Evaluation of HBsAg carrier rate in acute viral hepatitis and high risk individuals using RPHA and ELISA.

A total of 600 individuals including 500 cases of hepatitis and 100 individuals at high risk for developing hepatitis were screened for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) using reverse passive haemagglutination (RPHA) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). HBsAg carrier rate in clinically diagnosed cases of hepatitis was 38% and 32.4% by RPHA and ELISA respectively. In high risk individuals, the carrier rate was 14% by RPHA and 11% by ELISA. Taking ELISA as gold standard, RPHA showed 5.33% false positivity and 0.33% false negativity. The over all correlation between RPHA and ELISA was to the tune of 82.66%.

Cholera epidemic in Goa.

Two hundred and fifty stool samples were studied during an outbreak of cholera in Goa during the months of July to September, 1988. 80 strains of Vibrio were isolated with an isolation rate of 32%. 72.5% of those affected were adults. All strains of Vibrio cholerae isolated belonged to Eltor biotype, Fifty three (66.25%) of them being Ogawa serotype while 21 (26.25%) were Inaba. NAG Vibrios accounted for 6 (7.5%) strains. Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern showed high degree of sensitivity to chloramphenicol, gentamicin and naladixic acid.

Bacterial pneumonias--evaluation of various sputum culture methods.

With an objective of improving diagnostic value of sputum in bacterial pneumonias, 50 uncomplicated 'community' acquired cases were studied using Gram staining of sputum along with bedside inoculation with/without dilution of the specimen. Gram staining of sputum samples collected before treatment revealed pneumococcal infection in 46% cases. The results were however inconclusive on samples sent by routine procedure involving logistic delay. Cultural analysis of sputum processed by three different techniques showed that bedside inoculation of sputum after dilution to be the most efficient technique yielding Streptococcus pneumoniae in 34% cases, Gram positive cocci in lesser number (20%), Gram negative rods (GNR) in 18% cases. Sputum samples processed bedside without dilution yielded a lower number of pneumococci and other Gram positive cocci (24% & 16% cases respectively). Routine processing of sputum, involving logistic delay yielded a high number of Gram negative rods (62%), indicating their overgrowth. Thus bedside inoculation of sputum after dilution coupled with direct Gram staining serves as a simple and yet valuable laboratory aid in the diagnosis of uncomplicated 'community' acquired bacterial pneumonias.