Age Related Changes in Hematological Values of Myanmar Local Puppies

The hematological parameters were used to monitor the health status and its components also changed according to the ages. However, there were no reports for this issues in Myanmar local dogs. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the age-related changes on the hematological parameters of local puppies in Myanmar. Ten local puppies with the age of 2-3 month old were used in this experiment, which was lasted for 8 weeks.The daily clinical examinations were conducted throughout the entire experimental period for general health check-up. Haematological parameters (Total WBC count and its differential counts, and RBC, HCT, MCV, HGB, MCH, MCHC and platelets) were measured bi-weekly with Abacus Vet-5 automate haematology analyser. According to the results, the total WBC and eosinophil counts were not significantly different (P>0.05), while lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils and basophils were significantly different (P<0.05) with the aging of experimental animals. The values of RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC and platelets were not significantly different (P>0.05) throughout the experimental periods. Thus, the age-related changes were observed on cell counts of lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, basophils in Myanmar local puppies

Hospital-based Diagnosis of Hemorrhagic Fever, Encephalitis, and Hepatitis in Cambodian Children

Surveillance was conducted for three clinical syndromes (hemorrhagic fever, encephalitis, and hepatitis) in Cambodian children admitted to the National Pediatric Hospital in Phnom Penh from July 1996 through September 1998. Acute- and convalescent-phase sera, and cerebrospinal fluid, when applicable, underwent diagnostic evaluation for infections with Dengue virus (DENV), Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), and Hepatitis A, B, C, and E viruses. Of 621 children admitted with hemorrhagic fever, 499 (80%) were confirmed to have either primary or secondary DENV infection. DENV rates were as high as 10.6/100 hospital admissions in September 1998. Of 50 children with clinical encephalitis, 9 (18%) had serologic evidence of JEV infection. Forty-four children had clinical hepatitis, most (55%) due to Hepatitis A virus (HAV). One patient had Hepatitis B virus, and no patients had hepatitis C or E. This study identified a large number of children with vaccine-preventable diseases (JEV and HAV)

Enhanced melioidosis surveillance in patients attending four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, Myanmar.

Abstract To investigate the current epidemiology of melioidosis in Yangon, Myanmar, between June 2017 and May 2019 we conducted enhanced surveillance for melioidosis in four tertiary hospitals in Yangon, where the disease was first discovered in 1911. Oxidase-positive Gram-negative rods were obtained from the microbiology laboratories and further analysed at the Department of Medical Research. Analysis included culture on Ashdown agar, the three disc sensitivity test (gentamicin, colistin and co-amoxiclav), latex agglutination, API 20 NE, antibiotic susceptibility testing, and a subset underwent molecular confirmation with a Burkholderia pseudomallei specific assay. Twenty one of 364 isolates (5.7%) were confirmed as B. pseudomallei and were mostly susceptible to the antibiotics used in standard therapy for melioidosis. Ten patients were from Yangon Region, nine were from Ayeyarwaddy region, and one each was from Kayin and Rakhine States. A history of soil contact was given by seven patients, five had diabetes mellitus and one had renal insufficiency. The patients presented with septicaemia (12 cases), pneumonia (three cases), urinary tract infection (two cases) and wound infection (four cases). Eighteen patients survived to hospital discharge. This study highlights the likelihood that melioidosis may be far more common, but underdiagnosed, in more rural parts of Myanmar as in other countries in SE Asia.</jats:p

Short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy in inoperable non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background: This study aimed to evaluate short term clinical outcomes of accelerated hypofractionated radiotherapy (AHRT) regarding locoregional response (LRR), symptoms relief and acute toxicities in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. The radical treatment for inoperable NSCLC is intolerable for some patients. An alternative RT regime should be considered for them. Materials and methods: Inoperable NSCLC patients who could not tolerate radical treatment were treated with AHRT (45 Gy in 15 fractions over three weeks) by using the 3-dimensional conformal (RT) technique. The LRR was assessed by chest computed tomography (CT) performed before and 6 weeks after RT. Relief of symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea and chest pain was evaluated during RT and 6 and 12 weeks after RT, compared with the status before RT. Treatment-related acute toxicities such as dysphagia and radiation dermatitis were observed during and 6 and 12 weeks after RT. Results: Total 65 patients (seven patients of stage II and fifty-eight patients of stage III) were included. Partial response was seen in 70.8% of patients, and stable disease was seen in 29.2% while there was neither complete response nor progressive disease after RT. Statistically significant associations were found between tumour response vs. pre-treatment tumour size and tumour response vs. performance status of the patients. Satisfactory symptom relief was found after RT, but severe acute dysphagia and radiation dermatitis (more than grade 3) were not observed. Conclusion: Satisfactory LRR, symptom relief and acute toxicities were achieved by this regime. Long term studies are recommended to evaluate late toxicities and survival outcome further. Trial registration no.: TCTR20200110001  

Factors Influencing Proper Plantar Ulcer Care of Leprosy Patients: Experience from Mon-Ywa Township of Disabilities Survey Project, Myanmar

A cross-sectional study design was applied to explore types and ways of proper plantar ulcer care and factors influencing it. This study was conducted during 2008 in Mon-ywa Township because it is one of the ‘9 selected townships of the Disabilities survey project’. The study involved 19 patients affected by leprosy (PAL) with foot grade 2 disability, but without plantar ulcer at the time of study, 6 community members who had PAL in their immediate family and 6 community members who had PAL among their surroundings. They participated voluntarily in the study. The information was gathered by in-depth interview. Stigma attached to disability-related leprosy was still observed among the study respondents. They knew that ulcer could weaken their life and their surroundings. They were also aware of that one would gain benefit if one would free from ulcer. Personal outlook, a close attachment of their families and responsibility for the family, community’s reactions and the provision from the health service were the key factors to push and pull the PAL to perform plantar ulcer care. Consequently, as to regain the normal life in a society, despite a number of difficulties, PAL tried their best to look after the plantar ulcer along with the help from their families and relatives. As they were aware of the value of ulcer-free condition. for the future, they had positive view on plantar ulcer care not only for them but also for their families

New Record on the Occurrence of Cyst Nematode, Heterodera cajani Koshy, 1967 on Sesame, Sesamum indicum in Myanmar

Sesame, Sesamum indicum L. occupies for nearly half of the area sown to oilseed crops in Myanmar. It is cultivated for domestic consumption and export. During 2003, sesame cultivars, Sinyadnar3, Sinyadanar5, Magway7/9 and Khwaylayni grown in Oilseed Crop Research Farm, Department of Agricultural .Research, Magway were found to be heavily infected with Heterodera cyst nematodes. In 2004, cysts were also found from the soil samples collected from the previously infested plots. Infested field showed patches in which the plants were stunted, chlorotic, and caused wilting. When the infected plants were uprooted, curving of tap root, and red-girdling and dark browning of lateral and tap roots were observed. Lemon-shaped cysts were found attaching to the root surface. Young females were white or creamy colour whereas old cysts with eggs were tan colour. A few bullae were found on the posterior portion of the female. Larvae were vermiform with elongate conoid tail. Males were cylindrical or elongated with short tail without bursa. According to the morphological characters of the nematode and disease symptoms of sesame, the nematode was supposed to be identified as Heterodera cajani. There was no report o cyst nematode, Heterodera spp. in Myanmar. The present finding, the occurrence of Heterodera cajani on sesamum, is the first record of Heterodera spp. in Myanmar