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S Hafiz

Publications and source records attributed to S Hafiz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Predominant VNTR family of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from South Asian patients.

SETTING: Despite the low incidence of tuberculosis in the UK, some minority ethnic groups, particularly those originating from South Asia, experience very high incidence rates. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of the variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) profiles of strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis circulating in an immigrant community in the UK with those found in the country of ethnic origin. DESIGN: Isolates of M. tuberculosis were collected from samples obtained from patients attending clinics in Leeds and Bradford, UK and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Strains were compared using VNTR analysis and mixed-linker PCR. RESULTS: Comparison of VNTR profiles found that one profile (42235) represented 37% of patient isolates from Rawalpindi and 23% of patient isolates in Leeds and Bradford, where it was associated exclusively with patients with South Asian names. A second profile (02235) represented 15% of patient isolates in Leeds and Bradford, and was also exclusively associated with the South Asian community. These profiles could be subdivided by mixed-linker PCR analysis. CONCLUSION: The VNTR profile 42235 may represent a family of strains commonly found in communities associated with South Asia.

DNA, Bacterial↗
PubMed2002

Determination of antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor on common respiratory tract pathogens in Pakistan.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the antimicrobial activity of Cefaclor against common respiratory tract pathogens isolated from patients in Pakistan. SETTING: Department of Microbiology, Liaquat National Postgraduate Medical Centre, Karachi. METHOD: A laboratory analysis was done on 466 isolates of respiratory tract pathogens collected from 13 laboratories from all over Pakistan. Antibiotic sensitivity test was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Cefaclor was determined by 'E' test. RESULT: Of the 163 Streptococcus pneumoniae, 87 Moraxella catarrhalis and 216 Haemophilus influenzae > 95% isolates were susceptible to Cefaclor. The MIC 90 of all these pathogens were < 2 ug. CONCLUSION: Resistance of respiratory tract pathogens to the 2nd generation Cephalosporin, Cefaclor is very low. MIC 90 of Cefaclor against all three common respiratory tract pathogens is < 2 ug, which indicates that Cefaclor would be effective in more than 90% of cases infected with these bacteria.

Cefaclor↗
PubMed2002

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus infection in major cities of Pakistan. SETTING: Various laboratories of the country with one as the central Laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven hundred and ninety two consecutive clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were collected from 8 laboratories all over Pakistan i.e. Karachi, Peshawar, Lahore, Sukkhur, Islamabad, Quetta, and Mirpur, Azad Kashmir. Antibiotic sensitivity was done by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and MIC of Vancomycin was determined by 'E' test. RESULTS: Forty two percent of the isolates were found to be Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while no Vancomycin resistance was encountered. CONCLUSION: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are seen in the local population with frequencies varying between 2-61% highest incidence is seen in the major cities of the country. Fortunately no Vancomycin resistant Staphylococcus has been isolated from any of the major cities.

Developing Countries↗
PubMed2000

Spectrum of activity of sparfloxacin against local isolates.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the sensitivity pattern of local isolates to a new fluoroquinolone and MIC 90 of the isolates. METHOD: Four hundred clinical isolates belonging to 21 genera were included in the study. Sensitivity was determined by disc difussion method and MIC by agar dilution method. RESULTS: The in-vitro study of the sensitivity pattern of local isolates indicates that the isolates are susceptible to Sparfloxacin and the MIC 90 for common clinical isolates from various sites is lower than those achieved by the drug. The international data available also suggests that the drug could be very effective in difficult-to-treat infections. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from the study that Sparfloxacin is a useful drug for treating respiratory, entero and urinary pathogens due to its unique pharmacological profile.

