Evaluation of tuberculin response after BCG vaccination:by gestation and by age at immunization

Tuberculin response following BCG vaccination was evaluated in 3 groups of babies. One hundred and sixteen full term babies (Group I) were vaccinated with BCG at birth; 89 full term babies (Group II) received BCG at the end of third month of life and Group III was made up of 48 preterm babies (32-36 weeks) given BCG vaccination at birth. The sizes of PPD induration area [mm] (6.3+/-3.1 Vs 2.5+/-3.0; P< 0.00001) and BCG scar diameter (3.7+/-1.5 Vs 2.7+/-1.3; P< 0.0001) were significantly larger in full term than preterm babies all of whom were vaccinated at birth, whereas no significant difference was observed between full term babies who were vaccinated at different age. The complications of BCG vaccine were not observed in all study groups. This study suggests that tuberculin responses are equivalent at birth and at third month of age in full term babies. Although immune response is not fully developed in preterm babies (32 to 36 weeks of gestation), they can be safely immunized with BCG at birth.

Seasonal variation of flea population and its relationship with small mammal hosts in sub-urban Yangon

Monthly flea and small mammal surveys covering three seasons (cool dry, hot dry and monsoon) were carried out at three townships in Yangon. From more than 400 small ammmals captured, two species of fleas totalling about 700 were collected and identified as Xenopsylla astia and Xenopsylla cheopis. General flea inded was found to be highest in May (dry hot) with 6.7 and lowest in November (cool dry) with 0.09. Total ratio of collected X. astia and X. cheopis was foung to be about 2:1. However, host-vector specificity was pronounced between these two species especially on B. bengalensis. The great majority of X. astia were infested on B. bengalensis (p < 0.05) and the majority of X. cheopis were infested on other above ground species namely Rattus exulans, R. rattus and Suncus murinus mainly in dry hot seasons. Several factors which might govern the host-vector specificity are outlined. Dur to the host-vector specificity, the limitations and the use of various flea indices are discussed and suggestions are made for a proper surveillance system. The prospect of the timely flela control program as a preventive plague control measure is also discussed.

Review of the social factors influencing defaulter cases among tuberculosis patients in Kyainge Tone Tuberculosis Centre

The object of the studies confined to gain knowledge influencing defaulting of tuberculosis patients at Kyaingetong tuberculosis centre, and how to minimise the defaulter rate. Study was on 368 tuberculosis patients registered from January 1991 to May 1994 in Kyaingetong tuberculosis centre. Out of them 103 defaulters were considered. It was found that middle age male group, dependent patients, patients who lived within five miles from tuberculosis centre (Urban). patients of lower classes, illitrates, those given standard treatment, those treated within first 3 months, mostly Shan and Akha were among the defaulters is the main. It was thus, summed up and concluded the low education, lack of knowledge, ignorance, language barriers and standard of living are major social factors influencing the defaulters in Kyaingetong.