Riphah Journal of Allied Health Sciences

Antibiotic Sensitivity of Bacteria Isolated from Otitis Media Patients of Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Mehvish Javeed — 2025-10-08

Background: Otitis media (OM) is considered as one of the common infections of the ear, particularly among children.

Objective: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria responsible for OM in local population of Pakistan.

Methodology: A total of 300 ear samples including children and adults were collected from ENT department of Nishtar Hospital with precautionary measures and processed for aerobic bacterial culturing and characterization. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method was used for antibiotic susceptibility profiling of isolates.

Results: It was observed that Gram negative bacteria were predominant (73%) in comparison with Gram-positive bacteria. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35%) was the most predominant in patients of OM, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (27%), Proteus vulgaris (11%), Escherichia coli (8%), Enterobacter spp (8%), Klebsiella spp (5%), Proteus mirabilis (4%), Citrobacter spp (2%), and Serratia spp (1%). Out of all, 34% were resistant to more than three different classes of drugs and hence, were MDR. The majority of the bacterial isolates were sensitive to Amikacin, Aztreonam, Cefaclor, Imipenem and Levofloxacin. However, most of them exhibited resistance towards Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid, Cefixime, Ceftriaxone and Clarithromycin.

Conclusion: Adequate and cautious use of antimicrobials based on precise knowledge of the susceptibility profile of pathogens is essential for preventing spread of resistance among bacteria.

Cyanidin-3-Glucoside from Litchi: Extraction Techniques and Bioactivity Evaluation

Tehreem Hamid — 2025-10-08

Background: Litchi chinensis is a tropical fruit, used in ancient Chinese herbal medications due to its medicinal properties. It holds a great potential for various biological activities such as antimicrobial, anticancer and antioxidant due to the presence of diverse phytochemicals.

Objective: The primary objective of this research was to find the lychee extract which shows efficient results for the presence of flavonoids and excellent anti-microbial activity as well.

Methodology: Phytochemicals were extracted by using extraction methods (methanol, ethanol and ascorbic acid) from the leaves, fruits and peels of lychee. Phytochemical screening for the presence of terpenoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, resins and flavonoids in these sample extracts Quantification for the presence of total phenolic compounds (TPC) carried out using Folin-Ciocalteu’s reagent, which was highest amount in the ethanol extract of fruits. Flavonoids content quantified by using aluminum chloride assay.

Results: The highest amount of phenolic compounds were recorded to be 0.5 mg/g GAE dw in methanol extract of peels and for flavonoids, it was recorded to be 0.27 mg/mL in methanol extracts. Furthermore, the quantity of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was determined using pH differential method. The highest amount was 0.4 mg/L in methanol extract of peels. Lastly, the anti-microbial activity of the samples was checked against selected bacterial genera; Bacillus spp., Salmonella spp., Citrobacter spp., and E. coli using disk diffusion method. Methanol extracts of fruits showed noticeable zone of inhibition of 36.2 mm against Salmonella spp., which is comparable to the standard antibiotics (Oxidil) i.e., 37 mm.

Conclusion: The study signified that L. chinensis holds great potential in the health industry to treat a variety of infections caused by pathogenic bacteria. In the future, we can further explore the variety of biological characteristics i.e., neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, exhibited by this plant.

Exploring the impact of combined Body Mass Index and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels on pre-diabetes risk

Shanzah Adnan — 2025-10-08

Background: Prediabetes, a global health concern with its trending prevalence intensified the need of early and effective interventions. It’s a medical condition, recognized by elevated blood glucose but not sufficiently high to be defined as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Key factors for prediabetes diagnosis included, HbA1c (a biomarker) which shows a comprehensive picture of glycaemic range from past 2 to 3 months with values from 5.7% to 6.4% indicating prediabetes. Body Mass Index (BMI), depicting adiposity in body leading to insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose metabolism, classifying participants into healthy, overweight and obese categories.

Objective: The primary objective was to explore the effect of BMI and HbA1c levels in participants to assess pre-diabetes risk.

Methodology: A quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2023 and August 2024. The study population comprised university students aged 20–25 years, selected through stratified random sampling based on inclusion/exclusion criteria (excluding those with existing medical conditions). A total of 110 participants were enrolled following informed consent. BMI was calculated using standard anthropometric methods. HbA1c was measured via blood sampling using standardized laboratory protocols, while RBG levels were assessed using a handheld glucometer. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS software.

Results: Among the 110 participants, 46 were male and 64 were female. BMI classification revealed 38.2% were within a healthy range (n=42), 41.8% overweight (n=46), and 20% obese (n=22). Based on HbA1c, 58.2% (n=64) had normal levels, while 41.8% (n=46) were in the prediabetic range. RBG results showed 59.1% (n=65) with normal glucose levels and 40.9% (n=45) falling within the prediabetic range. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between BMI and HbA1c (r = 0.46, p < 0.001), indicating elevated BMI is independently associated with prediabetes risk. In contrast, the correlation between HbA1c and RBG was non-significant (r = 0.182, p > 0.05), suggesting that elevated RBG may not directly influence HbA1c levels.

Conclusion: This study highlights the relevance of timely evaluation of Body Mass Index and Glycated Haemoglobin level to evaluate pre-diabetes for prompt interventions

Antimicrobial effect of honey against bacteria isolated from dental plaque

Tameel Irshad — 2025-10-08

Background: Biofilm formation on the tooth surface is a major health concern that leads to dental plaque and caries formation. Two common bacteria, Lactobacillus which is responsible for dental caries and Pseudomonas aeruginosa that leads to plaque formation and other periodontal diseases, were selected to evaluate antimicrobial activity of honey.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the antibacterial activity of honey with special emphasis on finding the concentration-related effects against Lactobacillus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa using natural and commercially available honey.

