ABSTRACT
Purpose: Primary infection with a varicella‑zoster virus (VZV) leads to chickenpox. Though the incidence of the disease has decreased in many developed countries due to the introduction of the varicella vaccine, outbreaks continue to occur in developing countries. Materials and Methods: The present study reports an outbreak of varicella in an urbanised village in the vicinity of Chandigarh City in North India in November 2013. The outbreak was confirmed by the detection of VZV IgM antibodies in serum samples of clinically suspected patients. Vesicular fluid samples were collected from 8 patients with active lesions and tested for VZV DNA by polymerase chain reaction. Blood samples were also collected from 17 healthy controls residing in the same locality and tested for the presence of VZV IgM and IgG antibodies. Results: A total of 18 cases occurred, and the majority of them (67%) were <15 years of age. Of 17 samples collected from patients with the clinically suspected disease, 13 (76.5%) showed the presence of VZV IgM antibodies. Of the healthy controls, 6 were VZV IgM positive and 4 of them developed symptomatic disease on follow‑up. VZV DNA was positive in 5/8 (62.5%) of the patients. In one patient, VZV DNA was detected in the absence of an IgM antibody response. Conclusion: The introduction of varicella vaccine in the universal immunisation programme of India may help to prevent these outbreaks; however, the cost‑benefit analysis needs to be carried out before making such policies.
Subject(s)
Acyclovir/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use , Brain/pathology , Child , Coma/diagnosis , Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated/diagnosis , Encephalomyelitis, Acute Disseminated/drug therapy , Fatal Outcome , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Methylprednisolone/therapeutic use , Phenytoin/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Kalaripayattu, an ancient traditional martial art form of Kerala, is considered as the basis for all martial arts viz. Karate, Kungfu, etc. physiological studies are more concentrated on Karate, Kungfu and other martial arts due to their global acceptance. Considering the limited knowledge available regarding the physiological profiles of Kalaripayattu practitioners, the present study was taken up for filling the lacunae in the field. Lung function tests were carried out in ten Kalari practitioners. Residual volume was measured by indirect method. Higher lung volumes and flow rates were achieved in Kalari practitioners compared to age and height-matched controls. Better mechanical factors and lower airway resistance influenced during Kalari practice might have benefited in improving hung volumes and flow rates.