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Authors wish to report a major discordance between Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra Trace positivity (GeneXpert, Cepheid) and follow up by liquid culture.
ABSTRACT
Wild animal related injury is a serious health problem for people living in the foothills of the sub Himalayan terrain. Geographically the foothills are proximal to the tea gardens and the dense forests which in turn are in close proximity to human habitation. Thus, the tea garden workers and labourers as well as others are always at imminent threat from the abundant wildlife. The type of injury could be quite serious, sometimes grotesque and even life threatening. Though we regularly face various kinds of such injuries inflicted from wild animals, there are no studies regarding this very pertinent problem at hand. We wanted to evaluate the causes and treatment outcomes of wild animal injuries in the foothills of sub Himalayan terrain.METHODSThis is a descriptive study conducted for a period of two years. We reviewed the medical records of about 103 patients with wild animal related injuries in North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, between July 2017 to May 2019. Data was collected and compiled in Excel sheet followed by analysis using software Epi Info and Epi Calc 2000.RESULTSThe medical records of about 103 patients with wild animal related injuries in a rural tertiary medical college and hospital of North Bengal between July 2017 to May 2019 were reviewed. Demographic and etiological characteristics of patients and injury and outcome data were analysed. 80% were males and 20% females. The mean age was 33 years (13-77 years). 80% were inflicted by elephants. However, a wide array of animals like rhinos, leopards, bison and leopards were responsible. There were eleven deaths, elephant trampling accounting for nine of them. Interestingly there were urban victims too.CONCLUSIONSWild animal related injuries constitute an important public health problem for people living in this sub-Himalayan belt which needs to be addressed with proper environmental and health measures.
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Background: Serological diagnosis of dengue fever is based on the detection of NS1 antigen and further confirmed by the assay of dengue IgM and IgG. Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) are no longer recommended for use by the Government of India. However, there is a requirement of rapid results without compromising on the test quality. Accordingly, we undertook an evaluation of a novel cartridge-based system employing a unique table-top diagnostic device for dengue NS1 antigen by BluSense Diagnostics incorporating a patented Immuno-Magnetic Assay (IMA).Methods: A total of 309 samples were tested on unlinked anonymous basis. Each sample was tested using NS1 Ag ELISA (Microlisa, J. Mitra), ViroTrack and NS1 RDT (SD Alere) and results were recorded. Discordant samples were further tested by dengue NS1 AG ELISA (Panbio) and dengue IgG/IgM Maclisa (J. Mitra).Results: When compared with approved ELISA kits used globally the Virotrack test returned a sensitivity of 94.74%; specificity of 97.44%; PPV of 97.30%; NPV of 95% and accuracy of 96.10%. Hourly throughput is 5-6 samples.Conclusions: The Virotrack system is highly suitable as a POCT module in HCFs with low to moderate workload that employs novel technology, is rapid, user friendly and comparable to the ELISA in sensitivity and specificity. The equipment is user friendly and can work both on plasma/serum and whole blood. Model with multiple modules (3-4) will improve the throughput and turnaround time. Evaluation of this novel technology has been done in India for the first time.
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Melioidosis is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, previously called as Pseudomonas pseudomallei. We reported a case of a 14 year old female patient presented with fever for last 3 months and multiple swellings of joints, misdiagnosed as M.D.R. T.B. But after proper evaluation diagnosed as multiple joint abscess due to Pseudomonas pseudomallei mimiking tuberculosis. Sporadic cases of melioidosis from various parts of South India and Western costal India have been reported, but remained underdiagnosed due to lack of awareness.
ABSTRACT
Hormones mediate a major part of our essential physiological functions. Both endogenous and exogenous compounds and their metabolites are known to act through hormone receptors leading to regulation of endocrine function. The endogenous ligands that control reproductive functions are generally steroids such as 17beta-estradiol, androgens, progesterone, pregnenolone and glucocorticoids. However, exogenous compounds that are structurally and functionally similar gain entry into animals including humans through the diet or by occupational exposures, causing endocrine disruption. In the recent decade, there is a lot of apprehension about the so-called "endocrine disruptors" which are wide spread in the environment, mainly due to unrestricted human activity. These compounds of anthropogenic or natural origin mimic the action of sex hormones and can interfere with the endocrine system. It has been hypothesized that environmental exposure to synthetic estrogenic chemicals and related endocrine active compounds may be responsible for malformations in the male reproductive tract, crytorchidism, hypospadias, decrease in sperm counts, decreased male reproductive capacity and even testicular cancers. The increasing concern in both public and scientific communities about these abnormalities have prompted the initiation of epidemiological studies to not only identify, but to also analyze the short and long term effects of endocrine disruptors. As a result, a number of assays have been developed and are undergoing validation aimed at high throughput screening of chemical agents that disrupt endocrine activity. This review consolidates the findings of epidemiological studies, particularly in relation to male reproductive disorders and brings to light the various types of in vitro and in vivo models that are available for tiered testing of suspected compounds.