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Biomedical subjects

Asher Ahmed Mashhood

Publications and source records attributed to Asher Ahmed Mashhood.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Efficacy of rifampicin in eradication of carrier state of Staphylococcus aureus in anterior nares with recurrent furunculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the frequency of detection of Staphylococcus aureus carrier state in anterior nares of the patients suffering from recurrent furunculosis with the normal population and to determine the efficacy of rifampicin in eradication of the carrier state. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Skin Department of Combined Military Hospital, Peshawar and Multan, from March 2004 to December 2005. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study consisted of 80 individuals. They were placed in two groups. Group I comprised of 40 patients suffering from recurrent furuncles and group II included 40 healthy adults, kept as controls. Nasal swab was taken from the individuals belonging to both the groups, when they first reported to skin OPD. The patients who were suffering from furuncles were treated with co-amoxiclav 375 or 625 mg three times a day. The patients in whom S. aureus carrier state was detected were again divided into two groups. Group 1 was prescribed rifampicin 450-600 mg daily (depending on the body weight) for 10 days, while the group 2 was not offered any treatment. After this course, a second nasal swab was taken and submitted for cultures. RESULTS: Among the 40 patients belonging to group I, S. aureus carrier state was detected in 23 (57.5%), while in group II the carrier state was found in 8 (20%) individuals (p<0.001). Among the 13 patients who received rifampicin, 10 got cured of carrier state, while in 3 patients nasal swab was still positive after a course of rifampicin. In 10 patients, who were not offered any treatment, the nasal swabs remained positive (p<0.001). These patients were followed-up in skin OPD for another 3 months, and did not develop any recurrence of the infection. CONCLUSION: Nasal swab for detection of S. aureus carrier state should be done in all patients of recurrent furunculosis. If the nasal swab culture is positive, then as the infection gets cured, the patients should receive a course of rifampicin for 10 days. This may eradicate the carrier state in majority of cases and prevent the recurrence of the infection.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Fine needle aspiration cytology versus histopathology in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To compare FNAC with histopathology as an alternate method of diagnosing cutaneous leishmaniasis. DESIGN: Comparative study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The duration of the study was from August 2003 to April 2004 at CMH, Peshawar. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 patients were included in this study. They were referred from various areas of North-West Frontier Province. FNAC and skin biopsy was performed on every patient. Haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain was used for both procedures. RESULTS: The study group included 39 males and one female, their age ranging from 8-60 years with a mean age of 31.97 years. Detection of LT bodies was considered as a single criterion of the positive result. Histopathological examination was able to diagnose 14 out of 40 patients (positive yield of 35%), while FNAC picked up 11 out of 40 patients (positive yield of 27.5%). CONCLUSION: FNAC is easier, less painful and more cost-effective than the conventional skin biopsy. The high sensitivity and specificity eliminate the need for other time-consuming and invasive procedures. However, if LT bodies are not detected then any further comment cannot be made regarding the diagnosis and it is necessary to perform skin biopsy.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

The efficacy of local infiltration of triamcinolone acetonide with lignocaine compared with lignocaine alone in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of local infiltration of corticosteroid with lignocaine compared to lignocaine alone in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia. DESIGN: A randomized clinical trial. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: The Skin Department, Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from September 2002 to March 2003. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty patients were selected for the study. They were randomly assigned to two groups. Group-I received injection triamcinolone acetonide with lignocaine and group-II was given injection lignocaine alone. Three injections were given to each patient at fortnightly interval and pain relief was assessed by visual analogue scale at 6 and 12 weeks following the first injection. RESULTS: Follow-up at 6 weeks showed complete pain relief in 63.3% (n=19) patients of group-I in comparison to 16.6% (n=5) of group-II. Chi-square value was 13.3 (p<0.001). At 12 weeks follow-up group-I showed further improvement with complete pain relief in 83.3% (n=25) whereas group-II showed diminishing response with cure rates falling to 6.6% (n=2). Chi-square value was 35.6 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Locally infiltrated injection triamcinolone acetonide with lignocaine was significantly more effective than injection lignocaine alone in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia both at 6 and 12 weeks follow-up.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Unilateral tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis is a rare genetic disease of autosomal dominant inheritance, associated with hamartomata formation in several organs and various skin findings. A case of young male is presented here with multiple fibromas on right side of his face, peri-ungual fibromas in right index and middle fingers and right second toe, a small shagreen plaque over right lower back and multiple, ill-defined hypopigmented patches over his right side of the trunk and right buttocks. Fundoscopic examination revealed retinal phacomas on right side. CT-scan brain showed right-sided paraventricular calcification.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Furuncular myiasis by tumbu fly.

OBJECTIVE: To study cases of furuncular myiasis by tumbu fly (Cordylobia anthropophaga) among Pakistani troops in Sierra Leone, Africa. DESIGN: Observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Pakistani troops in Sierra Leone, Africa. The duration of the study was 1 year, from July 2001 to August 2002. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-eight cases of furuncular myiasis were observed among Pakistani soldiers. All the patients were male. The lesions were treated by removal of the larva followed by twice daily application of an antibacterial ointment. The extraction was done by injecting 2% xylocaine over the base of the nodule. Care was exercised in not damaging the larva while extracting. RESULTS: The ages were from 22 to 43 years. Mean age was 29.42 years. The patients presented with a solitary lesion (178 out of total 248 cases, 71.8%) or multiple lesions (70 out of 248 cases, 28.2%). The lesions were almost always on the non-exposed parts of the body (239 cases out of total 248 cases, 96.37%). One case presented with a lesion on the face and 8 cases had lesions over dorsum of hands or feet. CONCLUSION: This disease is common in tropical Africa. The knowledge of the disease, its management and prevention is necessary for all the individuals who are planning to visit tropical Africa.

Adult↗