Blood Transfusions: Are They Life Saving or Transfusing Infections?

Introduction: There is a risk of 1 - 2 per 1000 recipients receiving contaminated blood with viral, bacterial and parasitic agents.TTI’S are the most commonly encountered complications in transfusion medicine. The objective of the study was to determine the seroprevalence of TTI’s among blood donors, who represent healthy population at large. Materials & methods: A total of 33,658 blood units were received from voluntary and replacement donors over a period of 5 years. Surface antigen of HBV and antibodies to HIV and HCV were determined using ELISA. Syphilis was detected using TPHA test. Results: 947 (2.81%) blood units tested positive for HBV, HCV, HIV and / or syphilis. Overall prevalence was HBV – 1.77%, HCV – 0.13%, HIV – 0.63% and Syphilis – 0.28%. Nine (0.03%) donors had coinfections. Conclusion: The screening of blood donors is the corner stone in assuring the safety of blood transfusion

Study of malaria in febrile patients attending tertiary health care center and evaluation of peripheral smear examination, quantitative buffy coat and rapid diagnostic test in the diagnosis of malaria

Background: The objective was to study the prevalence of malaria in febrile patients attending the hospital and to evaluate peripheral smear examination, quantitative buffy coat and rapid diagnostic test in the diagnosis of malaria.Methods: The study group includes 208 patients presenting with fever with chills and rigor and other suggestive symptoms of malaria attending the tertiary care center. 5 ml of venous blood was collected in ethylene diamine tetra acetate (EDTA) tube from each patient and the samples were processed for peripheral blood smear examination, quantitative buffy coat (QBC) and antigen detection by rapid diagnostic test (RDT).Results: Out of 208 suspected cases of malaria, 3 (1.44%) were positive for malaria and 205 (98.55%) were negative, the prevalence of malaria was found to be 1.44%. Of total 208 cases tested, 3 cases (1.44%) were positive for malaria by peripheral blood smear examination and by QBC and with rapid diagnostic test only 2 cases (0.96%) were positive. P. vivax was detected in all 3 positive cases.Conclusions: Peripheral smear examination is considered as gold standard method for diagnosis of malaria. QBC can be helpful when an experienced microscopist is not available. Rapid diagnostic tests are simple, rapid, do not need expertise, interpretation of results is easy and objective and useful in routine diagnosis.

Impact Analysis of Finger Millet Varieties on Yield and Income of the Farmers in Mandya District, Karnataka

The Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is a staple food in southern Karnataka popularly known and called as ‘Ragi’ in Indian vernacular language. To enhance its productivity the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru (UASB) is engaged in evolving location specific, farmer need based farm technologies through its Zonal Agricultural Research Stations (ZARS) spread over in Southern Karnataka since its inception 1965. To its credit, it has developed and released many farm technologies for the farmers to adopt. Among these, the improved high yielding Finger Millet variety KMR-204 was one. It has genetic advantages over the other local varieties, such as high yielding, blast tolerance, short duration and preferred for late sowing when rains are delayed. Such improved variety was released and recommended during 2011 for wider adoption for the growers in southern dry zone of Karnataka. Since then, many growers had adopted the variety. After lapse of 5 years of its release, the UASB was interested in to find out the performance of the technology on the farmers field and their perception in gaining economic returns when compared to other local varieties. From this backdrop the study was conducted during 2016 in Mandya district, Karnataka, where there is large area under the Finger Millet crop. The district has 7 taluks, from each taluk 2 Finger Millet growing villages were selected. From 14 villages, 210 respondents who have adopted both KMR-204 and Indaf -9 varieties (Before) were selected randomly and interviewed and information was collected. A research design ‘Before and After’ was adopted to compare the results. The findings of the study reveal that, the KMR-204 had given more grain and straw yield compared to that of Indaf-9 variety used before under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. However, the difference in obtaining grain and straw yields was non-significant. Similarly, in case of obtaining net income, though the respondents obtained relatively more income from KMR-204 compared to Indaf-9, the difference was non-significant. Thus the alternate hypothesis is rejected by accepting the null hypothesis. The respondents had favourable perception, with high attibutional quotient (0.92) towards KMR-204, implying speedier diffusion of technology in the social system for adoption. To conclude that the respondents obtained almost equal yields and income from the from the selected Finger millet varieties. The respondents had favourable perception (attributional index-0.92) towards KMR-204 variety, implying speedier diffusion of technology in to the social system in due course of time

