STUDY OF THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY MEASUREMENT OF DIAMETER OF ABDOMINAL AORTA IN NEPALESE

Background: The diameter of abdominal aorta (DAA) has its own importance in human body in diagnosing several abdominal aortic diseases. Its size is the diagnostic parameter for the abdominal aortic aneurysm which is the localized dilation of the abdominal aorta. Methods: The DAA of Nepalese was measured according to age and sex at three different levels, just superior to the celiac axis, at renal pedicle level and just superior to bifurcation by using Computerized Tomography (CT) scan. Also the DAA of the normal people was compared to those having hypertension, alcohol consumption and smoking habit. Study Sample: Altogether, 125 patients were included who came to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgung, Kathmandu, Nepal for abdominal CT scan. Among them 100 are normal population and 25 are the victim of hypertension, alcohol consumption and smoking habit. Results: The findings revealed that the DAA in most of the observed patients is less than the aneurysm limit i.e. smaller than 30mm except in one male patientof age 72 years. Conclusion: It is concluded that the diameter of abdominal aorta increases with ages and is pronounced more in Nepalese male population than in female. It is also higher in patients of both sexes having hypertension and smoking habit. KEYWORDS: Bifurcation; Celiac axis; CT scan, DAA; Renal pedicle level

STUDY OF THE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY MEASUREMENT OF DIAMETER OF ABDOMINAL AORTA IN NEPALESE

Background: The diameter of abdominal aorta (DAA) has its own importance in human body in diagnosing several abdominal aortic diseases. Its size is the diagnostic parameter for the abdominal aortic aneurysm which is the localized dilation of the abdominal aorta. Methods: The DAA of Nepalese was measured according to age and sex at three different levels, just superior to the celiac axis, at renal pedicle level and just superior to bifurcation by using Computerized Tomography (CT) scan. Also the DAA of the normal people was compared to those having hypertension, alcohol consumption and smoking habit. Study Sample: Altogether, 125 patients were included who came to Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH), Maharajgung, Kathmandu, Nepal for abdominal CT scan. Among them 100 are normal population and 25 are the victim of hypertension, alcohol consumption and smoking habit. Results: The findings revealed that the DAA in most of the observed patients is less than the aneurysm limit i.e. smaller than 30mm except in one male patientof age 72 years. Conclusion: It is concluded that the diameter of abdominal aorta increases with ages and is pronounced more in Nepalese male population than in female. It is also higher in patients of both sexes having hypertension and smoking habit. KEYWORDS: Bifurcation; Celiac axis; CT scan, DAA; Renal pedicle level

Methicillin-Resistant and Biofilm-Producing Staphylococcus aureus in Nasal Carriage among Health Care Workers and Medical Students

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat. It has been portrayed as a slow tsunami. Multidrug resistance and extensive drug resistance exacerbate the already-existing AMR problem. The aim of the study was to access the colonization of methicillin-resistant and biofilm-producing Staphylococcus aureus among healthcare workers (HCWs) and medical students (MSs). A cross-sectional study was designed. A total of 352 participants (176 were HCWs and 176 were MSs) were enrolled from different hospitals and medical colleges in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nasal cavity swab samples were collected and inoculated on Mannitol salt agar at standard in-vitro environmental conditions. Isolates were identified based on colony characteristics, staining properties, and biochemical tests. Identified isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm production. Out of 352 participants, 65.3% were S. aureus carriers; among the carriers, 52.2% were HCWs and 47.8% were MSs. Of the total isolates, 47.4% isolates were methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 73.9% isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). Among MDR isolates, out of 109 MRSA isolates, 86.2% were MDR and out of 121 MSSA isolates, 62.8% were MDR where isolates were mainly resistant to erythromycin. In addition, 68.7% isolates were biofilm-forming; the results were similar in both MRSA and MSSA. Variables such as profession and educational level showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) with MRSA, MSSA, and biofilm producers. In conclusion, asymptomatic colonization of healthcare workers by drug-resistant S. aureus is increasing at alarming rates. This reflects the lack of proper hygiene practice as well as improper disinfection of workplace of study population