ABSTRACT
Background: The most challenging problem associated with patient management in Dengue infection is early diagnosis. Secondary infection with dengue virus is the most accepted risk factor for the development of dengue haemorrhagic fever. Serologic diagnosis of dengue virus infection using ELISA of both IgM and IgG distinguishes primary and secondary infections. Aim: To determine the prevalence of Dengue Fever in Thoothukudi, the coastal district of Tamilnadu by serological tests IgM ELISA and IgG ELISA, to compare the IgM and IgG status of the dengue cases to differentiate between the primary and secondary dengue cases. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study in patients with fever suspicious of dengue, fevers with other causes excluded. Detailed history is obtained and complete clinical examination done. IgM and IgG Elisa test were performed. Results: Out of 50 patients, 28 (56%) were positive for dengue and 22 (44%) were negative. 13 cases had primary Dengue (IgM positive) and 15 had secondary Dengue (IgM and IgG positive and IgG positive). Among the 28 positive cases 16 are paediatric, 10 cases had hemorrhagic manifestations, all were secondary dengue. Conclusion: As this study was conducted during an outbreak in Thoothukudi, unusually high prevalence is seen particularly among the pediatric ages. Higher morbidity is seen in secondary dengue cases. Thus, early discrimination of primary and secondary dengue helps to reduce the morbidity and mortality.
ABSTRACT
Investication of trace metal occumulation on coral and reef environment (sediment and water) of the Gulf of Mannar biosphere reserve was studied during July 2007 to June 2008. The samples were collected for analyzing from Thoothukudi and Vembar group of Islands, Gulf of Mannar. The concentration of trace metal in the water are in the order of Fe > Pb > Zn > As > Mn > Cd > Cu and in sediment in the order of Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu >Cd and in coral rubbles in the order of Fe > Mn > Pb > Zn > Cu > Cd. In the waters the iron ranks first and copper ranks last; in the sediment iron ranks first in concentration and cadmium ranks the last. In corals the iron ranks first and cadmium ranks the last in concentration and during the entire study periods. SPSS two tailed Correlation coefficients between the months and the temporal variablilities of heavy metals were assessed using the monthly data for each component in all stations and analysis of variances (f values) for the water, sediment and coral rubbles between the stations and month during the study period. Conclude that the values recorded at Thoothukdi group of islands were little higher than the Vembar group of islands, and it might be due to discharges pumped from the industrial belt of Thoothukudi, domestic sewages from Thoothukudi town, harbour activities and thermal power plant operation along the southern side of the Gulf of Mannar.