The relation of falciparum infection with human blood groups.

Background and Objectives: The ABO blood group is arguably the best known, yet the most functionally mysterious, genetic polymorphism in human. A number of studies have shown the susceptibility to several infectious diseases is related to patient’s blood group. Malaria is one of the diseases and Malaria remains the most complex and overwhelming health problem facing humanity especially in the vast majority of tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The resurgence of malaria is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world including India. It is therefore important to identify the factors which contribute to susceptibility of hosts. AIM: In order to study the distribution and correlate the incidence of ABO blood group in healthy individuals and Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients admitted in Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad with Plasmodium falciparum infection. To evaluate the morbidity and mortality associated with Plasmodium falciparum malaria infection. To figure out the correlation between ABO blood group and complications caused by Plasmodium Falciparum infection. To find out the blood group which confer some resistance against the plasmodium falciparum malaria infection. Methods: The study conducted from January 2009 to August-2010 (1year, 8 months) on 62 diagnosed cases of Plasmodium falciparum malaria patients admitted in Civil Hospital, Ahmadabad. Patients who were tested positive for plasmodium falciparum and treated for the same in the indoor wards of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad were taken for study. Observation and Results: out of 62 cases 21 (33.80) were in blood group A, 19 (30.64) were in blood group B, 7(11.29) were in blood group AB and 15 (24.20) were in blood group O. Out of 660 controls selected 161 (24.39%) were of blood group A, 224 (33.93%) were of blood group B, 68 (10.30%) of blood group AB and 207 (31.36%) belonged to blood group O. Conclusion: So we see through Statistical data that although blood group B is commonest in controls but in patients plasmodium falciparum malaria blood group A (33.80%) followed by blood group B (30.64%), blood group O was at 3rd place and AB was least common in cases. By Statistical data there is high relative risk in blood group A (1.38) followed by blood group AB (1.09). Distribution of blood group in healthy individual shows blood group B is more common in India followed by group O then group A and lastly group AB, whereas falciparum malaria incidence is highest in group A (high relative risk is present) followed by group B, then group O and least in group AB. Incidence of malaria is seen higher among young age group (below 30 years) and in male sex probably due to occupational exposure.Highest morbidity and complications are observed in group A followed by group B. Group O appears to be immune to severe complications of falciparum malaria. Mortality is seen equally in group A and B. Death is not noted in group O. As blood group O reduces plasmodium rosseting.

Enhancing histology slide identification skills of 1st year undergraduate medical students.

Introduction: First year undergraduate medical students find it difficult to identify histology slides in the laboratory, even though they have a good theoretical knowledge about them. Aim: The present study was undertaken to improve histology slide identification skills of the students using a new innovative method and also to compare the same with traditional methods of teaching histology. Materials & Methods: 150 first year medical undergraduates (MBBS) from JIPMER, Pondicherry formed the subjects of the present study. Digital images from slides available at our department in JIPMER (Jawaharlal institute of post graduate medical education and research), Pondicherry were labeled and used in lecture classes as well as for subsequent student assessment. Results: 94% of the students identified all the slides correctly and mentioned important identifying points using the newer method whereas only 52% and 64% of the students identified all the slides correctly and mentioned important identifying points using pointers in the eye piece method and live/ real time demonstration (older/traditional methods ) respectively. Conclusion: The new method has been shown to be effective and makes efficient use of the available time and superior to older methods of teaching histology.

Meckel's diverticulum: an alternative conduit for the Mitrofanoff procedure.

The Mitrofanoff procedure is a versatile technique that is successfully used in achieving continent urinary diversion for a wide variety of urological conditions. Appendix and usable segment of ureter are commonly employed for this purpose and provide desirable results. This communication describes a teenage girl with lumbosacral agenesis and neurogenic bladder in whom Meckel's diverticulum was successfully used for the Mitrofanoff procedure.

Unique metabolic properties of Mycobacterium leprae.

My first contact with Dr. Dharmendra was through correspondence. While working for Ph.D., I wrote to him that a section in his book "Notes on Leprosy" was ambiguous. Instead of ignoring the letter, he replied, agreeing to clarify it in the revised edition. I went to work at Carville at the invitation of Dr. Kirchheimer, who had seen my Ph.D. thesis. Dr. Dharmendra visited Carville to receive the Damien-Dutton award and stayed there for a few days. Carville is an isolated place with no public transportation. I used to take him for afternoon drives to the countryside around Carville. He published some of our papers in Leprosy in India and later in Indian Journal of Leprosy. He was very prompt in acknowledging receipt of manuscripts and suggesting any changes to be made. He also reprinted in the Journal several of our papers published elsewhere, and also a lecture I gave at a meeting of the Japanese Leprosy Association. During one of my visits to India, Dr. M. C. Vaidya had arranged a talk by me at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. At the invitation of Dr. Dharmendra, I visited him in his home. We used to exchange new year cards and letters. He wrote to me about his eye infection and consequent loss of sight in one eye. He asked me to write an editorial for an issue of Indian Journal of Leprosy (January 1989). The last time I met him was during the International Leprosy Congress held in New Delhi.

Biochemical changes in acute noise stress in rats.

The effects of acute auditory stress on certain biochemical parameters like blood corticosterone, total cholesterol, triglyceride, Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) were studied in albino rats. A significant increase was observed in the blood level of corticosterone, total cholesterol, SGOT and SGPT while a marked reduction was noticed in the Sr. triglyceride level. These data indicate that noise could be a potent stressor and cause disturbances in the biochemical parameters of the body. It is presumed that most of the effects are indirect, being manifested through the activation of autonomic nervous system which liberates catecholamines and hypothalamo pituitary adrenal axis responsible for the liberation of corticosteroids.

Biochemical studies on Mycobacterium leprae.

Very little information is available on the basic biology of Mycobacterium leprae. It is not known why the organism fails to grow in bacteriological media or in cell cultures and why it has an unusual predilection for certain tissues in the human host where cells derived from the neural crest occur (e.g. skin, peripheral nerves adrenal medulla). Biochemical studies have revealed that M. Leprae contains an unusual form of the enzyme diphenoloxidase which has not been detected in other mycobacteria. The presence of a specific glutamic acid decarboxylase in the organism has been demonstrated. Although a few enzymes of glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid cycle have been investigated, nothing characteristic of the bacterium has been discovered, and how M. leprae derives energy for its survival and proliferation still remains obscure.