ABSTRACT
The use of liposome as an adjuvant and a vaccine carrier has been cited previously in the literature. It has also been shown to be effective in enhancing the immunogenicity of vaccine candidates. BALB/c mice immunized subcutaneously with outer membrane protein [OMP] of Brucella abortus S19 vaccine strain entrapped in a commercial cationic liposome [S19-OMP-liposome] for vaccine delivery, showed enhanced protection [P<0.05] compared to groups of mice inoculated with S19 OMP alone, S19 live B. abortus vaccine and liposome alone, when challenged intra-peritoneally with virulent B. abortus strain 544 at 30 days post-immunization [DPI]. The S19-OMP-liposome preparation was found to be safer compared to the live B. abortus S19 vaccine at 15 days post challenge [DPC], as evidenced by the significant difference in spleen weight between S19-OMP-liposome, S19 OMP and S19 live as well as the liposome control groups [P<0.01]. Antibody isotype response profiles of the experimental groups indicated that the immune response was Th1 cell mediated. The protective advantage conferred to mice immunized with S19-OMP entrapped in liposome over those immunized with the live B. abortus S19 version, could probably be related to the significantly different response of IgG2b at 30 DPI [P<0.01], IgG2a [P<0.01], IgG2b [P<0.01] and IgG3 [P<0.05] at the DPC stages, respectively
ABSTRACT
A 66-year-old male patient came to the anorectal clinic, Outpatient department, AVT Institute for Advanced Research, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, with complaints of prolapsing pile mass during defecation and bleeding while passing stool. The case was diagnosed as “Raktarsha” - 11 & 7 ‘o’ clock position II degree internal hemorrhoids, deeply situated, projecting one and caused by pitta and rakta; with bleeding tendency. Kshara karma (application of caustic alkaline paste) intervention was done in this case to internal hemorrhoids under local anesthesia. The pile mass and per rectal bleeding resolved in 8 days and the patient was relieved from all symptoms within 21 days. No complications were reported after the procedure. The patient was followed up regularly from 2004 onward till date and proctoscopic examination did not reveal any evidence of recurrence of the hemorrhoids.