Chlamydia trachomatis among HIV infected patients using PCR technique

Background and Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis is a sexually transmitted organism and an important public health problem in the sexually active age group. Limited studies are found regarding the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis in Nepal. Moreover, no study in Nepal reports the association of Chlamydia and HIV infection. The current study attempts to determine the burden of Chlamydia on HIV positive patients. Material and Methods: A total of 117 HIV positive patients visiting a HIV clinic in Kathmandu, were screened for Chlamydia infection. For this, Urine samples were collected and analyzed using the Multiplex polymerase chain reaction technique (MPCR) and Agarose gel electrophoresis. DNA isolation was performed using QIAamp DNA and Blood mini kit handbook protocol. Results: C. trachomatis was detected in 4.27% of the total 117 HIV patients. Out of positive cases 60% were males and 40% were females. However, Chlamydia is found more prevalent among females (6.89%) than in males (3.4%). Eighty percent of positive cases were asymptomatic. Conclusion: Chlamydia infection was found less commonly among studied patients and most of those cases were asymptomatic. So there is difficulty in timely detection of C. trachomatis and track the clinical sequel, which might be devastating. Hence, routine checkup is recommended for all suspected cases for timely management of the disease.

Research article Evaluation of Genotype MTBDRplus Assay for identifying Multidrug Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Nepal

Background and Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains are serious threats to the control of tuberculosis and comprise an increasing public health problem. Rapid detection of such strains is quite critical in timely management of such issues. The study was performed with an objective to compare Genotype MTBDRplus reverse hybridization probe assay (Hain Lifescince, GmBH, Nehern, Germany) with culture based proportion method for rapidly identifying MDR-TB strains from suspected multi drug resistant cases, referred to GENETUP Kathmandu, Nepal. Methodology: A commercially available new Genotype MTBDRplus assay was evaluated for its ability to detect mutations in Mycobacterial isolates conferring resistance to rifampicin (RMP) and isoniazid (INH). A total of 64 MDR isolates (i.e., at least resistant to RMP and INH), 5 fully susceptible strains and 1 RMP sensitive strains by conventional proportion method were analyzed using Genotype MTBDRplus assay. MTBDRplus assay is designed to detect the mutations in the hot spot region of rpoB gene, katG and regulatory region of inhA gene. Results: The MTBDRplus assay detected 59 of 61 RMP resistant strains (96.72%) with mutations on 81-bp hot spot region of rpoB gene and 60 of 63 INH resistant strains (95.23%) with mutation in codon 315 katG and regulatory region of inhA. The sensitivity and specificity for the detection of RMP resistance were 96.72% and 100% respectively. While, value of the same two variables for INH resistance were 95.23% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: The new Genotype MTBDRplus assay represents a rapid, reliable, upgraded tool with high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of INH and RMP resistance strains that can readily be included in a routine laboratory work for the early diagnosis and control of MDR-TB.

Rotavirus and its Genotype Distribution among Children Lessthan Three Years Presenting with Acute Watery Diarrhoea to a General Hospital in Urban Nepal.

Introduction: Viruses are the most common cause for diarrhoea in infants and small children. Rotavirus is the most frequent viral etiology, causing 125 million episodes of infantile diarrhoea and over 600,000 deaths per year. Materials and methods: A cross sectional study between January and March 2008 was conducted at Patan Hospital, Kathmandu to find out the prevalence of rotavirus among children < 3 years with watery diarrhoea and to identify common strains of rotavirus in the study population. Testing for rotavirus was undertaken by using Rota/Adeno screen Dipstick M583CE. Rotavirus strain identification was done at Nagasaki University Japan. Data was analyzed using SPSS® for Windows V 15.0 software. Results: 119 children with acute watery diarrhoea were enrolled. Rotavirus antigen was found in 63 cases (53%). The highest percentage of rotavirus infection was found in the second six months of life. Among the children with positive rotavirus antigen, the median age was 10 months (IRQ 8.00). The most predominant strain of rotavirus identified was G12 followed by G9 and G1. Most predominant G and P combination was G9 P[8] followed by G12P[6]. Conclusion: The study has shown the prevalence of unusual serotypes of rotavirus. Though rotavirus vaccine has been studied, used widely and found to be very effective, none of the vaccine efficacy studies have included common serotypes identified in Nepal. Level of protection conferred by infant immunization with the current rotavirus vaccines against the strains circulating in Nepal is unknown and careful surveillance through vaccine implementation is needed.

