Identification of a predominant genotype of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Brazilian indigenous population

After nearly a century of vaccination and six decades of drug therapy, tuberculosis (TB) kills more people annually than any other infectious disease. Substantial challenges to disease eradication remain among vulnerable and underserved populations. The Guarani-Kaiowá people are an indigenous population in Paraguay and the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul. This community, marginalized in Brazilian society, experiences severe poverty. Like other South American indigenous populations, their TB prevalence is high, but the disease has remained largely unstudied in their communities. Herein, Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from local clinics were whole genome sequenced, and a population genetic framework was generated. Phylogenetics show M. tuberculosis isolates in the Guarani-Kaiowá people cluster away from selected reference strains, suggesting divergence. Most cluster in a single group, further characterized as M. tuberculosis sublineage 4.3.3. Closer analysis of SNPs showed numerous variants across the genome, including in drug resistance-associated genes, and with many unique changes fixed in each group. We report that local M. tuberculosis strains have acquired unique polymorphisms in the Guarani-Kaiowá people, and drug resistance characterization is urgently needed to inform public health to ensure proper care and avoid further evolution and spread of drug-resistant TB

Assesment of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases at tertiary care hospital.

Background: Hypertension is the commonest cardiovascular disorder posing a major public health challenge, a chronic condition of concern due to its role in causation of coronary heart disease, stroke and other vascular complications. Aim and Objectives: To assess the Cardiovascular Risk Factors in apparently healthy individuals of B.J. Medical College and Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad and to raise awareness among them. Materials and Methods : The present study was carried out on 422 (179 females, 243 males) apparently healthy individuals aged 18 to 72 years at B. J. Medical College canteen and affiliated hospital O.P.D. for a period of one month and their height, weight, BMI(Body mass index) and blood pressure were measured. Results: Number of subjects with above normal systolic blood pressure were 88, out of which 68.2% were males with p value<0.05. 38.86% persons found to be overweight (with BMI >24.99) out of which 49.39% were females and 50.61% were males. 20.85% persons had Above Normal BP (Systolic BP >139) out of which 79.5% were persons >40 yrs of age and 59.1 % were overweight (with BMI >24.99). Conclusion: Screening for the cardiovascular risk factors could be useful in detection of modifiable risk factors of cardiovascular diseases especially hypertension and obesity.