considered endemic for CL. Wet- and dry-type lesions indicate the presence of both Leishmania tropica and L. major in this tropical region.

Frequency and transmission mode of hepatitis C virus in northern Sindh.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To study the frequency of hepatitis C and mode of transmission in patients of chronic liver disease (CLD). DESIGN A descriptive, non-interventional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The study was conducted in the department of Medicine, Chandka Medical College Hospital, Larkana over a period of 6-year (January 1997-December 2002). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 1074 patients of chronic liver disease admitted to the department of medicine due to HCV. Their variables were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS A total of 1074 patients, comprising of 564 of chronic hepatitis (group I) and 510 of cirrhosis liver (group II) respectively were studied. The male to female ratio was 2:1 in both groups. Anti-HCV antibody was present in 51% in group I and 57% in group II. Use of syringes (62%) was an important risk factor. CONCLUSION HCV is a leading cause of CLD. The leading risk factor identified is the use of contaminated syringes.

Chronic renal failure in children.

Abstract: OBJECTIVE To determine the clinical presentation and find out the underlying cause of chronic renal failure (CRF). METHODS This is a descriptive prospective study of patients attending children hospital, Chandka Medical College Larkana and National Institute of Child Health (Paediatric Nephrology Unit) Karachi from January 1993 to December 1996. RESULTS Seventy eight confirmed cases of chronic renal failure (CRF) were included in the study. Out of them 51 were male and 27 females (M:F ratio 1.8:1). Most of the children (90%) presented after 3 years of age. Common clinical presentation were anaemia (93.5%) cases, growth retardation (74.3% cases), urinary complaints (65.3%) cases and hypertension (53.8%) cases. Common causes leading to CRF were reflux nephropathy (24.5%), posterior uretheral valves (23%), chronic glomerulonephritis (15.4%) and urolithiasis (14%). CONCLUSION Early diagnosis and management of most common causes of CRF may prevent and delay the progression to end stage renal disease (ESRD).