Establishment of Paediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units at Patan Hospital, Kathmandu: Critical Determinants and Future Challenges.

Introduction: Although preventive medicine and primary care are priorities in developing countries, they must be supported by appropriate care of sick and extremely sick children in the medical facilities. Lack of resources and absence of skilled physicians and nurses may lead to poor outcomes in critically ill patients. Intensive care of newborns and children is thought to be very expensive with a low cost-benefit ratio. This presentation discusses the critical factors that facilitated the establishment of PICU and NICU in an urban public hospital in Nepal, where a good standard of Level 2 care was already provided. Aims and objectives: A cooperative model of creation and transfer of technology from the West to a resource-poor country was envisaged. PICU and NICU with six beds each were established. Design and setting: The Nick Simons Foundation, USA provided financial support for design, building and furnishing of a new Mother and Child Wing at Patan Hospital. A generous grant of $300,000 again by the Nick Simons Foundation helped equip the units. Donated equipments also included procedures, medication and storage carts. Methodology: A total of 22 volunteers, 21 from USA and one from Netherlands, were recruited to complete the three months of training. An extensive curriculum was prepared. The trainer team had monthly teleconferences and regular communications with the Chief of Paediatric Services and Nursing Director of Patan Hospital via e-mails and telephone. Responsibilities of volunteers and the host hospital were identified. Results: After 3 years of preparation, the project started in June 2009. All day lectures on topics in critical care, mock case scenarios, practical equipment training and simulated procedures led to the graduation of 60 nurses. Twenty five physicians were trained for three months. The expert team worked with the locals in preparing the units, arranging furniture and equipment, stocking carts, making inventory and preparing protocols. A protocol handbook was developed on topics such as mechanical ventilation, sedation, admission/discharge criteria, procedures and management of different disease states. Various charts such as nurse observation charts, notes by residents, procedure hand offs at change of shifts were designed and printed. Infection control practices and methods of sterilizing non disposable articles were identified and protocols written. At the end of three months the units were functioning with trained local manpower and reasonable modern equipment. Conclusion: Developing nations may not have enough resources to establish much needed critical care facilities. Developed countries can help by funding basic infrastructure and providing expertise in order to transfer knowledge and technology. Involvement in planning from the beginning and training at the host site is a preferred model of transfer of technology.

Apert Syndrome (Acrocephalosyndactyly): A Rare Syndromic Craniosynostosis.

We report a premature infant who had multisutural craniosynostosis with pointed head, syndactyly of 2nd, 3rd and 4th fingers of all four limbs and other findings that were consistent with Apert syndrome. This is perhaps the first case of Apert Syndrome reported from Nepal.

Japanese Encephalitis in Children admitted at Patan Hospital.

This is a hospital based retrospective study, which was done in Pediatric ward of Patan hospital. Study period was one and half year (from Srawan 2063 to 2064 poush).Data were taken from discharge book of Pediatric ward, from the record section of this hospital, and from JE surveillance office, WHO, Kathmandu. All children from 1 month to 14 years ,who were admitted in Pediatric ward with symptoms of Meningitis, Meningoencephalitis and Encephalitis were included in this study and patients more than 14 years of age and symptoms not suggestive of meningitis, meningoencephalitis or encephalitis were excluded from the study. Headache; vomiting and fever were the chief complaints of patients. Two patients died during study period. There were 16 patients with serologically confirmed Japanese encephalitis.