ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: In India, spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) are an underdiagnosed cause of acute febrile illness (AFI). The non-specific Weil-Felix test is the first diagnostic modality for the diagnosis of SFGR in many laboratories due to the lack of advanced diagnostic facilities in developing countries. The aim of this study was to detect SFGR using molecular methods in the patients, presenting with AFI in a tertiary care centre in north India. Methods: Consecutive patients (>14 yr of age) with AFI were enrolled over a six month period. Standard investigations for common pathogens causing AFI in India (malaria, dengue, scrub typhus, leptospirosis and enteric fever) were carried out. In patients who were negative for all of the above investigations, blood was subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting outer membrane protein A (ompA) gene of Rickettsia. Results: Of the 51 patients with an undiagnosed aetiology, three were positive by ompA PCR. Two of the PCR products produced good sequences and BLAST identification confirmed them as Rickettsia conorii. The sequences of R. conorii reported from south India clustered with two previously reported novel rickettsial genotypes. The study sequences clustered in a group different from that of Rickettsia spp. of the south Indian sequences reported earlier. Interpretation & conclusions: This study showed the existence of R. conorii in north India. Testing for SFGR may be included in the diagnostic workup of AFI for better disease management.
ABSTRACT
Abstracts: Background and Objectives: Low back pain(LBP) is the leading cause of occupational injury and disability.The hamstring tightness was found to be one of the leading causes for development of LBP. Active Release Technique(ART)&PNF(Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretchingboth the methods work on different physiological principles to increase the hamstrings flexibility. Hence objective of the study was to compare the effect of ART and PNF on hamstrings flexibility, Pain and functional disability in patients having LBP. Methodology: 30 subjects were taken in the study and divided in to 2 groups, 15 in each group.Measurement of the severity of pain by using VAS, degree of hamstrings tightness by active knee extension test and functional disability by modifies oswestry disability index was done. Group A was given modified hold relax PNF stretch and Group B was given ART for 10 sessions. Results: There was significant difference forMean of AKE (t=2.31, p=0.028), pain at activity (t=52.00, p=0.012) and functional disability (U=-2.224, p=0.026) between both groups. Conclusion: Both the techniques Modified hold-relax PNF stretch and ART improve hamstrings flexibility and reduce pain and disability over time but PNF (modified hold relax) was more effective than ART.