Diagnosis of Malaria Infection Using Non Radioactive Malaria Diagnostic System (NOMADS)

Background

Malaria remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. A definitive and early diagnosis remains the biggest challenge world-wide. Light microscopy of blood smears has been the gold standard in diagnosis of malaria for decades. This routine microscopic diagnosis is often unreliable and may not be available at many peripheral health centers. Hence newer diagnostic techniques have been developed based on antigen detection.

Method

Microscopy and Non-radioactive Malaria Detection System (NOMADS) to diagnose falciparum malaria were compared. Specificity and sensitivity of this technique and applicability of the kit for rapid and reliable malaria diagnosis were evaluated. 2579 samples of blood were processed. Both thick and thin blood smear examination and NOMADS was carried out on each of them. All smear positive samples and highly suspicious clinical cases were also subjected to detection of HRP-2 antigen by ICT Malaria Pf test.

Results

The detection rate for malaria on smear examination (both vivax and falciparum) was highest at Dimapur (7.41%), followed by Tezpur (7.13%), Kolkata (7%), Guwahati (6%) and Changsari (3.6%). All centers had greater incidence of falciparum compared to vivax except Kolkata where only vivax was detected. The sensitivity of NOMADS was 0%, 4.8%, 13.5%, 42.9% and 52.8% at Kolkata, Tezpur, Guwahati, Changsari and Dimapur respectively. The specificity of the test ranged between 91.8% at Changsari to 95.9% at Dimapur. The specificity at Tezpur, Kolkata and Guwahati was 92.3%, 94% and 95.3% respectively.

Conclusion

The study revealed that the test kit developed needs to be standardised as regards calculation of cut off values for each of the test runs and reproductibility of optical density readings. Immuno-Chromatography Test (ICT) is helpful in early diagnosis, management and follow-up of cases of malignant malaria.Key Words: Falciparum malaria, Immuno-Chromatography Test (ICT), NOMADS     

Double-blind, randomized clinical trial for safety and efficacy of norfloxacin for shigellosis in children

In a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, the efficacy and safety of norfloxacin were compared with nalidixic acid in the treatment of shigellosis in children. Out of 59 cases, Shigella spp. were isolated from 8 cases in the nalidixic acid group and 14 cases in the norfloxacin group. The norfloxacin group had significantly less duration of diarrhoea and presence of blood in stool as compared to the nalidixic acid group. No joint problem was encountered in this study at up to 4 months follow-up. Norfloxacin is safe and effective and showed no cartilage toxicity on short-term follow-up.     

Evaluation of azotemic patients: diagnostic yield of initial US examination

To determine whether renal ultrasound (US) is necessary in all patients with azotemia, the authors retrospectively evaluated renal US examinations in 394 azotemic patients. The patients included 119 patients considered clinically to be at high risk for postrenal urinary obstruction and 275 patients considered to be at low risk. In the high-risk population, 35 patients were found to have hydronephrosis (29%). In the low-risk population, three patients were found to have hydronephrosis (1%). In two of these patients surgical intervention resulted in reversal of the azotemia. The authors recommend that renal US be performed in all high-risk patients and in low-risk patients only if temporization and standard medical treatment do not resolve the azotemia.     

甲苯磺丁脲固体分散物的X线衍射研究

用X线衍射(XRD)对甲苯磺了脲(D860)与脲、聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)和聚乙烯二醇6000(PEG 6000)的固体分散物进行较详细的研究,并与它们的溶出速率进行关联。D860—PVP分散物为无定形态,溶出速率大。用熔融法制备的固体分散物中,D860在D860—脲,D860—PEG中为部分互溶,部分呈微晶析出,为过饱和状态,活性强,溶出速率快。而用溶剂法制备的D860—PEG近似物理混合状态,大部分以微晶形态分散,溶出速率较慢。陈化试验表明D860分散物在贮存期间无晶体结构变异,溶出速率的下降估计是由于药剂活性改变所致。     

Steroids and related studies: Part 88-3-(2-dialkylaminoethoxy)-17α-methyl-17α-aza- -homo-1,3,5(10)-estratriene dimethiodides

Three of the title compounds 15, 16 and 17 were prepared as potential neuromuscular blocking agents. Structurally these partly resemble clinically active chandonium iodide (1). In the in vivo tests, all three compounds were less active than chandonium; however, compounds 16 and 17 were more active in in vitro testings. While preparing the bisquaternary compounds, different steroidal amines were obtained, the hydrochlorides of which when tested showed no significant antiarrhythmic activity.     

化学—酶法立体控制合成光学纯3-(2-吡啶基)丙氨酸的新方法

A new chemoenzymatic synthesis of optically pure 3-(2-pyridyl)alanine (IV)was established ,which comprised the stereocontrolled amination of olefinic bond in compound 3-(2pyridyl)acrylic acid(III)catalyzed by L-phenylalanine ammonialyase(PAL, EC 4.3.1.5)con-tained in Rhodotorula rubra mycelium. Compound III was prepared chemically from 1,1,1-trichloro-2hydroxy-3-(2-pyrdyl)propane(II) which was formed by addition of chloral to α-picoline(I).Theenzymatic amination of compound IIl was completed in aqueous ammonia solution(6.4 mol/L,pH10.5, 30℃)with the conversion of 60%,The preduct IV was separated ftom the unconverted III bysilica gel dry column chromatography and further purified by non-polar resin(CGA-688 )columnchromatography.The specific rotation [α]_D²⁴=36.25°(c 0.250, H₂O).     

Deep venous thrombosis evaluation with limited-flip-angle, gradient- refocused MR imaging: preliminary experience

Sixteen patients (17 lower extremities) were prospectively examined with venography and limited-flip-angle, gradient-refocused magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for the presence or absence of deep venous thrombosis. Thrombosed vessels showed decreased-to-absent signal intensity, while patent vessels had high signal intensity. In 16 of 17 extremities, MR images allowed accurate detection and localization of the thrombi found with venography. In the remaining extremity, MR imaging allowed correct identification of thrombus in the iliac and femoral veins but incorrectly demonstrated clot in the calf and popliteal veins. MR imaging with limited-flip-angle, gradient-refocused pulse sequences appears to be a sensitive, noninvasive means of detecting deep venous thrombosis.