Potency assay of liquid preparation of enzyme refined monospecific Russell's viper antivenoms

Enzyme immunoassay technique (EIA) was used to assess the performance of liquid preparation of enzyme refined monospecific Russell's viper antivenoms manufactured by Myanmar Pharmaceutical Factory, stored at +4 C and room temperature at two township hospitals. The antivenoms stored at +4 C with a shelf life of less than 1/2 year, time expired precipitated antivenoms and batches of antivenom stored at room temperature with a shelf life of one year have lost venom neutralising activity and also venom antigen was detected in the urine. The poor performance of liquid antivenom probably results from batch to batch variation and incorrect storage of antivenom.

The efficacy of a bolus dose of Russell's viper antivenom in threating viper bite cases

Serum venom levels before and after administration of an intravenous bolus dose of 40 ml lyophilised monospecific antivenom manufactured by Myama Pharmaceutical Factory in nine Russell's viper bite cases were measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique. In 3 out of 9 cases studied, venom antigen was still detectable in blood for more than 2h after therapy. Therefore, a single 40 ml bolus dose of antivenom is not sufficient to completely neutralise circulating venom in some cases of Russell's viper bite victims.

Detection of Russell's viper venom antigen in human snake bite victims during the course of antivenom therapy

Venom levels before and after administration of 40 ml of liquid and lyophilised monovalent antivenom in 67 cases of human Russell's viper bite were measured by Enzyme- Linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. A venom level of 60 ng/ml or more was detected in most patients (41/46) who presented with nonclotting blood. In 13 out of 16 cases treated with 40ml of liquid preparation and 10 out of 25 cases treated with the same dose of lyophilised antivenom, venom level of 60 ng/ml or more were not neutralised within 2 hr, of therapy, indicated that 40 ml antivenom was not sufficient in treating 50

of the patients with nonclotting blood. The neutralizing ability of lyophilised preparation is superior to that of the liquid antivenom used in the study.

Contraceptive prevalence survey and urban Mandalay

A study of K A P (knowledge, attitude and practice) on contraceptive in Myanmar females was undertaken in Mandaly. Two thousand five hundred ever married females between the age of 15 and 49 years were interviewed. It was found that 97.8

of these women possessed knowledge regarding contraceptives. Oral contraception was the most knowledgeable recognised method, followed by the injectable type. Sterilization and vasectomy were the third and fourth recongnised methods. The total ever users were 48.92

and 20.88

were current users. Oral pills were used by 28.08

, injectables by 20.53

and sterilization by 5.27

of knowledgeable persons. The reasons for not using the fertility regulation methods were fear of side effects, desiring to have more children, ignorance regarding contraception, not wanting to interfere with nature, financial problems and religious beliefs.