In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity Of Biological Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Stenotrophomonas Maltophilia Strain Ns-24 From Non-Rhizosphere Soil

Objective: The present goals of our study were biological synthesis, characterizations of silver nanoparticles, and evaluation of its antimicrobial activity against microbial pathogens like Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: The bacterial Strain NS-24 was isolated on nutrient agar medium and was selected for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles based on its gram-negative characteristics. The characterizations of silver nanoparticles were done by UV-Visible spectroscopy, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), High Resolution-Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Later, the molecular characterization of the Strain NS-24 was done by DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: The UV-visible spectrophotometric observation of the Strain NS-24 supernatant and AgNO3 solution showed maximum absorbance at 423 nm. The AFM data confirmed that the particles were polydispersed and spherical in shape. Additionally, the FTIR analysis revealed the IR spectral band patterning and TEM analyzes showed the size of biological AgNPs was in the range of 12.56 nm to 27.32 nm, with an average of 18.06 nm in size. Further, the 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the identity of Strain NS-24 as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The antimicrobial activity of AgNPs was studied on different gram-negative and gram-positive bacterial strains like Escherichia coli (MTCC 40), Enterococcus faecalis (MTCC 6845), Streptococcus pneumoniae (MTCC 8874) and Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC 2825), which showed good inhibition of their growth at varying concentrations of AgNPs against all the pathogens. Conclusion: Our findings showed that the synthesized AgNPs from the isolated bacterium was small in size and had profound antibacterial activity against pathogenic micro-organisms.

Sero-prevalence of Rubella Antibodies in Pregnant Women with Bad Obstetric History Attending A Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in West Bengal, India

Background: Rubella infection in pregnant mothers is of great concern as it acts as a teratogen causing abortions, still births, intra-uterine foetal deaths and multiple birth defects. In India, rubella causes significant bad obstetric pregnancy outcome including congenital deformities due to lack of proper surveillance and immunization coverage with rubella vaccination. Aim: To determine Sero-prevalence of rubella IgM and IgG antibodies in Bad Obstetric History (BOH) pregnant women in Tertiary Rural Medical College in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted from 1st January 2017 to 31st March 2017 on sera of 100 antenatal mothers with bad obstetric history aged between 20-40 years of age group with pregnancy of ≥18 wks. Rubella IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed by ELISA. Statistical Analysis: Percentage, proportions and ᵡ2 test were applied. Results: Eleven per cent (11%) sero-prevalence for IgM antibodies and 54% for IgG antibodies was observed with maximum sero-positivity among 20-25 years mothers. Repeated abortions were the commonest pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: All antenatal cases should be routinely screened for rubella, so that early diagnosis will help in proper management and foetal outcome and strong recommendation for universal coverage of MMR in early age group of children.

Sero-prevalence of Rubella Antibodies in Pregnant Women with Bad Obstetric History Attending A Rural Tertiary Care Hospital in West Bengal, India

Background: Rubella infection in pregnant mothers is of great concern as it acts as a teratogen causing abortions, still births, intra-uterine foetal deaths and multiple birth defects. In India, rubella causes significant bad obstetric pregnancy outcome including congenital deformities due to lack of proper surveillance and immunization coverage with rubella vaccination. Aim: To determine Sero-prevalence of rubella IgM and IgG antibodies in Bad Obstetric History (BOH) pregnant women in Tertiary Rural Medical College in Eastern India. Materials and Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted from 1st January 2017 to 31st March 2017 on sera of 100 antenatal mothers with bad obstetric history aged between 20-40 years of age group with pregnancy of ≥18 wks. Rubella IgM and IgG antibodies were assessed by ELISA. Statistical Analysis: Percentage, proportions and ᵡ2 test were applied. Results: Eleven per cent (11%) sero-prevalence for IgM antibodies and 54% for IgG antibodies was observed with maximum sero-positivity among 20-25 years mothers. Repeated abortions were the commonest pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: All antenatal cases should be routinely screened for rubella, so that early diagnosis will help in proper management and foetal outcome and strong recommendation for universal coverage of MMR in early age group of children.

Reduction of CD4 count induces opportunistic infections in people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Objective: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a lentivirus (member of the retrovirus family) causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), weakens the immune system of the body and hence associates different opportunistic infections. Present study undertook a survey on opportunistic infections. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from both HIV carriers (CD4 count more than 250/mL of blood) and AIDS patients (CD4 count less than 250/mL of blood). Results: Analyses of the data revealed that diarrhoea, pulmonary tuberculosis, gland tuberculosis, skin lesions and fever were the common opportunistic infections. Conclusion: It can be summarized that HIV infected patients having a reduced CD4 count (<250/mL) encounter different opportunistic infections and some of these infections could be continual for long as well.

Outcome of Prelabor Rupture of Membranes in a Tertiary Care Center in West Bengal.

