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Objective: To determine the prevalence of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) abnormalities and contributing factors in adult patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at the diabetic clinic of public hospital, Guyana. Methods: A prospective study was carried out on 60 randomly selected diabetic patients from the public hospitals' diabetic clinics. Patients were included in the study once they had to get tested for ALT and GGT on their request form from the physician and their informed consent. Analysis was done using SPSS 20. Results: Analysis of ALT and GGT showed mean ALT ± SD as 61.9 ± 28.9 (95% CI: 54.5, 69.4) and mean GGT ± SD as 19.6 ± 9.7 (95% CI: 17.1, 83.3). Family history (RR 2.3 95% CI: 0.6, 8.6) showed a greater risk factor of high ALT followed by current illness (RR 1.3 95% CI: 0.4, 4.7). Correlation analysis between ALT and GGT shows a significant positive correlation. Conclusion: The research showed a prevalence of elevated levels of ALT and GGT in type 2 diabetic patients and a strong association to metformin and ethnicity in particular those of Indian decent. Therefore, further research within a controlled environment should be done in order to evaluate the efficacy of the action of metformin as compared to other diabetic drugs in concert with other contributing factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To isolate and screen for the anti-microbial properties of actinomycetes from marine soil sediments and sponges. Methods: The samples of sponges and sediments were collected from various locations on the coast of Andhra Pradesh. Isolation of actinomycetes was done by plating them on the starch casein agar, Kuster's agar, actinomycete isolation agar, and potassium tellurite agar medium using the dilution technique. Various pathogenic bacterial strains, fungal strains, and yeasts were obtained from the Microbial Type Culture Collection, Chandigarh, India, and the National Collection of Industrial Microorganisms, Pune, India. Results: A total of six different soil sediments were collected from the coast of Andhra Pradesh at depths ranging from 1 to 20 m. From the 9 different samples collected, 22 colonies of actinomycetes were isolated. Well-separated and pure colonies of 12 actinomycetes were selected. Of these, nine actinomycetes were active against Gram-positive bacteria, three against Gramnegative bacteria, four against filamentous fungi, and one against yeast. The crude extracts prepared from three potential isolates exhibited both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities. Based on morphological, physiological, and biochemical characteristics, the most effective isolate was identified (AP 13) as belonging to the genus Streptomyces. Conclusion: With careful evaluation, using previously published species of the genus Streptomyces, the isolate was identified as the strain Streptomyces fradiae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the knowledge attitude and practice (KAP) and prevalence of syphilis and to investigate the sexual health practices and constraints among commercial sex workers (CSWs) in Guyana. Methods: The participants were randomly selected from CSWs participating in support group meetings held in Georgetown and Berbice. The survey was cross-sectional, and SPSS 20.0 was used to perform the data analysis. Results: The majority (92.9%) of CSWs tested negative for syphilis, whereas two (2.9%) of the five (7.1%) reactive Venereal Disease Research Laboratory cases indicated prior history of syphilis infection. In the study, 54.3% of participants always used condoms, whereas 74.3% did not use drugs and only 2.9% consumed alcohol every day. The participants had a fair KAP towards syphilis but few misconceptions exist. Stigma and discrimination was identified as the major constraint faced by male sex workers, and 97.1% of CSWs indicated that they preferred giving up sex work. Conclusion: Syphilis was not prevalent among the selected CSWs in Georgetown and Berbice. Prevention programmes should be continued through the support groups to maintain and increase safe sexual practices among female sex workers. Strategies should also be tailored to provide rehabilitation to the CSWs, especially for those willing to give up sex work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of West Indian Medical Journal is the property of West Indian Medical Journal (WIMJ) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)