Granular Cell Epulis of a Newborn Male Child.

Congenital granular cell epulis is an uncommon benign tumor arising from alveolar ridges of the newborn sometimes interfering with mouth closure and feeding and when multiple the tumor may cause respiratory obstruction. It is mostly composed of nests of cells with granular cytoplasm set in a prominent vasculature. Here we report a case of CGCE observed in a newborn male due to its rare occurrence, with a brief review of literature pertaining to its histogenesis and differentiation from its adult counterpart.

A pilot seroepidemiological study of cytomegalovirus infection in women of child bearing age.

Three hundred and forty serum samples collected from women of child bearing age, without any clinical evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, were screened for the presence of IgG antibodies against CMV by ELISA test. The IgG antibodies were detected in 297 which gave prevalence rate of 87.4%. Significantly higher prevalence rates (p < 0.001) were observed with increasing age and with increase in parity. There was significant difference in the antibody prevalence in different socioeconomic groups. Seroprevalence rate was also found to be more in women from rural area than those from urban area, although the difference was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Marital status showed no impact upon the seroprevalence of IgG antibodies in women.

The seroepidemiology of rubella in Amritsar (Punjab).

Seroprevalence of Rubella was determined in 580 women including 80 women of medical community of district Amritsar, by ELISA test. The overall Rubella IgG seropositivity was 68.8% while in women of medical community it was 80%. Maximum number of women were seropositive (77.2%) in age group 26-35 years. Significantly higher rates were observed in women of urban areas and those belonging to lower socioeconomic class. Although the incidence of seropositivity was more in women with history of adverse pregnancy outcome than those with normal obstetric performance, the difference was statistically not significant (p > 0.05). Serologically, immune status showed poor correlation with history of past Rubella virus like infection.

Mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis in childhood.

A study of 190 children of chronic cervical lymphadenitis showed tuberculous etiology on histopathological examination in 92 (48.4%) and bacteriological evidence of mycobacterial infection (smear and/or culture) in 42 (22.1%). Of these 42, twelve (28.6%) showed histopathological diagnosis of non-specific lymphadenitis. Positive culture for mycobacteria was obtained in 40, of which 30 (75%) were typical M. tuberculosis and 10 (25%) were atypical mycobacteria. The most predominant species of typical mycobacteria was M. scrofulaceum (60%) followed by M. avium intracellulare (40%). There was no remarkable difference in the histopathological pattern of those in which M. tuberculosis was grown and those in which bacterial growth was that of atypical mycobacteria. The diagnosis of chronic cervical lymphadenitis should therefore be taken a step beyond histopathology, up to complete bacteriological examination, especially to confirm the cases of mycobacterial lymphadenitis caused by atypical mycobacteria.

Species distribution and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of coagulase negative staphylococci isolated from various clinical specimens.

A study of 192 strains of Coagulase negative staphylococcus (CONS) showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common species, 158 (82.29%) isolated from all clinical specimens followed by S. saprophyticus (30, 15.62%) isolated mainly from urine. Slime production was exhibited by 77 (48.7%) strains of S. epidermidis and 8 (26.6%) of S. saprophyticus and the difference in the slime producing activity was statistically significant (p< 0.005). Antibiotic susceptibility testing against 15 commonly used antibiotics showed multidrug resistance with more than 90% resistance to penicillin, more than 50% to cephalexin and ciprofloxacin and more than 20% to methicillin, thus, highlighting the importance of species identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing for clinical isolates of CONS.

A study of infective aetiology of chronic diarrhoea in children in Amritsar.

Examination of 150 stool samples from children of less than 3 years of age of chronic diarrhoea showed the presence of various enteropathogens in 58.7% cases. Cryptosporidium in pure form, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia were detected in 1.3%, 2% and in 4% cases respectively. In 1.3% children Candida albicans was isolated. The predominant bacterial isolate was enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (21.4%). Salmonella typhimurium, shigella and campylobacter were isolated in 8.6%, 4% and 0.7% children respectively.

Enterotoxigenic enteric bacteria causing secretory diarrhoea.

Two hundred and fifty enteric bacteria isolated from cases of secretory diarrhoea of all age groups were studied for their enterotoxigenicity and prevalence of drug resistance. The principal pathogens were Escherichia coli 44.4%, Vibrio cholerae 28.8%, Salmonella typhimurium 19.2% and Campylobacter jejuni 2.4%. 104 (42.6%) strains were enterotoxigenic; V. cholerae (100%), Escherichia coli (25.2%) and Non-E. coli enterobacteria (6.5%). While 89.3% and 100% Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium strains were multi drug resistant, 40% and 100% respectively showed transfer of R-plasmids to standard receipt strains. In V. cholerae multi drug resistance was observed in only 5.5% strains.