The etiology is unknown in majority of cases though bacterial infection, cervical incompetence, hypertensive disease, recent coitus, malpresentation, antepartum hemorrhage (APH), malnutrition are recognized causes of prelabor rupture of membranes (PROM). A study was conducted in our institution in 2011, where 478 cases out of a total obstetric admission of 9,637 presented with PROM. Spontaneous rupture of membranes after 28 weeks of gestation before the onset of labor is called PROM. When it occurs before 37 completed weeks of gestation it is called preterm PROM (pPROM). The term PROM cases were induced after waiting for 24 hours for a spontaneous onset of labor. The preterm population were divided in three groups and were given treatment as; Group A: with beta-mimetic, antibiotic, steroid, iron and folic acid (IFA); Group B: With steroid, antibiotic, natural progesterone and IFA; Group C: With only antibiotic and IFA. Observed neonatal mortality in the very preterm group (<34 weeks) was 10% as compared to 5.8% in preterm (34-37 weeks) and nearly 3% among term pregnancies. Treatment of pPROM cases with steroid and antibiotic compared with addition of natural progesterone with or without beta-mimetic did not show any significant difference in terms of Apgar score, need for resuscitation in absence of maternal infection. Elective lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) showed a zero neonatal mortality, better Apgar score and significantly lesser requirement of neonatal resuscitation compared to emergency LSCS. It was concluded that gestational age at the time of delivery is the main determinant of neonatal body weight as well as survival among PROM cases. Beta-mimetics and progesterone showed no role to prolong pregnancy in PROM cases.

Enteric fever in an HIV/AIDS patient: atypical manifestations

Bloodstream infections with Salmonella typhi, is uncommon in human immunodeficiency virus [HIV]-infected persons. The symptoms in such patients are often non-specific and have a rather insidious onset and progression. We report a patient with sepsis and lower limb gangrene due to Salmonella typhi infection in an HIV-infected patient.

Thrombus on Mitral Prosthetic Valve – An Uncommon Complication.

Sudden withdrawal of oral anticoagulant in patients with metalic prosthetic valve without adequate coverage with parenteral heparin may lead to fatal consequences. Here the authors report a uncommon case of thrombotic mitral prosthetic occlusion due to sudden withdrawal of warfarin.

Impact of zinc supplementation on subsequent morbidity and growth in Bangladeshi children with persistent diarrhoea.

This study was conducted to explore whether supplementation of zinc to children during persistent diarrhoea has any subsequent effect on morbidity and growth. A prospective follow-up study was conducted among children, aged 3-24 months, with persistent diarrhoea, who participated earlier in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial. During persistent diarrhoea, children were randomly allocated to receive either zinc in multivitamin syrup or only multivitamin syrup for two weeks. After recovering from diarrhoea, 76 children in the multi-vitamin syrup and 78 children in the zinc plus multivitamin syrup group were followed up for subsequent morbidity and growth. Weekly morbidity and two-weekly anthropometric data were collected for the subsequent 12 weeks. Data showed that episodes and duration of diarrhoea were reduced by 38% and 44% respectively with supplementation of zinc. There was no significant difference in the incidence or duration of respiratory tract infection between the zinc-supplemented and the non-supplemented group. Improved linear growth was observed in underweight children (weight-for-age <70% of the National Center for Health Statistics standard) who received zinc compared to those who did not receive.

Risk factors for mortality due to shigellosis: a case-control study among severely-malnourished children in Bangladesh.

To determine the risk factors for death of severely-malnourished Bangladeshi children with shigellosis, a case-control study was conducted at the Clinical Research and Service Centre of ICDDR,B: Centre for Health and Population Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. One hundred severely-malnourished children (weight-for-age <60% of median of the National Center for Health Statistics), with a positive stool culture for Shigella dysenteriae type 1 or S. flexneri, who died during hospitalization, were compared with another 100 similar children (weight-for-age <60% and with S. dysenteriae type 1 or S. flexneri-associated infection) discharged alive. Children aged less than four years were admitted during December 1993-January 1999. The median age of the cases who died or recovered was 9 months and 12 months respectively. Bronchopneumonia, abdominal distension, absent or sluggish bowel sound, clinical anaemia, altered consciousness, hypothermia, clinical sepsis, low or imperceptible pulse, dehydration, hypoglycaemia, high creatinine, and hyperkalaemia were all significantly more frequent in cases than in controls. In multivariate regression analysis, altered consciousness (odds ratio [OR]=2.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0-6.8), hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <3 mmol/L (OR=7.8, 95% CI 2.9-19.6), hypothermia (temperature <36 degrees C) (OR=5.7, 95% CI 1.5-22.1), and bronchopneumonia (OR=2.5, 95% CI 1.1-5.5) were identified as significant risk factors for mortality. Severely-malnourished children with shigellosis having hypoglycaemia, hypothermia, altered consciousness and/or bronchopneumonia were at high risk of death. Based on the findings, the study recommends that early diagnosis of shigellosis in severely-malnourished children and assertive therapy for proper management to prevent development of hypothermia, hypoglycaemia, bronchopneumonia, or altered consciousness and its immediate treatment are likely to reduce Shigella-related mortality in severely-malnourished children.

