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Background: Clinical sign of osteoporosis includes fragility fractures or a T-score that is <2.5 SD below the mean as determined by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan of bone mineral density (BMD). People with T-scores of –2.5 have the highest risk of fracture. People with T-scores of –2.5 have the highest risk of fracture. However, maximum fractures are seen in patients with a T-score between –1 and –2.5 because of more people in this category. As there is very little knowledge of osteoporosis in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women in male region, this study will help us to know the current status of osteoporosis in these females. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis in 296 premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women of more than 40 years of age attending midlife health clinic at a tertiary care center in Patiala, Punjab and to observe its correlation with age, menopausal status, body mass index, and dietary intake. Materials and Methods: A detailed medical, surgical, obstetrical, gynecological, and drug history were recorded in a pro forma designed for the study after taking the informed consent. Information about history of fracture on a trivial fall, family history suggestive of osteoporosis, socioeconomic status, educational status, and occupation was documented. Women having history of endocrinal disorders (hypo/hyperthyroidism, hypo/hypergonadism, and hypo/hypercalcemia), receiving therapeutic agents (thiazide diuretics, glucocorticoids, and osteoporosis treatment), having restricted mobility issues and with implants (at lumbar spine, hip, and lower limbs) were excluded from the study. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurement of calcaneum was performed that T-score was generated based on the speed of sound and was used to classify the bone health status of the subjects. Results: Out of 296 women, 227 women had a low bone mass density, that is, <–1 SD. We divided all the participants into three groups as shown in Table 1. Group I (n = 69 [23.2%]) having normal BMD, that is, T score >–1 SD; Group II (n = 204 [69.2%]) included women with BMD between –1 and –2.5 SD (Osteopenia); and Group III (n = 23 [7.6%]) included women with BMD <–2.5 SD (Osteoporosis). Most women in perimenopausal (75%) and postmenopausal (64.6%) group were osteopenic (Group I). Out of all women with osteopenia (Group II, n = 204), 113 (52.1%) were postmenopausal and 82 (40.3%) were perimenopausal. All women with osteoporosis were postmenopausal. The difference between BMD categories and menopausal status was statistically significant (P = 0.014). In these women, the BMD was found to decrease with increase in the average number of years since menopause (YSM) (P = 0.06). Conclusion: Menopause is an important event in a woman’s life cycle which affects bone health with the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia increasing with increasing YSM. QUS technology emerges as cost-effective screening tool for the early detection of osteoporosis for a large population in developing country like India.
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Background & objectives: COVID-19 pandemic has triggered social stigma towards individuals affected and their families. This study describes the process undertaken for the development and validation of scales to assess stigmatizing attitudes and experiences among COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 participants from the community. Methods: COVID-19 Stigma Scale and Community COVID-19 Stigma Scale constituting 13 and six items, respectively, were developed based on review of literature and news reports, expert committee evaluation and participants’ interviews through telephone for a multicentric study in India. For content validity, 61 (30 COVID-19-recovered and 31 non-COVID-19 participants from the community) were recruited. Test–retest reliability of the scales was assessed among 99 participants (41 COVID-19 recovered and 58 non-COVID-19). Participants were administered the scale at two-time points after a gap of 7-12 days. Cronbach’s alpha, overall percentage agreement and kappa statistics were used to assess internal consistency and test–retest reliability. Results: Items in the scales were relevant and comprehensible. Both the scales had Cronbach’s ? above 0.6 indicating moderate-to-good internal consistency. Test–retest reliability assessed using kappa statistics indicated that for the COVID-19 Stigma Scale, seven items had a moderate agreement (0.4-0.6). For the Community COVID-19 Stigma Scale, four items had a moderate agreement. Interpretation & conclusions: Validity and reliability of the two stigma scales indicated that the scales were comprehensible and had moderate internal consistency. These scales could be used to assess COVID-19 stigma and help in the development of appropriate stigma reduction interventions for COVID-19 infected, and mitigation of stigmatizing attitudes in the community.
