PRESENCE OF BOTH DENGUE SPECIFIC NS1 ANTIGEN AND IMMUNOGLOBULIN M ANTIBODY IN CONFIRMED DENGUE PATIENTS IN KOLKATA

@#The object of this study was to identify patients with diagnosed dengue infection, who were positive for both dengue-specific NS1 antigen and IgM antibody.

Chikungunya virus infection in West Bengal, India.

Background: Chikungunya virus has recently re-emerged in India. Objectives: Assess prevalence of Chikungunya. Materials and Methods: Study conducted from April 2011 to September 2011. Two hundred and six patients (206) of both sexes (100 males and 106 females) of all age groups studied. Serum separated and CHIKV MAC IgM ELISA and Hemagglutination inhibition assay done. Results: 76 cases (36.89%) sero-positive by both the methods. Conclusion: Re-emergence and resurgence of the Chikungunya virus requires continuous monitoring.

Serological diagnosis of dengue in laboratory practice in Kolkata.

Purpose: To find out the most suitable serological investigative procedures to diagnose dengue cases effectively in the laboratory practice identifying primary and secondary cases as well as period of suffering. Materials and Methods: Dengue suspected cases sent to the laboratory in 2012 in central Kolkata by the local physicians were categorised into seven panels according to the investigations asked for such as (1) only dengue‑specific NS1 antigen (2) only IgM antibodies, (3) NS1 + IgM + IgG antibodies, (4) only IgM and IgG, (5) NS1 + IgM, (6) NS1 + IgG and (7) only IgG. Results: Out of 1892 suspected cases, dengue was diagnosed in 725 (38.3%). Through panels I, II, III, IV, V, VI and VII, it was possible to diagnose dengue in (I) 35.98% (435/1209), (II) 37.5% (24/60), (III) 49% (173/354), (IV) 30.8% (68/221), (V) 60.5% (23/38), (VI) 40% (2/5) and (VII) 0 of cases respectively. Detail information such as confirmed diagnosis, duration of the disease (whether early or prolonged) and classification of primary and secondary dengue in such early or prolonged stages would only be possible in panel III, which information would be helpful for effective monitoring and treatment of dengue patients. In all other panels, merely fragmentary information would be obtained. Conclusions: Serodiagnostic tests dengue‑specific NS1 antigen and IgM and IgG antibodies when conducted simultaneously would be able to diagnose confirmed dengue cases categorising primary and secondary dengue along with the duration of the disease, whether early or prolonged.

Obesity attenuates formalin-induced tonic pain in British Angora Rabbits.

Obesity is known to alter various physiological parameters including the pain sensitivity. There are conflicting reports on the pain sensitivity in obesity. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the tonic pain response in obese rabbit model. To achieve this aim, two groups of adult male British Angora rabbits were used. One of the groups was fed with standard rabbit chow and served as control. The other group was fed high fat diet (HFD) for 10 weeks to produce obesity. The standard formalin test was performed at the start and after 10 weeks of dietary regimen in both the groups. Timed behavioral responses (limping, elevation of paw, licking, biting, grooming etc.) were categorized and quantified with the help of standard pain rating scale. The total average pain rating score decreased significantly from 2.01 ± 0.02 to 1.47 ± 0.08 (P<0.05) in HFD group after 10 weeks of dietary regimen, whereas there was no change in the control group. A significant negative correlation was observed between body weight and pain rating score in HFD group of rabbits (P<0.05, r=–0.62). Results suggest that obesity attenuates the tonic pain responses induced by formalin in British Angora rabbits.

High fat diet induces obesity in British Angora Rabbit : A model for experimental obesity.

A reliable and cost-effective animal model for human obesity with its manifested disorders is yet to be established in the context of increased morbidity and mortality due to obesity and its related problems. Therefore, an attempt was made to produce obesity in locally available British Angora Rabbits (BAR) and examine the effect on metabolic and cardiovascular parameters. Adult male BARs weighing nearly 2 kg were randomly divided into two groups, one of the groups was fed with high fat diet (HFD) ad libitum for 10 weeks and the control group received standard normal rabbit chow for same period. Body weight, skinfold thickness, serum cholesterol, serum glucose and resting heart rate were measured before and after the dietary regimens. After 10 weeks, HFD group of rabbits demonstrated significant (P<0.05) increase in body weight (+24%) and skinfold thickness (+37%). The gain in body weight was positively correlated to skinfold thickness (r=0.61). Serum cholesterol, serum glucose and resting heart rate were also increased by 46%, 52% and 15%, respectively. Whereas no such increases in any of these parameters were observed in control group of rabbits. Our results suggest that obesity can be produced in BARs by feeding HFD. The obesity manifests with cardiovascular and metabolic changes. It is proposed that this may serve as a valid and reliable model of experimental obesity.