Anti-Infective Agents↗
PubMed1999

H. pylori IgG antibodies in children.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to see the exposure rate to H. Pylori (IgG) in apparently healthy children. METHODS: Serum samples of 100 apparently healthy children aged 6 months to 10 years were screened for IgG antibodies against H. pylori using Abbott's flexpack kit. Children were divided into two groups, group I included aged 6 months to less than 5 years and group II aged 5-10 years. RESULTS: Of 60 children in group I, 17 (28.3%) showed antibodies against H. Pylori indicating exposure. The exposure rate was 12.5% between 6 months to 11 months, 28.5% in 12 months to 23 months and 38% in 24-36 months. Exposure rate increased with lowering of socioeconomic status; being 13.3% in upper, 26.9% in middle and 42.1% in lower socioeconomic group. Of 40 children aged 5 years to 10 years, 16 (40%) showed H. Pylori antibodies. The exposure rate was 34.3% at years and increased to 62.5% in those aged 8-10 years. The H. pylori positivity was 33.3% in upper and middle socioeconomic group and 62.5% in lower socioeconomic group. Over all exposure rate to H. Pylori in children was 33%. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori exposure rate increased with the advancement of age and lowering of socioeconomic status. Early exposure might be related to the use of premasticated food by the mothers for feeding of children; dental plaque being the reservoir of infection in adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Sensitivity pattern and beta-lactamase production in clinical isolates of Aeromonas strains.

Of the 43 Aeromonas spp. isolated from various clinical samples 94% isolates were Beta-lactamase producers. The isolates were tested for sensitivity by disc diffusion method which is commonly used in Pakistan. MIC was determined by using Epsilometer test (E-test) method. More than 80% isolates were sensitive to cephalosporins and quinolones. However, resistance to commonly used antibiotics was very high, 94% isolates were resistant to ampicillin which corresponds to the betalactamase production. More than 60% of the isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole and 40% to chloramphenicol, hence quinolones and cephalosporins appear to be the drugs of choice for treating serious Aeromonas infections. The MIC range of Aeromonas was best for cefotaxime < 0.06 - 1.0 ug/ml. MIC 90 for cefotaxime was 0.50 ug/ml, for imipenem 0.25 ug/ml and for ciprofloxacin 2.0 ug/ml.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1998

Typhoid fevers: treatment with lomefloxacin.

Typhoid group of fevers pose a major threat and are a cause of high morbidity and mortality in the tropical countries. Over the last decade there has been a steady increase in the development of multiresistant strains of Salmonellae all over the world. Multiresistance ranges between 5% to 86%. In a recent study in Pakistan multidrug resistance in Salmonellae has increased to over 39%. Hence alternative therapy is needed. Fluroquinolones are an effective alternative requiring a shorter course of treatment than conventional antimicrobial agents. Lomefloxacin because of its longer half life and convenient BD dose was used in a multicentre study to treat cases of typhoid group of fevers including cases due to multiresistant isolates. In order to overcome the challenge presented by the multiresistant salmoneallae, a dual purpose multicentre study was conducted in two stages. The first stage included a vitro study and the second in vivo study. Two hundred local salmonellae isolates were collected and their sensitivity and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by standard methods. Two hundred and fourteen patients clinically suspected of suffering from typhoid groups of fevers were given Lomefloxacin 200 mg. BD for 14 days. Forty percent of Salmonellae isolates were found to be multiresistant while only 2% were found to be resistant to Fluroqunilones. The mean MIC 90 was found to be 0.06 mg/L Lomefloxacin was found to be effective in over 97% cases for treating typhoid group fevers including the ones due to multiresistant isolates. The side effects were found to be minimal and transient.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Isolation and identification of Aeromonas species from human stools.

One thousand and three diarrhoeal stool samples were processed in our laboratory during the period 1996/1997 for the presence of enteric pathogens especially Aeromonas spp., which has emerged as a new agent causing diarrhoea. Ampicillin sheep blood agar was found to be the best medium for the isolation of Aeromonas spp. from stool specimens. Enteric pathogens were found in 200 (20%) stools, of which Aeromonas spp. was the second commonest pathogen isolated amounting to 21% of isolates. This study clearly indicates that Aeromonas spp. must be looked for in every diarrhoeal stool samples, specially in children below 10 years of age. Isolation and identification is cost effective and easy, if the given protocol is observed.

Aeromonas↗