Declining trend of resistance to first-line anti-tubercular drugs in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a tertiary care north Indian hospital after implementation of revised national Tuberculosis control programme.

Trends showing drug‑resistance pattern are needed to understand direction of tuberculosis (TB) control programme. The drug‑resistance pattern in state of Uttar Pradesh, India, is not documented. Here we are reporting the prevalence of multi‑drug‑resistant (MDR) and drug‑resistant TB in previously treated cases of pulmonary tuberculosis following launch of revised national TB control programme (RNTCP) in whole of Uttar Pradesh. Isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, from patients of pulmonary tuberculosis, who were treated with antitubercular drugs for more than 4 weeks, were tested for resistance to first‑line drugs; streptomycin (S), Ethambutol (E), Rifampicin (R) and isoniazid (H) over a period of 4 years, 2009‑2012. Total 2496 isolates of M. tuberculosis were tested, of which 1139 isolates (45.6%) were pan‑sensitive and 370 (14.8%) were pan‑resistant. Total 695 isolates (27.8%) were MDR. Maximum resistance was with Isoniazid (n = 1069, 42.8%) followed by streptomycin (n = 840, 33.7%), rifampicin (n = 742, 29.7%), and ethambutol (n = 613, 24.6%). A decline in number of MDR strains and individual drug resistance was seen. Total MDR strains in the year 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 were 35.6%, 30.8%, 26.7% and 22.8% respectively. The drug resistance pattern reported from time to time may vary substantially. The decline in drug resistance visible over last four years, after implementation of DOTS, appears promising.

Some unreported ethnobotanical uses from Karanji Ghat Areas of Pathardi Tahasil in Ahmednagar District (M.S.) India.

This region has been inhabited constantly by a group of nomadic tribals viz.Dhangar, Laman and Vanjaris for curing certain ethnobotanical ailments since ancient times.The present paper enumerates traditional ethnobotanical uses of 19 species belonging to 18 genera and 16 families by the natives of the study area i.e.Karanji Ghat of Pathardi tahasil in Ahmednagar district (M.S.) India. Out of these, seed in 2 plants, leaf in 4 plants, leaf and stem in 3 plants, root in 3 plants, stem in 2 plants, fruit in 6 plants and flower in 1 plant are used for ethnobotanical purposes by the local inhabitants.

Some reports on ethnoveterinary practices in Ashti areas of Beed District (M.S.) India.

The present paper enumerates traditional ethno-veterinary knowledge about 13 plant species belonging to 11 genera and 9 families hidden among the local inhabitants residing in the study areas i.e. Ashti taluka in Beed district (M.S.) India.Of these, seed in 2 plants, leaf in 4 plants, root in 1 plants, stem in 3 plants, fruit in 2 plant and flower in 1 plant are used for ethno-veterinary purposes by the local inhabitants The results of this study are organized in tabulate form and include botanical name followed by vernacular name, family (in parenthesis) and ethno-veterinary uses. The information was gathered from 26 informants, from 15 villages under the jurisdiction of Ashti taluka of Beed district through verbal interviews in an informal ways at their working places. The age of the informants was in the range between 18-78 years. Of these, informant having age group 69-78 (47 %) claimed to have the rich ethno-veterinary knowledge. The emphasis has been laid on the scientific validation of medicinal properties of the native plants that are used in traditional medication system of the pet animals to know and reward the traditional wisdom of the local communities.