ABSTRACT
Background: During recent years, many cases of dengue virus transmission, through blood transfusion have been reported, including two cases from Karachi, Pakistan. NS1 antigen detection in blood donors can serve as a rapid mean for detection of acute dengue infection thus could prevent transmission through blood donation by affected individuals
Objectives: The aim of this study was to screen high risk blood donors for active dengue infection during an outbreak in the city of Rawalpindi and rejection of NS1-positive donors to save patients from dengue infected transfusions
Subjects and Methods: After approval from the IRB Shaikh Zayed Hospital, high risk blood donors during the outbreak were identified in blood banks of selected government hospitals. The objective of the study was explained and an informed consent was obtained from each participant. Blood sample of 3cc was drawn at the time of cross-match. Serum was separated and analyzed for dengue NS1 Ag. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0
Results: Overall 600 blood donors were included in the survey with the majority of male participants [n=583] than female participants [n=17]. Most of the blood donors [57.8%] were falling in the age group of less than 30 years and highest donations were from [B] positive blood group followed by [O] positive and [AB] negative with least donations. None of the sample screened positive for NS1 antigen
Conclusion: Blood of high risk asymptomatic donors taken were having no dengue NS1 Ag positivity
ABSTRACT
Turmeric, a recognized spice, is known for miscellaneous health benefits in addition to culinary uses. In this study, in vitro evaluation of turmeric ethanol, methanol and aqueous extracts were mediated by disc diffusion, agar well method and phytochemical analysis. Purification of curcumin from turmeric was assisted by silica gel, TLC and HPLC for evaluation of its antioxidant and DNA protection activity. The sensitivity of alcoholic extracts against bacterial species differed, yet Staphylococcus aureus subsp. Aureus and Bacillus subtilis both exhibited pronounced inhibition in disc diffusion and agar well method respectively. Overall, the crude ethanol extract of turmeric has an enhanced inhibitory effect on the growth of different bacterial species with a mean of 9.4 +/- 1.00 mm compared to 8.8 +/- 0.58 mm in case of crude methanol extract. Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, saponnins, tannins and phenols. Purification of curcumin through HPLC gave the main peak with 55% of acetonitrile at a retention time of 61- 65 minutes. Lower concentration of purified curcumin has protective effects on human DNA but increased concentrations instigate damaging effects. Its percentage scavenging ability was highest [91.84%] at 45 microg and per unit increase in the concentration prompted 6 units increase in percentage inhibition with a linear regression, R2= 0.914. All these traits boost its significance in herbal medicine with varied antimicrobial and pharmacological activities