Drug-induced Capillary Leak Syndrome

Capillary leak syndrome is a disease with a high mortality rate. Its signs and symptoms are nonspecific. Generalized edema, hypotension, hypoproteinemia, and hemoconcentration are the characteristics of capillary leak syndrome. Here we report three cases of capillary leak syndrome developed after being treated with gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Immediate treatment with corticosteroids may be life-saving.

Analysis of Pyrethroids in Mosquito Mats, Coils and Spray Canisters.

Use of mosquito mats, coils and spray are popular methods of avoiding mosquito bites. There are many commercially available mosquito mats, coils and spray canisters which contain pyrethroids, that can cause nervous system toxicity on substantial exposure. Prolonged use of these mosquito repellents can affect human health. When cases of pyrethroid poisoning are reported to a forensic toxicologist, it is very important to be able to extract, isolate, separate and detect the pyrethroid compound. Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) is widely used today for the detection of pyrethroids. More sophisticated techniques such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) or High Pressure Liquid Chro-matography (HPLC) can be used for the confirmation of the compound. It is therefore important to create a laboratory database, which can be helpful in forensic examinations in future.

A retrospective study of 5 years: organ phosphorous poisoning in Ahmedabad.

Poisons are known to mankind since time immemorial. Of the various substances used for suicide in India, Organ phosphorous compounds form a significant group as observed by much workers. The study was aimed to generate a baseline data on the epidemiological factors contributing to the incidence and mortality due to O.P. Poisoning. So as to highlight the problem this requires planned and concentrated effort in dealing with it on a broader horizon. Since prevention is the only logical approach there is an urgent need to take appropriate steps to prevent loss of lives. The analysis of the data revealed that 65 cases of O.P. poisoning brought to the mortuary of Smt. NHL MMC, Ahmedabad for medico-legal autopsy, during 5 years period i.e. 1995 to 1999.The age group ranged between10 years to 40 years and above, with maximum incidence between 21–30 years and males outnumbering females. The main mode of poisoning was suicidal by ingestion.

Comparative pathogenicity of trichomonas vaginalis isolated from symptomatic & asymptomatic cases.

Pathogenicity of 19 isolates of T.vaginalis obtained from vaginal specimens were studied in the murine model by intraperitoneal route. Sixteen isolates were recovered from the females with various clinical conditions and 3 isolates were from normal healthy females. Pathogenicity level of these isolates were studied by inoculating 5 mice per isolates through intraperitoneal route and the animals were sacrificed on tenth day post-inoculation. In general, all the isolates recovered produced infection in mice. On comparison with the reference strain obtained from Hoechst India Ltd., seven isolates recovered from symptomatic cases and one strain from healthy females produced severe infection in mice. Though variation in pathogenicity level was observed among the isolates, a definite correlation between clinical picture in natural host and pathogenicity in mice was not observed.

Comparative pathogenicity of Trichomonas vaginalis isolated from symptomatic and asymptomatic cases.

Pathogenicity of 19 isolates of Trichomonas vaginalis obtained from vaginal specimens were studied in the murine model by intraperitoneal inoculation. Sixteen isolates were recovered from the females with various clinical conditions and 3 isolates were from normal healthy females. Pathogenicity level of these isolates were studied by inoculating 5 mice per isolate through intraperitoneal route and the animals were sacrificed on the 10th day post-inoculation. In general, all the isolates recovered produced infection in mice. On comparison with the reference strain obtained from Hoechst India Ltd., seven isolates recovered from symptomatic cases and one strain from healthy females produced severe infection in mice. Though variation in the pathogenicity level was observed among the isolates, a definite correlation between the clinical picture in the natural host and pathogenicity in mice was not observed.