Methodology: Different concentrations of natural and commercial honey (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) were tested to evaluate their antimicrobial activity. Each concentration was tested in triplicate to ensure accuracy and reproducibility of the results. Zones of inhibition (ZOI) were measured in millimeters using a standard ruler, and the average diameter from the three replicates was recorded for each sample. Statistical significance was assessed using t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: Results indicated that natural honey exhibited stronger antimicrobial activity against Lactobacillus, showing a 16 mm zone of inhibition (ZOI), compared to 11 mm for commercial honey. At 100% concentration, the difference in ZOI values between the two honey types was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, at 80%, 60%, and 20% concentrations, the p-values were greater than 0.05, suggesting similar inhibition rates for both honey types. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, natural honey demonstrated a ZOI of 20 mm at 100% concentration and 17 mm at 80%, with p-values less than 0.05 in both cases. This indicates a statistically significant difference in antibacterial activity between natural and commercial honey at these concentrations.

Conclusion: It was concluded that both natural and commercial honey exhibit comparable antibacterial activity against both microbes at certain concentrations. Overall, natural honey demonstrated higher antibacterial potential than artificial honey.

Frequency of Uncorrected Refractive Errors in Children age group of 5-15 years in hospital population of Punjab

Muhammad Zubair Nazar — 2025-10-08

Background: Uncorrected refractive errors (UREs) are a major cause of preventable vision impairment in children, affecting learning and daily activities. If untreated, they can lead to amblyopia, low vision, and long-term visual disability. Early detection and correction are critical to reducing the burden of childhood blindness, especially in underserved regions like Punjab, Pakistan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to regulate frequency of uncorrected refractive errors in children age group of 5-15 years

Methodology: It was a hospital based cross-sectional study. A properly designed and approved pre tested Pro-forma was used for data collection. Data was collected from eye OPD of Benazir Bhutto Hospital, Rawalpindi and Nishtar Hospital, Multan.

Results: This study was conducted on 400 children age from 5-15 Years who were attending Eye OPD. Among the subjects 62.6% were males and 36.9% were females. Age distribution 32.4%(N=130) subject had age 5-10 years and 67.3%(N=270) had age 10-15 years. Distribution of refractive errors there were 53.6%(N=215) myopia,24.2%(N=97) hyperopia and 21.9%(N=88) astigmatism. Distribution of astigmatic errors there were 1.5%(N=6) simple myopic astigmatism and 1.8%(N=7) were simple hypermetropic astigmatism and 10.3%9(N=41) were compound myopic and 5.3%(N=21) compound hyperopic and 2.5%(N=10) mixed astigmatism.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the frequency of refractive errors in children (5-15) was at high risk. Uncorrected refractive errors lead to amblyopia, diseases and low vision. We have to correct refractive errors to avoid amblyopia and low vision.

The Expanding Role of Optometry and Orthoptics in Modern Eye Care

Umara Gul Khalid — 2025-10-08

The healthcare sector is evolving rapidly with the integration of technology and patient-centered care models. Within this changing landscape, the role of Optometry and Orthoptics has become increasingly critical in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of visual and binocular vision disorders. Unlike many other healthcare fields, this discipline uniquely combines diagnostic acumen, therapeutic precision, and rehabilitative support, ensuring holistic visual care. Optometrists and orthoptists serve as primary eye care providers, contributing to visual screenings, contact lens fitting, low vision rehabilitation, and vision therapy. They play a crucial role in the early detection of ocular and systemic diseases through comprehensive eye examinations.

The integration of advanced diagnostic equipment such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA), and Visual Field Analyzers has enhanced the scope of practice. Meanwhile, digital vision therapy tools and real-time eye tracking have revolutionized orthoptic care, allowing for more targeted management of conditions like strabismus, amblyopia, and convergence insufficiency.¹

These professionals are also essential collaborators within multidisciplinary teams, supporting ophthalmologists, neurologists, pediatricians, and rehabilitation experts in both hospital and community-based settings. They are actively involved in vision screening camps, public health education, and outreach programs aimed at reducing preventable visual impairment. In the current era, emphasis on research, clinical audits, and evidence-based practice has opened new pathways for professional growth and academic excellence in this field. As the demand for vision care rises globally, optometrists and orthoptists will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of eye health services.^2,3

Global Health Preparedness: Lessons from COVID-19 and Future Threats

Aatif Amin — 2025-10-08

Emerging infectious diseases are becoming an increasing threat to global health, which has been accelerated by globalization, climate change, and the increase in human-animal interactions. The COVID-19 pandemic laid bare the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems worldwide, showing critical gaps in surveillance, healthcare infrastructure, and international cooperation. This review seeks to expound on the lessons learned from COVID-19, with an emphasis on genomic surveillance, equitable distribution of vaccines, and strong public health policies; on the other hand, it examines the rise of pathogens such as Ebola and Zika as well as the evolving challenges posed to pandemic preparedness. Addressing these issues will greatly benefit from the application of a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach, thus linking scientific advancement, ethical arena, and policy intervention for the development of an enhanced global health security. Future preparedness must ensure that early detection and rapid response mechanisms are accompanied by equitable access to healthcare in order to limit the impact of emerging pathogens