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Background and Aim of Study: Early childhood caries is a multifactorial disease process affecting children below 71 months of age and continues to be a global health problem. Stainless steel crowns (SSCs) are widely used and are very popular in pediatric dentistry due to its superiority and durability when compared with multisurface amalgam restorations. However, one of the major disadvantages with these crowns is the poor esthetics. Parents often request for a more esthetic alternative to the SSC. Zirconia crowns are one of the tooth-colored full crown restorations currently available for use in primary teeth. These are available as both preformed and custom-made crowns and show excellent esthetics. However, these require extensive tooth preparation with a subgingival finish lines, which would cause gingival trauma and bleeding during the preparation. The present study uses intraoral scanners for making the custom-made zirconia crowns, which will avoid the conventional impressions. Currently, there are no studies available in pediatric dentistry regarding CAD-CAM crowns. Hence, there is a need for the study. Aim: The aim of this study is to clinically evaluate the performance of preformed SSCs and custom-made zirconia crowns in primary molars. To elicit parental and patient satisfaction with respect to preformed SSCs and custom made zirconia crowns and to radiographically compare the interproximal bone height for 1 year. Methods: The patients were selected with purposive sampling. The tooth of interest was prepared according to the crown it would receive. The upper and the lower arch of the tooth receiving custom-made zirconia crown was scanned using an intraoral scanner. The crowns were cemented using Type 1 glass ionomer cement (GIC) (SSC) and resin modified GIC (custom-made zirconia crown). After the crown placement, the patient and the parent's satisfaction was scaled regarding the time taken, comfort, cost of crown, appearance of crown, etc., using a 5-point Likert scale. A baseline radiograph was taken after crown placement. The patient was recalled every 3 months till 1 year for evaluation (loss of retention, loss of proximal contact, gingival inflammation, opposing tooth wear, and marginal integrity). At the end of 1 year, radiographs were taken to check the interproximal bone. Results: After 1 year evaluation of custom-made zirconia crowns and preformed SSCs in primary molars, it was shown that both SSC and zirconia crowns showed good gingival scores but zirconia crown was better than SSC in improving the gingival health. SSCs showed better results with respect to the opposing tooth wear and marginal adaptability. Parents as well as patients preferred a tooth-colored crown as a treatment option. Conclusion: Custom-made zirconia crowns are comparable to the preformed SSCs and they show better gingival scores and excellent color match.
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Introduction: The primary function of corono-radicular post is to provide retention for the core and to reinforce and to replace the remaining coronal tooth structure. There is considerable controversy regarding optimal choice of the material. An ideal post system should exhibit fracture resistance higher than the average masticatory forces. Finite elemental analysis (FEA) method facilitates precise analysis of the distribution and magnitude of stresses at any point of complex and irregular structures. Thus, this FEA study has been undertaken to evaluate the fracture stress distribution patterns in three fiber posts, viz., carbon, glass fiber, and everStick with an FEA. Materials and Methods: The FE stress analysis was performed with the FE software program (CATIA). Three two-dimensional FEA models of central incisor were simulated, and elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio of all the materials were fed to the software. For all the models, a 200 N vertical force was applied on the lingual surface of the tooth at an angle of 45°. Stress concentration and distribution were evaluated and noted down for all the models. To evaluate the stresses within the restored tooth, the modified von Mises failure criterion was used. The equivalent stresses found in the tested models were compared with the tensile strength of the respective materials. Contact stresses in the luting cement–dentin interface were calculated. Results: Finite element method revealed that maximum stress concentration was at the point of stress application. The stress value was highest in carbon fiber post followed by glass fiber post and least stresses found in everStick post. Maximum stress was observed at the labial surfaces of crown. However, the stress values and distribution were more homogenous in everStick post. Conclusion: The present findings suggest that everStick post has uniform stress distribution within tooth structure.
