Detection of Metalo-Beta-Lactamase Gene in Carbapenem Resistant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Isolated From Lahore, Pakistan Detection of Metalo-Beta-Lactamase Gene in Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a widespread organism, caused severe nosocomial infection in human and associated with multiple drug resistance (MDR)Objective: The present study was carried out to observe current antimicrobial resistant pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Lahore and to detect the Metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) gene in carbapenem resistantPseudomonas aeruginosaMethods: By screening 360 samples total 123 Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified by standard microbiology techniques such as microscopy and biochemical testing. The isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated for drug resistance by disc diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction(PCR) was used to identify the carbapenem resistance causing gene (bla-VIM and bla-IMP) Results: Following antibiotic resistant pattern was observed, Gentamycin (59.00%), Ceftazidime(58.7%), Ceftriaxone (58.00%), Cefotazime (57.0%) and Ciprofloxacin (55.00%). Resistance rates to carbapenem group of antibiotics is Doripenem (30.5%) Meropenem(31.0%) and Imipenem (28.0%). Out of 123 samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 28 isolates were found resistant to carbapenem group of antibiotic which was supposed to be highly sensitive for this bacterium. Molecular based identification of resistance genes showed that bla-IMP gene was present in 32.1% (09) and bla-VIM was found positive in 17.8% (04) samples. Metallo-beta-lactamasesproducing genes (bla-VIM and bla-IMP), amongcarbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detectedin 28.1% of samples. If other carbapenem resistant gene were also included this number might be higherConclusions: PCRbased test should be included in routine laboratory examination for quick detection of the resistancecausing genes.

Teachers Perceptions of Quality and Quality Management Systems at Higher Education Level in Pakistan.

The basic purpose of conducting this study was to explore teachers‟ “perception” of quality and quality management systems at higher education level in Pakistan, by giving a deep focus upon a case of a public sector university of Pakistan „The Karakoram International University Gilgit-Baltistan‟. The basic objectives of the study were to investigate teachers‟ perceived understanding of academic quality a concept, theory and practice in their existing teaching practice at university level and to know, how their perception of quality are being articulated in the university practices by managing quality management systems and formulating the appropriate measures to improve the academic quality in the university. And further to designing a proposed roadmap of quality management system for the university of focus in particular and to all public university of Pakistan in general. The research conducted by using Qualitative Research Method and case study approach of qualitative research design. The purposive sampling techniques were used to identify a sample, and a representative sample was identified relating to the purpose and criteria for the sample of this study from the overall population of the case. Semi-structured interview guide and focused group discussion tools were used mainly to collect the data from the sample of the study. Researchers‟ field notes of observation and written reflections about the everyday experience of field visits were also used as data. The data was transcribed and categorized by creating relevant codes from the repeated expressions of the data. The selected codes were merged into relevant themes to formulate main findings of the study that addressed the objectives. Each theme was then analyzed separately and got the meaning from their expressions and elaborated their perceptions into a discussion and extracted the finding of this study. The study identifies a clear lack of quality meaning and understanding of the concept among the staff. Even though a quality enhancement cell was functioning as matter of obligation from the HEC, but majority of teachers are not even aware of its‟ basic function and significance. The study finds out a huge confusion of quality management with other aspects of teachers‟ professional competencies i.e. Knowing of content information and delivering it to students in the classroom. Majority of the participants of this research were not aware about the basic purpose and the concept of „academic quality management systems‟ in a university to make sure the quality of university teachers‟ performance, as accordance with the certain acceptable standards. Based on the literature review and findings of this study a structure of quality management system is proposed to improve the quality management functions at the public universities in Pakistan.