iosr-JDMS   Volume-13 ~ Issue-11 ~ November-2014

Abstract: Background: Hypertension is a major contributor to the global disease burden. It poses an important public health challenge. Even as most studies assess the prevalence of hypertension and its risk factors in older adults and the elderly, there is a paucity of such data among teenagers and young adults. Knowledge of the predisposing risk factors is vital in the modification of lifestyle behaviors conducive to optimal cardiovascular health. Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out among the undergraduate medical students a Government Medical College in Kolkata. Total sample size for analysis was 850. Students were interviewed using a predesigned and pretested semi structured questionnaire and blood pressure, BMI and WHR was measured. Results: In this study13.88% of the students were hypertensives, while 19.18% were prehypertensives.

[1] Esam MS, Husain AS. Prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension in rural Bareilly, National journal of medical research 2012, 2(3):291-294

[2] Chobanian AV, Bakris GI, Black HR, Cushman WR, Green LA, Izzo JL. Jr., et al The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Hypertension . Reducing the global burden of blood pressure related cardiovascular diseases. J hypertension 2000, 18:83-6

[3] Mathers CD, Ezzati M,Jamison DT, Murray CJ.Global and regional burden of disease and risk factors,2001:Systematic analysis of population health data. Lancet. 2006 May 27;367(9524):1747-57.

[4] MacMahon S, Peto R, Cutler J, Collins R, Sorlie P, Neaton J, Abbott R, Godwin J, Dyer A, Stamler J. Blood pressure, stroke, and coronary heart disease. Part 1, Prolonged differences in blood pressure: prospective observational studies corrected for the regression dilution bias. Lancet. 1990 Mar 31;335(8692):765-74.

[5] Ingelfinger JR. Pediatric antecedents of adult cardiovascular disease--awareness and intervention. N Engl J Med. 2004 May 20;350(21):2123-6.

Abstract: An episiotomy is a surgical incision that is made in the perineum between the vagina and anus and is intended to expedite delivery of the fetus. It was believed that episiotomies healed better and had fewer complications such as dyspareunia or incontinence than spontaneous tears.

[1]. Carter E, During T. With child birth through the ages, Edinburgh: Mainstream publishing company, 1986.
[2]. Temkin O, Soranus, Gynecology. Baltimore. The John Hopkins University Press; 1956.
[3]. O, Dowd M J. Phillipp E.The history of Obstetric & Gynecology. New York. The Parthenox Publishing Group Inc; 2000.
[4]. David M. [Who invented the episiotomy? On the history of the episiotomy [.Zenthralbl Gynakol]. 1993; 115 (4): 188-93. German.
[5]. Kitzinger S. Simkin P. Episiotomy and the 2nd stage of labour. 2nd ed. Seattle: Penny Press Inc; 1984.
[6]. F. L R. Williams, C. du V. Florey, G. J. Mires and S. A. Ogston Episiotomy and perineal tears in low-risk UK primigravidae Journal of Public Health Medicine Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 422-427 Printed in Great Britain

Abstract:Poisoning is a major problem in the pediatric population. However the offending agent and the associated morbidity and mortality vary from place to place and change over a period of time and in India limited data are available on its present trend.

[1] Lewis HH, Cronje RE, Naude SP, van den Berg C (1989) Accidental poisoning in childhood. S Afr Med J 76: 429-431.
[2] Pearn J, Nixon J, Ansford A, Corcoran A (1984) Accidental poisoning in childhood: five year urban population study with 15 year analysis of fatality. Br Med J (Clin Res Ed) 288: 44-46
[3] Townsend E, Hawton K, Harriss L, et al. Substances used in deliberate self-poisoning: trends and associations with age, gender, repetition and suicide intent, 1985 - 1997. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 2001; 36:228 - 234
[4] SK Gupta, SS Peshin, A Srivastava, T Kaleekal and TV Pandian: Epidemiology of acute poisoning. Natl Med J Ind 15, 177 (2002)
[5] K Goto, Y Endoh, Y Kuroki and T Yoshioka: Poisoning in children in Japan. Ind J Paedtr 64, 461–468 (1997)
[6] M Lifshitz and V Gavrilov: Acute poisoning in children. Isr Med Assoc J 2, 504–506 (2000)

Abstract:Background and Objectives: Traumatic Dental Injuries (TDI) is emerging as an important dental cause of public health concern. Visually impaired children are more prone for these injuries. Proper approach to the management requires knowledge about the extent, distribution and associated risk factors of this specific condition. So, the study was done to assess the prevalence of TDI among students of blind school in Shivamogga town, Karnataka, India.