CD4 count evaluation in HIV-TB co infection before and after anti-tubercular treatment

Background:The global impact of Tuberculosis (TB) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection is one of the major public health challenge. India has a very high burden of TB according to the WHO. A decrease in CD4 counts in HIV-TB co-infection leads to an increase in morbidity and mortality.Methods:Information regarding the duration of HIV, type of TB, CD4 counts before and after ATT and any associated Opportunistic Infections (OIs) were collected from the records of 100 patients with HIV-TB co-infection who attended ART centre for a period of one year. The collected data was statistically analyzed.Results: In the study group, 35 had Pulmonary Tuberculosis (PTB) and 65 had Extra Pulmonary Tuberculosis (EPTB), 40 had OIs. Mean CD4 count prior to ATT in PTB was 197 (7-940), EPTB 192 (13-683) and with OIs 129 (7-288). After completion in PTB was 300, EPTB 302 and 252 in OIs. Least CD4 count of 121 was observed in patients above 50yrs and after completion it was 133. Incidence of both EPTB and PTB was higher in males 66.2% and 62.9%, and in the age group of 31-50 yrs 50.8% and 60% (Cell counts expressed in cells/µl.).Conclusion:In our study, we found that there was significant recovery of CD4 cells following ATT. Difference in CD4 counts among patients with PTB and EPTB was not significant. There was remarkable reduction of CD4 counts in patients who had other OIs and the recovery after ATT was also marginal.

Association of Chlamydia pneumoniae IgG and IgA antibody in coronary artery disease

Background:Cardiovascular disease, resulting from atherosclerosis, is a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Classical risk factors explain much of the attributable risk for cardiovascular events, but other risk factors for the development and progression of atherosclerosis, which can be identified, may be important therapeutic targets. Infectious agents, such as Chlamydia pneumoniae, have been proposed as contributory factors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The present study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of C. pneumoniae antibodies and to study the association of chronic C. pneumoniae infection with Coronary Artery Disease (CAD).Methods:The study group included 90 angiographically proven CAD patients and age and sex matched 90 normal coronaries as control group. With total aseptic precaution 3 ml blood was collected. Enzyme linked immunosorbant assay was performed for all subjects to detect the presence of IgG and IgA antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp).  Results:IgG and IgA Cp antibodies were detected in 67.8% and 58.9% CAD patients compared to 45.6% and 11.1%   controls. IgG + IgA Cp antibodies were detected in 88.9% CAD patients when compared to 50.0% controls. Seroprevalence of IgG and IgA Cp antibodies were high among CAD patients compared to controls and was found statistically significant. A significant presence of Chlamydia pneumoniae antibodies was detected in smokers, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.  Conclusion:In the present study, the seroprevalence of IgG and IgA Cp antibodies was found to be higher in CAD patients compared to controls. The present study supports the   association between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and Coronary artery disease.

Detection of Biofilm Production and Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Clinical Isolates from Orthopaedic Implants Associated Infections

Introduction: Orthopaedic Implant associated infection is the major problem which leads to implant failure and economic burden to the patient. Implant-associated infections are due to the formation of biofilm at the implantation site leading to multidrug resistant organism. Aim: This study was done to evaluate the causative organisms, their antibiotic sensitivity pattern and their ability to form biofilm over the Implants used in Orthopaedic surgeries. Material and methods: This study was carried out in the department of Microbiology, Adichunchanagiri institute of Medical sciences from September 2019 to August 2022. Swabs from 100 patients who had undergone orthopaedic implant or prosthetic surgery and presented with signs and symptoms of infection were collected and processed as per standard procedures. All the isolates were subjected to detect biofilm production by Congo red agar method, MRSA detection by Cefoxitin disc diffusion test, vancomycin resistant Enterococcus by using Vancomycin (Minimum inhibitory concentration) MIC strips and Extended spectrum β lactamases (ESBL) production by phenotypic confirmatory combined-disc test. Results: Out of the 100 samples processed, culture positivity was observed in 72 specimens. Among them, Staphylococcus aureus 19(26%) was the predominant isolate and 44 (61%) are biofilm producers. 17 (89%) were MRSA (Methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus) strains and 15(37%) were ESBL producing strains. Conclusion: The appropriate pre- and post- operative care should be taken to prevent orthopaedic implant associated infections. Staphylococcus spp was the commonest isolate and its ability to produce biofilm indicates the need for an appropriate antibiotic policy and screening for MRSA carriers to reduce the infection. Keywords: Orthopaedic implant, Infection, Biofilm, MRSA, ESB

