Indian J Med Res
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The prevalence of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) varies widely in different ethnic groups. Indians have been reported to have a lower prevalence of Graves' ophthalmopathy as compared to Caucasians of European origin, but data are sparse and inconclusive. We studied the prevalence, clinical features and association of GO in Indian patients with Graves' disease attending a referral centre in north India. ⋯ Among north Indian patients with GD studied at a referral center, the prevalence of GO was similar to Caucasians of European descent, but clinically active and severe ophthalmopathy was uncommon. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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A legislative framework for bio-medical waste management (BMWM) was established in the country more than a decade ago. Though some studies have identified gaps at local levels, no systematic effort was done to collect data from different parts of the country. The objective of this nationwide study was to document existing resources, infrastructure and practices related to BMWM across the study districts. ⋯ The study highlighted the urgent need for greater commitments at policy and programme levels for capacity building, and resource investments in BMWM.
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In India, diurnally sub periodic Wuchereria bancrofti transmitted by Downsiomyia nivea is prevalent only in the Nicobar district of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The ongoing LF elimination programme aims at transmission interruption by bringing down the microfilarie (mf) load in the community, which has implication on the parasite load in mosquito vector. Therefore, understanding density dependent constraints on transmission assumes significance from control perspective. The present study was undertaken in Teressa Island to understand the density dependent parasite mortality and survival probability of the parasite Do. nivea. ⋯ Results indicate the operation of parasite density dependent mortality of vectors or parasite loss or combination of both. The present study with Aedes transmitted filariasis conducted before launching LF elimination programme in the study area indicates a comparable level of parasite regulation in the vector which has similar implications on the transmission threshold. Thus, the consideration of Aedes with Culex in deriving the critical level of antigen positive for making decisions on cessation of mass drug administration (MDA) can be justified. However, with MDA aiming at reducing parasite load in the community, the operation of density dependent factor in the transmission becomes less pronounced in the subsequent rounds of MDA.