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Biomedical subjects

J Sokhey

Publications and source records attributed to J Sokhey.

71 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Induction of interferon in mice and cell cultures by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Inoculation of mice and L and human embryonic lung (HEL) cell cultures with Mycoplasma pneumoniae failed to induce the production of interferon. M. pneumoniae multiplied in these cell cultures without a marked cytopathic effect. M. pneumoniae induced interferon in human peripheral blood leukocytes with maximum titres of 32 units/ml at 48 hours after infection.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Transplacental immunity and waning of maternal antibody in measles.

Since transplacental immunity and waning of maternally derived measles specific antibodies play an important role in determining the optimum age for vaccination of infants against measles, a study was carried out in which 150 paired samples and 581 infant serum samples were tested for measles specific antibodies. Out of these paired samples, 132 pairs showed measles antibodies in both mother and cord. HAI antibody was absent in 3 paired samples whereas, 5 mothers could not pass on the antibodies in the cord samples. In the remaining 10 serum samples only cord blood showed the presence of antibodies without the detectable level of antibodies in mother. Statistically no significant difference between the mother and cord blood titers was observed by applying the student 't' test for comparison of the mean (t = 0.01). Analysis of 581 infant serum samples for prevalence of maternal antibodies indicated that 83% of the samples at the age of 3 months or below had measles antibodies but with the increase in age there was tremendous loss with only 19-20% at the age of 6-7 months. After 7 months the percentage of infants which had antibody varied from 11-13%. There was negative correlation between age and seropositivity (r = -0.72) which was highly significant (p < 0.05).

Age Distribution↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A survey on community perceptions of jaundice in east Delhi: implications for the prevention and control of viral hepatitis.

Using senior health professionals as interviewers, a 30-cluster sampling survey was carried out to investigate community perceptions of pilia (the local word for jaundice) in east Delhi (India). Of 416 persons (mostly mothers of children aged < 2 years) interviewed, 339 (81%) were aware of pilia as an illness. Only 322 (77%), 164 (39%), 73 (18%) and 71 (17%) people knew about correct symptoms, dangers, causes and prevention of pilia. Most of the correct responses were related to the faeco-orally transmitted viral hepatitis. Literate respondents were significantly more aware of pilia (chi 2 52.81, P < 0.0001), its symptoms (chi 2 48.88, P < 0.0001), causes (chi 2 39.34, P < 0.0001), dangers (chi 2 19.3, P = 0.0007), and prevention (chi 2 60.8, P < 0.0001). However, age of the respondents had no significant bearing (P > or = 0.05) on the correctness of responses. About 293 (70%) subjects considered pilia as a treatable illness; of them, 193 (66%) and 77 (26%) respectively expressed their preference for the 'modern' and indigenous systems of medicine for its treatment. In contrast, 110 (38%) respondents said that they would prefer faith healers for the treatment of pilia. Although only 31 (7%) persons were aware of a vaccine against pilia (hepatitis B vaccine), virtually all agreed to have their children immunized if such a vaccine were made available. The study underscores the usefulness of pilia in lay-reporting of viral hepatitis and epidemiological studies on jaundice-associated illnesses and the need for educating the community about its causes and prevention to increase people's participation in controlling viral hepatitis and other diseases that mainly manifest as jaundice.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Snake bites in the hills of north India.

BACKGROUND: Snake bites are a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the hills. The risk of snake bite is high due to the presence of a huge herpeto fauna flourishing in a favourable climate--low environmental temperature and heavy rainfall. In India, there are 236 species of snakes of which four are dangerously venomous. This study was undertaken to determine the risk factors exposing the population to snake bite and the common types of snakes causing them. METHODS: We studied 243 patients of snake bite over a period of 24 months. All patients were examined for evidence of snake bite and, where possible, the snakes were identified based on description, identification (if the snake was brought) and symptoms of envenomation. RESULTS: Seasonal variation in snake bite was seen, with a peak in the months of August and September. No bites were recorded in December, January and February. Eighty-four per cent of the bites were on the hands and feet (up to the ankle). Bites on the hand were more common in females with a left hand preponderance (3.5 times higher). The age group most affected was between 11 and 40 years (73.7%). Most bites occurred while the person was cutting grass, working in the fields or walking in the hills (75.3%). Snake bites while sleeping were at uncommon sites. Non-poisonous snakes were the most common (90.5%). Kraits caused 60% of bites with envenomation. CONCLUSION: Snake bites occur frequently in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Although snake bites are a cause for concern, most of them are caused by non-poisonous snakes.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Adverse reactions after measles vaccination in India.

BACKGROUND: One hundred and sixty million doses of measles vaccine have been used since the Expanded Programme of Immunization began in 1985. Mild-to-moderate vaccine reactions are not infrequent and are accepted by parents but occasionally severe reactions and even death occur. We studied these severe reactions. METHODS: From 1986 to 1994, 1762 batches of measles vaccine were tested and found to be satisfactory by the World Health Organization criteria. These were released for mass immunization. RESULTS: After 40 reported incidents of severe reactions or deaths in the field, 59 intact samples of vaccine produced by different manufacturers were tested and found to be safe, i.e. they were not toxic and were sterile. However, on testing reconstituted or used vials a few were found to be toxic and many were unsterile. Reactions occurred in 115 vaccinees resulting in death of 79 children. These reactions were characterized by high fever, vomiting and profuse watery diarrhoea resulting in death within 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Reactions to the vaccines were more likely to be related to the toxic shock syndrome due to the use of unsterile syringes and needles and perhaps the use of reconstituted vaccines beyond their specified time for administration resulting in contamination.

Animals↗