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Biomedical subjects

L K Das

Publications and source records attributed to L K Das.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Malaria during pregnancy and its effects on foetus in a tribal area of Koraput District, Orissa.

Malaria during pregnancy and its maternal and foetal complications was studied in Koraput district of Orissa--a tribal area, endemic for malaria. A total of 209 pregnant women with 738 pregnancy months were studied. The parasitic index among the pregnant women ranged between 10.8 and 25.6 per cent with peak incidence during post-monsoon months. There was a significant difference in parasite incidence between the primi- and multigravidae (p < 0.05) but difference was not observed between the trimesters. The mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration declined to 8.4 g/dl (range 7.2-10.2 g/dl) at full-term and parturition from its initial level of 9.6 g/dl (range 7.2-12.8 g/dl). There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in Hb concentration among the trimesters of pregnancy. There was no significant difference in the outcome of pregnancies in women with or without malaria prarasites in their peripheral blood. There was no significant difference in Hb concentrations between malaria parasite positive and negative pregnant women (p > 0.05). Significant difference was observed in the proportion of newborn positives from mothers with or without malaria parasites indicating a high degree of transplacental transmission. The overall foetal mortality rate was 21.5 per cent. The miscarriage, stillbirth, premature delivery leading to foetal and neonatal along with perinatal mortality constituted for 24.4, 13.3, 20 and 17.7 per cent of all mortalities respectively.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The preferential site of adult Wuchereria bancrofti: an ultrasound study of male asymptomatic microfilaria carriers in Pondicherry, India.

BACKGROUND: The traditional method of detection of microfilaria in night blood specimens for the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infection is being replaced with circulating filarial antigen in day blood specimens, which has a high sensitivity. However, both methods are indirect tests to detect the presence of adult worms in vivo. Localization of adult worms in vivo in their natural habitat may help in understanding better the end-point of drug treatment, the adulticidal action of antifilarial drugs, and in locating the site of lymphatic pathology. We used ultrasound examination to assess the preferential location of adult worms in an area endemic for lymphatic filariasis. METHODS: Ultrasound examination was done in 36 asymptomatic male carriers of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria to detect the location of adult worms. Both sides of the scrotum (root of the scrotum, epididymis, spermatic cord, testis and the adjoining area), lymphatic vessels and inguinal, popliteal, axillary and epitrochlear lymph nodes were examined using a 7.5 MHz probe in real-time B mode. RESULTS: The 'filaria dance sign (FDS)' suggesting the presence of adult worms was observed in 22 carriers (61%). The preferential site of location of the adult worms was the intrascrotal juxtatesticular lymphatic vessels in 'nests' along the lymphatic vessels of the epididymis, spermatic cord and paratesticular region. The number of nests varied between 1 and 4 with a mean size of 0.3 cm2. In 95% of cases, localization of the worms was unilateral. The mean microfilaria (SD) count-positive cases for those with the filarial dance sign (264 [199]) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than for the negative cases (171 [196]). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound visualization of adult worms of Wuchereria bancrofti in vivo is possible and confirms the concept that the worms have their own territory and reside in 'nests'. The preferential site of localization of the adult worms in men is the intrascrotal juxtatesticular lymphatic vessels.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of an immunochromatographic card test with night blood smear examination for detection of Wuchereria bancrofti microfilaria carriers.

BACKGROUND: At present, two diagnostic tests--Og4C3 ELISA and an immunochromatographic card test (ICT)--are available to detect circulating filarial antigens of Wuchereria bancrofti in serum/whole blood samples collected during the day. We aimed to assess the sensitivity of the new format card test 'NOW ICT Filariasis' in detecting microfilaria carriers of W. bancrofti in comparison with conventional microscopic techniques and Og4C3 ELISA. METHODS: A total of 200 persons were selected from two villages following a quota sampling design (100 in each village). The required number of houses was selected using a systematic sampling procedure with a random start of the first household. Blood samples were taken from all the available persons in each selected house until the quota of 100 was reached. The new format ICT test, Og4C3 ELISA and night blood smear examination for microfilaria were carried out following standard procedures. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the new format ICT test was 100% among microfilaria carriers (detected by both early and late readings). The kappa statistic measure of agreement between the two readings of all the samples (n =200) tested was 0.811 (p<0.05). The new format test also reported 25% of microfilaria-negative individuals as being positive for circulating filarial antigens. However, the diagnostic lines were not stable beyond 10 minutes (particularly in the case of amicrofilaraemic persons). Though there was an overall agreement between the results of ICT and Og4C3 tests (kappa =0.612; p< 0.05), the sensitivity of the Og4C3 test was lower than that of ICT. CONCLUSION: The new format ICT test is highly sensitive in detecting microfilaria carriers in endemic communities. Improvement in the format to provide stable diagnostic lines, specificity of the format and cost of the test kit are to be considered before its large-scale use.

Adult↗