Seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus infections in Colombo district, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Although Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infections occur worldwide, the epidemiology is remarkably different in tropical and temperate climates. VZV infections result in significant morbidity and mortality among adults in Sri Lanka. AIMS: For future VZV vaccination strategies, we set to determine the age-specific seroprevalence rate of VZV infections in Colombo, Sri Lanka. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out from 1999 to 2000. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used to collect 913 blood samples, which were tested for the presence of VZV-specific IgG antibodies. RESULTS: VZV seroprevalence rates were markedly lower in all age groups when compared to temperate climates. The seroprevalence rates increased with age in both the rural and urban populations. Of those aged 60 years, only 50% in the rural population and 78.9% in the urban population were immune to VZV. Seroprevalence rates of VZV infections were significantly different between the urban and rural populations (P< 0.001), with VZV-specific IgG antibodies detected in 47.5% in the urban population and 27.9% in the rural population. It was found that 56.2% (131) of females of childbearing age were nonimmune to VZV. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the need for a VZV vaccination program, which is likely to have a huge impact on the incidence of chickenpox and its associated morbidity and mortality.

Glycaemic indices of different varieties of rice grown in Sri Lanka.

OBJECTIVE: Varieties of red raw rice are widely believed to have a better nutritional quality. The physiological effects of consuming different varieties of rice may not be so. The glycaemic index has been developed as an indicator of the physiological effect of foods. It is the glycaemic response of a 50 g carbohydrate portion of food expressed as a percentage of that of a standard. The objective of this study was to determine the glycaemic indices of different varieties of rice grown in Sri Lanka. DESIGN: Digestible carbohydrate content of 11 varieties of rice flour and bread were determined. Fasting blood samples followed by half-hourly samples for two hours were drawn after giving portions of either cooked rice or bread containing 50 g carbohydrate each. SETTING: Fibre mill in Gampaha district. SUBJECTS: Twenty-two fibre mill workers aged between 25 and 50 years. MEASUREMENTS: The area under the blood glucose curve (AUC) for varieties of rice for a subject was calculated. Average AUC of 3 values for bread were calculated. Glycaemic index of each variety of rice was determined from the above variables. RESULTS: Glycaemic indices of varieties of rice differ. The glycaemic indices of varieties of red raw rice varied between 56 and 73 and the variety Bg 350 had the lowest glycaemic index. There was no significant difference between mean glycaemic index of varieties of white raw and some varieties of red raw rice (p = 0.2). Parboiled varieties of red raw rice had a significantly lower glycaemic index than white raw rice (p = 0.04) and some of the red raw rice (p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The glycaemic index cannot be predicted from the colour of the rice grain. Red parboiled varieties of rice and Bg 350 can be recommended for patients with diabetes.

Diuretic effect of Aerua lanata with water, normal saline and coriander as controls.

The extract (200 ml of 50 g/L) of common garden herb (in Sri Lanka) Aerua lanata (S. Polpala, T. Thengapookeerai) induced diuresis, consistent ovet four repetitions in 70% of the subjects. The rest of the subjects needed higher concentration of the solution (100 g/L), to induce diuresis. The urine output observed with the fresh plant extract was significantly elevated (P less than 0.001) when compared with controls who received the same quantities of water, 0.9% saline of extracts of the seeds of another medicinal plant, Corlandrum sativum. Raw flowers of Aerua lanata were found to be the most effective in inducing diuresis when compared to the other parts of the raw plant and its dried form.

Effects of prostaglandins F2 alpha and E2 on the contractility of non-pregnant human fallopian tube in vitro.

The effects of PGF2 alpha and PGE2 on the distal part of the isolated non-pregnant human fallopian tubes obtained from known menstrual phases has been investigated. Both PGF2 alpha and PGE2 produced an increased contractility of fallopian tube. However, PGF2 alpha was found to be more potent than PGE2 and also the contractions produced by the former compound showed wave forms of relatively high amplitude and low in frequency than that produced by the latter compound. These two compounds did not show a priming effect on each other. There was no discernible effect of phase of the menstrual cycle upon the contractile response to PG.

Effects of neuromuscular blocking agents on arterial blood pressure in the rat.

Gallamine triethiodide pancuronium bromide or d-tubocurarine was infused intravenously at different rates in urethane anaesthetized rats. When given in neuromuscular blocking doses gallamine triethiodide produced significant hypotension if the rate of infusion exceeded 2 mg/min whereas neither pancuronium bromide nor d-tubocurarine produced a marked change in blood pressure in neuromuscular blocking doses.