ABO blood groups and susceptibility to Malaria

A total of 425 villagers from four malaria endemie villages in Kanbaunk village tract, Yephyu Township. Taninthayee Division were examined for the presence of malaria parasites in blood and ABO blood groups with the aim to find out if there are any differences in the parasite positive rate among the ABO bolld groups. The distribution of blood groups was 22 per cent, 35 per cent, 38 per cent and 5 per cent for A,B,O and AB blood groups respectively. their allotment are similar to other parts of the country. the parasite positive rate in all persons irrespective of blood group was 23 per cent P. falciparum and P. vivax accounting for 81 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. when the parasite positive rates were compared among the 4 blood groups, they were 20 per cent, 14 per cent, 16 per cent and 14 per cent respectively but there was no significant difference among different blood groups. The ratio of P. falciparum and P. vivax did not differ significantly among the four blood groups. Thus, according to our results ABO blood groups have no relation with malaria susceptibility.

Studies on the stability of DMR hepatitis B vaccine

The stability of the DMR hepatitis B vaccine at 4C and room temperature has been followed over a period of one year by monitoring its physical, chemical and biological characteristics bimonthly starting from February 1996. The pH and protein content of the vaccine did not change for both storage conditions throughout the study. The vaccines were found to be sterile and free from pyrogens and passed the general safety test on mice. The HBsAg titer started to decline after eight months of storage at 4C and after 10 days of storage at room temperature. However, the HBsAg adsorption rate to the adjuvant remained over 95 per cent for both storage conditions.

Histopathological severity of antral gastritis in relationship to Helicobacter pylori colonisation

The association between Helicobacter pylori (HP) colonisation in gastric antrum and the degree of severity and activity of gastritis and the concomitant relationship with gastric atrophy and intestinal metaplastic changes were studied. A total of 204 pieces of endoscopic biopsy tissues were collected from the outpatient endoscopy unit of New Yangon General Hospital in 1994. Routine Haematoxylin and Eosin stain as well as special stains such as modified Giemsa and Carbol fuchsin stains were used for bacterial identification and quantitative analysis. a significant correlation (P value <0.001) was obtained between density of HP colonisation and severity of gastritis as well as its activity (p value <0.001). However, no significant degree of atrophic changes and intestinal metaplastic changes were noted in these biopsies. a continuation for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of HP and its consequences is necessary.

The use of Moringa oleifera (dan-da-lun) seed for the sedimentation and decontamination of household water Part II: Community-based study

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were tested as clearing and sedimentation agents in household water in Thaung Gyi Lay village with 110 households. Questionnaires were completed for each household and follow-up visits were carried out to ascertain the hypothetical acceptability (attitude), initial acceptability (behaviour) and experimental acceptability. It was observed that 78.9 per cent of the people accepted to use Moringa oleifera seeds if these were easily available. For continuous use of Moringa oleifera seeds, 47.3 per cent wanted to use, 44.7 per cent could not decide and only three households (2.7 per cent) did not want to use these. It was observed that the taste and pH of water did not change after treatment with Moringa oleifera seeds. There was no complaint about the treated water. This study will highlight the acceptance to use Moringa oleifera seeds for the sedimentation of turbid water.

The usefulness of Moringa oleifera (dan-da-lun) seed for the sedimentation and decontamination of turbid water from ponds and revers Part I: Laboratory investigations

The seeds of Moringa oleifera were tested as the clearing and sedimentation agents in tubid water from various sources (1) DMR pond (2) Yangon river (3) Bago River (4) Hline River (5) Hlinethaya Pond (6) artesian well from laydaunkkan and (7) Thanlyin River. the turbidity reduction of 80.00 to 99.5 percent paralled by a primary bacterial reduction of 90.00 to 99.99 per cent were obtained within the first one to two hours of treatment, the bacteria being concentrated in the coagulated sediment. It was observed that 100 mg (one ywe) of the seed powder served as a clearing agent in one litre of turbid water. However, the difference of clearing activity was not significant with different amounts of powder, lwhen 50 mg, 100 mg and 200 mg respectively were used with constant water quantity (one litre) within 24 hours. Moreover, the effect of the seeds could not alter the original pH of the tested water samples. The powder of M. oleifera leaves, bark and roots had no power to clear the turbidity of tested water samples.