Becker's variant of myotonia congenita in two siblings--a clinico-genetic study.

We report a family of a brother and sister of myotonia congenita, conforming to autosomal recessive transmission (Becker's variety). To the best of our knowledge, no account of a family of autosomal recessive myotonia (Becker's disease), has earlier been reported from India.

Association of deletion in the chromosomal 8p21.3-23 region with the development of invasive head & neck squamous cell carcinoma in Indian patients.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Deletions in chromosome 8 (chr.8) have been shown to be necessary for the development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Attempts have been made in this study to detect the minimal deleted region in chr.8 associated with the development of HNSCC in Indian patients and to study the association of clinicopathological features with the progression of the disease. METHODS: The deletion mapping of chr.8 was done in samples from 10 primary dysplastic lesions and 43 invasive squamous cell carcinomas from the head and neck region of Indian patients to detect allelic alterations (deletion or size alteration) using 12 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers. The association of the highly deleted region was correlated with the tumour node metastasis (TNM) stages, nodal involvement, tobacco habit and human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the samples. RESULTS: High frequency (49%) of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) was seen within 13.12 megabase (Mb) region of chromosomal 8p21.3-23 region in the HNSCC samples, whereas the dysplastic samples did not show any allelic alterations in this region. The highest frequency (17%) of microsatellite size alterations (MA) was observed in the chr.8p22 region. The loss of short arm or normal copy of chr.8 and rare bi-allelic alterations were seen in the stage II-IV tumours (939, 5184, 2772, 1319 and 598) irrespective of their primary sites. The highly deleted region did not show any significant association with any of the clinical parameters. However, HPV infection was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the differentiation grades and overall allelic alterations (LOH/MA) of the samples. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that the 13.12 Mb deleted region in the chromosomal 8p21.3-23 region could harbour candidate tumour suppressor gene(s) (TSGs) associated with the progression anti invasion of HNSCC tumours in Indian patients.

A case of atypical dengue haemorrhagic fever.

A case of atypical dengue haemorrhagic fever is being described in a 30 years old male along with a short discussion on the subject.

Spinocerebellar ataxia--type 6.

Fifty six years lady presented with pure cerebellar ataxia with positive family history from paternal side presented to our clinic. DNA screening found to be SCA6. This is the first case report of SCA6 from India.

Detection of HIV seropositivity during an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in Manipur.

An epidemic outbreak of Japanese encephalitis (JE) occurred during mid 1995. Sixteen serum samples from patients with history of febrile headache, convulsions, mental confusion, neck rigidity etc. were sent to the Department of Virology, School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, in August, 1995. Twelve (75%) showed HIV antibody against JEV. Out of these 12 sera showing HIV antibody titre between 1:40 and 1:160, eight (66.6%) showed IgM antibody, giving the presumptive diagnosis of recent JEV infection. Five of these 16 sera showed HIV seropositivity (31.25%). Concomitant JEV and HIV infection could be detected in 3 cases. However, in 2 sera HIV titre were less than 1:20. This is probably the first documentation of concomitant JEV and HIV infection in the eastern India.

HCV activity in Calcutta--a serological study.

HCV infection, a global public health problem is quite prevalent in India. In the present study conducted during February-July 1996 a total of 153 samples of different age groups and of both sexes were tested by ELISA for detection of Anti-HCV antibody. Anti-HCV was found in 13% of multi-transfused cases and in 8.8% cases with multiple needle-stick injury. Maximum seropositivity (20%) could be observed amongst males between 31-40 yrs. age group. HCV activity was noted more in males (13%) than in females (8.2%) and more relatively in subjects without a history of jaundice (11.5%) than those having the features of jaundice (10.5%). An increasing trend has also been observed amongst the multi-transfused cases in Calcutta.

An institutional outbreak of hepatitis E--reported first time from Calcutta city.

