Non-fermenters in human infections

One thousand and one hundred thirty non-fermenting gram negative bacteria were isolated from various samples. Of these, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the commonest isolate (72.83%) followed by Acinetobacter anitratus (8.4%), Alcaligenes faecalis (7.6%), Acinetobacter lwoffi (4.4%), Pseudomonas flourescens (2.4%), Schwanella putrefaciens (1.6%), Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (1.6%), Pseudomonas putida (0.4%), Bravundimonas vesicularis (0.4%) and Flavobacterium meningosepticum (0.4%). Antibiotic sensitivity pattern showed multiple drug resistance pattern with majority of the isolates being resistance to two or more drugs.     

Value of papanicolaou smear in detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection

This study was undertaken to assess the value of Papanicolaou smear for the diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The study was both retrospective (groups I and II) and prospective (group III). Group I consisted of 41 smears with cytomorphological changes proposed by Gupta, Kiviat, or Shiina. Group II was a control group, consisting of 30 cytologically normal smears. All these smears were subjected to specific immunofluorescent (IF) staining under identical conditions to confirm the diagnosis. In group III, 40 consecutive duplicate cervical smears were collected from patients attending the Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic. One smear was routinely examined, and the specific IF staining was done on the other smear. The results in all the three groups were analysed. It was concluded that Papanicolaou smear is not useful in the detection of Chlamydia trachomatis infection.     

A phase II trial of temozolomide and IFN-alpha in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma.

The combination of temozolomide (TEM) and interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) previously demonstrated a 30% response rate in metastatic melanoma. A single institution, phase II trial evaluating the efficacy of TEM/IFN in patients with advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) was conducted. Safety and tumor response were the main outcomes. Eligible patients received 200 mg/m(2)/day TEM orally on days 1-5 every 28 days, with IFN 2.5 million U/m(2)/day subcutaneously (s.c.) three alternate days/week for days 1-15 first cycle, then 5 million U/m(2)/day s.c. 3 alternate days/week throughout each 28-day cycle. Efficacy was evaluated every 8 weeks, and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were treated with dose reductions of the culprit drug. Sixteen patients (ages 37-67) were initially enrolled. Of the 14 evaluable patients, there was one minor response. Best response was stable disease, with 7 patients remaining on study for > or =6 months. Five were alive for more than 2 years, and 2 remain alive at 45 and 50 months after enrollment. DLTs included TEM-induced myelosuppression and IFN-induced fever/chills. Other toxicities were mild to moderate (grades 1-3). The combination of TEM/IFN proved quite tolerable. This regimen appears inactive in terms of response in this population with poor prognosis, but the patients with stable disease > or =6 months remain of interest.     

Unicystic granulosa cell tumor: a case report

Granulosa Cell Tumors (GCT) constitutes 1.5% to 3.5% of all primary ovarian neoplasms. They may be solid, cystic or both. Unilocular cystic GCT are very rare. We report here a case of 32 years female with unicystic GCT in which the distinction from follicular cyst was difficult and was made by carefully examining the lining of the cyst,which showed occasional multiple layers of granulosa cells with a few Call-Exner bodies.     

Effects of interferon in malaria infection

Earlier, we reported that prophylactic treatment with human interferon gamma (rHuIFN-gamma) protected monkeys against Plasmodium cynomolgi B malaria infection. We have tested the efficacy of rHuIFN-gamma on relapsing stage of experimental P. cynomolgi B malaria infection in rhesus monkeys. No effect of rHuIFN-gamma was seen against experimental relapsing stage compared with controls; however, it appears that chloroquine (CHL) may have interfered with the antimalarial effect of IFN, since treatment with CHL inhibits the antiviral activity of mouse alpha/beta IFN and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) against Semliki forest virus (SFV) in mice. These results may have clinical implications especially with the use of IFN against virus infection, cancer and in parasitic infections in malaria endemic areas where CHL is one of the most widely used antimalarial drugs. Our result also shows that CHL treatment enhances the virus replication in mice and suggest a possible connection between AIDS and malaria infection, since the spread of AIDS has been rapid in parts of tropical Africa that have a high incidence of malaria, and chloroquine has been frequently used in the chemotherapy of malaria.     

Genetic structure and affinity among eight ethnic populations of Eastern India: based on 22 polymorphic DNA loci.

The nature and extent of genetic variation at 22 polymorphic DNA loci, belonging to three distinct classes, especially, 12 STR loci (D3S1358, vWA, FGA, D5S818, D13S317, D7S820, D8S1179, D21S11, D18S51, HPRTB, F13B, LPL), four VNTR loci (D1S7, D4S139, D5S110, D17S79), and six coding loci (HLDQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC) were investigated among eight population groups of West Bengal and Manipur regions of India. Of these, two groups from West Bengal belong to Caucasoid and six (one in WB and five in Manipur) belong to Mongoloid stock. Both STR and the expressed loci show wide diversity among the eight populations. For example, Manipur Muslims show differences in allele frequency when compared to four other regional populations. Similarly, Garo, one of the Mongoloid populations of West Bengal, differ in allele frequency from their counterparts in the Manipur region. Departure from Hardy-Weinberg expectations was observed at certain loci in a few populations (e.g., D21S1137 in Kayastha and Brahmin, HUM F13B in Meitei). Heterozygosity values were higher for Caucasoid than Mongoloid groups. The overall gene differentiation (GST) for STR loci is higher (5.3%) than for those at the expressed region (4.6%). The clustering pattern of the eight populations differs with respect to different classes of genetic markers used. The dendrograms based on six coding loci (HLDQA1, LDLR, GYPA, HBGG, D7S8, GC) differs from those based on STR and VNTR markers. Caucasoid and Mongoloid groups form different clusters and Manipur Muslims are distinct from others. The clustering pattern corresponded with the spatial and ethnic affiliations of the populations. Using different classes of DNA loci at the coding and noncoding region will help to better understand the influence of population structure variables on the genetic structure of populations.     

Cervical squamous intra-epithelial changes and human papillomavirus infection in women infected with human immunodeficiency virus in Pune, India

In view of the dual burden of HIV infection and cervical cancers in India, this study was undertaken to estimate the prevalence of Pap smear abnormalities and human papillomavirus infection among HIV-infected women. Consecutive HIV-infected women attending voluntary counseling testing clinics were enrolled. Written informed consent, demographic information, Pap smears, cervical swabs for HPV typing and a blood sample for CD4+ cell count were collected. Treatment for opportunistic and sexually transmitted infections and reproductive tract infections was provided. Women with Pap smear abnormality were referred for further intervention. Between January 2003 and May 2004, 287 HIV-infected women were enrolled. Pap smear abnormalities were seen in 6.3% women and were more common among women aged 30 and above (P=0.042) and those who had suffered from opportunistic infections (P=0.004). In multivariate analysis, Pap smear abnormalities were associated independently with opportunistic infections (P=0.02, AOR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2--11.5). Of the 100 random cervical specimens screened for HPV 16 and 18 genotypes, 33% (95 CI 23.9--43.1) were positive for HPV 16/18. Of the 122 patients who returned for a follow-up visit, 5 patients (4.1%) who did not have Pap smear abnormality at baseline, had developed Pap smear abnormality. The incidence of Pap smear abnormalities was 5.5 per 100 person year of follow-up. In order to prevent thousands of deaths due to cervical cancer in India, there is a need for strengthening the Pap smear screening program and HPV vaccine development.