Rice production in Chitwan district of Nepal: An analysis from economic and environmental perspectives

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the major staple food in the Nepalese context. Chitwan district of Nepal was purposively selected to analyze the rice production from the socio-economic and environmental perspective. A total of 100 rice growing farmers, 50 organic and 50 inorganic were selected as the sample for the purpose of the study using the simple random method of sampling. Primary data were collected through a pre-tested semi-structure interview schedule and key informant interviews; secondary data were collected reviewing related publications. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression and chi-square test were used for data analysis. The multiple regression revealed that the four explanatory variables included in the model: age of the household head, primary occupation of the household head, number of family members involved in agriculture and subsidy in inputs for rice farming were found to have positive and statistically significant effect on rice yield (P<0.01). Moreover, chi-square test revealed that the farming practices that contributes to climate change mitigation such as: minimum tillage practice (P<0.05), crop diversification (P<0.01), green manuring (P<0.01), agro forestry practice (P<0.05), incorporating crop residues (P<0.1), weed management practice (P<0.01) and pest management practice (P<0.01)were found to be well adopted by the organic rice farmers, in contrast, the farming practices of inorganic rice farmers were statistically and significantly different in this respect. Government should make such policy that could grave the attention of the Nepalese people towards organic agriculture; moreover, encouraging them to make it their primary occupation

Prevalence of dengue and diversity of cultivable bacteria in vector Aedes aegypti (L.) from two dengue endemic districts, Kanchanpur and Parsa of Nepal

Background: Dengue fever, an endemic arboviral disease, represents one of the major public health concerns in Nepal. It is transmitted by bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus , the former being primary vector. The bacterial community plays a significant role in biology of mosquitoes; however, the bacterial communities of primary vector A. aegypti remain unstudied in Nepal. The study was designed to determine the rate of dengue seropositivity and to explore the bacterial diversity of A. aegypti from dengue endemic districts, Kanchanpur and Parsa of Nepal. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2013 and November 2013 at two hospitals of Kanchanpur and Parsa. A total of 221 serum samples were collected from patients (inpatients and outpatients) suspected of suffering from dengue fever and attending Mahakali Zonal Hospital, Mahendranagar, Kanchanpur, and Narayani Zonal Hospital, Birgunj, Parsa. Detection of anti-dengue IgM was performed by using human dengue IgM capture ELISA. The larvae and pupae of mosquitoes (A. aegypti) were collected, reared, and emerged. Then, the bacteria were isolated and identified from the gut of identified mosquitoes by using standard methods. Results: Out of total 221 serum samples collected from patients suspected of suffering from dengue fever, 34 (15.38%) were positive for anti-dengue IgM. Gram-negative bacteria were isolated in largest proportion (63%) followed by gram-positive cocci (23.27%) and gram-positive rods (13.73%). The most common cultivable bacteria isolated were Staphylococcus spp., Pseudomonas spp., and Acinetobacter spp. The average bacterial load in the vectors was 3.91 7 104 cfu/ml. Conclusions: High rate of anti-dengue IgM seropositivity was reported in our study. The environmental bacteria were predominantly isolated and identified in A. aegypti. The paratransgenic approach to control vector might be possible by spreading the genetically modified bacteria in larval habitat or shelter of adult mosquitoes

Adoption of certain improved varieties of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in seven different provinces of Nepal

This study used farm level data to analyze the adoption of improved wheat varieties in Nepal. The seven districts each having the highest wheat area coverage in their respective provinces was selected. Pre-tested interview schedule was used to collect the primary information. The relevant literatures were reviewed for secondary information. The simple random method of sampling was used and 651 samples were taken. Descriptive statistics, probit regression and indexing were applied. This study showed that 94.1% of the area was covered by the improved wheat varieties, while 3.3% by local and 2.6% by the Indian varieties. In addition, of the improved varieties, NL 297 had the highest area coverage (30.88 %) followed by Vijay (23.24%), Gautam (12.95%), NL 971 (8.94%) and Aditya (5.34%) respectively. Probit econometric model revealed that membership of organization (1% level of significance), subsidy by the government (1% level), gender of the household head (5% level) and family member in foreign employment (10%) significantly determined the adoption of improved wheat varieties developed after NARC establishment. The indexing identified and ranked- lack of availability of quality improved seeds (I= 0.75) as the first followed by poor availability of fertilizers (0.65), labour shortage (0.61), lack of proper irrigation (0.55) and lack of agricultural machines (0.45) that were associated wheat production in study site. The concerned government institutions should assure the availability of quality improved seeds and fertilizers to the farmers; the subsidy on irrigation and agricultural machines allied with financial grant could attract the farmers towards wheat cultivation which ultimately contributes to increase wheat productivity

