Evaluation of certain insecticides on nettings for their efficacy and wash resistance against mosquito species.

Five insecticides (Bifenthrin, Deltamethrin, Etofenprox, Permethrin and Lamda cyhalothrin) recommended by WHO, at their recommended dose were compared for their efficacy and wash resistance through bioassay against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi. Etofenprox treated nettings exhibited better knockdown and mortality than the other insecticides. The order of efficacy of the insecticides treated nettings was Etofenprox ≥ Deltamethrin > Lambda cyhalothrin > Permethrin > Bifenthrin.

Larvicidal activity of neem and karanja oil cakes against mosquito vectors, Culex quinquefasciatus (say), Aedes aegypti (L.) and Anopheles stephensi (L.).

Larvicidal effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) and karanja (Pongamia glabra) oil cakes (individuals and combination) was studied against mosquito species. Both the oil cakes showed larvicidal activity against the mosquito species tested. The combination of neem and karanja oil cakes in equal proportion proved to have better effect than the individual treatments. The combination of the two oil cakes recorded an LC95 of 0.93, 0.54 and 0.77% against the mosquitoes, Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi respectively The increase in efficacy of the combination treatment over individuals in all the mosquito larvae tested was found to range about 4 to 10 fold in terms of LC50 and 2 to 6 fold in terms of LC95.

Pericardial tamponade in neonate following migration of a sialastic central venous catheter.

Central venous catheters constitute an essential part of most neonatal intensive care units (NICU). However, they are known to be associated with several complications. We here with report a rare lethal complication of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade occurred in a term neonate following central venous line.

Rotational application of bioinsecticide with deltamethrin-An antilarval measure for the control of filarial vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Culicidae: Diptera).

A laboratory investigation was undertaken to study the cyclic usage of field recommended doses of Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bsp) and combination of Bti and Bsp (half the recommended dose of each) with deltamethrin 2.8 EC to attain better control of mosquito larvae. To understand the susceptibility status of the Culex quinquefasciatus larvae in the field, early fourth instar field collected larvae were exposed to the above treatments of biopesticides and were monitored for their persistency till 50% mortality was obtained. The larvae those survived in each treatment were transferred to the concentration of deltamethrin that gave 50% mortality. Observations on larval mortality after the treatment with deltamethrin were recorded after 24 h. The results revealed that Bti excels Bsp, as it recorded 54% mortality only on 17th day after application. The other salient finding of this study is LC50 of deltamethrin is sufficient to follow the biopesticides application for an effective control of Culex larvae.

Cost of neonatal intensive care.

Neonates are among those patients generating the highest hospital costs in recent years. There are no published data on the costs of neonatal intensive care in our country. The aim of our study was to analyse the cost of neonatal intensive care in a tertiary care unit. The average hospital charges per day were higher among non-survivors (Rs. 1857) compared to survivors (Rs. 727). Care of more than 1250 gms infant is cost beneficial in our set up.

Treatment of threshold retinopathy of prematurity.

This report deals with our experience in the management of threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). A total of 45 eyes of 23 infants were subjected to treatment of threshold ROP. 26.1% of these infants had a birth weight of > 1,500 gm. The preferred modality of treatment was laser indirect photocoagulation, which was facilitated by scleral depression. Cryopexy was done in cases with nondilating pupils or medial haze and was always under general anaesthesia. Retreatment with either modality was needed in 42.2% eyes; in this the skip areas were covered. Total regression of diseases was achieved in 91.1% eyes with no sequelae. All the 4 eyes that progressed to stage 5 despite treatment had zone 1 disease. Major treatment-induced complications did not occur in this series. This study underscores the importance of routine screening of infants upto 2,000 gm birth weight for ROP and the excellent response that is achieved with laser photocoagulation in inducing regression of threshold ROP. Laser is the preferred method of treatment in view of the absence of treatment-related morbidity to the premature infants.

Retinopathy of prematurity: a study.

A total of 50 infants of less than 2000 gm birth weight were screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy. The incidence of ROP was found in 19 patients (38%). Of these, 8 patients (16 eyes) had threshold disease. Significantly, occurrence of threshold ROP was seen in both 1600 gm birth weight in one infant and in the absence of oxygen administration in 2 infants. Ten of the 16 eyes underwent therapeutic intervention while 6 eyes did not receive treatment for lack of consent from the parents. The treatment consisted of indirect laser photocoagulation (8 eyes) and transconjunctival cryopexy (2 eyes). Good regression of the disease (favourable outcome) was noted in all the treated eyes.