Immunoglobulin profile in pulmonary tuberculosis in endemically prevalent Kashmiri population, Kashmir, India

Background: Kashmir valley is endemically prevalent destination for tuberculosis. The role of T cell mediated immunity is very well known in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, the B cell immune response has been studied less often. Thus, it was very interesting to estimate the levels of serum immunoglobulins in pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: Serum levels of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were evaluated in 100 adult patients of untreated sputum positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the age group of 20-65 years (36.42±8.95) and 50 controls of the same age group (34.26±9.46). The Immunoglobulins were estimated using single radial immunodiffusion method of Mancini et al.Results: The mean IgG and IgA levels were observed to be significantly increased in the patient group when compared with the controls (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the IgM levels between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the immunoglobulin levels between the two sexes as also between the various defined age groups. The mean serum IgG levels showed significant correlation with the duration of illness (P<0.001-highly significant), while as the difference was insignificant in case of IgA and IgM. Further, the immunoglobulin levels did not show any significant correlation with the extent and the nature of lesion on chest radiography.Conclusions: Serum IgG and IgA levels were significantly increased in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis as compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in serum IgM levels

Seroprevalence of hepatitis b in healthy blood donors at a teaching hospital of Kashmir (skims medical college and hospital Bemina, Srinagar): a restrospective study of five years

Background: The study was conducted at the blood bank of the hospital. It was a retrospective analysis of blood donors over a period of five years from April 2008 to March 2013.Methods: 5ml blood sample was collected from the blood bag of each donor. 2ml blood was kept for testing hepatitis B. Bioelisa HBsAg color (a 3rd generation ELISA kit) was used for the screening of donor blood for Hepatitis B. All reactive samples were tested again using the same ELISA kit. Samples showing repeat test reactivity on both methods were considered positive and were included for calculation of seroprevalence. Chi-square test was used to calculate the significance of difference between the groups.Results: Total numbers of donors were 4880. Out of them, only 17 were Seropositive (Prevalence of 0.35% i.e. Low prevalence).Conclusions: Kashmir region is one of the few regions from India where seroprevalence of HBsAg is low

Outcome of albendazole therapy in the management of hepatic hydatid disease

Background: The treatment modalities for managing patients with hepatic hydatidosis include surgical treatment and non-surgical treatments. The non-surgical methods include albendazole therapy and percutaneous management. Use of albendazole as an adjuvant therapy to surgery has been found to significantly reduce the viability of daughter cyst and recurrence of hydatid disease. The aim of the study was to understand the effect of albendazole therapy on the viability of protoscoleces and recurrence rate of hydatid disease of liver.Methods: The study was conducted at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences and Medical College, Srinagar, Kashmir India, from March 2010 to February 2012 with further follow up of 3-4 years and the total of 64 patients were studied. ; Patients were divided into two groups, Group A and Group B, each comprising of 32 patients. In group A, patients were given albendazole for 12 weeks preoperatively followed by further postoperative course for 12 weeks. In group B, patients were first taken for surgery followed by postoperative course of albendazole for 12 weeks. The two main outcome measures studied and compared during present study were the viability of the hydatid cysts and the recurrence rate in two groups.Results: Out of those, patients who received preoperative albendazole, 9.37% had viable cysts at the time of surgery as compared to 96.87% of patients who did not receive any preoperative albendazole. In those patients who received only postoperative albendazole therapy, recurrence rate was 18.75% while as there was no recurrence was in patients who received both preoperative and postoperative albendazole therapy.Conclusions: Study concludes that albendazole is safe and effective adjuvant therapy in the treatment of hydatid liver disease.

Bilateral anterior opercular syndrome

Opercular syndrome, also known as Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome is a rare disorder due to bilateral lesions of opercular cortex surrounding the insula. It is characterized by paralysis of facial, lingual, pharyngeal, and masticatory voluntary muscles with preservation of autonomic, involuntary, and reflexive functions. In the present case, a 71-years old female presented with acute onset of anarthria with difficulties in chewing, speaking, and swallowing that was diagnosed with opercular syndrome.

