Indian J Med Res
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Although there are reports of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) across the globe, there is a lack of reliable data on hVISA in India. The present study was undertaken to determine the rate of hVISA among the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates, and to compare the brain heart infusion agar with vancomycin 4 μg/ml (BHIV4) method with population analysis profile-area under the curve (PAP-AUC) method for the detection of hVISA and to study the distribution of mobile genetic element that carries methicillin-resistance gene SCCmec (Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec) types among these isolates. ⋯ The rate of hVISA isolation in our study was 12.4 per cent. The sensitivity of the BHIV4 screening test was low, and was in moderate agreement with PAP-AUC test. SCCmec type V was the predominant type seen in half of the isolates. More studies need to be done in different parts of the country on a large number of isolates to confirm our findings.
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Thymomas are rare, but most common anterior mediastinal lesions. The histomorphologic spectrum of thymic epithelial tumours (TETs) in Indian population has not been explored in depth. This study was aimed to assess the histomorphology of TETs in the Indian patients and correlate clinical parameters with pathological features. ⋯ Our findings showed that the thymomas in Indian patients were most commonly Stage I tumours of B2 and AB histotypes. Resected thymic carcinomas were conspicuously absent in our study. More studies need to be done to establish the frequency and biology of TETs from India.
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Kyasanur forest disease (KFD) is an infectious disease discovered in Karnataka State of India in 1957; since then, the State has been known to be enzootic for KFD. In the last few years, its presence was observed in the adjoining five States of the Western Ghats of India. The present study was conducted to understand the kinetics of viral RNA, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody in KFD-infected humans for developing a diagnostic algorithm for KFD. ⋯ This study demonstrated the presence of KFD viral RNA till 18th POD, IgM antibodies till 122nd POD and IgG till the last sample collected. Based on our study an algorithm was recommended for accurate laboratory diagnosis of KFDV infection. A sample collected between 1 and 3 POD can be tested using KFDV real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR); between 4 and 24 POD, the combination of real-time RT-PCR and anti-KFDV IgM enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests can be used; between POD 25 and 132, anti-KFDV IgM and IgG ELISA are recommended.
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High-intensity exercise results in oxidative stress in adult population. Impact of pubertal attainment on high-intensity exercise-induced oxidative stress in sedentary paediatric population has not been investigated in detail. The present study was conducted to investigate the extent of high-intensity exercise-induced oxidative stress in sedentary pre- and post-pubertal boys through estimation of serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total thiol content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). ⋯ Extent of post-exercise oxidative stress increased significantly with attainment of puberty. However, baseline and post-exercise antioxidation status also increased significantly as a function of age with pubertal maturation allowing the post-pubertal boys to counter relatively higher oxidative stress more efficiently than their pre-pubertal counterparts. Post-exercise upregulation in CAT activity might not be influenced by age or pubertal maturation in this age group.
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Hypertension is a health problem of global priority. Screening and early diagnosis is important to plan appropriate interventions. The present study objectives were to screen the urban population aged 30 yr and above and diagnose for hypertension and to identify the factors associated with poor screening for hypertension, if any. ⋯ The prevalence of self-reported hypertension among those screened was 26.2 per cent [95% confidence interval (21.1-31.9)]. Screening needs to be targeted more towards males and younger population.