A sudden outbreak of hepatitis occurred in a micro-epidemic form, amongst the staff members of the School of Tropical Medicine, Calcutta, during May-June, 1995. A total of 21 persons developed jaundice, out of whom 11 members who attended the Virology Department and were tested for detection of different serological markers of hepatitis by ELISA. All the sera (N = 11) showed evidence of non-A, non-B infection by process of exclusion and 9 of the above sera showed evidence of anti-HEV when tested specifically. This is the first documented outbreak of viral hepatitis in respect of Calcutta.

Effect of acute haemodilution on right atrial type-B receptor activity in anaesthetized cats.

In order to investigate whether the sensitivity of atrial type-B receptors to its natural stimulus is altered during acute haemodilution, experiments were conducted in nine anaesthetized, artificially ventilated and thoracotomized cats. Haemodilution was achieved by replacement of blood by the same volume of dextran (MW 150000). Atrial receptor activity, arterial blood pressure, right atrial pressure and ECG were recorded. Heart rate was calculated from ECG records. Arterial blood hematocrit was measured. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were not altered by haemodilution even at a hematocrit level of 12.17 +/- 0.93 percent. Average activity of type-B atrial receptors, mean right atrial pressure, right atrial peak 'v' pressure, right atrial initial 'v' pressure and right atrial 'v' wave amplitude were changed significantly (r < 0.05) during acute haemodilution when the hematocrit was 12.17 +/- 0.93 percent but the atrial type-B receptor activity per cycle did not show any significant change. Average activity of type-B receptors increased from 8.56 +/- 1.02 spikes/sec to 9.56 +/- 1.11 spikes/sec. Mean right atrial pressure, right atrial 'v' wave amplitude, right atrial peak 'v' pressure increased significantly (P < 0.05) from respective control values. Right atrial initial 'v' wave pressure decreased significantly. Heart rate changed from 168.11 +/- 5.42 beats/min to 170.89 +/- 5.65 beats/min. Mean arterial pressure changed from 134.33 +/- 0.89 mmHg to 135.67 +/- 1.46 mmHg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Serosurvey of chikungunya antibody in Calcutta metropolis.

Since its first isolation in Calcutta, in 1963, there have been many reports about epidemis of chikungunya virus infection in different parts of India. Calcutta experienced a concurrent epidemic of dengue and chikungunya between 1963 and 1965. But after that there is no report about any chikungunya infection in Calcutta. During routine investigations it is found that chikungunya antibody is on the wane. The present survey for chikungunya antibody showed only 4.37% (n = 17) seropositivity out of 389 sera tested. The highest (12.5%) seropositivity was observed in the age group of 51-55 years and no chikungunya antibody was detected in young and young adults. The findings suggest that chikungunya virus is disappearing from the Calcutta population.

Incidence of malignancy in Bankura (a retrospective study).

A retrospective study on pattern of malignant lesions in a rural district of West Bengal from 1981-1990 was conducted in the department of pathology, BS Medical College, Bankura, West Bengal. A total number of 17,130 cases were received out of which 1976 were malignant lesions (11.53%). The peak incidence of cancer in both sexes was found between the 4th, 5th and 6th decades, ie, 31-60 years of age. Sex-wise distribution showed more incidence in female (1246-62.17%) than in male (730-37.83%). Cancer of the cervix (35.62%) showed the highest incidence in this series. Cancer of the larynx (11.94%) was the commonest cancer in males. Malignancy of the lymph node was observed in 11.43% cases. Malignancy of the lungs and vagina (< 0.5%) showed very low incidence.

Urinary bladder serosal chemoreceptor induced cardio-respiratory responses: possible pathway.

There is limited experimental information about pain originating from the urinary bladder. In the present study application of 3-5 ml of 1% ammonium oxalate, 1% potassium chloride, 100m M citric acid, IM ammonium chloride, 1% oxalic acid, 0.5% sodium hydroxide, or 2 micrograms/ml bradykinin, to the serosal surface of the urinary bladder in anaesthetized dogs, resulted in an increase in heart rate, rise of both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and increase in respiratory rate and depth. These facilitatory cardio-respiratory responses were coupled with powerful contractions of the urinary bladder wall. By contrast, mucosal application of the chemicals did not bring about any significant change. The cardio-respiratory responses obtained were completely abolished on serosal application of procaine (1%), section of the hypogastric nerves or by spinalectomy at T8. Bilateral cervical vagotomy and pelvic nerve section did not modify the responses. However, the blood pressure responses were abolished by the administration of tolazoline hydrochloride, indicating a major role of sympathetics in this nociceptive reflex.