Prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in employees of a blood transfusion centre

Blood bank staff, 8 out of 25 (32%) have been exposed to hepatitis B virus (HBV) and the prevalence of HBV markers in blood bank employees handling high risk subjects show hepatitis B surface antigen (n = 1), hepatitis B surface antibody (n = 7), hepatitis B core antibody (n = 6) and combined hepatitis B surface antibody and hepatitis B core antibody (n = 6) seropositivity but all are negative to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Serum alanine aminotransferase was raised in the employees than normal subjects and it is suggestive of sub-clinical hepatitis. The employees of blood bank should be trained for proper handling of test materials and must be periodically monitored for HBV and HIV. Immunisation for HBV is mandatory only for the employees of transfusion centre which handles high risk subjects.     

FNAC diagnosis of tuberculosis--an eight years study at Mangalore

1. FNAC is a very useful adjunct in the diagnosis of tuberculosis: 2. Diagnosis of tuberculosis can be made by the demonstration of epithelioid granulomas with or without caseation even in the absence of AFB. 3. Necrotic features whether acellular or accompanied by neutrophilic infiltrate are usually misdiagnosed as suppurative abscesses. Such smears however show high AFB positivity and thus the diagnosis of tuberculosis is still possible even in the absence of epithelioid granulomas. 4. Therefore all smears obtained by FNAC of suspected tuberculous lesions should be subjected to ZN staining for AFB.     

Evaluation of the survival of bacterial contaminants in an inhalable insulin powder.

Survival and growth of three model test bacterial species (Pseudomonas fluorescens, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Bacillus subtilis), present in the air and/or in the human respiratory tract, were tested in inhalable insulin-lactose powder under optimal relative humidity and temperature conditions (RH = 96% and optimal growth temperature for each bacterium of 26-37 degrees C) as well as representative indoor conditions (RH = 43% and T = 20 degrees C). The bacteria survived from 12 h to 7 days depending on the bacterial species and the test condition. P. fluorescens vegetative cells had the lowest and B. subtilis spores the highest survival rate. It was found that insulin-lactose powder does not support bacterial growth and that higher bacterial survival rate was found under representative indoor conditions. Selected experiments were performed with B. subtilis by adding sterile saliva into insulin-lactose powder to represent a typical condition for inhaler use. Furthermore, two other powders were tested with B. subtilis: one representing an inert powder without any nutrients (glass beads) and the other representing a powder with optimal nutrients (tryptic soy broth powder). The data indicate that the survival rate of B. subtilis did not change after the saliva was added and that the survival in insulin-lactose powder was similar to that in inert powder but lower than in powder with optimal nutrients. These results suggest that bacterial growth on residual powder in the inhaler under patient use conditions is unlikely and therefore the concern for patient safety is remote.     

Fixation of subcondylar fractures of the mandible: a randomized clinical trial comparing one trapezoidal plate with two miniplates

Subcondylar fracture of the mandible accounts for 25–35% of all mandibular fractures. In the past, most subcondylar fractures were managed non-surgically. The traditional method of fixation for subcondylar fractures uses two miniplates; however some bench studies have reported that trapezoidal plates are superior. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of subcondylar fractures fixed either with two non-parallel straight miniplates or with one trapezoidal plate. A randomized clinical trial was designed and implemented. Fifty-two consecutive patients with subcondylar fractures were recruited. All patients underwent surgery via a retromandibular approach. The time taken for fixation of the plate after fracture reduction and postoperative outcomes and complications were compared between the groups. The trapezoidal plates were superior in terms of ease of adaptation and time taken for fixation (P =  0.0001). Plate fracture was observed only in the two miniplates group, in four (16%) patients. Outcomes were similar in the two groups in terms of occlusion, mouth opening, protrusion, and lateral excursion. In conclusion, both systems – two miniplates and the trapezoidal plate – provide functionally stable fixation. The outcome was significantly better for the trapezoidal plate than for two miniplates regarding the time taken for insertion and ease of adaptation, but not for other parameters.