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Biomedical subjects

B Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to B Kumar.

191 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

Fine needle aspiration of lymph nodes in leprosy. A study of bacteriologic and morphologic indices.

Lymph node aspiration was performed from the inguinal group of lymph nodes in 16 patients having lepromatous or borderline leprosy. In the same group of patients impression smears of excised lymph node and slit smears of the skin were also studied. This study made it obvious that the aspiration biopsy technic gave similar information regarding the Bacteriologic (BI) and Morphologic Indices (MI) as the impression smears of excised lymph nodes. The technic of aspiration being simple and nontraumatic is recommended for the follow-up of patients on antileprosy drugs and in reactional phases.

Adolescent

Cardiac dysautonomia in leprosy.

Responses to various tests of cardiovascular reflexes were studied in 15 patients with leprosy. Heart rate was continuously monitored by electrocardiogram and blood pressure was recorded simultaneously. Three patients showed evidence of cardiac dysautonomia, showing involvement of both the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. These three patients belonged to the bacilliferous group.

Autonomic Nervous System

Acid fast bacilli in lymph node aspirate and smears from ear lobules and fingers in long treated patients.

Skin slit smears from fingers and ear lobules and lymph node aspiration smears stained with Ziehl-Neelsen stain were studied in 43 patients of LL or BL disease. All the patients had taken dapsone monotherapy for 3-7 years. None of the patients had clinical evidence of dapsone resistance. Small number of bacilli were detected in 16 patients. Lymph node aspirate was positive in 5 cases, whereas ear lobule and fingers yielded bacilli in 12 and 13 cases respectively. It is recommended that in addition to the traditional ear lobe it is imperative to study other sites as well. Study from fingers is recommended for the sake of simplicity. Where facilities are available sampling of the lymph node may also be attempted to advantage.

Bacteriological Techniques

Trophic changes and extensive dissemination in normal mice infected with human Mycobacterium leprae.

Closely bred Swiss albino normal mice (Lecca Strain) were inoculated in the footpad with M. leprae, at room temperature. The animals were harvested at 3, 6 and 9 months post inoculation, and bacillary counts were made. Trophic changes were observed in the tail-tips, ears, footpads and forepaws 12-14 months post inoculation in a group which was allowed to survive. The histopathological changes and bacillary infiltration was found in many tissues/organs. The possibility of studying this normal strain of mice as an experimental model for human leprosy has been discussed.

Animals

Treatment of leprosy--newer concepts.

The latest time bound WHO regimens for the treatment of paucibacillary (I, TT, BT) and multibacillary leprosy is discussed. The rationale, indications of above regimens and cautions necessary are highlighted.

Clofazimine