Persistence of V. cholerae O139 Biofilm Against Physical,Chemical and Antibiotic Lethal Challenges

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Since its emergence, cholera caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae remains as a significant threat to human...     

Laboratory evaluation of some larvicidal agents against Anopheles culicifacies in Pune.

A laboratory study to evaluate some larvicidal agents against Anopheles culcifacies was carried out. The findings of this study brought out that the larvae of this species were highly susceptible to temephos, fenthion, Paris green and Mosquito Larvicidal Oil (MLO) in that order. The LC50 values in respect of these larvicides were 0.0009 ppm, 0.0081 ppm, 0.029 ppm and 0.015 ml respectively and LC90 values were 0.0018 ppm, 0.022 ppm, 0.11 ppm and 0.046 ml respectively.     

Surgical emphysema: a rare presentation of foreign body inhalation

An 11-year-old girl with an almond lodging in the tracheobronchial tree is described. She presented with an uncommon symptom of subcutaneous emphysema The x-ray revealed left-sided pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum. Intercostal drain was inserted, but she developed respiratory failure and was ventilated. After initial stabilization for 60 hours, she deteriorated again and her x-ray revealed right-sided collapse. After removal of the foreign body, she was discharged but presented again with stridor necessitating tracheostomy. Tracheal stenosis was found and required end-to-end anastomosis. The authors feel that, while foreign bodies are uncommon in this age group with emphysema as a rarer manifestation, this cause should be kept in mind, even in the absence of forthcoming history. A high index of suspicion for tracheobronchial foreign body is required in atypical presentations of acute pediatric respiratory distress.     

A case control study of cancer cervix patients attending Command Hospital, Pune

A case control study was undertaken with the objective to determine the association of certain host factors like marital status, age at first marriage, duration of married life, parity, literary status and genital hygiene, in the subsequent development of cancer cervix. A total number of ninety-two cases and an equal number of control subjects, under matched case control design, were studied at Command Hospital, Pune over a period of nine months. Salient findings of this epidemiological study have been highlighted in this communication. Few of the risk factors viz early age at first marriage, longer duration of married life, increased and early parity, low educational status and poor genital hygiene were found to have played significant role in the subsequent development of carcinoma cervix.     

Generation and characterization of murine monoclonal antibodies to genus-specific 31-kilodalton recombinant cell surface protein of Brucella abortus

In the present study hybridomas were produced from fusion with splenocytes of BALB/c mice immunized with the recombinant 31-kDa cell surface protein (r31CSP) specific for Brucella species. A set of eight stabilized hybridoma cell lines was generated against r31CSP. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) produced by all these clones exhibited reactivity for r31CSP as well as with the protein of 31-kDa, derived from whole-cell lysate of 31-kDa Brucella abortus 544. Four of eight MAbs were IgG1, two IgG2b, and two IgM in nature. These MAbs did not show any cross-reaction with whole-cell lysate of Yersinia enterocolitica O: 9, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli 0157 by Western blotting. Reactivity of these MAbs was further assessed with other organisms of Brucella species namely, B. abortus S99, B. canis, B. melitensis 16M, B. suis, and a clinical isolate of B. melitensis. Collectively, these data suggest that these MAbs may have the potential for use in the detection of Brucella species with high specificity.     

Generation and characterization of murine monoclonal antibodies to recombinant 26-kDa periplasmic protein of Brucella abortus

In the present study, hybridomas were developed for the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAb) against recombinant 26-kDa periplasmic protein (rBP26) of Brucella abortus. A set of six stabilized hybridoma cell lines were generated. Monoclonal antibodies secreted by all of these clones exhibited reaction for rBP26, as well as with the protein of 26-kDa, derived from whole cell lysate of B. abortus 544. Three out of six MAbs were IgG1, two were IgM, and one was IgG2b in nature. These MAbs did not show any cross-reaction with whole cell lysate of Yersinia enterocolitica O: 9, Vibrio cholerae, Salmonella typhimurium, and Escherichia coli O157 in Western blot analysis. Reactivity of these MAbs was further assessed with other organisms of Brucella species, namely, B. abortus 544, B. canis, B. melitensis 16M, and B. suis. Collectively, these data suggest that these MAbs may have the potential for their use in the detection of Brucella species with high specificity.     

