Operation theatre time utilization during emergency surgeries at a government institute of trauma in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To evaluate operation theatre time utilisation during emergency cases.

Methods: The prospective, observational study was conducted at the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma, Karachi, from January 17 to April 17, 2020, during which the three dedicated emergency operating rooms at the centre were monitored for time from transferring the patient to the operation theatre till the patient was shifted out after surgery. Data was analysed using SPSS 24.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Patients With Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia at a Public Sector Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan.

Introduction: In Pakistan, the first case of COVID-19 was reported in February of 2020, cases peaked in June, and by January 2021, approximately 500,000 confirmed cases and over 10,000 deaths have been reported. There is a lack of data in Pakistan of the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcome of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia, particularly those with severe illness, which we aim to assess.

Methods: This is a single-centered, observational study conducted at the COVID unit of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Institute of Trauma in Karachi, Pakistan.

HIV infection predominantly affecting children in Sindh, Pakistan, 2019: a cross-sectional study of an outbreak.

Background: In April 2019, an HIV screening camp for all ages was established in response to a report of an unusually large number of paediatric HIV diagnoses in Larkana, Pakistan. We aimed to understand the clinical profile of the children who registered for HIV care.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we review the outbreak response from the government, academia, and UN agencies in Larkana, Sindh, Pakistan.

Perceptions of gender equality, work environment, support and social issues for women doctors at a university hospital in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is an Islamic monarchy and was established in 1932. Saudi women first entered the medical field in 1975 and the country has since seen a steady increase in women pursuing medicine. However, there is limited data on gender related issues for women doctors practicing in Saudi Arabia.

Diversity of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC22-MRSA-IV from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

Objectives: CC22-MRSA-IV, UK-EMRSA-15/Barnim EMRSA, is a common and pandemic strain of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that has been found mainly in Western Europe, but also in other parts of the world including some Gulf countries. One suspected case of an infection with this strain in a patient who was admitted to the surgical unit in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) was investigated in order to check whether this strain has reached KSA.

Methods: Besides the index isolate, 46 additional isolates of CC22-MRSA-IV from patients from KSA, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, and Germany (patients with a history of travel in the Middle East), were characterized by microarray hybridization.

Low-cost thermotherapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sindh, Pakistan.

Objective: To study the efficacy of a low-cost heating pack device used for thermotherapy in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Dermatology, Civil Hospital Sukkur, Pakistan, from April 20, 2012, to January 3, 2013. Thermotherapy with Hand-Held Exothermic Crystallisation Therapy for cutaneous leishmaniasis was performed on each lesion of the participating subjects at an average initial temperature of 51.

Risk factors for carbapenem resistant bacteraemia and mortality due to gram negative bacteraemia in a developing country.

Objective: To identify the risk factors for carbapenem resistant bacteraemia and mortality due to gram negative bacteraemia in a developing country.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT) from June to October 2012. Hospitalized patients > 15 years of age with gram negative bacteraemia were included and followed for a period of 2 weeks for in hospital mortality.

Prevalence, clinical presentation and treatment outcome of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent adult patients presenting with acute diarrhoea.

Objective: To document the prevalence, clinical presentation and treatment outcome of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent adult patients presenting with acute diarrhoea.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation Karachi from February 1, till September 30, 2012. All immunocompetent adult patients who presented with acute diarrhoea to the gastroenterology clinic at SIUT were included.

Frequency, clinical presentation and microbiological spectrum of candidemiain a tertiary care center in Karachi, Pakistan.

Objective: To document the frequency, clinical presentation, outcome and spectrum of species in Candida blood stream infection.

Methods: A prospective, descriptive cohort study was conducted from June 1st till November 30th 2012 at the Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation in Karachi, Pakistan. All patients > or = 15 years of age from nephrology, urology, gastroenterology, oncology or intensive care units with candidemia were included.

Four years of experience with antiretroviral therapy in adult patients in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.

The Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) in Pakistan began dispensing combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in May 2006 in Karachi. This study aimed to assess the management and outcomes of ART-treated patients. Data were extracted from medical records of adult patients registered with the SACP who received ART between May 2006 and May 2010.

Rhodococcus equi pneumonia in a live related renal transplant recipient.

Rhodococcus equi has emerged as a serious pathogen in immunocompromised patients, including solid organ transplant recipients. Primary pulmonary involvement is the most common presentation. However, this opportunistic pathogen is often not considered in the differential diagnosis of pneumonia in transplant recipients.

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis in a renal transplant recipient.

Chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis is a chronic semi invasive pulmonary disease. It is an uncommon disease and has never been reported in transplant recipients. We report a case of chronic necrotizing pulmonary aspergillosis in a renal transplant recipient.

Self-reported practices of hand hygiene among the trainees of a teaching hospital in a resource limited country.

Objective: To determine the compliance of hand hygiene among the trainee physicians of a tertiary care teaching hospital; and to identify physicians' opinion regarding various obstacles in adhering to the hand hygiene principles.

Methods: Cross-sectional survey was conducted among the Interns (House Officers) and Post Graduate trainee physicians of a tertiary care teaching hospital in a resource limited country. Subjects were consented and selected through non probability convenient sampling.

Coccidioidomycosis and pregnancy: a review.

Coccidioidomycosis (CM) is a fungal infection endemic to the southwestern United States, northwestern Mexico, and parts of Central and South America. CM has been recognized as a complicating factor in pregnancy since at least the 1940s, and seems to be a relatively uncommon infection during pregnancy. The disease presentation during pregnancy includes a wide clinical spectrum that ranges from mild influenza-like illness and pneumonia, especially in the first two trimesters of pregnancy.

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV and syphilis and associated risk behaviours in male transvestites (Hijras) in Karachi, Pakistan.

In Pakistan, male sex workers are predominantly transvestites and transsexuals known as Hijras. In 1998 in Karachi, Pakistan, we studied the seroprevalence of HIV, HBsAg and syphilis and associated risk factors in Hijras. Study subjects were verbally administered a structured questionnaire that determined risk behaviours for sexually transmitted and blood-borne diseases and knowledge of AIDS/STDs.