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Aim: This study was conducted to identify the physiological and molecular traits underpinning salt stress adaptation in halophytic grasses Urochondra setulosa and Leptachloa fusca. Methodology: To assess the salt tolerance potential of Urochondra setulosa and Leptachloa fusca, the rooted cuttings and seeds were collected from Rann of Kutch, Bhuj, Gujarat and ICAR-CSSRI Regional Research Station, Lucknow, India, respectively using physiological, biochemical and molecular traits. Results: Salt stress decreased the biomass production in both the species to varying extents. Leaf chlorophyll declined marginally (5-12%) in Urochondra and moderately (~28%) in Leptachloa under various salt treatments compared to controls. The values of ψw and ψs, i.e., – 3.98 MPa and 760.5 mmol kg-1 were obtained under salinity stress of ECe ~ 50 dS m-1 in Urochondra whereas the values of ψw and ψs were – 3.63 MPa and 556 mmol kg-1 in Leptachloa. Osmoprotectant (proline, glycine betaine, total soluble sugar) and epi-cuticular wax content increased with increasing sodicity/salinity stresses in both grasss. The results showed that both halophytic grasses maintained lower Na+/K+ in their roots and which excludes the salt through the shoots portion. Expression of NHX1 gene increased with an increase of not only sodic, but also saline stress in both the grasses. Interpretation: The results demonstrate that Urochondra has a better adaption towards salinity and Leptochloa towards sodicity stress
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Aim: The effects of intraperitoneal administration of melatonin dose (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per fish) on gonadal activities were evaluated during the prespawning period of catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis for 60 days. Methodology: In this experiment, fourteen aquariums were used because the experiment was performed in replicate and fifteen fishes were suspended in each glass aquarium. One group of male and female catfishes were considered as control group and the catfishes in the second group were pinealectomized whereas the remaining five treatments were administered with low (25, 50 mg per fish) and high (100, 200, 400 mg per fish) doses of melatonin. Results: During prespawning period of reproductive cycle, the gonado-somatic index of ovary of pinealectomized and melatonin treated fish decreased as compared to the control group. The number of yolky oocytes significantly decreased in the melatonin treated group as compared to the control group. After 60 days of pinealectomy, it showed inhibitory effects on the ovarian activity. The GSI of testes of pinealectomized fish decreased as compared to the control group. The number of spermatozoa cells increased with the increase in the melatonin dose as compared to control group. The GSI of testes was found maximum in the melatonin treated group as compared to the control group. Interpretation: This study supports the concept that melatonin hormone administration helps in maturation of testes and increases the number of spermatozoa. This was just contrary to the results obtained in female catfish where melatonin treatment showed inhibitory effects on the ovarian activity during prespawning period.
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The elderly people are more prone to develop psychiatric disorders due to a number of factors like changes in the brain, other illnesses etc. They represent the most vulnerable group as they are most sensitive to the effects of drugs and are at increased risk of developing adverse drug reactions. This warrants the need to make the prescribers cautious about rational prescribing of antipsychotics to the Elderly. The study included elderly inpatients and outpatients visiting psychiatry ward with psychiatric disorders. Descriptive weighed analysis was performed to determine the prescribing practices of atypical antipsychotics. Among the 70 patients who were involved in the study, 36 patients were diagnosed with neurotic disorders and 30 patients were diagnosed with psychotic disorders and 4 were diagnosed with degenerative disorders (dementia). In our study neurotic disorders (51%) were the major diagnosis. 6 different atypical antipsychotic drugs were prescribed to the patients suffering from different psychiatric disorders. Among them olanzapine (43%) was the most commonly prescribed drug, followed by quetiapine (30%), risperidone (21%), clozapine (3.2%), lurasidone (1%), and aripiprazole (1%). This study has concluded that atypical antipsychotics are preferred over typical antipsychotics and Olanzapine is the most commonly prescribed drug for the elderly patients suffering from psychiatric disorders. On comparison of the prescribed daily doses with the maximum daily dose we have observed that the prescribed daily doses for the elderly patients were well within the maximum daily dose of the drugs and in our study no adverse drug reactions were reported in the study subjects that were involved.