Immunomodulation of Autoimmune Arthritis by Herbal CAM

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating autoimmune disease of global prevalence. The disease is characterized by synovial inflammation leading to cartilage and bone damage. Most of the conventional drugs used for the treatment of RA have severe adverse reactions and are quite expensive. Over the years, increasing proportion of patients with RA and other immune disorders are resorting to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for their health needs. Natural plant products comprise one of the most popular CAM for inflammatory and immune disorders. These herbal CAM belong to diverse traditional systems of medicine, including traditional Chinese medicine, Kampo, and Ayurvedic medicine. In this paper, we have outlined the major immunological pathways involved in the induction and regulation of autoimmune arthritis and described various herbal CAM that can effectively modulate these immune pathways. Most of the information about the mechanisms of action of herbal products in the experimental models of RA is relevant to arthritis patients as well. The study of immunological pathways coupled with the emerging application of genomics and proteomics in CAM research is likely to provide novel insights into the mechanisms of action of different CAM modalities

Comparative Study to Determine Antimicrobial Property of Neem Leaves (Azadirachta indica) Extracts Using Various Solvents Obtained from Two Geographical Area

Background: Plants have been the basis for many medicinal compounds that are used in modern-day medicine, screening for medicinal plants for bioactive compounds is a way of identifying and developing new antimicrobials that are less expensive and with improved safety and efficacy. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the in vitro antimicrobial activity of Azadirachta indica (neem) using leaf extracts of Ethanol, Petroleum ether, and Ethyl acetate and testing them on E.coli, Klebsiella, S.aureus, MRSA and C.albicans. Materials & Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was found using the serial dilution method and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was done using the disc diffusion method. Results: Ethanolic extract showed better results against Klebsiella and S.aureus, Ethyl acetate extract showed better results against E.coli and MRSA, whereas both ethanolic and petroleum ether extract showed activity against C.albicans. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) assay showed that all the extracts have antioxidant property and variations were noted in the antimicrobial activity on comparing samples taken from different locations. Conclusion: Further studies are needed into the bioactive compounds of neem in order to explore their antimicrobial activity. Keywords: Antimicrobial susceptibility, Azadirachta indica, Ethanol, Ethyl acetate, Disc diffusion, MIC, Petroleum ethe

Do patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome who undergo hip arthroscopy display improved alpha angle (magnetic resonance imaging) and radiographic hip morphology?

AIMS To compare (a) the change in radiological bony morphology between participants with femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) syndrome who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery compared to physiotherapist-led non-surgical care and (b) the change in radiological bony morphology between participants with FAI syndrome who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery involving cam resection or acetabular rim trimming or combined cam resection and acetabular rim trimming. METHODS Maximum alpha angle measurements on magnetic resonance imaging and Hip2 Norm standardized hip measurements on radiographs were recorded at baseline and at 12 months postoperatively. One-way analysis of covariance and independent T tests were conducted between participants who underwent arthroscopic hip surgery and physiotherapist-led non-surgical care. Independent T tests and analysis of variance were conducted between participants who underwent the 3 different arthroscopic hip procedures. RESULTS Arthroscopic hip surgery resulted in significant improvements to mean alpha angle measurements (decreased from 70.8° to 62.1°) (P value < .001, 95% CI -11.776, -4.772), lateral center edge angle (LCEA) (P value = .030, 95% CI -3.403, -0.180) and extrusion index (P value = 0.002, 95% CI 0.882, 3.968) compared to physiotherapist-led management. Mean maximum 1-year postoperative alpha angle was 59.0° (P value = .003, 95% CI 4.845, 18.768) for participants who underwent isolated cam resection. Measurements comparing the 3 different arthroscopic hip procedures only differed in total femoral head coverage (F[2,37] = 3.470, P = .042). CONCLUSION Arthroscopic hip surgery resulted in statistically significant improvements to LCEA, extrusion index and alpha angle as compared to physiotherapist-led management. Measured outcomes between participants who underwent cam resection and/or acetabular rim trimming only differed in total femoral head coverage