HLA repertoire of 115 UAE nationals infected with SARS-CoV-2.

The class I and class II Human Leucocyte Antigens (HLA) are an integral part of the host adaptive immune system against viral infections. The characterization of HLA allele frequency in the population can play an important role in determining whether HLA antigens contribute to viral susceptibility. In this regard, global efforts are currently underway to study possible correlations between HLA alleles with the occurrence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Frequency of aspirin non responsiveness in patients of ischemic heart disease.

Aspirin is widely used as an antiplatelet agent . Many patients have been noticed with recurrence of major ischemic events in- spite of antiplatelet therapy. The objective of this study was to determine frequency of aspirin non-responsiveness /resistance in patients of ischemic heart disease.

Vitamin D deficiency associates with susceptibility to tuberculosis in Pakistan, but polymorphisms in VDR, DBP and CYP2R1 do not.

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes encoding the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the vitamin D binding protein (DBP) have been reported to modify the influence of vitamin D deficiency on susceptibility to active tuberculosis (TB) in the UK, but this phenomenon has not been investigated in settings with a high TB burden. SNPs in CYP2R1, which encodes a vitamin D 25-hydroxylase enzyme, are known to influence vitamin D status, but their potential role in determining susceptibility to TB has not previously been investigated in any setting.

Method: We conducted a case-control study in 260 pulmonary TB patients and 112 controls recruited in Lahore, Pakistan.

Genotype-independent association between profound vitamin D deficiency and delayed sputum smear conversion in pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: Both vitamin D deficiency and genetic variants in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) have been reported to associate with delayed response to intensive-phase therapy for pulmonary tuberculosis. Studies investigating the influence of genetic variants in vitamin D binding protein (DBP) and vitamin D 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1) on vitamin D status and response to antituberculous therapy are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study in 260 patients initiating treatment for smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Lahore, Pakistan.

Coagulation factors and antithrombin levels in young and elderly subjects in Pakistani population.

Aging is associated with increased levels of coagulation factors and decrease in natural anticoagulant factors. This strongly supports that age-related hypercoagulable state occurs in elderly. This study aimed to measure the plasma levels of coagulation factors and anticoagulant levels in young and elderly to observe the effect of age on haemostatic system.

Use of non invasive ventilation to avoid re-intubation in myasthenia gravis; a case report and review of literature.

Myasthenia Gravis (MG) in the elderly is an uncommon finding, especially when it is not related to thymoma. A case is presented with late onset Myasthenia Gravis treated with steroids, immunosuppressives and mechanical ventilation. This 61 year Asian hypertensive lady clinically diagnosed as MG presented to emergency room with difficulty in swallowing liquid, diplopia, drooping of eyelids and generalized weakness.

Use of isoniazid chemoprophylaxis in renal transplant recipients.

Background: The use of isoniazid (INH) as chemoprophylaxis for tuberculosis (TB) in renal transplant recipients has not been widely studied or reported from a country where TB is endemic. We are reporting here the results of the largest ever-reported randomized, prospective study of the use of INH in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: Four hundred consecutive live related renal transplant recipients between April 2001 and September 2004, from this single center, were randomized to receive or not receive INH for 1 year after transplantation.

Dextrocardia associated with left hemidiaphragmatic eventration.

A rare case of dextrocardia in association with eventration of left hemidiaphragm who failed to thrive is presented. Growth retardation could not be attributed to these congential anomalies.