Role of Antihistamine in Allergic Disorders : A Review and Consensus Statements by Indian Medical Association

Background : 20-30% of the Indian population suffers from at least one allergic disease that can have an adverse impact on the quality of life of the patients. Aim : To develop expert opinion-related guidance for the diagnosis and management of allergic disorders. Methodology : An advisory board meeting (hybrid mode) was conducted with 11panel members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). The panel members discussed issues related to the management of allergic disorders based on the Delphi method. Result : Spirometry is helpful in selected patients of allergic rhinitis where the coexistence of asthma is suspected. In patients with urticaria second-generation antihistamines are preferred for both adults and children due to their low side effects, less drug-drug interaction, anticholinergic effects, longer duration of action, and higher safety. Diagnosis of allergic contact dermatitis can be made based on occupational and exposure history. In atopic dermatitis, patient education about lifestyle changes can prevent flare-ups. In patients with asthma, patients must be educated about the use of the peak flow meter. The diagnosis of food allergy can be made by correlating the food intake timing withthe patient history and the results of allergy testing. Allergic drug reactions can be treated with oral antihistaminic drugs, emollients, and if needed topical corticosteroids. Conclusion : The diagnosis of allergic disorders requires the clinician to consider the clinical presentation, patient history, presence of triggers, and comorbid conditions. Patient education and the new generation of antihistaminic drugs can improve the quality of life of patients with allergic disorders

Laboratory-based dengue fever surveillance in Tamil Nadu, India.

Dengue fever and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DF/DHF) have become a serious public health problem in many parts of India in recent years. Several vertical national programmes for communicable diseases, which include vector-borne diseases such as malaria and filariasis have been in operation for over five decades in India. The remarkable increase in dengue fever and DHF related deaths during the last decade has necessitated an effective surveillance system to detect the cases and adopt appropriate control measures against dengue vectors. Although the existence of all the four serotypes of dengue virus was proved as early as in 1960s, it was only after 1990, several outbreaks of DF/DHF were reported in Tamil Nadu. Further, dengue, once considered as urban problem has now penetrated into rural areas also, due to various changes in the environment. The geographic spread, increase in number of cases, reporting system, laboratory diagnosis, monitoring of vector density and investigation of outbreaks in Tamil Nadu during the last decade are comprehensively documented and discussed here to further strengthen the surveillance network to prevent possible major outbreaks of DF/DHF.

Distribution of natural radionuclide 40K in biotic and abiotic components of the Cauvery river system, Tiruchirapalli, India.

Abiotic components like water and sediment, and biotic components such as mussels, fish and grass collected from Cauvery river at Tiruchirapalli were analysed for 40K activity. The highest level of 40K activity was found in the sediment (342 mBq g–1 dry weight) and the lowest activity was found in water (2·209 mBq ml–1). In the freshwater mussel Parreysia favidens (Benson) 40K activity was estimated in the total soft tissues and shells of mussels belonging to three different size groups· In all the size groups 40K activity was two times higher in shells (68–39 mBq g–1 fresh weight) than in the total soft tissues (25–17 mBq g–1 fresh weight)· The results indicate that the younger mussels accumulated more 40K than the older ones. The ability of internal organs of mussels belonging to group III to accumulate 40K was in the following order: gills > digestive gland > foot > mantle. The values ranged from 47 to 18 mBq g–1 fresh weight in the various organs. Concentration of 40K in the mussel was distinctly higher than in the grass Echinochloa colonum (J Koenig) (95 mBq g–1 fresh weight), and the concentration of 40K in the bone of the fish Cirrhina cirrhosa (Bloch) (126 mBq g–1 fresh weight) was higher than to that of muscle (113 mBq g–1 fresh weight)·