[1]. Kalaskar RR, Kalaskar AR, Wankhade RM, Mehta JD. Evaluation of prevalence, etiological & risk factors of traumatic dental injury in 12-14 years old school going children of Central India. SRM J of research in dental sciences. 2014:5; 2; 73-77
[2]. Govindarajan M, Reddy VN, Ramalingam K, Durai KS, Rao PA, Prabhu A. Prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to the anterior teeth among three to thirteen-year-old school children of Tamilnadu. Contemporary clinical dentistry. 2012:3; 2; 164-167
[3]. Ahlawat B, Kaur A, Thakur G, Mohindroo A. Anterior tooth trauma: A most neglected oral health aspect in adolescents. IJOR. 2013:4; 1; 31-37
[4]. Patel MC, Sujan SG. The prevalence of traumatic dental injuries to permanent anterior teeth and its relation with predisposing risk factors among 8-13 years school children of Vadodara city: An epidemiological study. Journal of Indian society of pedodontics & preventive dentistry. 2012:30; 2; 151-157
[5]. Murthy AK. Chandrakala B, Pramila M, Ranganath S. Dental trauma in children with disabilities in India: A comparative study. European Archives of Pediatrics Dentistry.2013:14; 4; 221-225

Abstract: Objectives: To analyze utilization of antihypertensive drugs in chronic kidney disease patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A descriptive prospective study was conducted in the dialysis unit of Bapuji hospital, Davangere during 6 month period in 2013 with stage III to V of chronic kidney disease patients. Data from case record of all patients was collected, relevant information entered in a preformed proforma and analyzed.

[1] WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION: Burden of disease project. Available at http://www3.who.int/whosis/menu.cfm?
[2] National Kidney Foundation. KDOQI clinical practice guidelines for Chronic Kidney disease: Evaluation, classification, and stratification. Am J Kidney Dis 2002; 39:S1-266.
[3] Rao MV, Qiu Y, Wang C, Bakris G. Hypertension and CKD: Kidney Early Evaluation Program (KEEP) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1999-2004. Am J Kidney Dis. 2008; 51(suppl 2):S30-S37.
[4] Chobanian AV, Bakris GL, Black HR, et al. The seventh report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure: the JNC 7 report. JAMA. 2003; 289:2560–2572.
[5] American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes–2012. Diabetes Care. 2012; 35(suppl 1):S1-S63.
[6] Bakris GL, Williams M, Dworkin L, et al. Preserving renal function in adults with hypertension and diabetes: a consensus approach. National Kidney Foundation Hypertension and Diabetes Executive Committees Working Group. Am J Kidney Dis. 2000; 36:646–61.

Abstract: Hip fractures (neck of femur and trochanteric) are the most common osteoporotic fractures seen in the elderly, contributing to significant degrees of morbidity, mortality and limitations in quality of life. We have evaluated the patterns of hip fracture subtypes and its association to various risk factors. 273 subjects with hip fractures were studied; there was a small increase in proportion of neck fractures in men and trochanteric fractures in women with age, both fractures occurred more commonly in women than men. Trochanteric fractures were associated with long term steroid intake and asthma. Strong association was observed with co morbidities and the total duration of hospital stay, the pre operative and post operative hospital stay. Hence, by addressing the co morbidities that have the greatest impact on hospitalization, we may be able to lower the duration of hospitalization and thereby treatment costs.

[1] Johnell O , Kanis J , "Epidemiology of osteoporotic fractures," Osteoporos. Int. J. Establ. Result Coop. Eur. Found. Osteoporos. Natl. Osteoporos. Found. USA, vol. 16 Suppl 2, pp. S3–7, Mar. 2005.

[2] Tanner D A , Kloseck M , Crilly R G , Chesworth B , Gilliland J , "Hip fracture types in men and women change differently with age," BMC Geriatr., vol. 10, no. 1, p. 12, Mar. 2010.

