ABSTRACT
Introduction: Dengue is a major public health problem in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and it is known for serious life threatening complications. Detection of IgM antibodies forms the mainstay for diagnosis of dengue infection. However, IgM antibodies develop after 4-5 days of infection and there is an urgent need for an alternative diagnostic tools that can detect dengue infection earlier. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of NS1 antigen ELISA for early diagnosis of dengue virus infection in a tertiary care hospital Methods-A total of 2106 serum samples from patients with suspected dengue infection were tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM anti-body detection by ELISA. Results: 765 (36.32%) were positive for dengue NS1 antigen and 857 (40.69%) were positive for dengue IgM antibody. NS1 antigen was detectable in patient sera from day 1 onwards however; dengue IgM anti-body was detected from day 3 onwards. Out of 765 NS1 antigen positive samples, 562 (73.46%) were positive in acute phase of illness and 203 (26.54%) were positive in convalescent phase of illness. Out of 857 MAC ELISA positive samples, 312 (36.41%) were from acute phase of illness and 545 (63.59%) were from early convalescent phase of illness. Combination of two tests resulted in increase in the positivity rate to 52.66% as against to independent posi-tivity rate of 36.32% of NS1 ELISA and 40.69% of MAC ELISA. Conclusion: Combined use of NS1 antigen assay with MAC ELISA test could significantly improve diagnostic sensitivity of dengue infection
ABSTRACT
Retropharyngeal abscess (RPA) is an infection in the retropharyngeal space of neck. It is rare in adults and can occur as a result of local trauma, foreign body ingestion, or instrumental procedures. Abscesses in this space can be caused by aerobic, anaerobic, or Gram-negative organisms. Salmonella neck infections represent an uncommon cause of focal salmonellosis. It may develop in uncontrolled diabetic or immunocompromised, patients without any proceeding intestinal manifestation of the disease. While the incidence of non-typhoidal salmonellosis (NTS) is estimated at over two million cases annually, extra intestinal manifestation account in less than 1 % of these cases. Here, we report a case of RPA due to Salmonella enterica subp. enterica serovar Typhimurium in a 50-year-old female from Central India. IV antibiotics should be considered along with surgical drainage and treatment of the comorbidity. Early diagnosis and intervention are imperative to avoid mortality.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: The Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), have common modes of transmission. Globally, sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are the highest among population subgroups such as sex workers. Objective is to - (i) Study of Hepatitis B infections and HIV infection in female sex workers (ii) Co-infection rate of HBV and HIV among this population (iii) Simultaneous comparision of infection HBV and HIV infection in healthy female population(blood donar). Methodology: This study was conducted in the department of microbiology IGGMC Nagpur from October 2014 to August 2015. Their sera were tested for the HBsAg and HIV antibodies. Results: A total 400 samples were tested (200 samples of female sex workers and 200 samples of healthy female blood donors. The seropositivity of HBV in FSWs is 1.5% and of HIV is 2%, none of FSWs were coinfected with both the infections. That of healthy female donors HBV prevalence is 0.5% and HIV is also 0.5% similarly none were coinfected with both the infections. Conclusion: The prevalence of Hepatitis-B virus infection and HIV infection is low among the female sex workers in Nagpur region. Similarly prevalence in healthy female population is also low. Targeted intervention among the risk group is effective measure in decreasing the hepatitis B infection rate.
ABSTRACT
Aim: Objective of this study was to examine farnesol sensitivity of yeast to hyphae dimorphism in clinical isolates of Candida albicans. Study Design: Variations in virulence attributes contribute to variations in pathogenicity of C. albicans. Ability to switch from yeast to hyphae morphology is an important virulence factor. Farnesol, a quorum sensing molecule is known to play an important role in the regulation of C. albicans morphogenesis. Analysis of farnesol susceptibility of yeast to hyphae conversion may reveal a factor responsible for variation in pathogenicity among clinical isolates of C. albicans. Place and Duration of Study: SCG Medical College & SGGS Memorial Hospital, and School of Life Sciences, SRTM University, Nanded, India. Duration of this study was, December 2008 to December 2010. Methodology: Fifty clinical isolates of C. albicans were recovered from body fluids (such as, sputum, blood, urine, vaginal swab, tracheal swab, throat swab, feces, pus and cerebrospinal fluid, etc.) of patients with different clinical manifestations, in the tertiary care center hospital. Presumptive identification of C. albicans was done on HiCHROM agar- Candida, while confirmation was done by Germ tube formation assay, Carbohydrate assimilation and Corn meal agar test. Serum induced yeast to hyphae morphogenesis in C. albicans was performed in 96 well plates. Recent methodology of micro broth dilution was used for farnesol susceptibility testing in fifty clinical isolates. Results: Farnesol prevented hyphae formation in a concentration dependent manner, in the range 25 to 400 μM. Inhibition of ≥ 50% hyphae was considered as significant reduction in morphogenesis. MIC70 for farnesol mediated inhibition of morphogenesis in C. albicans was at 200 μM. Mean values for percentage inhibition of morphogenesis in fifty strains was compared by analysis of variance (ANOVA). P = 0.05 was considered significant. Conclusion: Susceptibility of yeast to hyphae morphogenesis to the quorum sensing molecule farnesol, varied significantly among clinical isolates of C. albicans. We hypothesize that variation in farnesol sensitivity may be a factor responsible for variable dissemination and infection ability of C. albicans.