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Biomedical subjects

G Nath

Publications and source records attributed to G Nath.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction and adenosine deaminase assay for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the utility of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children. METHODS: PCR, adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) were evaluated in the fluid of 31 tuberculous (20 pleural, 8 ascites and 3 pericardial) and 24 non-tuberculous (10 transudtative ascites, 8 empyema thoracis, 3 malignant pleural and 3 pyopericardium) effusions. RESULTS: Fluid PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis was positive in 74% of tuberculous effusions, whereas it was falsely positive in 13% of the non-tuberculous group. The mean fluid ADA and ALC values were significantly higher in tuberculous effusions than in non-tuberculous effusions (p<0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of PCR, ADA (> or =38 IU/l) and ALC (> or =275/mm3) were 74% and 88%, 81% and 75%, and 90% and 83%, respectively, in diagnosing tuberculous effusions. The sensitivity of PCR, ADA and ALC was 100%, 100% and 88%, respectively, for confirmed tuberculous effusions. When the two tests were combined (either/or positive), the sensitivity increased (90-100%) at the expense of specificity. When both the tests were positive, then the specificity markedly increased (92-96%), but sensitivity of the tests decreased. CONCLUSION: Fluid PCR alone should not be relied on as a single test; rather, combined analysis with either ADA or ALC could be more useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed2004

Immune status with empyema thoracis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the humoral and cell mediated immune status of children with empyema thoracis. METHODS: Serum IgG, IgA, IgM, Complement C3 assay and cell mediated immunity (CMI) tests were performed in 33 patients of empyema thoracis, and 14 healthy age matched controls. RESULTS: The mean serum IgG and IgA levels in empyema thoracis and its subgroups were significantly raised as compared to controls. The overall values of IgG and IgA were 104% (p<0.001) and 114% (p<0.01) of normal mean, respectively. The mean serum IgM and complement C3 levels did not differ significantly in both the groups. The frequency of negative skin reaction to purified protein derivative (PPD) was significantly higher in children with empyema thoracis as compared to controls (p<0.05). The mean absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) was significantly decreased and serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity was significantly raised in empyema thoracis in comparison to controls. The overall ALC was 76.1% (p<0.01) and serum ADA activity was 169.4% (p<0.001) of normal mean, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the mean levels of immunoglobulins, complement C3 and CMI tests between pyothorax and pyopneumothorax and pleural fluid culture positive and negative cases. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, both humoral and cell mediated immunity were affected in empyema thoracis patients. However, CMI demonstrated more pronounced change in comparison to humoral immunity.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed2003

Significance of Cryptosporidium as an aetiology of acute infectious diarrhoea in elderly Indians.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the significance of Cryptosporidium isolation in elderly Indian with acute infectious diarrhoea and its clinical correlates. DESIGN: A hospital-based clinico-aetiological study of 120 patients aged 60 years or older, 25 adults younger than 60 years and 25 children up to age 14 with acute diarrhoea, and 57 apparently healthy elderly individuals. RESULTS: Cryptosporidium was isolated in 22 older patients with diarrhoea (18.3%) and was highly significant (P < 0.01) compared with healthy age-matched controls. Of these patients 66% had a history of close contact with animals. Most (68%) Cryptosporidium infections occurred during the rainy season. Among the elderly patients 17% suffered from vomiting and abdominal pain, 31% were febrile; none were severely dehydrated. Stools numbered three to nine per day with duration of 5-17 days. Stool leucocytes were <6/hpf and no RBCs were seen. Isolation of Cryptosporidium in older persons was associated with diabetes mellitus (22.7%), tuberculosis (9.0%), malignancy (4.5%) and coronary artery disease (4.5%). CONCLUSION: Cryptosporidium is an important cause of diarrhoea in elderly Indians, especially those with close contact with animals. The infection has a mild clinical course, is self-limiting and does not cause dysenteric stool. Its effect on nutrition requires further study.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2003

Helicobacter pylori infection and recurrent abdominal pain in children.