[3] Riggs B L ,Wahner H W, Seeman E , Offord K P , Dunn W L , Mazess R B , Johnson K A , Melton L J , "Changes in bone mineral density of the proximal femur and spine with aging. Differences between the postmenopausal and senile osteoporosis syndromes," J. Clin. Invest., vol. 70, no. 4, pp. 716–723, Oct. 1982.

[4] N. I. on Aging, "Humanity's Aging," National Institute on Aging, 26-Mar-2012. [Online]. Available: http://www.nia.nih.gov/research/publication/global-health-and-aging/humanitys-aging. [Accessed: 29-Oct-2014]. [5] Karagas M R , Lu-Yao G L , Barrett J A, Beach M L , Baron J A, "Heterogeneity of Hip Fracture: Age, Race, Sex, and Geographic Patterns of Femoral Neck and Trochanteric Fractures among the US Elderly," Am. J. Epidemiol., vol. 143, no. 7, pp. 677–682, Apr. 1996.

Abstract: Background: Fibromatosis colli or pseudotumor of infancy of the sternocleidomastoid muscle is a rare cause of a benign neck mass in neonates and infants. Though exact etiology is not known, it is most likely due to birth trauma. Ultrasonography is the imaging modality of choice and nearly all the cases are correctly diagnosed if clinical and radiologically suspected. This entity is a self-limiting condition and resolves over a period of time. If diagnosed correctly can be managed conservatively and prevent unnecessary diagnostic and therapeutic maneuvers. We report a rare case of fibromatosis colli in a 1 month old neonate diagnosed using ultrasonography.

[1] Enzinger FM, Weiss SW. Soft tissue tumors 3rd ed. St Louis, Mo: Mosby, 1995.
[2] Davids JR, Wenger DR, Mubarak SJ. Congenital muscular torticollis: sequelae of intrauterine or perinatal compartment syndrome. J Pediatr Orthop 1993; 13:141-147.
[3] Coventry MB, Harris LE, Bianco AJ, Bulbulian AH. Congenital muscular torticollis (wryneck). Postgrad Med 1960; 28:383-391.
[4] Patrick LE, O'shea P, Simoneaux SF et-al. Fibromatoses of childhood: the spectrum of radiographic findings. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;166 (1): 163-9.
[5] Meuwly JY, Lepori D, Theumann N et-al. Multimodality imaging evaluation of the pediatric neck: techniques and spectrum of findings. Radiographics. 25 (4): 931-48.

Abstract: The present study was carried out among school age girls in Najran –Saudi Arabia to assess the prevalence of dental caries and to compare the decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT Index) of two students groups. Furthermore the influences of age, parents education, frequency of sweets consumption per day, frequency of teeth brushing, genetic predisposition, family illiteracy, non-acquaintance of the importance of mouth hygiene as well as the ignorance of students on incidence of dental caries were also investigated. A total number of 192 girl students were selected from 3 different public primary schools. The subjects were grouped into two groups according to age. Group I was 10 - 11 years old (n=96) and group II was 12 - 13 years old (n=96). The principal method of data collection was a semi structured open-ended questionnaire and interview, beside a clinical examination.

[1]. Adeniyi Abiola, A., Ogunbodede Eyitope, O., Jeboda Sonny, O., Sofola Oyinkan, O. Dental caries occurrence and associated oral hygiene practices among rural and urban Nigerian pre-school Children. Journal of Dentistry and Oral Hygiene December, 2009; 1(5): 64-70.
[2]. Ahmed NA, Astrøm AN, Skaug N, Petersen PE. Dental caries prevalence and risk factors among 12-year old schoolchildren from Baghdad, Iraq: a post-war survey. International Dental Journal, 2007; 57(1):36–44. [3]. Burt BA. Trends in caries prevalence in North American children. Int Dent J. 1994;44(4 ):403-13. [4]. Hamissi J, Ramezani GH, Ghodousi A. Prevalence of dental caries among high school attendees in Qazvin, Iran. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent., 2008; (26):53-5.
[5]. Harel-Raviv M, Laskaris M, Sam Chu K. Dental caries and sugar consumption into the 21st century. Am J Dent, 1996; (9): 184–90.
[6]. Harris, NO, Franklin, GG. Book of Primary Preventive Dentistry; 2004, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, New Jersey 07458. [7]. Ismail AL, Tanzer JM, Dingle JL. Current trends of sugar consumption in developing societies. Tikrit Medical Journal, 2009; 15(2):102-109.