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Background: Immunization is safe, powerful and proven tool for elimination and controlling various highly infectious diseases and in spite of every possible effort put by the Government still there is a big gap between reported and evaluated coverage. Aims & Objectives: To find out the immunization coverage and its determinants among children in the age group 12 – 23 months in urban and rural area of district Ambala. Material and Methods: It was a cross sectional study carried out by WHO recommended 30 by 7 cluster survey technique. Results: It was observed that overall 83.1% children were fully immunized, 14% were partially immunized and 2.9% were unimmunized. In present study Educational status of mothers, Occupation of mothers, Religion, Sex, Monthly Family Income and Caste were found to be significantly associated with immunization coverage. “Fear of side effects” of vaccination was found to be the main reason for failure to fully immunize the child. Conclusion: To conclude, immunization coverage was found to be reasonably but still there is a lot of scope for improvement.
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Justification: Despite having standard principles of management of hemophilia, treatment differs in various countries depending onavailable resources. Guideline for management of hemophilia in Indian setting is essential.Process: Indian Academy of Pediatrics conducted a consultative meeting on Hemophilia on 18th September, 2016 in New Delhi, whichwas attended by experts in the field working across India. Scientific literature was reviewed, and guidelines were drafted. All expertcommittee members reviewed the final manuscript.Objective: To bring out consensus guidelines in diagnosis and management of Hemophilia in India.Recommendations: Specific factor assays confirm diagnosis and classify hemophilia according to residual factor activity (mild 5-40%,moderate 1-5%, severe <1%). Genetic testing helps in identifying carriers, and providing genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.Patients with hemophilia should be managed by multi-specialty team approach. Continuous primary prophylaxis (at least low-doseregimen of 10-20 IU/kg twice or thrice per week) is recommended in severe hemophilia with dose tailored as per response. Factorreplacement remains the mainstay of treating acute bleeds (dose and duration depends on body weight, site and severity of bleed).Factor concentrates (plasma derived or recombinant), if available, are preferred over blood components. Other supportive measures(rest, ice, compression, and elevation) should be instantly initiated. Long-term complications include musculoskeletal problems,development of inhibitors and transfusion-transmitted infections, which need monitoring. Adequate vaccination of children withhemophilia (with precautions) is emphasized
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Natural products especially from plants have been used for the treatment of various diseases. Momordica charantia or bitter melon, grows in the tropical area is popularly consumed as vegetables and has high medicinal values .It is one of the most promising alternative medicines used as anti-HIV, anti-ulcer, antiinflammatory, antileukemic, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and anti-tumor. Proteins like momordin, alpha- and betamomorcharin and cucurbitacin B of Momordica charantia were also tested for possible anticancerous effects .Chemical analogs of these proteins have been developed, patented, and named MAP30.The MAP30gene was amplified from Momordica charantia leaves by Polymerase Chain Reaction .The resultant product was amplified approximately 861 bp.
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Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legumes grown in Asia. Though the area under this crop is more, the average yield per hectare is low because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Among them, the wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri is most destructive seed and soil borne disease. (Haware et al., 1986) which threatens successful cultivation of chickpea and causes severe losses in chickpea growing areas. (Grewal et al.,1974b and Singh et al.,1977.) The organic amendments viz., saw dust, ground nut cake, FYM, soybean cake, cotton cake were used in three concentrations 0.1%, 0.2%, 0.3% . The highest per cent growth of inhibition was observed in soybean cake 0.3% (32.96%), followed by groundnut cake 0.3% (29.63%). The lowest per cent growth inhibition was observed in saw dust 0.1% (06.47%).
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Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L), wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was first reported from India in 1918. ln the recent years, the biological control has received a worldwide attention and is being integrated effectively with other pesticides. The efficacy of two species of fungal bioagents such as Trichoderma viride, Trichodermo harzianum and two sps of bacterial bioagents such as Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis were evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri in vitro condition using Dual Culture Technique. The highest per cent growth of inhibition of observed Trichoderma harzianum (76.66%) followed by Bacillus subtilis (63.14%). The lowest growth inhibition was observed in Pseudomonas fluorescens (53.52%).
