Anti-dermatophytic activity of marine sponge,Sigmadocia carnosa (Dendy) on clinically isolated fungi

Objective

To screen the anti-fungal effects and find out the active metabolites from sponge, Sigmadocia carnosa (S. carnosa) against four dermatophytic fungi.

Methods

The methanol, ethyl acetate and acetone extract of marine sponge, S. carnosa was examined against Trichophyton mentagrophytes (T. mentagrophytes), Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum), Epidermophyton floccosum (E. floccosum) and Microsporum gypseum (M. gypseum) and qualitative analysed to find out the active molecules.

Results

The methanol extract of sponge was expressed significant activity than ethyl acetate and acetone. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of methanol extract of sponge that resulted in complete growth inhibition of T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, E. floccosum and M. gypseum were found to 125, 250, 250 and 250 µg/mL respectively. But, 100 % inhibition of fungal spore germination was observed in T. mentagrophytes at 500 µg/mL concentration followed by T. rubrum, E. floccosum and M. gypseum at 1 000 µg/mL concentration. Other two extracts showed weak anti spore germination activity against the tested dermatophytic fungi. Methanol extracts showed presence of terpenoids, steroids, alkaloids, saponins and glycosides.

Conclusion

Based on the literature, this is the first study which has conducted to inhibit the growth and spore germination of dermatophytic fungi with S. carnosa. Further research also needs to purify and characterize the secondary metabolites from the sponge, S. carnosa for the valuable source of novel substances for future drug discovery.     

Human immunodeficiency virus, human papillomavirus, and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in Nairobi prostitutes.

To evaluate the impact of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) on human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), a study was conducted of 147 HIV-seropositive and 51 HIV-seronegative prostitutes in Nairobi, Kenya. Among the women infected with HIV, 10 (7%) had signs or symptoms of significant HIV-related disease, and the remaining 93% were asymptomatic. The prevalence of cervical HPV DNA was 37% among HIV-seropositive women and 24% in HIV-seronegative women (odds ratio [OR] 1.7, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.8, 3.6, after adjusting for potential confounding factors). Genital warts, cervical HPV DNA, and cytologic findings consistent with CIN were all significantly associated with younger age and fewer years of prostitution, but were unrelated or weakly related to number of sexual partners per week or frequency of condom use. In a subset of 63 women with evaluable Papanicolaou smears, CIN was found in 50% of the women with HPV but only in 8% of those without HPV (adjusted OR 7.2, 95% CI 1.6, 32.1, P = 0.006). However, CIN was unrelated to HIV seropositivity (prevalence of 26% among HIV-seropositive women and 24% in HIV-seronegative women). Among women with cervical HPV DNA, HIV infection was not associated with an increased prevalence of CIN (47% prevalence among women with HIV versus 57% prevalence among women without HIV). Thus, in this population of HIV-seropositive women, most of whom had CDC Stage II or III infection, there was no demonstration of an adverse impact of HIV on CIN.     

Renovascular hypertension—experience of surgical and percutaneous vascular intervention in our institution

Indian Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery -     

Anal human papillomavirus infection among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive and -seronegative men

Homosexual men are at high risk of anorectal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, HPV-related anal cancer, and precancer, conditions known to increase with immunosuppression. The relationship between anal HPV infection, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and immunosuppression was studied in homosexual men seen at a sexually transmitted disease clinic. History or presence of warts on rectal examination, and detection of anorectal HPV DNA were each significantly associated with HIV seropositivity after adjusting for age, previous sexual behavior, and cultural or serologic evidence of other sexually transmitted diseases, including those previously identified as risk factors for acquisition of HIV infection. Decreased mean levels of T4 lymphocytes were significantly associated with the detection of anal HPV DNA. Prospective studies are needed to determine incidences of anal HPV infection and cancer among HIV-seropositive and -seronegative mean and to determine the temporal relationship of these infections to one another.     

Release of cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist after intravenous immunoglobulin administration in vivo

We investigated the in vivo effects of one bolus injection (400 mg/kg) of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on a number of cytokines, soluble cytokine receptors, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in plasma in 12 patients with primary hypogammaglobulinemia. A significant and rapid increase in plasma levels of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) was seen within 1 hour after IVIG infusion. This increase was accompanied by a more prolonged elevation in levels of both types of soluble TNF receptors (sTNFRs), which remained elevated throughout the study period (44 hours) although they reached peak levels within 1 hour. After an initial increase in the ratio between TNF alpha and sTNFRs, this ratio decreased to values significantly lower than baseline values 20 and 44 hours postinfusion with approximately 600-fold molar excess of sTNFRs to TNF alpha (trimer). Although only a modest but statistically significant increase in plasma levels of IL-1 beta was seen, IVIG infusion was followed by a marked increase in plasma levels of IL-1Ra with 1,000-fold molar excess of IL-1Ra to IL-1 beta in some patients. The demonstrated effects of IVIG infusion on the cytokine network, particularly the induction of IL- 1Ra and sTNFRs release, might be important for the therapeutic effects of IVIG in several immune-mediated disorders.     

A rare case of myocardial infarction due to parathion poisoning

Organophosphorus poisoning occurs very commonly in southern India where farmers form a significant proportion of the population who commonly use organophosphorus compounds like parathion as insecticides. Awareness of the complications caused by parathion poisoning is essential for proper monitoring and treatment. We report a case of suicidal parathion poisoning in a farmer who was treated with atropine and oximes. He subsequently developed myocardial infarction, to the treatment of which, he showed no response and succumbed. In conclusion, myocardial infarction is a rare complication of parathion poisoning. Awareness of this complication of parathion poisoning, proper monitoring and treatment could prevent fatalities.