Tropical diabetic hand syndrome- a case report with a short review

Tropical diabetic hand syndrome (TDHS) encompasses an acute symptom complex found in patients of diabetes mellitus primarily in the tropical regions. The syndrome usually follows a minor trauma to the hand, may rapidly progress to gangrene, fulminant sepsis and may even be life threatening. The syndrome is less recognized and thus reported less often. The authors present here a case of Tropical diabetic hand syndrome (TDHS) in a middle aged female with a poor glycemic control. The patient was managed meticulously both by surgical debridement and proper, culture evidenced antibiotic therapy apart from routine diabetic management

A study evaluating the awareness among general population towards common medical emergencies

Background: Basic life support has been found to be lifesaving in common medical emergencies. The level of awareness about emergency care in general population and the approach of the common people with regards to common medical emergencies is an important determinant of positive outcome.Methods: This study was conducted in 445 participants randomly selected from visitors of our outpatient department, to study the awareness in general public about the medical emergencies and basic life support skills.Results:  This study was conducted in 445 participants randomly selected from visitors of our outpatient department, to study the awareness in general public about the medical emergencies and basic life support skills.Conclusions: Awareness about common medical emergencies is low in general public and there is a need to devise strategies to improve this awareness

Immunoglobulin profile in pulmonary tuberculosis in endemically prevalent Kashmiri population, Kashmir, India

Background: Kashmir valley is endemically prevalent destination for tuberculosis. The role of T cell mediated immunity is very well known in the pathogenesis of tuberculosis. However, the B cell immune response has been studied less often. Thus, it was very interesting to estimate the levels of serum immunoglobulins in pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: Serum levels of the immunoglobulins IgG, IgA and IgM were evaluated in 100 adult patients of untreated sputum positive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the age group of 20-65 years (36.42±8.95) and 50 controls of the same age group (34.26±9.46). The Immunoglobulins were estimated using single radial immunodiffusion method of Mancini et al.Results: The mean IgG and IgA levels were observed to be significantly increased in the patient group when compared with the controls (P&lt;0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in the IgM levels between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the immunoglobulin levels between the two sexes as also between the various defined age groups. The mean serum IgG levels showed significant correlation with the duration of illness (P&lt;0.001-highly significant), while as the difference was insignificant in case of IgA and IgM. Further, the immunoglobulin levels did not show any significant correlation with the extent and the nature of lesion on chest radiography.Conclusions: Serum IgG and IgA levels were significantly increased in patients of pulmonary tuberculosis as compared to controls. However, no significant difference was observed in serum IgM levels

Seroprevalence of hepatitis b in healthy blood donors at a teaching hospital of Kashmir (skims medical college and hospital Bemina, Srinagar): a restrospective study of five years

Background: The study was conducted at the blood bank of the hospital. It was a retrospective analysis of blood donors over a period of five years from April 2008 to March 2013.Methods: 5ml blood sample was collected from the blood bag of each donor. 2ml blood was kept for testing hepatitis B. Bioelisa HBsAg color (a 3rd generation ELISA kit) was used for the screening of donor blood for Hepatitis B. All reactive samples were tested again using the same ELISA kit. Samples showing repeat test reactivity on both methods were considered positive and were included for calculation of seroprevalence. Chi-square test was used to calculate the significance of difference between the groups.Results: Total numbers of donors were 4880. Out of them, only 17 were Seropositive (Prevalence of 0.35% i.e. Low prevalence).Conclusions: Kashmir region is one of the few regions from India where seroprevalence of HBsAg is low

Tropical diabetic hand syndrome- a case report with a short review

Tropical diabetic hand syndrome (TDHS) encompasses an acute symptom complex found in patients of diabetes mellitus primarily in the tropical regions. The syndrome usually follows a minor trauma to the hand, may rapidly progress to gangrene, fulminant sepsis and may even be life threatening. The syndrome is less recognized and thus reported less often. The authors present here a case of Tropical diabetic hand syndrome (TDHS) in a middle aged female with a poor glycemic control. The patient was managed meticulously both by surgical debridement and proper, culture evidenced antibiotic therapy apart from routine diabetic management