Clinical trial to determine the hypouricaemic potential of Zizyphus jujuba kernel

Clinical trial to determine the therapeutic efficacy of a traditional herbal drug, Zizyphus jujuba kernel reputed for anti-gout action was carried out on 20 healthy volunteers. Using a cross-over design, the subjects were divided into two groups. Group I received standard hypouricaemic drug, allopurinol and Group II was administered Z. jujuba dernel for 14 days. after a wash-out period of another 7 days, the drugs were crossed over between the two groups in which Group I was administered Z. jujuba kernel and Group II was administered allopurinol for further 14 days again. Blood and urine samples of these subjects were taken at 5 days' intervals throughout the study period for determination of uric acid, creatinine and liver function tests. It was found that Z. jujuba shows no abnormalities on kidney and liver function tests. It also possesses neither hypouricaemic nor uricosuric actions.

Comparison of Plasmodium falciparum infectivity to Anopheles dirus D using direct and indirect blood feeding methods

Membrane feeding method (indirect blood feeding) using defibrinated blood has been established and was found to be as good as the direct feeding method with no singificant differences in the production of oocysts and sporozoites in Anopheles dirus D (p > 0.05). However, lsuccessful feeding was greater in the direct feeding method (69.4 per cent) when compared to the membrane feeding method (46.7 per cent) (p <0.0001). Based on 19 malaria patients who had > 400 gametocytes per ul of blood, the effect of antimalarial drugs on oocyst and sporozoite rates was also studied and it was found that mefloquine treated patients produced reduced infection and infectivity in an. dirus D than those who received antimalarial drugs other than mefloquine. Patients who had gametocytes and have been treated for causes other than malaria and who did not receive any antimalarial drugs were found to produce the highest infection and infectivity rates in An. dirus D (p < 0.0001).

The phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced peripheral lymphocyte blastogenic response in cancer patients

The in vitro blastogenic response of peripheral bolld lymphocytes was determined in 50 patients with various types of malignancies by quantitation of phytohaemagglutinin PHA-induced tritiated thymidine uptake. PHA-induced blastogenic response was impaired in patients with malignancy more so in patients with squamous cell carcinoma in whom there was an inverse correlation with the stage of the tumor and the reduction. No correlation was seen in patients with adenocarcinoma, lymphoma or sarcoma. these data indicate that PHA-induced blastogenic respoonse is a potentially useful assay for the detection of immunocompromized persons especially in patients suffering from squamous cell carcinoma.

Knowledge, perception and AIDS related behaviours among currently married couples in Yangon

A community based study was conducted in 1991 in Dagon and Thakayta Townships to assess the existing level of knowledge and perception of AIDS among 594 currently married couples and to find out the type of educational needs on AIDS for married couples. Only a few study subjects believed that AIDS was a curable disease and the majority did not know some important preventive measures. Many of the studied couples could not identify those who could get AIDS within the society and the high risk group among community members. Knowledge of the source of AIDS transmission and on prevention of AIDS were also found to be low among them. Condom utilization by male having sex with spouse was also found to be low. Health education of AIDS dissemination through leaflets and health talks was found to be insufficient.

Genotype determination of three dengue type 2 virus strains from Myanmar by sequencing E/NSI gene junction.

Genotype of three dengue-2 virus strains from Myanmar was determined as genotype II by sequencing 240 nucleotide long fragment across the E/NS1 gene junction by the primer extension dideoxy chain termination method, applying direct sequencing of the PCR product. These strains were isolated from a dengue shock syndrome (DSS) patient and two patients with dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) grade 1, in Yangon (Rangoon), Myanmar (Burma), in 1987. Sequence homology of all three strains were highest (96%) to New Guinea C strain (genotype II), lesser homology (93%) to Jamaican 1409 strain (genotype III), and the least homology (91%) to PR 159/S1 strain (genotype I). Two DHF strains revealed only 2 nucleotide and 3 nucleotide differences compared with DSS strain, all at the 3rd position of the codons which resulted in silent mutations.

The peripheral lymphocyte mitogenic responses of apparently healthy Myanmar blood donors

The responses of peripheral lymphocytes to mitogens namely, phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were determined in 50 apparently healthy blood donors. The stimulation indexes of PHA and LPS of male and female donos were calculated. Though there was a singificant difference (p < 0.001) between the sexes to PHA response, no significant difference was found in LPS response. Also the mitogen responses had no correlation with the age and the number of T and B lymphocytes in the peripheral blood.

