Fecundity Studies Of Andrographis Paniculata On Drosophila Melanogaster

Objective: Andrographis paniculata is widely used in Asia for various medicinal purposes. The plant has a major bioactive chemical constituent Andrographolide, which exhibits various essential pharmacological properties. Recently, to enhance immunity against viral fevers especially dengue viral fever during monsoon season, Tamil Nadu state government has advised rural health centres to provide a tea or kashayam made from a mixture containing this plant leaf along with selected plant roots and leaves. However, there is concern among the general public population that this plant extract may have a negative impact on potency. This study is being done to investigate the toxic effects of Andrographis paniculata on fecundity and physiological properties of Drosophila melanogaster. Methods: The flies were treated and mated in pure and mixed form of Andrographis paniculata separately. Results: The results were obtained in the form of egg count, which was compared to control and the conclusion was obtained that Andrographis paniculata might affect the fecundity and at the same time, it was observed that the developmental span from an egg to an adult fly increased upon treatment in successive generations. More importantly, the effect of pure form plant on the fecundity was found to be significant, while that of the mixed form was not. On mating a treated male with an untreated female and an untreated male with a treated female when the treatment is being discontinued, it can be very well seen that there is no effect on the fecundity of the flies. Conclusion: Since the continuity of the treatment played a major role on the effect of fecundity, highlighting the importance of the period of treatment and the exposure time of the compound on the fly system, therefore this research suggests that the conception of tea or kashayam extracted from mixed plant content could not have the same effect as the similar concentration of pure Andrographis paniculata and it does not have any acute effect on the fecundity when being consumed over a short period of time in Drosophila melanogaster model.

Molecular & phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis in implant related infections.

Background & objectives: The discrimination between the Staphylococcus epidermidis colonizing the deep seated indwelling devices and those which are mere commensals has always been a challenge for the clinical microbiologist. This study was aimed to characterize the S. epidermidis isolates obtained from device related infection for their phenotypic and molecular markers of virulence and to see whether these markers can be used to differentiate the pathogenic S. epidermidis from the commensals. Methods: Fifty five S. epidermidis isolates from various device related infections such as endophthalmitis following intra-ocular lens (IOL) implantation, intravascular (IV) catheter related sepsis and orthopaedic implant infections, were studied for slime production, biotyping, antibiotic sensitivity; and mec A and ica positivity by the recommended procedures. Results: Twenty three (41.8%) isolates were multi-drug resistant, 26 (65.2%) were slime producers, 30 (54.5%) were adherent, 23 (41.8%) possessed the intercellular adhesin (ica) gene, and 28 (50.9%) harboured the mec A gene. Biotypes I and III were the commonest, most members of which were multi- drug resistant. Twenty two (73.3%) of the 30 adherent bacteria were slime producers as opposed to only 4 (16%) of the 25 non-adherent bacteria (P<0.001). A vast majority i.e. 21 (91.3%) of the 23 ica positive organisms were adherent to artificial surfaces in contrast to only 9 (28.1%) of the 32 non-ica positive organisms (P<0.001). Twenty (86.9%) of the 23 ica positive bacteria were slime producers, as opposed to only 6 (18.7%) of the 32 ica negative bacteria (P<0.001). Of the 23 multi-drug resistant isolates, 19 (82.6%) carried the mec A gene. Interpretation & conclusions: The present findings showed that ica AB and mec A were the two important virulence markers of S. epidermidis in implant infections and slime was responsible for the sessile mode of attachment on the devices.

Blount's disease: a lesser known cause of bowlegs mandating early differentiation from physiological bowing.

We present a 16-month-old child, with progressively increasing bowing of legs, having a normal serum calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase level; lower limb radiographs revealed bilateral medial tibial metaphyseal beaking. Based on these findings, a diagnosis of Blount's disease (infantile tibia vara) was made and an orthotic management program was instituted for the child.