Evaluation of quantitative buffy coat (QBC) assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for diagnosis of malaria.

A prospective study was undertaken to compare the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Quantitative Buffy Coat (QBC) assay with conventional Giemsa technique for diagnosis of malaria. A total of 104 samples were taken for the purpose. They comprised of fever cases suggestive of malaria (n=74) and control group, fever cases other than malaria (n=30). Peripheral blood smears were prepared by Giemsa staining and QBC assay was performed as per standard protocol. From the stored blood samples, parasite DNA was extracted and PCR was performed using P. falciparum and P. vivax specific sets of primers. The QBC assay was 100% in agreement with the Giemsa stain. Specificity of the PCR detection of P. falciparum parasites was 100%. However, sensitivity for detection of P. falciparum and P. vivax by PCR was 64.28% and 82.35% respectively. In mixed cases of malaria (n=2), PCR results were in 100% agreement with that of Giemsa. The lower sensitivity of PCR for P. falciparum could probably be due to inaccessibility of target DNA, presence of PCR inhibitors in samples and parasite strain variations.

Isosporiasis in children.

The clinical, laboratory and therapeutic data of patients with diarrhea in Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody positive, immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals were studied especially to look for prevalence of intestinal coccidiosis. During a study period of one decade, Isospora belli were identified in the stool samples of seven children with diarrhea. Diarrhea persisted for a little longer period in HIV-seropositive children compared to sero-negatives but the clinical picture did not differ significantly in either HIV infected or HIV uninfected individuals.

Quantitative buffy coat: a special adjunct for diagnosis of malaria.

Quantitative buffy coats (QBC) technique was compared with conventional blood film technique for the diagnosis of malaria in a tertiary care hospital. The QBC technique was found to be a rapid technique with a sensitivity of 83% and specificity of 94%. Malaria species identification was also possible. It was essentially very useful to detect parasites below < or = 100 parasites/ul of blood by QBC technique. However, quantification of parasitaemia could not be made using this technique. Many cases of carriers having very few gametocytes in their blood were also identified. It is therefore, concluded that the QBC technique, may be appropriate for screening populations for malaria and for detection of asymptomatic carriers to control further transmission of the disease in the community.

Bone marrow examination for identifying malaria in fever of unknown origin.

To determine the utility of bone marrow examination for the diagnosis of malaria in patients with persistent fever for prolonged duration, we prospectively studied individuals undergoing diagnostic bone marrow examinations between January 1992 to December 1996. All marrow examinations of patients were examined microbiologically and resulted in diagnosis of malaria in 6.6% of the total patients studied. No case of bacterial, mycobacterial or fungal infection was diagnosed. The diagnostic efficacy of bone marrow for evidence of malaria was very useful in febrile individuals for whom the diagnosis was otherwise unknown.

Plasmodium ovale malaria in Delhi.

A case of ovale malaria in a child from Delhi is reported. Urban malaria ecotypes caused by P. ovale has never been seen before. Characteristic morphological features of the parasite in stained blood film confirmed its identification.

Acute clonorchiasis in a child.

Clonorchiasis usually presents with chronic gastrointestinal disturbances or cholangiocarcinoma. We describe a rare acute presentation of clonorchiasis in a child with diarrhea and liver abscess.

Trichuris vulpis infection in slum children.

Trichuris vulpis was identified in two children from urban slums. Both of them had nonspecific abdominal pain and one had episodes of diarrhea. Clinical recovery was good after treatment with mebendazole.

Effect of giardia infection on nutritional status of preschool children.

Nutritional status of 34 children aged 24-72 months and infected with giardia was compared with that of 92 children matched for age, sex and income and 34 children matched for age, sex, income as well as birth order. Children without giardiasis were found to have better nutritional status in both comparisons. The difference was more pronounced in the second instance. Of the seven anthropometric parameters used for comparison, four were significantly lower (weight, weight for age, midarm circumference and midarm circumference for age), while two (height for age and weight for height) showed nonsignificant childhood malnutrition and that matching for birth order enhances the utility of case-control studies in children.

Cockroaches as vectors of pathogenic bacteria.

One hundred and thirty two cockroaches of species Blattella germanica--96 from hospital ward (test group) and 36 from residential areas (control group) were caught during Nov. 1985 to Nov. 1986. A variety of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were isolated from test and control group of insects. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus faecalis, and Micrococci were isolated only from the test group of cockroaches. A high percentage (98.95 per cent) of test cockroaches were found to be carriers of various microorganisms as compared to the control group (80.55 per cent), the difference being statistically significant (p less than 0.001). Quantitative analysis in this study revealed that higher number of microorganisms are carried by test group of insects in the hospital environment. This, thereby suggests that these insects can play an important role in the etiology of hospital acquired infections.