Comparative study on detection of urease activity by CLO Test Kit and Microtiter Biopsy Urease Test Kit for evaluation of Helicobacter pylori

A Microtiter Biopsy Urease Test (MBUT) for the detection of Helicobacter pylori was evaluated in the drug trial study conducted in the Endoscopy Department of New Yangon General Hospital. The MBUT was compared with commercially available urease test (CLO Test). Both CLO test and MBUT were performed on antral and fundal gastric tissues biopsied from 35 subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. 29 (83 percent) cases were positive for Helicobacter pylori when tested by CLO test and MBUT. Thus the sensitivity and specificity of MBUT relative to CLO test was both 100 percent respectively. Tested by MBUT, the urease reaction was positive in 83 percent of cases within 2 hours and 90 percent within 3 hours. Tested by CLO test, it was positive in 60 percent of cases within 2 hours and 67 percent within 3 hours. the accuracy of MBUT was thus similar to that of CLO test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori. Moreover, MBUT is not expensive, can be prepared locally, packed in test kit form and can be supplied to gastroenteroscopy units for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

Study of KAP on HIV infection/AIDS among medical doctors in Yangon

HIV infection/AIDS related knowledge, attitudes and precautionary practices were studied among medical doctors in various health institutions, which included general hospitals, specialist hospitals, township health centers and GP clinics in Yangon, between June and August of 1991. The main objective of the study is to provide necessary information that may promote the appropriate use of health education services for the prevention of HIV infection/AIDS in health workers, particularly those at high risk. A total of 425 questionnaires were delivered and 378 (99.9 percent) returned. The survey results indicated that (99 percent) of the respondents had ever heard of AIDS and only (74 percent) knew the difference between AIDS and HIV infection. Knowledge concerning aetiology, transmission, diagnosis, control and prevention of the disease were revealed to provide the necessary information for effective management. Positive and negative attitudes towards HIV infected person were assessed and practices towards prevention of HIV infection/AIDS in health care settings were discussed in detail.

Immunophenotyping of acute leukaemia

Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 36 patients (Male 23, female 13; age range 3-80 yrs) newly diagnosed as acute leukaemia were done during May 1991 to November 1992. All cases were diagnosed as acute leukaemias based on clinical features and peripheral blood and bone marrow findings under light microscopy. Using the indirect immunofluorescent method immunophenotypes of the leukaemic blasts were identified on peripheral blood mononuclear cells using monoclonal antibodies (CD13 as myeloid marker; CD3, CD10 and CD19 as lymphoid markers). Out of 36 patients, 19 were myeloid and 14 were lymphoid leukaemias and 3 were non-reactive with monoclonals used. The study showed a significant positive correlation between morphological diagnosis and immunophenotyping. It had established the diagnosis in 3 cases where morphology alone was unable to do it. Discrepancy between morphological diagnosis and immunophenoltyping was observed in 4 cases. The present study showed that it will be of great diagnostic as well as therapeutic value if an appropriate and wider panel of monoclonal antibodies can be used.

Prevalence of upper gastrointestinal disease in relation to age: Endoscopic and clinical implications

Reports of 2005 endoscopies were reviewed to determine the age-related prevalence of upper gastrointestinal (UGI) disease as a guide to medical officers in primary and secondary centres for necessary referral to us for endoscopic examination. Results indicated that (1) there were positive findings in 1836 (92 percent) of all endoscopic examinations, and most symptomatic patients can be expected to have at least one UGI abnormality, (2) many patients with UGI symptoms have two or more reportable disease processes, (3) the prevalence of serious or life-threatening diseases such as cancer or large ulcers rises steasily with age, and (4) after age 50 approximately 51 percent of symptomatic patients have a serious UGI disease. Based on these findings, one should expect to diagnose at least one abnormality in most symptomatic patients, and should manage younger patients in their centres as an alternative. However, one should not hesitate to refer patients above 50 to an appropriate centre. Because of high prevalence of serious lesions in the elderly, endoscopy should also be condidered for the initial examination of an elderly patient if poor physical status renders the radiological examination difficult or unreliable.