A study of morbidity pattern among prostitutes attending a municipal clinic in Pune

The findings of the present study revealed that out of 200 prostitutes attending a clinic for various ailments, 81.50% were suffering from sexually transmitted diseases (STD) thus posing a potential risk of transmitting these diseases to their clients. Syphilis was found to be the commonest STD afflicting 36.80% of the respondents, the next common being the chancroid (31.28%); 5.52% of the respondents were found to be suffering from concomitant venereal infections. The other important communicable diseases with which some respondents were found to be afflicted, included--tinea infection (3 cases), scabies (2 cases), leprosy (2 cases), pulmonary tuberculosis (4 cases) and upper respiratory tract infection [3 cases). Thus, the prostitutes remain an undisputed potential source of infection not only of STDs but also several other communicable diseases. Therefore, their continuous surveillance, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and subsequent follow-up should be meticulously carried out. On the other hand the public, particularly the sexually promiscuous individuals must be imparted vigorous health education to avoid exposure to this source.     

A study of medico social profile of under five children suffering from diarrhoeal diseases

In India, 76 of 290 children (26.2%) under five admitted to the pediatric wards of Command Hospital Pune during April-October 1986 suffered from various diarrheal diseases. Boys were more likely to be afflicted with a diarrheal disease than girls (63.16% vs. 36.84%). Health workers made home visits after hospital discharge. Diarrheal illness was more frequent among the lower socioeconomic classes than the upper classes (65.81% for social class III and 22.37% for social class IV vs. 3.94-7.88 for social classes I-II; p 0.001). The incidence of diarrhea was inversely proportional to maternal literacy status (42.1% for illiteracy, 32.89% for primary school, 10.53% for middle school, 9.21% for secondary school, and 5.27% for higher education). A family size of no more than 4 was associated with a higher incidence of diarrhea than larger family sizes (72.36% vs. 25% for 5-6; 2.64% for 6; p 0.05). Yet, diarrhea was more common in overcrowded households than in non-crowded households (73.68% vs. 26.32%; p 0.05). The most common signs and symptoms in children with diarrheal diseases were dehydration (78.95%), fever (75%), and vomiting (73.68%). Children younger than 24 months who were exclusively breast fed made up a smaller proportion of diarrhea cases than their counterparts who were not exclusively breast fed (20.75% vs. 79.25%). Most diarrheal disease cases (67-92%) suffered from various grades of malnutrition. Laboratory personnel isolated pathogenic organisms from only 36.84% of cases. The most common pathogens were Ascaris lumbricoides (10.54% of all cases), Giardia lamblia (7.89%), and Campylobacter jejuni (5.26%). 50% of mothers did not know anything about oral rehydration therapy (ORT). Of the mothers who did know about it, only 26.32% were using ORT. These findings highlight the great need for health education on ORT for mothers.     

Manual and pump methods of expression of breast milk

This study was designed to compare two methods of breast milk expression, namely, the manual and the pumping method using a hand-held cylindric pump. The parameters evaluated were (i) the output of breast milk during milk expression sessions of 15 minutes’ duration, and, (ii) the subjective preference of the method by the mothers. In the first phase, 22 mothers whose infants were on gavage feeding in the nursery, had 3 sittings each by the two methods on 4th and 5th postnatal days (66 expression). It was seen that the use of breast pump (Medela) was associated with significantly higher volume of breast milk expressed per session (41.57 ± 16.05 ml vs. 21.7 ± 10.5 ml, P < 0.001). In the second phase, 14 mothers had such sessions (42 each) not only on the 4th and 5th postnatal days, but Iso on days 8 and 9. It was again seen that, the volume of breast milk expressed was greater by the pump method than the manual expression (on day 5 and 6 (46.8 ± 26.3 ml vs 31.2 ± 15.5 ml, P < 0.01) as well as on day 8 and 9 (50.40 ± 11.2 ml vs 38.49 ± 13.4 ml, P < 0.01). Subjectively, the pump expression was preferred by the mothers on day 4 & 5, while the manual expression was the preference on days 8 & 9. The use of breast pump is more efficient than the manual system of expression of breast milk among mothers whose infants are not directly breast-fed. It is recommended that in case the mothers prefer to use the manual method, let them express as much milk as possible by this method initially, and then follow it up with a short period of pumping to ensure complete evacuation of breasts.