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Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important legumes grown in Asia. Though the area under this crop is more, the average yield per hectare is low because of several biotic and abiotic factors. Among them, the wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri is most destructive seed and soil borne disease. (Haware et al., 1986) which threatens successful cultivation of chickpea and causes severe losses in chickpea growing areas. (Grewal et al.,1974b and Singh et al.,1977.) Different insecticides and herbicides were tried under in vitro, the insecticides Emamectin benzoate 5% SG, Imidachloprid 75% WP, Quinalphos 25% EC, Entrust 80% WP were used in three different concentrations. Among these highest per cent growth of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was observed in Imidacloprid 0.3g (50.92%) followed by Emamectin benzoate 0.05 mg (35.55%). The herbicides viz., Pendimethalin 30%EC, Imazathaphyr 10% SL, 2,4-D sodium salt 80%WP, Metsulfuron methyl 20% WG were used in three different concentrations, highest per cent growth of inhibition of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri was observed in Pendimethalin 0.5ml (73.33%), followed by Pendimethalin 0.4ml (65.55%).
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Utilization of electronic resources by the students depends largely on some factors pertaining to the users, especially E resource service and satisfaction. Therefore, the study investigated the influence of e- resources service and satisfaction about the usage of electronic resources by the students in self financing colleges affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai. The survey research design was adopted in the study with the questionnaire as a major instrument for data collection. Simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were adopted to select self financing colleges and 216 respondents. The study recommended that measures should be taken to increase the level of e-resources service among the students for increasing the usage of available electronic resources in the academic libraries.
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The duration of life history state (LHS) reflects the adaptive strategy a species has evolved to cope with a changing environment. Inhabitants at different latitudes may thus have significant differences in the rates of metabolic and physiological processes underlying LHSs. Birds, in order to maximize their fitness in the environment in which they live, seasonally switch from one LHS to another during the year. The present study investigated whether an annual itinerary of a species would determine its rate of reaction to inductive long days. We compared the photoinduced cycles of changes in body mass and testes, as indices of migratory and reproductive LHSs, between two long day breeding species, the migratory redheaded bunting and non-migratory Indian weaverbird. Changes in body mass and testis size were measured in photosensitive buntings and weaverbirds (n = 7 each) on short days (LD 8:16) subjected first to 0.5 h weekly light increments until the light period was 13 h per day, and then maintained on LD 13:11 for another 32 weeks. A similar observation was recorded on a group of buntings (n = 14) and weaverbirds (n = 9) maintained on increasing natural day lengths (NDL; Lucknow, 26°55' N, 80°59' E) for 47 weeks. As predicted, the rates of induction of seasonal cycles under an identical inductive photoperiod were significantly faster in temperate buntings with five annual LHSs than in the subtropical weaverbirds with three annual LHSs. This suggests that annual itineraries of songbirds with which they may have evolved with at their breeding latitudes, determine their response to the external photoperiodic environment.
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The influence of various oil cakes has been investigated for high level production of lipase using Aspergillus tamarii MTCC 5152. By solid state fermentation in wheat bran containing 2.5% w/w gingili oil cake at 70% v/w moisture content the fungus produced a maximal yield of lipase (758 ± 3.61 u/g) after 5 days of incubation using 2% v/w inoculum containing 10(6) spores/mL. Wheat bran and gingili oil cake with supplementation of gingili oil (1.0% w/w), glucose (0.5% w/w) and peptone (0.5% w/w) gives an increased enzyme production of 793 ± 6.56 u/g. The enzyme shows maximum activity at pH 7.0, temperature 50 °C and was stable between the pH 5.0-8.0 and temperature up to 60 °C. Crude lipase (3%) applied to tannery fleshing shows 92% fat solubility. The results demonstrate that fat obtained from tannery fleshing, a by-product of the leather industry has a high potential for biodiesel production and the proteinaceous residue obtained can be used as animal feed.