Electron microscopic studies of the corpuscles of Stannius of an airbreathing teleost (Heteropneustes fossilis).

The ultrastructure of the corpuscles of Stannius (CS) of Heteropneustes fossilis reveals a homogenous cellular composition characterized by only one cell type, with large secretory granules and abundant ribosomal endoplasmic reticulum. These cells are comparable to the type 1 cell described in the CS of other teleosts; type 2 cells, whose presence is ubiquitous in the CS of freshwater species are absent in H. fossilis. Our data on the CS of H. fossilis demonstrate that not all freshwater species possess type 2 cells in their CS and these are not essential for life in freshwater

Persistent mullerian duct syndrome--a case report.

Persistent mullerian duct syndrome presents in phenotypically male subjects with unilateral cryptorchidism, inguinal herniation, and persistent mullerian remnants. Pre-operative diagnosis of this condition is difficult. Orchidopexy with excision of the persistent mullerian duct structures is usually not possible without making damage to the vas. The alternative of leaving the persistent mullerian duct structures alone and performing a staged or primary orchidopexy has been suggested. A similar case, encountered in the department of surgery, Bankura Sammilani Medical College and Hospital is being reported.

Role of Anopheles culicifacies during an outbreak of malaria in Gorubandha P.H.C., Assam.

Entomological investigation during an outbreak of malaria in Gorubandha PHC in Sonitpur district revealed unusually high density of Anopheles culicifacies followed by An.minimus. Parity rates of both the species were very high, 65% and 62.2% respectively. An. culicifacies was incriminated as malaria vector. Sporozoite rate recorded was 0.63%. Both the species were found susceptible to DDT. This substantiates the epidemiological observation which yielded 98% Plasmodium falciparum malaria out of 35.2% malaria positive cases. Incrimination of An. culicifacies means adding one more malaria vector to this region.

Triple drug therapy with quinine, cotrimoxazole and tetracycline in the management of cerebral malaria--A review of 254 cases.

This study reflected that administration of tetracycline along with quinine and cotrimoxazole can reduce mortality from cerebral malaria significantly. In this five year prospective study in an endemic zone, the authors assessed the outcome of treatment with or without tetracycline among 254 cases of cerebral malaria. 100 patients were treated with quinine and cotrimoxazole and 154 patients were given triple therapy-quinine, cotrimoxazole and tetracycline. Fatality in group without tetracycline was 18%, whereas in the tetracycline group it was 12.33%. One interesting observation was that the parasite count was not proportional to the severity of disease. Out of 254 patients of this series, 136 patients (53.54%) had low parasite count (less than 1,000/cumm) and only 26 patients (10.23%) had infinity count. Quinine induced cardiac arrhythmia or hypoglycaemia was not seen in any patient.

Cerebral malaria--an analysis of 55 cases.

This study reflects the clinical pattern, diagnosis and management of cerebral malaria in 55 consecutive patients from Chittagong Hill Tracts. The predominant clinical features were: impaired consciousness with convulsion in a febrile patient with temporary residence in the endemic zone. Younger people were more prone to develop this condition. Thirty two patients (58.18%) were between 18-25 years. A high incidence of cerebral malaria was noted in blood group 'O' (37.5%) and group 'B' (33.33%). The malarial parasite count MPC was not proportional to the severity of the disease. Twenty four patients (43.63%) had malarial parasite count below 100% cumm. Anaemia (63.63%) and Jaundice (34.54%) were common, Splenomegaly (7.27%) was uncommon. Clinical features of cerebral oedema/raised intracranial pressure were not evident. CSF study was unremarkable except for raised pressure in 7 patients (12.65%). Response to intravenous quinine was satisfactory and yet the mortality was 11%.

Effect of anthracycline antibiotics on in vitro transcription of chromatin in a Sarcoma-180 whole cell extract.

A soluble extract capable of transcribing Sarcoma-180 chromatin and DNA in a cell-free transcription system was prepared from Sarcoma-180 mouse ascites tumour cells. Incorporation of [3H]UTP into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable fraction is (i) reduced by 50% on removing DNase I hypersensitive sites of chromatin and (ii) inhibited by DNA binding antitumour anthracyclines, suggesting that this cell-free assay represents true transcription of active genes of Sarcoma-180 chromatin. Preparation of this soluble extract from mouse ascites tumour cells thus presents a very convenient way of studying cell-free transcription of active genes of chromatin and effect of antitumour agents on chromatin transcription.