Antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Recognized by Antibodies during Incipient, Subclinical Tuberculosis

Serum samples obtained from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected tuberculosis (TB) patients months prior to clinical TB were used to delineate the profile of Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture filtrate proteins recognized during subclinical TB. A subset of ~12 antigens was recognized by antibodies in these serum samples. Antibodies to two of these antigens (81 [88]-kDa malate synthase [GlcB] and MPT51) were present in serum samples obtained during incipient subclinical TB in 19 (~90%) of the 21 HIV-infected TB patients tested. These antigens will be useful for devising diagnostic tests that can identify HIV-positive individuals who are at a high risk for developing clinical TB.     

Destructive ocular myiasis in a noncompromised host

A case of destructive ocular myiasis resulting in complete loss of the globe in two days time is documented. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a severe involvement in a healthy and non-compromised host. Mechanical removal and good local hygiene helped heal the wound. The larvae were isolated to be that of Chrysomyia bezziana (screwworm fly). This is possibly the first report of destructive ocular myiasis caused by Chrysomyia bezziana from the Indian subcontinent and the second in world literature. Infestation of human eyes with larvae of flies (myiasis) has been reported. Serious consequences of destructive myiasis are seen in emaciated and diseased patients. Only one report of total destruction of the globe by maggots of Chrysomyia bezziana exists in the literature. As in previous communications, the patient in this report had no predisposing factors both systemic and local. We here in document a case of orbital myiasis leading to rapid destruction of the globe within two days in a healthy and a non-compromised patient.     

T and B lymphocytes in patients with enteric fever.

Estimation of T and B lymphocytes was done in 50 patients of enteric fever, 50 duration matched non enteric fever patients and 50 normal healthy individuals. The difference in both early and late rosette forming T lymphocytes was found to be statistically significant in enteric versus non-enteric patients. Significant difference was also observed in enteric versus normal individuals in case of late rosette forming T lymphocytes.     

A parallel group randomised comparative study of felodipine and nifedipine in hypertension.

We compared the antihypertensive effects and tolerability of a new calcium channel antagonist felodipine with nifedipine in an open randomised parallel group study in 49 patients with moderate hypertension (diastolic blood pressure 105-120 mm Hg). After two weeks run in period felodipine 5 mg and 10 mg once daily was compared with nifedipine 10 mg tid for an active treatment period of 4 weeks. Twenty three patients (mean age 42 +/- 10 years) received felodipine 5 mg once daily for first 2 weeks and 10 mg once daily for subsequent 2 weeks. Twenty six patients (mean age 45 +/- 9 years) received nifedipine 10 mg tid for 4 weeks. The mean reduction in supine diastolic blood pressure in two groups was 17 +/- 6 mm Hg (nifedipine) and 19 +/- 8 mm Hg (felodipine) (p = NS). The goal diastolic blood pressure of less than or equal to 90 mm Hg was achieved in 31 percent (nifedipine group) and 43.5 percent (felodipine group) of patients (p = NS). Side effects were common with both drugs; however, the tolerability was better with felodipine than with nifedipine. In conclusion felodipine was as effective as nifedipine and had the advantage of once a day dosage.     

Effect of various stabilizing agents on Imperata cylindrica grass pollen allergen extract

BACKGROUND: Allergen extracts are unstable, heat labile or susceptible to proteases. Stability of allergen extracts is important for proper diagnosis and therapy of allergic disorders. OBJECTIVE: The present study was undertaken to determine the preservation and stabilization conditions of Imperata cylindrica (Ic) grass pollen extract. METHODS: The Ic extract was kept with 0.1 mepsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA), 0.75 m sucrose, 5% glycerol, 0.03% human serum albumin (HSA) or 0.4% phenol for different time periods. The extracts were stored for 3, 6 and 12 months each at 4 degrees C, 4 degrees C with daily exposure to room temperature (RT) for 1 h, and RT. The quality of extracts was analysed by SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA, ELISA inhibition and skin test. RESULTS: Extracts kept with EACA and sucrose retained most of the protein bands followed by glycerol as determined by SDS-PAGE and Western blot during all storage periods and conditions in comparison with standard extracts. The extracts kept with HSA, phenol and without preservative (WP) showed protein degradation below 33 kDa after 3 months storage at all conditions. However, a 67-kDa allergen was stable in these extracts. EACA extract required 75 to 120 ng of protein for 50% inhibition in IgE binding under different conditions, whereas standard extract required 70 ng for the same. ELISA also demonstrated high allergenic reactivity of EACA extract. ID test on allergy patients with EACA extract demonstrated same allergenic potency as that of standard extract. CONCLUSION: EACA is the best preservative/stabilizing agent of Ic pollen extract, followed by sucrose and glycerol. Ic extract kept with phenol, HSA and without preservative showed degradation within 3 months. EACA preserved extract is equally potent as that of standard extract up to 1 year's storage.