Chikungunya virus infection amongst the acute encephalitis syndrome cases in West Bengal, India.

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection from the acute encephalitis syndrome cases is an uncommon form and has been observed in the year 2010-11 from West Bengal, India. The case–1 and case–2 had the acute encephalitis syndrome; case–3 was of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis whereas the case–4 had the symptoms of meningo-encephalopathy with bulbar involvement. We are reporting four cases with neurological complications involving central nervous system (CNS) due to CHIKV infection from this state for the fi rst time. The virus has spread almost every districts of this state rapidly. At this stage, these cases are public health threat.

Manganese induced changes in growth, chlorophyll content and antioxidants activity in seedlings of broad bean (Vicia faba L.).

The effect of manganese(Mn) on broad bean (Vicia faba L.) was studied with regard to growth, Mn accumulation in root and shoot, chlorophyll, proline content and peroxidase activity. Seeds were treated with Mn (10, 20, 40, 80,120,160 μM) and grown hydroponically up to 15 days. Manganese level in both root and shoot increased progressively in response to increasing concentration and it was high in roots (13 fold) over the shoots (8 fold). The reductions in root (52%) and shoot (62.92%) development were evident for the maximum Mn concentration (160 μM). The chlorophyll amount gradually declined with increasing Mn concentrations and attained its maximum (42%) at 160 μM. By contrast, the guaiacol peroxidase activity was high (71%) along with the accompanying rise in proline content (75%) in shoots of the highest Mn concentration (160 μM). However, there was about 2 fold increase in total glutathione content at 40 μM than the basal level and further declined to 21.65 Cg g-1 fresh wt. at 160 μM Mn. The alterations in overall reflected Mn concentration- dependent changes in the parameters studied. The results suggest that the plant Vicia faba L. copes with Mn exposure through enhanced production of antioxidants.

Glutathione and cysteine biosynthesis in two varieties of Abelmoschus esculentus in response to mine spoil.

The extent of accumulation of some heavy metals and glutathione and cysteine levels in the roots and aerial plant parts in two genotypically different varieties of A. esculentus (KS404 and BO2) exposed to mine spoil were investigated. Glutathione (GSH) level in both the varieties on control sites increased from basal level to 155.15 nmol g(-1) dry weight (d.wt.), almost 1.5 fold on 30 day and attained a plateau within 60 day Mine spoil exposure of both the varieties decreased glutathione 1.13 fold (89.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight) during 60 day from its basal level. GSH concentration in shoots of these varieties increased accompanying growth contrary to roots where it finally declined 2 fold. Cysteine content in control plants increased 2 fold (31.6 nmol g(-1) dry weight) on 30 day and finally declined 1.38 fold (22.35 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 60 day). Both the varieties, when exposed to mine spoil, showed enhanced cysteine content almost 2 fold during 30 day (50.95 nmol g(-1) dry weight) but failed to increase further Forshoots in both the varieties challenged with mine spoil, cysteine maxima reached late (15.2 nmol g(-1) dry weight, at 40 day) relative to control but the levels declined subsequently (11.85 nmol g(-l) dry weight). Contrary to GSH, cysteine content in roots of both the varieties responded positively to mine spoil as apparent from the 2.23 fold increase during 30 d than basal level although it lowered to a level of 12.85 nmol g(-1) dry weight finally at 60 day. Both the varieties accumulated almost maximum level of selected cations (Fe > Mn> Zn> Cu > Ni) during 30 day, but BO2 variety was significantly superior in this regard. Invariably high accumulation of such cations in roots over shoots indicated accumulation, retention or restricted translocation from root to shoot. The metal share of the edible part was just 6% of the plant load. Thus, present work reflects a genotypic differences in metal accumulation and that affected the major non-enzymatic traits or synthesis of sulthydryl compounds as well. The present results also indicate that metal tolerance is in part associated with anti-oxidant system activity.

Bilateral intracerebral haemorrhages: an atypical presentation of Japanese encephalitis.

Japanese encephalitis is common human endemic encephalitis seen over various parts of the world. Usual presenting features include an encephalitic syndrome, symptoms of frontal lobe, basal ganglia and thalamic involvement. Characteristic radiological picture is bilateral thalamic and basal ganglia hypo density in the CT scan and hypo-intensity in T1 and hyperintensity in T2 weighted image in MRI. Very rarely occurrence of bilateral hemorrhage may be seen in these regions. This radiological change may be early indicator of the disease before serological confirmation by the available diagnostic modalities. In this communication, we have reported a case of Japanese encephalitis presented with bilateral basal ganglia hemorrhages.

Body iodine status in school children and availability of iodised salt in Calcutta.

Success of Universal Salt Iodization (USI) programme depends on availability of iodised salt to consumers, which should be reflected in their body iodine status. From a monitoring study in Calcutta, it was found that all packed salts were iodised and most of them (98.1% at household level and 93.6% at retailers' outlets) had iodine at a level of > or = 15 ppm. Of the loose salts, 34.6% at household level and 19.9% at retailers' outlet had iodine level < 15 ppm. A few number (0.5% at household level and 1.0% at retailers' outlets) of salts had no iodine. To ascertain the impact of consumption of iodised salt iodine excreted in urine (UIE) was measured in school children of age between 8-12 years of south, east, west, north and central parts of Calcutta. 22.95% of male children and 31.81% of female children had urinary iodine level less than 50 micrograms/l, which is cut off figure of public health concern. Children from poor slum areas were found to be at greater risk.