ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue infections are associated with liver involvement leading to the occasional occurrence of liver failure ofsevere variety and even death. Dengue is almost endemic throughout India and it is much more serious and deleterious inchildren. We have, therefore, tried to estimate the prevalence of derangement of liver function in children affected with denguevirus infection.Materials and Methods: This study was done in admitted dengue patients in our medical college in the age group of1 month–12 years. Only 81 children of NS1 positive for dengue virus were included in the study. In all of these complete bloodcount and liver function tests were performed on the day of admission and every alternate date as long as they were admitted.Results: All the parameters that are serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate-pyruvatetransaminase (SGPT), and gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) raised throughout the whole period of dengue illness andthe serum albumin level were reduced. However, these changes were most marked on the 5th–6th days of fever after whichthey again slowly waned.Conclusion: Dengue fever causes hepatic injury in children, which is reflected by raised SGOT, SGPT, and GGT and reducedserum albumin. More the severity of the dengue infection more pronounced are the changes in liver derangement.
ABSTRACT
Background: Kolkata is a populous and congested city prone to viral hepatitis of all types in general. Since hepatitis B is themost serious and also the most life-threatening among all types of hepatitis virus infections; a study was done for 1 year to findout the hepatitis B prevalence in a North Kolkata based medical college.Materials and Methods: Blood was taken from all patients in the medicine outpatient department and indoor wards who werereferred to get a blood test for detection of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as also from pre-operative and ante-natalpatients who needed routine testing for screening of HBsAg. They were tested 3 times with HBsAg card test method and aperson testing positive for HBsAg on all the three tests were taken as positive.Results and Discussion: Out of 8520 persons tested, 97 were found to be positive for HBsAg. Of them, 51 had a history ofneedle injury, 27 had multiple blood transfusions, 13 had tattoo markings or acupuncture, 4 had a family history of hepatitis B,and only one had concomitant HIV. 89.7% of the patients tested were married and 10.3% were unmarried.Conclusion: Although Kolkata is an area prone to hepatitis virus infections in general, only 1.13% of the population in our studywas positive for hepatitis B proving that Kolkata is a low epidemic area for hepatitis B. The culture here of using only new syringes,taking vaccinations and other education might be responsible for this low epidemic of this disastrous disease, in this region.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diarrheal disease poses a significant problem to the health, wellbeing and survival of children of less than five-year age group and is the second leading cause of mortality.' Most of the deaths are due to dehydration and it can be preventable by proper and timely use of oral rehydration salt solution (ORS). There is lack of awareness among the mothers about the appropriate use of ORS during diarrhea of children. So, authors have tried to find out the experiences of the mothers about the management of diarrhea of their children.Methods: The study is one of qualitative descriptive type involving 27 mothers of children who are suffering from diarrhoea in face to face in depth interviews (IDI).Results: The mothers of children were within the age group of 21 to 34 years of age group. On the basis of qualitative data analysis, the present study shows the data related to childhood diarrhea can be classified under six themes. The themes are : 'Perception of the participant mothers about the diarrhea of their babies', 'Measures taken by the mothers to combat diarrhea at home', 'How Oral rehydration salt solution is applied by the mothers', 'How Oral rehydration salt solution is beneficial', 'How Oral rehydration salt solution is causing undesirable effects on the baby' and 'What additional measures taken to control diarrhea of the baby'.Conclusions: There are several misconceptions and lack of awareness of the mothers about management of diarrhoea. However, it is possible to create awareness among them so that they can take all suitable measures to control diarrhoea.
ABSTRACT
Background: Dengue fever is currently the most important arthropod borne viral disease. Since occurrence of dengue infections has been an epidemic in many parts of India and complications like DHF and DSS are increasing, while at the same time the diagnosis is challenging, particularly the laboratory diagnosis is confusing, this study was conducted to evaluate the different laboratory test methods and to compare their respective efficacy, timing, advantages and disadvantages.Methods: This study was done in the Department of Microbiology in collaboration with the Department of Medicine and Pediatrics in two tertiary care medical colleges and hospitals in eastern India. Blood samples from 319 patients with clinical features suggestive of Dengue fever were included in this study. Laboratory investigations were done which included immunological assays that were performed using commercially available kits - SD dengue duo NS1Ag + Ab combo rapid test, NS1 Ag capture ELISA, IgM capture ELISA, IgG capture ELISA test for dengue and other routine tests -full blood cell count, coagulation tests, routine biochemical and lipid profile were also done. Ethical considerations were taken care of and statistical evaluations were done.Results: An increased detection of IgM antibody (46.15%) was seen in the early febrile period (1-5 days) as compared to the mid-febrile period (6-10 days), and late febrile period (6-10 days) when it is 6.89%. IgG antibody is much less in early febrile period (4.16%). Compared to mid-febrile period (24.13%), and late febrile period (62.5%). IgM antibodies were detected in 44.5% of the samples, IgG antibodies were detected in 43.5% of the samples, Rapid test was positive in 36.9% and NS1AG ELISA was detected in 43.5% of the samples in the study.Conclusions: It can be inferred from our study that for detection of dengue in the early febrile period (1-5 days), estimation of dengue-specific serum IgM is the most sensitive antibody detection method.
ABSTRACT
Low body weight type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a distinct entity in T2DM having different clinical presentation, morbidity and mortality patterns as well as biochemical profile when compared with classical T2 DM. This study was aimed at comparing three subtypes of T2 DM-overweight (BMI>25), normal weight (BMI>18.5 but <25) and low body weight or lean type2 DM (BM1<18.5). Seventy-five cases of T2 DM (25-lean, 25-normal weight and 25-overweight) were selected. The present study revealed that normal C-peptide level with basal hyperglycaemia is an important characteristic of lean T2 DM. Lower prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and higher level of triglycerides were found in low body weight T2 DM.Lower prevalence of macrovascular and higher prevalence of microvascular complications are also noted.