The association of Helicobacter pylori infection with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) was studied in 65 children aged between 3 and 12 years. Cases with a specific cause for abdominal pain were excluded from the study. All the patients were subjected to upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and antral biopsy. The biopsy specimens were subjected to rapid urease test, histopathological examination, and culture to document the presence of H. pylori in the gastric mucosa. All the patients were put on H. pylori eradication drugs for 10 days. About 69 per cent of the children had histopathological evidence of antral inflammation. Helicobacter pylori detection rate was 77 per cent. About 83 per cent of patients had complete symptomatic relief when followed over a period of 6 months. The study concludes a possible association of H. pylori with recurrent abdominal pain in children and all these patients should be considered for H. pylori eradication.

Abdominal Pain↗
PubMed2001

Single small enhancing computed tomographic (CT) lesions in Indian patients with new-onset seizures. A prospective follow-up in 75 patients.

This study was planned to observe the clinical and radiological course of single small enhancing CT lesions in Indian patients presenting with new-onset-seizures. In this study, 75 patients with new-onset seizures and a single enhancing CT lesion were prospectively followed up for 1 year. All patients fulfilled the criteria of cysticercus granuloma. The repeat CT scans were performed 2 months after the first CT scan. Antiepileptic drug therapy was the only form of treatment given. The majority of patients were below 20 years of age. Simple partial seizure, with or without secondary generalization, was the commonest type of seizure encountered in these patients. In follow-up CT scans 84% of patients showed either disappearance or regression in the size of lesion. The proportion of patients showing complete disappearance of CT lesions was 0.73 (95% CI, 0.61-0.80). In 11 (15%) patients the lesions were calcified. In nine patients, in whom the lesion had persisted or regressed, another follow-up CT scan (6 months after the second scan) revealed either complete disappearance or calcification of the lesions. The majority (86.6%) of patients remained seizure free for 1 year after starting antiepileptic drugs. Ten patients experienced seizure recurrences within the first month of therapy. The proportion of patients who remained seizure free was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.76-0.92). Four patients experienced seizure recurrence even after complete disappearance of CT lesions. In the majority of patients the lesions disappeared spontaneously and in a few the lesions calcified; hence these patients did not require anticysticercal therapy. Antiepileptic therapy was helpful in controlling further recurrences of seizures in most of the patients. A few patients experienced seizures even after disappearance of CT lesions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Endoscopic and histopathological evaluation of preschool children with chronic diarrhoea.

Fifty-seven children with chronic diarrhoea, aged 1-5 years, were studied. Protein-energy malnutrition was present in 49 (85.9 per cent) children. Anaemia (89.5 per cent), presence of mucus and blood in stool (66.6 per cent), abdominal distension (52.6 per cent), and abdominal pain (28.1 per cent) were the common clinical findings at admission. The enteropathogens isolated from the stool of 68.4 per cent of patients were Escherichia coli (19.3 per cent), Candida albicans (12.3 per cent), E. histolytica (8.8 per cent), and Giardia lamblia (7 per cent). Secondary lactose intolerance was present in 21 per cent of children, endoscopic appearance was abnormal in 23.3 per cent of children and the commonest finding was chronic duodenitis (16.7 per cent). Abnormal histopathology was observed in 73.3 per cent of cases and villous atrophy with mononuclear cell infiltration (56.7 per cent) was the most common abnormality detected. The mean duration of diarrhoea had no impact on endoscopic appearance but it significantly affected the histopathological changes. However, no correlation was found in endoscopic and histopathological lesions in relation to malnutrition and aetiological agents.

Anemia↗
PubMed2001

Prevalence of HIV among low and high risk population of eastern part of northern India.

