Experimental transmission of Non A, Non B hepatitis to rhesus monkey; (a preliminary report)

Two rhesus monkeys (M.mulatta) were injected intravenously with 10 per cent (wt/wt) pooled-stool suspensions obtained from Non-A, Non-B hepatitis patients in Rangoon. One control monkeys was injected phosphate-buffered saline only. Serial monitoring of transminase levels showed significantly raised SGOT and SGPT levels in one of the stool-injected monkey (CY-2) 4 weeks after injection. Liver biopsy was taken at the peak of transminase levels. Histologic changes suggestive of acute hepatitis were detected. EM and IEM studies for detection of virus like particles are in progress. Non-A, Non-B hepatitis was first recognized as a form of post transfusion hepatitis (Alter, HS et al 1978). However a number of reports from Burma (Khin Maung Tin and Myint Myint Khin 1977, Hla Myint 1985) India (Tandon, BN 1982), Nepal (Kane, MA 1984) and Japan (Yamandi, MA 1983), confirmed the existence of foeco-oral form of epidemic Non-A, Non-B hepatitis. Moreover there are also studies indicating sporadic form of Non-A, Non-B hepatitis (Kuroo, MS et al 1983, Nogato, A et al 1985). In Burma there are both epidemic and sporadic Non-A, Non-B hepatitis. At the present time there are no accepted serologic tests for Non-A, Non-B hepatitis in spite of several supposedly definitive antigenantibldy systems. In this study sporadic Non-A, Non-B hepatitis was transmitted to locally available rhesus monkeys.

Normal levels of SGO-T and SGP-T in healty Burmese adults

A variable range of normal SGO-T and SGP-T and activities have beenreported by various authors. With the colorimetric method of Reitman and Frankelthe normal levels of SGO-T and SGP-T in 120 Burmese adults were studied. Specimens for analysis were obtained from healthy active blood donors and factory workers. The results were analysed statistically. The mean SGO-T was 23.6+-4.6R-F units, with a normal range of 14.4 to 32.8 R-F units, while that of the SGP-T was 18.6+-1.4 R-F units, with a normal range of 9.8 to 27.4 R-F units. Although the sex difference in SGO-T shows statistical significance,no significant difference was found between the two sexes in SGP-T. The correlation coefficients show thatthere is no relation of age either to SGO-T activity or SGP-T activity. Both distributions of SGO-T and SGP-T follow a normal distribution.

Effects of some corticosteroids on the neuromuscular blocking action of hemicholinium compound No.3

The effects of corticosteroids -dexamethasone, hydrocortisone and aldosterone on the neuromuscular blockade produced by hemicholinium compound No. 3 (HC3) has been studied. The corticosteroids dexamethasone and hydrocortisone increased and prolonged the neuromuscular blocking action of the hemicholinium though the overall pattern is not altered. The corticosteroid-aldosterone did not effect the blocking action of the hemicholinium.

Effects of probenecid on DDS excretion

Serum levels and urinary excretion levels of dapsone with and without probenecid were compared between 12 patients of the Leprosorium at Mandalay. None of these differences in serum levels and urinary excretion levels of DDS with and without probenecid were statistically significant. From the above results it might be concluded that probenecid probably has no effect on the excretion of dapsone, although there is structural similarity between dapsone and sulphonamides series.

Excretion of Dapsone in Burmese patients

The serum concentration of D.D.S. in blood and excretion of D.D.S. in urine were determined in two batches of patient, (5 in each latch) with lepromatous type of leprosy who were given a single oral dose of 50 mg and 100 mg D.D.S. respectivelv. The average concentration in the blood for those who have taken 50 mg D.D.S. was 3.5 mg per cent and for those who have taken 100 mg D.D.S. was 4.5 mg per cent and average excretion in the urine was 20 to 96 mg per cent in 24 hr.

Leptospiral hepatitis in Rangoon General Hospital

A study of 51 patients of acute hepatitis, associated with fever and jaundice, admitted to medical wards in Rangoon General Hospital was performed in 1968. Serological investigation for leptospitosis by using Galton's macroscopic slide agglutination method revealed 18 cases with 4 serogroups of leptospira, viz. L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. Pomona and L. pyogenes. The epidemiogical aspects of the condition were discussed. Of the 7 cases followed up, 4 patients showed rising titre with L. icterohaemorrhagiae only. Clinical features in these cases were observed. The condition of the diseases in other countries in Southeast Asia was reviewed. Further investigations as to the prevalence of leptospirosis in Burma was suggested.

The clinical and epidemiological observations on viral hepatitis in the Rangoon General Hospital

Periodic assessments on the susceptibility level of some anopheline vectors were carried out at routine catching stations in Kyaukse, Myingyan and Bassein Districts from 1958 up to date. The results obtained indicated that the increase of DDT pressure created bgy prolonged annual application of DDT reduced the susceptibility level of A.culicifacies and developed increased tolerance to DDT. But this species was found to be highly susceptible to dieldrin. Subsequently, the results taken in 1957 revealed that A. culicifacies in Kyaukse area was found to be resistant to DDT. A. sundaicus in a Pyinkhayaing village, Bassein, was still found to be highly susceptible to DDT up to date. The slope, shape and position of regression lines are meaningful in interpreting the changes in the response of mosquitoes to insecticide due to vigour tolerance or physiological resistance. LC50 values may remain close to base-line value in partially resistant heterogeneous strains. But only when resistant individuals approach 40 percent to 50 percent in the whole population, dose the LC50 value of the strain rise noticeably.