Abstract: Mirizzi syndrome is an uncommon cause of obstructive jaundice characterized by impacted gallstone in cystic duct or gallbladder neck with associated inflammatory changes causing external compressive narrowing of common hepatic duct and proximal biliary dilatation. Inflammatory changes around the impacted gallstone form a soft tissue mass which sometimes mimic like malignant lesion on ultrasound. We are hereby reporting a similar case presentation in a 45 years Indian woman. Key words: Gallstone, Inflammation, Malignancy, Mirizzi Syndrome, Obstructive jaundice.

[1]. Beltrán MA. Mirizzi syndrome: History, current knowledge and proposal of a simplified classification. World J Gastroenterol 2012;18(34): 4639-50.
[2]. Pariani, D., Zetti, G., Galli, F., and Cortese, F. Mirizzi syndrome: from ultrasound diagnosis to surgery-a case report. Case Rep Surg. 2013; 2013: 268760.
[3]. Khan MR and Rehman S. Mirizzi's syndrome masquerading as cholangiocarcinoma: a case report. Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012;6:157.
[4]. Safioleas M, Stamatakos M, Safioleas P, Smyrnis A, Revenas C, Safioleas C. Mirizzi Syndrome: an unexpected problem of cholelithiasis. Our experience with 27 cases. International Seminars in Surgical Oncology 2008;5:12.
[5]. Kiani AA, Javaid RH, Ghaffar A, Khan S. Ultrasonography in Obstructive Jaundice. Professional Med J 2012; 19: 436-441.
[6]. Al-Akeely MH, Alam MK, Bismar HA, Khalid K, Al-Teimi I, Al-Dossary NF. Mirizzi syndrome: ten years experience from a teaching hospital in Riyadh. World J Surg 2005; 29: 1687-92.

Abstract: Cysts are the common pathologies found in the oral cavity. Nasopalatine duct cyst or Nasopalatine canal cyst is a common intra ossseous developmental cyst occurring in the midline of maxillary anterior region. Nasopalatinecysts are usually asymptomatic, but may sometimes produce an elevation in the anterior portion of the palate, and arediscovered incidentally during routine radiological examination. Only few cases havebeen reported in the literature.

Keywords: Nasopalatineduct Cyst, Nasopalatine canal cyst.

[[1]. Allard RH, van der Kwast WA, van der Waal I. Nasopalatine duct cyst. Review of the literature and report of 22 cases. Int J Oral Surg 1981;10(6):447-61.
[2]. Curtin HD, Wolfe P, Gallia L, May M. Unusually large nasopalatine cyst: CT findings. J Comput Assist Tomogr 1984;8(1):139-42.
[3]. Sapp J, Eversole L, Wysocki G, editors. Contemporary oral and maxillofacial pathology.2nd ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004.
[4]. Damm DD, Lu RJ, Rhoton RC. Concurrent nasopalatine duct cyst and bilateral mesiodens. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol 1988;65(2):264-5.
[5]. Gnanasekhar JD, Walvekar SV, al-Kandari AM, et al. Misdiagnosis and mismanagement of a nasopalatine duct cyst and its corrective therapy. A casereport. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral RadiolEndod 1995;80:465–70.

Abstract: This was a pilot study with 30 patients, including both males and females to evaluate the efficacy of omega 3 fatty acid capsules in obese patients with periodontal disease. The subjects were divided into test and control groups. Only the test group patients received omega 3 fatty acid supplementation (2g/day) daily over a period of three months. Scaling and root planing was performed as part of periodontal therapy for all the patients. The parameters assessed were total lipid profile, CRP and periodontal status. At the end of the study, there was a positive impact seen in both the control and test groups in all the clinical parameters. Total cholesterol reduced significantly more in the test group than in the control group. An identical trend was observed in the LDL and Triglyceride levels.

