Sanfilippo Disease.

Sanfilippo disease is a type of Mucopolysaccharidosis, a hereditary progressive disease caused by mutation of gene for degradation of acid mucopolysaccharides. Early detection of this rare disease would enable screening and genetic counseling for asymptomatic family members.

Imerslund-Grasbeck Syndrome: A Case Report.

Imerslund- Grasbeck syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder due to selective malabsorption of Vitamin B12 at the level of cobalamin-intrinsic factor receptor mutation in the terminal ileum resulting in megaloblastic anaemia with proteinuria. Early detection of this rare disorder would enable screening and genetic counselling for asymptomatic family members.

Blood meal analysis of Phlebotomus argentipes in eight districts of West Bengal.

Eight districts of West Bengal (India) were surveyed for the biting habit of Phlebotomus argentipes using agar gel diffusion method. Blood meal indices were found different in the two biotopes, human dwellings and cowsheds. A total of 395 blood meals were analyzed. The blood meal indices in the human dwellings were human 68.8 per cent, cow 38.9 per cent, both human and cow 10.2 per cent, others 2.5 per cent and in the cowsheds: human 19.7 per cent, cow 91.6 per cent, human and cow 13.9 per cent and others 2.5 per cent. These indicated that P. argentipes did not show preference to any blood meal.

Excreted factors and membrane-associated carbohydrates of Indian leishmaniae.

Antigenic identity between the cell surface carbohydrate ligands and their excreted factor (EF) in all forms of Indian leishmaniasis were assessed by 11 carbohydrate-specific lectins. Our results demonstrated that 3 lectins, viz. PNA, SBA and WFA showed unique selectivity towards skin-dwelling parasites. The EFs of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) formed band against ConA at 1000, and 500 micrograms/ml concentration, respectively. RCA-120 at 3 mg/ml concentration was positive to both Leishmania tropica and L. major, whereas SBA was specific to L. tropica, L. major and PKDL strains at the same concentration. Antisera directed against the EFs (EF-As) induced agglutination to homologous promastigotes suspension. Cross-reactivity of agglutination was observed in different strains but highest was found among PKDL and CL strains. Although PKDL cases are normally found in patients with the history of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), surprisingly in this study, the surface saccharides of PKDL strains had close affinity to CL type instead of VL.