A total of 7,904 persons visiting University Hospital of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, were screened for HIV antibody by ELISA and/or rapid test. The overall seroprevalence of HIV (3.17%) in this area was higher than that of Uttar Pradesh and India as a whole. The seroprevalence of HIV/AIDS among the high risk group (HRG) (6.42%) being significantly higher than low risk group (LRG) (0.37%). In the LRG, the prevalence among medical and surgical patients; and ANC (antenatal cases) was 1.17% and 0.14%, respectively. However, HIV infection was not detected in HCWs (healthcare workers), BHU students and foreigners. Among HRG, CSWs (commercial sex workers) had the highest prevalence (14.0%) and STD (sexually transmitted diseases) patients, the lowest prevalence (1.99%). The STD patients had significantly lower prevalence rate as compared to others in HRG. Majority of the HIV positive were found to be within the age group 15-44 years, with heterosexual mode as the main route of transmission. Seven HIV positive children were of 2-5 yr old age group. Majority of seropositive women (62.52%) were working in a low income jobs and were mainly infected by their spouses who was mostly migrating labourers of lower socioeconomic group and with less than primary level of education. Married females, being mainly the spouses of HIV positive males had the highest seropositivity (60.25%). These population people were directly transmitting the infection from the metropolitan cities to the rural areas of this region. Prevalence of HIV-2 was negligible as compared to HIV-1, the actual reason is yet to be explored.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-HIV activities of norfloxacin mannich bases.

Mannich bases of norfloxacin were synthesized by reacting them with formaldehyde and several isatin derivatives. Their chemical structures have been confirmed by means of their IR, 1H-NMR data and by elemental analysis. Investigation of in vitro antimicrobial activity of compounds was done by the agar dilution method against 28 pathogenic bacteria, eight pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. The in vivo antibacterial efficacy of selected derivatives was determined using a mouse infection model. All the synthesized compounds are more active than norfloxacin against the 13 bacteria tested. The compounds are also more active than the standard drug clotrimazole against Histoplasma capsulatum. Two compounds S-8 and S-9 have shown inhibition against HIV-1 (III B) with EC(50) values of 11.3 and 13.9 microgram/mL, respectively. In the mouse protection test, two compounds S-4 (ED(50): 1.25 mg/kg) and S-9 (ED(50): 1.62 mg/kg) are more active than norfloxacin (ED(50): 6mg/kg). Among the compounds tested, 1-ethyl-6-fluoro-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxo-7[[N(4)-[5'-bromo-3'-(4'-amino-5'-trimethoxybenzylpyr imidin-2'-yl]-imino-1'-isatinyl]methyl]N(1)-piperazinyl]-3-q uinoline carboxylicacid (S-9) showed promising activity in all the three tests.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Carcinoma of the gallbladder--is it a sequel of typhoid?

Gallbladder diseases, including carcinoma, are common in the northern part of India and so are Salmonella typhi infection and typhoid carrier state. This study was aimed to find out the association of typhoid carrier state in patients with cholelithiasis, carcinoma of the gallbladder, and controls. The three groups are comparable in age and sex composition. This is the first study of its kind from an area of high endemicity for both typhoid infection and carcinoma of the gallbladder. A case-control study was carried out to detect typhoid carrier state among the patients with biliary diseases and healthy controls, using indirect haemagglutination assay measuring antibodies against highly purified S. typhi Vi polysaccharide antigen. A significantly high Vi positivity was observed in patients with gallbladder carcinoma (29.4%) compared to controls (5%) (chi2 = 6.325, P < 0.004, OR = 7.19) and patients with cholelithiasis (10.7%) (chi2 = 5.066, P < 0.01, OR = 3.86). There is 8.47 times more risk of developing carcinoma of the gallbladder in culture-positive typhoid carriers than the noncarriers. The present study suggests the typhoid carrier state to be one of the possible mechanisms of gallbladder carcinogenesis.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-HIV evaluation of Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin and its derivatives with triazole.

Isatin (indole 2,3-dione) and its 5-chloro and 5-bromo derivatives have been reacted with 3-(4'-pyridyl)-4-amino-5-mercapto-4-(H)-1,2,4-triazole to form Schiff bases and the N-Mannich bases of these compounds were synthesised by reacting them with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Their chemical structures have been confirmed by means of their IR, 1H-NMR data and by elemental analysis. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of compounds was done by agar dilution method against 27 pathogenic bacteria, 8 pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. Among the compounds tested 1-(piperidinomethyl) 5-bromo 3-[3'-(4"-pyridyl)-5'-mercapto-4'-(H)-1',2',4'-triazol 4'-yl]imino isatin showed the most favourable antimicrobial activity.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed2000

Adenosine deaminase activity and lysozyme levels in children with tuberculosis.

Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) activity and lysozyme levels were measured in 51 patients with tuberculosis (21 pulmonary, 15 miliary, 11 neurotuberculoma and four abdominal plus osteoarticular) and 20 healthy controls. The mean serum ADA activity and lysozyme levels were significantly raised in children with different forms of tuberculosis in comparison with controls (p < 0.001). The neurotuberculoma cases had the lowest mean enzyme levels and the differences were significant when compared with other forms of tuberculosis. The cut-off serum ADA activity of > or = 42 IU/l and lysozyme level of > or = 20 U/l were diagnostic of tuberculosis with 100 per cent sensitivity. A significant correlation was observed between the two parameters (r = 0.66; p < 0.001). Thus, with compatible clinical presentation, the raised serum level of either ADA or lysozyme can be used as a supportive diagnostic test.

Adenosine Deaminase↗
PubMed2000

Lysozyme levels for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.

Lysozyme level was measured in the fluid and serum of 42 tuberculous (25 pleural, 11 ascites and 6 pericardial) and 29 non-tuberculous (5 malignant, 9 empyema thoracis, 10 transudative ascites and 5 pyopericardium) effusions. The mean fluid lysozyme level was significantly raised in tuberculous pleural, ascites, and pericardial effusions in comparison to malignant pleural (p <0.001), transudative ascites (p < 0.001), and pyopericardium (p < 0.02) cases, respectively. The mean fluid/serum lysozyme ratio did not differ significantly between tuberculous and their corresponding non-tuberculous effusions. The confirmed tuberculous pleural effusion patients had significantly higher mean fluid lysozyme level and fluid/serum lysozyme ratio when compared with clinical cases (p < 0.05). The cut-off fluid lysozyme level of > or = 50/UI(-1) and fluid/serum lysozyme ratio of > or = 1.1 were considered for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions; the sensitivity and specificity of fluid lysozyme and fluid/serum lysozyme ratios were 100, 100 per cent, and 97.6, 33.3 per cent, respectively, on excluding the patients with purulent effusions. A significant correlation was observed between the fluid and serum lysozyme levels in tuberculous effusions (r = 0.39,p < 0.01). Thus, fluid lysozyme was found to be a better and reliable test than fluid/serum lysozyme ratio for the diagnosis of tuberculous effusions in children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin and its derivatives with pyrimidine.

Isatin and its derivatives have been reacted with 4-(4'-chlorophenyl)-6-(4"-methyl phenyl)-2-aminopyrimidine to form Schiff bases and the N-Mannich bases of these compounds were synthesized by reacting them with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of the compounds was made by the agar dilution method against 28 pathogenic bacteria, eight pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. The compounds are significantly active against bacteria and fungi.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1999

Antimicrobial activity of Elaeocarpus sphaericus.

Antibacterial activity of petroleum ether (PE), benzene (BE), chloroform (CE), acetone (AE) and ethanol (EE) extracts of dried Elaeocarpus sphaericus fruit was investigated against 28 gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria using the disc diffusion and plate dilution methods. The AE fraction showed marked antimicrobial activity against ten organisms. BE was active against Salmonella typhimurium and Morganella morganii, and EE against Plesiomonas shigelloides, Shigella flexnerii and Sh. sonneii. The alkaloids and flavonoids present in the plant appear to be of chemotherapeutic interest.

Alkaloids↗
PubMed1999

Synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-HIV evaluation of Schiff and Mannich bases of isatin derivatives with 3-amino-2-methylmercapto quinazolin-4(3H)-one.

Isatin (Indole 2,3-dione), its 5-chloro and 5-bromo derivatives were added to 3-amino-2-methylmercapto quinazolin-4(3H)-one to form Schiff bases and the N-Mannich bases of these compounds were synthesized by reacting with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Their chemical structures have been confirmed by means of their IR, 1H-NMR data and by elemental analysis. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of compounds was done by an agar dilution method against 26 pathogenic bacteria, 8 pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. Among the compounds tested 5-chloro-3-(3',4'-dihydro-2'-methylmercapto-4'-oxoquinazolin-3'-yl )- l-morpholino methyl imino isatin was the most active antimicrobial agent.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