Screening of Syphilis in Abroad Job Seeking Healthy Males

This study was carried out to find out the prevalence of syphilis is healthy male populations. Test for Syphilis is mandatory for those who apply for overseas employment, especially in Middle East countries. From randomly selected Nepalese male population (16-50 years) seeking jobs abroad, 2585 blood samples were collected and tested by nontreponemal test, the Rapid Plasma Reagin test and by treponemal test, the Treponema pallidum haemagglutination test. Confirmed cases of syphilis were 22 (0.85%). No association of syphilis with any age groups (X2 = 6.6465, P>0.05) and development regions were observed (X2 = 1.8782, P>0.05). Syphilis occurrence was almost equal in terai (0.94%) and hilly region (0.9%) and was none in mountainous region showing no association (X2 = 1.5334, P>0.05). In eastern development region, all the cases were from terai region showing significantly greater occurrence of syphilis in terai region (X2 = 4.334, P<0.05). In the contrary, all the cases of syphilis in mid-western development region were from hilly region, however this finding was not statistically significant (X2 = 0.5497, P>0.05). Asymptomatic stage of syphilis may lead to tertiary syphilis; hence, People should be educated about the disease; they should be screened and treated when required. Key Words: asymptomatic, latent stage, rapid plasma reagin, syphilis, screenin

Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Nosocomial Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Nepal

Introduction: Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), the most common cause of nosocomial infection has been a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. They are normally resistant to most of the antibiotics used in clinical practice. This study has been carried out to fi nd out the resistance pattern among S. aureus. Methods: During November 2007 to June 2008, clinical samples from patients with nosocomial infection were processed for culture and sensitivity following standard methodology in microbiology laboratory, Tribhuvan University teaching hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Results: Among 149 Staphylococcus aureus isolates, highest resistance was observed against Penicillin (91.94%) followed by Fluoroquinolone (61.74%), Erythromycin (52.94%), Gentamicin (46.98%), Cotrimoxazole (42.95%), Tetracycline (40.94%) and others, whereas susceptibility was observed maximum against Chloramphenicol (94.85%) followed by Rifampicin (92.61%), Tetracycline (59.06%), Cotrimoxazole (57.04%), and others. None of the isolates were resistant to Vancomycin and Teicoplanin. Of these isolates 44.96 % of the isolates were Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Resistance to Penicillin, Fluoroquinolone, Erythromycin, Gentamicin, Co-trimoxazole and Tetracycline were associated signifi cantly with MRSA isolates (X2= 8.779, p<0.05, X2= 74.233, p<0.05, X2= 84.2842, p<0.05, X2= 108.2032, p<0.05, X2= 88.1512, p<0.05 and X2= 79.1876, p<0.05 respectively). Although most of the Methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were susceptible to both Rifampicin and Chloramphenicol, only Rifampicin susceptibility was signifi cantly associated with them (X2= 10.1299, p<0.05). Among three Biochemical tests for the detection of β lactamase detection namely chromogenic, iodometric and acidimetric test, chromogenic test method had highest sensitivity and specifi city. Conclusions: Since MRSA comprised a greater part of S. aureus isolates and were multi-resistant, patients infected by such strains should be identifi ed and kept in isolation for hospital infection control and treated with second line of drug like vancomycin. Key Words: β lactamase, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, resistance patter

Brief Original Article Phenotypic characterization of nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus with reference to MRSA

Background: Apart from being a major cause of mortality, nosocomial infections due to Staphylococcus aureus have been imposing a burden on patients, hospitals and health care systems. The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among nosocomial isolates along with their phenotypic characterization. Methodology: MRSA and methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were determined by performing four different tests viz: disc diffusion, oxacillin screen agar test, MRSA latex agglutination test, and MIC of oxacillin by E test. Results: Of the 149 S. aureus nosocomial isolates, 44.9 % were MRSA, which included 82.1 % of homogeneous MRSA and 17.9 % of heterogeneous MRSA. Association of MRSA infection was found to be significantly higher in skin and lower respiratory tract infections. Of the MRSA isolates, 65 were multiresistant oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MORSA) and 2 were nonmultiresistant oxacillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NORSA). D tests performed on 136 isolates showed that Inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLS B) and constitutive MLS B resistance were found to be associated with MRSA. On the contrary, susceptibility to both erythromycin and clindamycin was found to be associated with MSSA. However, MS B (macrolide-streptogramin B) resistance was not found associated either with MRSA or MSSA. Furthermore, both inducible and constitutive MLS B were found to be associated with only homogenous MRSA. Conclusion: D tests may be made mandatory in all S. aureus isolates as inducible MLS B resistance cannot be detected in routine susceptibility test unless erythromycin and clindamycin are placed 15-26 mm apart