Reduction of microalbuminuria by using losartan in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a worldwide pandemic that may lead to diabetic kidney disease (DKD), a complication which is the single most important and globally prevalent cause of chronic kidney disease. Microalbuminuria has been shown to be an early indicator of DKD and data suggest that angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) reduce urinary albumin excretion and retard the progression of renal disease in hypertensive T2DM patients. However, the effects of ARBs on preventing microalbuminuria and ensuing DKD in normotensive patients with T2DM is yet to be fully established.

External validation of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the diagnosis of esophageal varices in hepatitis C virus-related cirrhosis.

Background: Screening for esophageal varices (EV) is an important part of the diagnostic workup of cirrhotic patients.

Aims: To independently validate the use of the platelet count/spleen diameter ratio for the non-invasive diagnosis of EV in patients with HCV-related cirrhosis and in a sub-group of patients with compensated disease.

Methods: A platelet count/spleen diameter ratio cut-off value of 909 was evaluated for the diagnosis of EV in the whole population (n = 311) and in patients with compensated disease alone (n = 114).

Use of losartan in reducing microalbuminuria in normotensive patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a global disease and its resultant complication, diabetic nephropathy, is a leading cause of chronic renal failure. Microalbuminuria is an early indicator of diabetic nephropathy and is also an independent risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity. Data have shown that anti-hypertensives like Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) reduce microalbuminuria and retards the progression of renal disease effectively in hypertensive T2DM patients.

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, February 2002: contact tracing and risk assessment.

A 25-year-old woman, later identified as index case of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), presented to Holy Family Hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan with fever and generalized coagulopathy. A retrospective contact tracing was conducted to explore the modes of exposure possibly associated with transmission of CCHF infection among contacts. We traced 32 contacts of the index case and 158 contacts of secondary cases and tested them for IgG and IgM antibodies against CCHF virus by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique.

Short report: Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever outbreak in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, February 2002.

A nosocomial outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever occurred in Rawalpindi, Pakistan in February 2002. The identified index case died shortly after admission to a hospital. Two of the health care workers became secondary cases; one of them died on day 13 after coming in contact with the index case.