Subconjunctival dirofilariasis in India.

Human dirofilariasis caused by Dirofilaria repens, have been reported to occur widely throughout Asia, Europe and Africa. Reports of this infection from India are however limited. Herein we report a case of subconjunctival dirofilariasis from Karnataka state of India. A 42 year old man presented with a history of pain and swelling in the left eye. A live parasite measuring 3.5cm in length was surgically removed from the nodular swelling in the conjunctiva. The parasite was identified as Dirofilaria repens, adult male.

Clinico-bacteriological study of neonatal septicemia in Hubli.

Septicemia is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in India. In a study of 242 infants with septicemia conducted between March 1996 & June 1997 at Hubli, Karnataka, 43.39% infants had 'very early onset' sepsis (VOS), 40.08%, had 'early onset' sepsis (EOS), and 16.53% 'late onset' sepsis (LOS). 54.55% neonates had birth weight below 2000 g and 39.67% were born before 37 weeks of gestation. The cardiorespiratory signs and jaundice were the most frequent clinical features. The blood culture positivity rate was 64.87%. Klebsiella species was the commonest causative pathogen found and multidrug resistance was frequent. The overall mortality rate was 47.52% and the case fatality rate in LOS was higher than in VOS and EOS (p < 0.001). The mortality was significantly higher in neonates with lower birth weight and lower gestational age (p < 0.001). The study underlines the importance of monitoring the various features of neonatal septicemia, as well as the drug resistance of the pathogens from the nurseries.

Immunoglobulin-M estimation and C-reactive protein detection in neonatal septicemia.

Immunoglobulin-M estimation, and C-Reactive Protein test and blood culture were performed on 57 neonates, clinically suspected to have septicemia. IgM level of > or = 20 mg/dl was found in 58.62% cases and CRP test was positive in 68.98% of culture proven sepsis. Blood culture was positive in 29 cases, with the predominant organism being Klebsiella. Of the 2 tests, CRP had a higher sensitivity (68.97%) while IgM estimation had a higher specificity (82.14%). When the 2 tests were considered together the sensitivity and specificity further increased. Death rate among neonates with IgM levels < 20 mg/dl was 5 times higher than those with elevated IgM levels.