Penicillium marneffei--an indicator disease of AIDS: a case report.

Penicillium marneffei (PM), the only dimorphic species of the genus penicillium is the etiological agent of penicilliosis marneffei. This opportunistic fungal infection occurs among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected and other immunocompromised patient in several regions of South-east Asia, where the infection is considered as an indicator disease of AIDS. A case of penicilliosis marneffei is reported in a patient whose HIV status was unknown and later turned to be in the late stage of AIDS. This demonstrates that it is indeed an indicator disease of AIDS. In India, penicilliosis has been reported among the inhabitants of Manipur state where the prevalence of HIV infection / AIDS is very high. The causative agent was first isolated from a captive bamboo rat. Investigation of the prevalence of the organism among bamboo rats of different countries of South East Asia revealed four species of bamboo rats to be harboring the organism. These four species of bamboo rats are Rhizomys sinensis, R. pruinosus, R. sumatrensis and Cannomys badius. In Manipur, Penicillium marneffei has been isolated from Cannomys badius. Any patient presenting with penicilliosis marneffei should be subjected to HIV counselling and testing if the HIV status is not known and further study regarding the ecology and epidemiology of the fungus is needed.

Monitoring of cellular enzymes in the serum of electroplating workers at Coimbatore.

Chromium compounds are potent toxic and carcinogenic substances. With respect to toxicity, hepatic and renal toxicity have been reported both in workers and in animals exposed to chromium (VI). Chromium (VI) compounds induces DNA damage in vivo and in cultured cells as well as the cytotoxicity evaluated by the leakage of lactate dehydrogenase. The present study reports the cytotoxicity of chrome platers who are employed from 8 to 25 years in electroplating industries at Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. Blood samples were collected and estimated for glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and total protein in the serum. The study revealed that there is a significant elevation in the level of LDH, ALP, CPK and transaminases and a decrease in total protein in serum. The results of the study suggests that chromium (VI), a hepatotoxic chemical may perhaps damage the plasma membrane resulting in leakage of enzymes in to the serum of chromeplaters.