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Adipose Tissue/metabolism , Aspergillus/enzymology , Lipase/metabolism , Culture Media/chemistry , Hydrogen-Ion Concentration , TemperatureABSTRACT
Background Though sterilization is a popular method of contraception, there are some concerns about the psychologicalsequelae including regret after the procedure. Such regret may result in lifelong personal distress.Aims To study the psychological status in terms of depression & anxiety in women who have undergone femalesterilization and to know whether these changes affect the quality of life.Methods This is a cross sectional questionnaire based study of women of reproductive age group. Various instrumentsassessing anxiety, depression and quality of life have been administered. The data is statistically analyzed.Results The mean anxiety and depression scores were low in these subjects. Similarly the quality of life was good in alldomains. However the subjects experienced sexual problems like anxiety about sex (3.3%), decreased libido (10%)and decreased frequency of coitus (31%), whereas the menstrual symptoms were not affected significantlyConclusions The findings indicate that literacy rate, self motivation, knowledge of procedure and constant availabilityof medical services have impact on outcome of the procedure.
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The present report highlights a case where a patient presented with midline diastema in the lower arch due to missing mandibular incisors and the esthetic and occlusal problems associated with permanent teeth Oligodontia. Congenitally missing teeth is the condition of having one or more missing teeth which cannot be observed clinically or in radiographic images. However, the prevalence of oligodontia in permanent teeth is reported to be 0.14%. There have been reports showing absence of maxillary lateral incisors, premolars, unilateral absence of mandibular incisors but agenesis of bilateral mandibular central incisors is not well documented in the literature. The early orthododntic intervention may eliminate some of the periodontal and restorative problems that could arise in these patients as adults. The aim of this case report is to document a case of congenitally missing permanent teeth along with other occlusal abnormalities and to discuss its clinical implications and management.
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Among dental anomalies, tooth transposition is considered the most difficult to manage clinically. Distal migration of permanent mandibular lateral incisor happens rarely. It can be discovered radiographically in the early mixed dentition & interceptive treatment is often appropriate. If left uncorrected it may erupt ectopically and the results are often unsatisfactory both esthetically and functionally. When transpositions are detected early the positions of the root apices are important in deciding where to move the transposed tooth. This article reports a case of early orthodontic treatment of a rare unilateral mandibular left lateral incisor – canine transposition.
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Vaccination against hepatitis A virus (HAV) has been recommended in patients with chronic liver disease to prevent any decompensation due to superinfection. This may not hold good in high endemic areas for hepatitis A like India. The aim of this study was to find out the seroprevalence of anti-HAV antibodies in patients with chronic liver disease and to justify the need for vaccination against hepatitis A virus in these patients. One hundred and thirty three consecutive patients with cirrhosis of liver attending Gastroenterology department of our Institute between June 2004 and June 2005 were enrolled. Seventy-five healthy persons were taken as controls. The diagnosis of cirrhosis was based on clinical profile, biochemical, radiological (ultrasound abdomen) and endoscopic findings. The etiology of cirrhosis was based on presence of viral markers, history of significant alcohol consumption, autoimmune and metabolic workup. All patients and controls were tested for antiHAV (total) antibodies using commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Data from patients and control group were compared by unpaired 't' test and Chi square test. All subjects were in the age group 11 to 75 years. Etiology of chronic liver disease was as follows: HBV- 29.3%, HCV - 14.28%, HBV+HCV dual -1.5%, alcohol- 21.8%, Cryptogenic -23.3%, Wilson"s Disease -1.5% and Budd chiari -1.5%. The prevalence of HAV was 93.2% in patients with cirrhosis of liver and 94.6% in controls. The prevalence was almost similar irrespective of the etiology. In view of high seroprevalence of HAV antibodies among cirrhotic patients in our study and the high cost of the vaccine, the hepatitis A vaccination may not be routinely required in this part of the world.