Concentration of organochlorines in Ganges River dolphins from Patna, Bihar.

Concentrations of DDT, HCH, aldrin and endosulfan were determined in river dolphins from the River Ganges, Patna. Among the organochlorines studied in the dolphins, DDT concentration was highest followed by HCH. This shows exposure of dolphins to these organochlorine pesticides. Presences of organochlorines to higher degree in tissues suggest that the river dolphins be at greater risk due to pesticidal contamination of the river system.

Ciprofloxacin in children: is arthropathy a limitation?

Two hundred and nineteen children treated with Ciprofloxacin were observed for drug related adverse reactions (ADR). ADR was observed in 35/219 (15.98%) children, arthropathy in 2/219 (0.9%) children only. All the ADR were reversible even on continuation of therapy except one child with arthropathy and no permanent sequele or death occurred as a drug related ADR.

Suppressor cell activity of intestinal mucosal leucocytes from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis arni).

Suppressor activity of buffalo intestinal intraepithelial leucocytes and lamina propria leucocytes was induced by Concanavalin A, and was assayed against the mitogenic response of autologous and allogenic leucocytes to mitogens. Appreciable suppression was observed with 25 micrograms ConA/ml on the proliferative activity of the responder cells cocultured at a ratio of < 2:1 (suppressor:responder cell). Mitomycin C treatment of intestinal leucocytes did not totally vanish the viability and functionality of leucocytes.

Body iodine status in school children and availability of iodised salt in Calcutta.

Success of Universal Salt Iodization (USI) programme depends on availability of iodised salt to consumers, which should be reflected in their body iodine status. From a monitoring study in Calcutta, it was found that all packed salts were iodised and most of them (98.1% at household level and 93.6% at retailers' outlets) had iodine at a level of > or = 15 ppm. Of the loose salts, 34.6% at household level and 19.9% at retailers' outlet had iodine level < 15 ppm. A few number (0.5% at household level and 1.0% at retailers' outlets) of salts had no iodine. To ascertain the impact of consumption of iodised salt iodine excreted in urine (UIE) was measured in school children of age between 8-12 years of south, east, west, north and central parts of Calcutta. 22.95% of male children and 31.81% of female children had urinary iodine level less than 50 micrograms/l, which is cut off figure of public health concern. Children from poor slum areas were found to be at greater risk.

Mechanism and specificity of immunoprotection induced by mycobacterial proteins against experimental tuberculosis in mice.

Mechanism of immunoprotection and specificity of two highly immunoprotective mycobacterial proteins, viz. 71 and 30 kDa were investigated. The adoptive transfer studies indicated that immunoprotection was mainly mediated by cooperative effect of CD4+ and CD8+ (66.7-73.3% on the basis of percent survival) which was further enhanced marginally by supplementation of B cells, natural killer cells, dendritic cells, macrophages and other immune cells. The specificity studies indicated that both the proteins did not cross react with the unrelated intracellular pathogens i.e. Aspergillus fumigatus, Salmonella typhi and Leishmania donovani as seen by T cell proliferation assay. The protection imparted by these mycobacterial proteins was also specific as the 71 and 30 kDa primed mice did not exhibit any cross protection against sublethal challenge of S typhi. The results indicate 71 and 30 kDa mycobacterial proteins to contain T cell specific epitopes responsible for specific immunoprotection, thus indicating their potential role as antituberculous vaccine candidates.

C-reactive protein as an indicator of complications in bacterial meningitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the value of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) estimation in the follow-up of bacterial meningitis (BM). DESIGN: Longitudinal follow-up. SETTING: Urban hospital. METHODS: Sequential serum CRP estimation was done in 50 healthy children and in 100 children with BM. Serial serum CRP value was correlated with the clinical picture in BM. RESULTS: Serial serum CRP in 14 patients with complicated BM was significantly different than the 72 uncomplicated BM cases. CONCLUSIONS: Serial determination of serum CRP may be a cheap, simple and reliable prognostic indicator in BM.

Fulminant hepatitis in Kala-azar.

One hundred and fifty cases of Kala-azar were studied for evidence of hepatic involvement. The hepatic function was mildly affected in 25 cases and 3 cases had fulminate hepatitis. Most of the cases were cured after anti-Kala-azar therapy except 2 cases, who died of hepatic failure. This study suggests that fulminant hepatitis may be the outcome of Kala-azar, itself.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy of spleen in kala-azar.

Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of spleen was done in 88 suspected cases of Kala-azar. Leishmania donovani (LD) bodies were demonstrated in 56 cases (63.7%) and malarial parasites in 2 (2.3%) while one (1.1%) had picture of chronic myeloid leukemia and another (1.1%) showed acid fast bacilli (AFB) on Ziehl Neelsen staining. Thirty two cases (36.4%), where LD bodies were not found, were subjected to bone marrow examination and none showed LD bodies. There were no complications after FNAB even though 6 patients were having epistaxis. FNAB of spleen is a simple, economical, safe and reliable diagnostic procedure which can be adopted even in remote areas.

Morphometric study of stratum corneum in leprosy.

Abnormalities in Stratum Corneum (SC) in leprosy lesions have been demonstrated as evidenced by poor hydration power of SC and increased SC turn-over. In continuation of the same study morphometric studies of the SC in leprosy was undertaken as per measurement of the Thickening of the SC, Mean epidermal thickness and Basal layer: Granular layer cell ratio (B : G ratio) of the H.E. stained tissues. Further, on freshly frozen tissues the SC cell-layers were also counted. The findings suggest increased proliferative activity of the epidermis which may lead to formation of defective SC in leprosy.

Study of hydration of stratum corneum in leprosy.

The study of hydration power of stratum corneum of lesions show highly significant poor water-uptake at low temperatures (p less than 0.001), a defect not recorded after removal of water soluble fractions. Secondly, the lesions show significant poor water-diffusive power (p less than 0.001). The findings suggest a qualitative alteration in the stratum corneum of leprosy patients, probably in its water-soluble protein fraction.

Leprous lesion with hyperpigmented border.

Two cases of leprosy--one Tuberculoid and the other Borderline are reported. The Tuberculoid patch shows sharply defined hyperpigmented border whereas in the Borderline patient, diffuse hyperpigmentation is present around the lesion. The cases are reported for documentation due to rare clinical pressentation.