[1]. Benjamin W.Chaffee et al. Association between chronic periodontal disease and obesity: a systematic review and meta analysis. Journal of Periodontology 2010; 81:1708-1724.
[2]. Obesity, Inflammation, and Periodontal Disease N. Pischon,N. Heng, J.-P. Bernimoulin, B.M. Kleber, S.N. Willich T. Pischon. JDR May 2007 vol. 86 no. 5 400-409
[3]. Saxlin et al. Association between serum lipid levels and periodontal infection. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2008; 35: 1040-1047.
[4]. Friedman, A. & Moe, S. (2006). Review of the effects of omega-3 supplementation in dialysis patients. Clinical Journal of American Society of Nephrology, 1, 182–192.
[5]. Serhan CN. A search for endogenous mechanisms of anti-inflammation uncovers novel chemical mediators: missing links to resolution. Histochem Cell Biol 2004; 122:305-21.
[6]. Arita M, Bianchini F, Aliberti J, Sher A, Chiang N, Serhan CN, et al. Stereochemical assignment, anti-inflammatory properties, and receptor for the omega-3 lipid mediator resolvin E1. J Exp Med 2005; 201:713-22
[7]. Heshman et al. Adjunctive treatment of chronic periodontitis with omega – 3 fatty acids and low dose aspirin.journal of periodontology 2010;81:1635-1643

Abstract: There is a plethora of evidence suggesting the role of barrier membranes in bone augmentation at sites of inadequate bone volume and height. Amongst the resorbable membranes, native collagen membranes are the standard treatment for guided regeneration procedures. However, native collagen resorbs rapidly whereas cross linking delays it. Pericardium membranes are multilayered, resulting in prolonged barrier function with the properties of native collagen intact. These membranes have proved their utility in the field of vascular, cardiac, thoracic surgery because of their mechanical and clinical handling properties. However, there is very little evidence of bone augmentation with pericardium membranes in the field of dentistry, particularly Implantology. The purpose of this review is to discuss the potential applications of these membranes in guided bone regeneration.

[1]. Nyman. S, Lindhe. J, Karring. T and Rylander. H, New attachment following surgical treatment of human periodontal disease, J Clin Periodontol,9, 1982, 290-296. [2]. Inoue. H, Igur.o Y, Matsumoto. H, Ueno. M, Higashi .A, Sakata .R , Right hemi-reconstruction of the left atrium using two equine pericardial patches for recurrent malignant fibrous histiocytoma: report of a case, Surg Today, 39(8), 2009, 710–712. [3]. Shinn. SH, Sung .K, Park. PW, Lee. Y.T, Kim. W.S, Yang. J.H et al. Results of annular reconstruction with a pericardial patch in active infective endoarditis. J Heart Valve Dis, 18(3),2009,315–320. [4]. ASM International. Materials and Coatings for Medical Devices: Cardiovascular. ASM International; OH, USA: 2009. [5]. Li. X, Guo. Y, Ziegler. Model. L, Eghbalieh .S DD, Brenes. R K et al. Current usage and future directions for the bovine pericardial patch, Ann Vasc Surg, 25(4), 2011, 561–568.

Abstract: Background: Myocardial Bridges are structures consisting of cardiac muscle fibers which pass above the coronary arteries and their branches. It is regarded as a common anatomic variant rather than a congenital anomaly Objectives:
1. To find the incidence of myocardial bridges in the formalin fixed hearts.
2. To study its distribution and its correlates in the different coronary arteries.

[1]. Konen E, Goitein O, Di Segni E. Myocardial bridging, a common anatomical variant rather than a congenital anamaly. Semin Ultrasound CT MR,2008; 29: 195-203.
[2]. Ferreira AG, Trotter SE, König B Jr, Decourt LV, Fox K, Olsen EG. Myocardial bridges: morphological and functional aspects. Br Heart J 1991;66:364-7.
[3]. Geirringer E. The mural coronary. American heart Journal, 1951; 41: 359-368
[4]. Burnsides C, Edwards JC, Lansing AI, Swarm RL. Atherosclerosis in the intramural and extramural portion of Coronary arteries in the Human Heart. Circulation,1956;13: 235-41.
[5]. Harikrishnan S, Sunder KR and Tharakan J et al., Clinical and angiographic profile and follow-up of myocardial bridges: a study of 21 cases. Indian Heart Journal , 1999;51: 503-507.
[6]. Resar JR, Brinker JA. Bridge work. Cathet Cardiovascular Diagnosis, 1997;41: 421-422.

