ABSTRACT
Background: Tuberculosis is a major public health problem in India. According to RNTCP guidelines, all efforts are to be made to diagnose tuberculosis on the basis of detection of AFB/ MTB in the clinical specimen; hence all those cases where AFB/ MTB have not been detected are presumptive cases of tuberculosis. In this background, the present study aims to detect AFB/ MTB in the sputum of clinico-radiologically presumptive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis using direct ZN microscopy, Modified Petroff’s method followed by ZN microscopy & MGIT liquid culture method. Materials and Methods: A total of 94 sputum samples which were negative for AFB by direct ZN microscopy at the DMC of the institute, were subjected to Modified Petroff’s method followed by microscopy & MGIT liquid culture test to find out any additional yield of bacteriologically confirmed disease. Result: Out of 94 specimens, 20 (21.28%) were positive for AFB on ZN microscopy post Modified Petroff’s method. Among all the specimens, 30 (31.91%) were found to be positive by MGIT liquid culture method with average time to detection growth (TTD) around 16.73 days (2-38 days). Conclusion: Modified Petroff’s method followed by ZN microscopy & MGIT test for mycobacterial culture can improve case detection.
ABSTRACT
Background: In tropical countries like India, common causes of eosinophilia are parasitic infestation, unhygienic living condition, and poor sanitation that accounts for high worm infestation in India. Objective: The present study was aimed to study the association between various risk factors and parasitic infestation in pediatric cases with unexplained eosinophilia. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised of 384 children. A well predesigned and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect detailed related history and sociodemographic details. Saline and iodine wet mount of stool sample was made to detect intestinal parasites. For detection of microfilaria, Leishman’s staining of peripheral blood smear was done. Finally, the statistical analysis of the collected data was carried out. Results: Out of 384 participants, 7.03% of the total population was found to be positive for intestinal parasites. None of the peripheral blood smears showed the presence of microfilaria. Most of the positive study participants were from low or middle socioeconomic sectors. Very few parents were graduates. 6.5% of children in this category were found to show parasites in their stool samples. Hygiene status, hand washing, and stool disposal habits of patients were found to be significantly associated with the presence of the parasite. Conclusion: Possible sociodemographic, environmental and behavioral factors associated with parasitic infestation among pediatric cases with unexplained eosinophilia need to be studied to implement effective control measures so as to provide better health care and health benefits to the children.