Abstract: Background: Mechanical ventilation is often required in 10-20% critically ill patients, may be because of respiratory or any other indication. There is always a risk of developing pneumonia in such patients. Any pneumonia developing after 48 hours of commencing mechanical ventilation in a patient with previously non infected lungs is labeled as ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP).It occurs in 9–27% of all intubated patients. This study was aimed at comparing the effectiveness of oral care with povidone iodine and chlorhexidine in preventing VAP.

[1] Safdar et.al Crit Care Med , 33 (10), 2005,2184-93.

[2] DE Craven, LM Kunches, V Kilinsky, DA Lichtenberg, BJ Make, WR McCabe, Risk factors for pneumonia and fatality in patients receiving continuous mechanical ventilation,.AmRevRespir Dis ,133(5), 1986,792–796.

[3] OC Tablan, LJ Anderson, R Besser, C Bridges, R Hajjeh, Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,Guidelines for preventing health-care–associated pneumonia, 2003: recommendations of the CDC and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, MMWR RecommRep 53, 2004,1–36.

[4] J Chastre, JY Fagon,Ventilator-associated pneumonia,Am J RespirCrit Care Med,165(7), 2002,867–903. [5] J Rello, DA Ollendorf, G Oster, V Montserrat, L Bellm, R Redman, MH Kollef,Epidemiology and outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia in a large US database,Chest ,122(6), 2002,2115-21.

Abstract:The serious problem associated with the use of plants parts for medicinal purposes is the paucity of information on the phytochemistry, pharmacology, antioxidant contents and toxicity of most of the medicinal plants. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant property of the leaves of S. longepedunculata with a view to elucidating its antioxidant potential. The potent secondary metabolites in the leaves of Securidacalongepedunculata , were extracted and the antioxidant potential, evaluated using in vitro methods.
Results showed that the methanol extract scavenged 1, 1- diphenyl- 2- picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH.) in a concentration dependent manner with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.976,

[1]. Abdullahi, S.K. and Lawal, G.H.(2010).Antibacterial Screening and Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina)Toxicity of
Securidacalongepedunculata (Polygalaceae) Root Bark. African Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1:85- 95.
[2]. Ajiboye, T.O., Salau, A.K., Yakubu,M.T.,Oladiji,A.T., Akanji,M.A. and Okokun J.I.(2010.). Imbalance in Male Rat
Liver and Kidney. Human and Experimental Toxicology, 29(8):679-688.
[3]. Akinniyi ,J.A., Manawadu, D. and Sultanbawa, M.(1996).Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology of Nigerian Medicinal Plants
Research Traditional Medicine in Malaria.
[4]. Ali, G., Hawa, Z. E. J. and Asmah, R. (2010). Antioxidant activities, total phenolics and flavonoids content in two varieties of
Malaysia young ginger (Zingiberofficinale Roscoe). Molecules, 15:4324-4333.
[5]. Astley, S.B. (2003). Dietary antioxidants past, present and future. Trends Food Sci Technology14: 93-98.
[6]. Atoui, A.K., Mansouri, A. Boskou, G. and Kefalas, P. (2005). Tea and herbal infusions their antioxidant activity and phenolic
profile. Food Chemistry, 89: 27-36.

Abstract: The incidence of lower respiratory tract infections among elder patients attending the Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, South East Nigeria was evaluated. The study-was aimed at assessing the various organisms from sputum and to test for their antimicrobial susceptibility. Two hundred and seventy patients. Who were seen over a six month period and who were diagnosed for lower respiratory tract infections were used for the study. Out of this population, two hundred and fifty sputum samples were from symptomatic patients while twenty were from asymptomatic subjects.

[1]. Anderson., H, Esmail, A, Hollo well, J. LittleJohns P. and Strachen, D. (1993). Epidermiology based needs assessment: lower respiratory disease. DHA project research programme pp 6-12. [2]. Antibiotic Expert Group (2006). Therapeutic guidelines: Antibiotic 13 ' edition North Melbourne. [3]. Arancibia, F., Ewig, S., Martinez J. A. et al (2000). Antimicrobial treatment failures in patients with community — acquired