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Biomedical subjects

M D Mathur

Publications and source records attributed to M D Mathur.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Evaluation of serological status of rubella & mumps in children below five years.

A cross-sectional study was carried out on 321 serum samples to detect rubella and mumps antibodies in children below five years and to assess the optimum age for immunization against rubella and mumps. Seropositivity to rubella was 33.3 per cent in children below nine months, 16.9 per cent at 9-12 months and 25.5 per cent by two years. Mean antibody levels for rubella were low at nine months to one year and remained so till five years of age. Similarly, seropositivity for mumps was 53.3 per cent below nine months, 20.3 per cent at 9-12 months and 40 per cent by two years. Mean antibody levels for mumps were low between nine months to two years with a slight rise by five years. The findings suggest that a large majority of children are at risk by the age of nine months in our population and the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination at this age may be most beneficial.

Antibodies, Viral↗

Screening for TORCH infections in pregnant women: a report from Delhi.

Primary TORCH infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2) in the mother can lead to severe fetal anomalies or even fetal loss. A prospective study was designed to detect the seroprevalence of IgM antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, rubella virus and cytomegalovirus and IgG antibodies to herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2. One hundred and twenty pregnant women presenting to the antenatal clinic of a tertiary health center were included in this study. Out of these 120 women 112 (93.4%) had evidence of one or more infections. Prevalence of IgG antibodies to HSV was 70%. Seropositivities for toxoplasmosis, rubella and CMV respectively were 11.6, 8.3 and 20.8%. Our data demonstrating high frequency of primary infections during pregnancy support the conclusion that routine prenatal TORCH screening is justified.

Adolescent↗

Community acquired methicillin resistant Staphylococcsus aureus: a new threat for hospital outbreaks?

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major nosocomial pathogen. Recently, there have been reports of increasing prevalence of MRSA in the community. We here report an outbreak of post operative wound sepsis by MRSA in the surgical ward of LN hospital. A surveillance study for MRSA was undertaken in the corresponding surgical ward, operation theater and OPD and the source of this outbreak was traced to an outdoor patient with community acquired MRSA infection. A total of 320 clinical and environmental samples were screened for MRSA. Seventy (21.8%) S. aureus were obtained, of which 12.8% were resistant to methicillin. 14% of the MRSA infections were from the community. Nasal carriage rates of MRSA in the screened hospital staff and admitted patients were 5.8% and 4.3% respectively. None of the environmental sites sampled yielded MRSA. A study of antibiogram revealed that all the MRSA were uniformly resistant to penicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tobramycin and tetracycline and sensitive to vancomycin. All isolates belonged to the same biotype and were nontypable by the standard set of phages.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Antimicrobial susceptibility and plasmid profile of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in India (New Delhi).

OBJECTIVES: To determine the antibiotic susceptibility and plasmid profile of all Neisseria gonorrhoeae strains (PPNG and non-PPNG) isolated from May 1995 to March 1996 in Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India. METHODS: The agar plate dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration of five antimicrobials including norfloxacin and ceftriaxone which are most commonly used for treatment of gonorrhoea in Delhi. Isolates were screened for production of penicillinase by paper acidometric method and plasmid analysis of PPNG and non-PPNG was carried out by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: 50 consecutive isolates of N gonorrhoeae were studied, 8% among them were found to be PPNG while 28% were highly resistant to tetracycline (TRNG). Reduced susceptibility to norfloxacin (MIC > or = 1 microgram/ml) was observed in 12% of all isolates. All PPNG harboured the 4.4 MDa beta lactamase plasmid along with the 25.2 MDa tetracycline resistance plasmid. Norfloxacin resistance (MIC > or = 1 microgram/ml) was present in 28.5% of TRNG but only in 5.5% of the other gonococcal isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Results of this study clearly demonstrate that antibiotic resistant gonococcal strains of different clones are frequently found in New Delhi. Continued surveillance of susceptibility to currently prescribed antimicrobials and epidemiological studies are essential to prevent treatment failures leading to further spread of resistant strains.

Adolescent↗

The 1996 outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever in Delhi, India.

A major outbreak of dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) affected more than 10,000 people in Delhi and neighboring areas in 1996. The outbreak started in September, peaked in October to November and lasted till early December. The clinical and laboratory data of 515 adult patients admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi were reviewed. Fever (100%), myalgias and malaise (96%), abdominal pain (10.2%) and vomiting (8.7%) were the prominent presenting features. Hemorrhagic manifestations were seen in all patients- a positive tourniquet test (21.2%), scattered petechial rash (23.07%), confluent rash (2.7%), epistaxis (38.4%), gum bleeds (28.06%) and hematemesis (22.86%) being the major bleeding manifestations. Hepatomegaly was observed in 96% of the patients. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia, hemoconcentration and leukopenia. Serological confirmation with a microcapture ELISA technic was done in 143/515 patients. The mortality rate was 6.6% and, multiple bleeding manifestations, severe thrombocytopenia, hypoproteinemia and dengue shock syndrome (DSS) were associated with a higher mortality.

Adolescent↗

Association of hepatitis C virus & hepatitis B virus in chronic liver disease.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) as a cause of chronic liver disease (CLD) was assessed by testing anti-HCV antibodies in the serum samples of 55 patients of chronic hepatitis (17), cirrhosis (32) and hepatocellular carcinoma (6). All the samples were also tested for the presence of HCV RNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using primers from the 5' non-coding region (NCR) and the relationship between the serological parameters and presence of HCV RNA was studied. The association of hepatitis B virus (HBV) with HCV in this group was evaluated by testing for the anti HBc antibodies (IgG and IgM separately) and HBsAg. The biochemical parameters and involvement of other risk factors were also studied. Twenty two (40%) patients were found to be HCV positive and 17 (77.3%) of these had evidence of infection or past exposure to HBV. On comparing the sensitivities of ELISA with that of PCR for the detection of HCV, we observed no significant difference between the two methods (P > 0.05, McNemar's test). Eighteen patients had no evidence of HBV or HCV infection. Our results indicate that HCV is next only to HBV in the causation of CLD. It is suggested that RT-PCR be used with antibody detection by ELISA for reliable detection of HCV infection.

Adult↗

Sensitivity to the bactericidal effect of human serum of Proteus strains from clinical specimens.

A total of 257 Proteus strains isolated from urinary tract infection, blood, wound and faeces were studied. Of the strains tested 31 (12 percent) were serum sensitive, 182 (71 percent) were serum resistant and the remaining 44 (17 percent) showed intermediate sensitivity to the pooled normal human serum (PNHS). Strains isolated from adult urines and blood cultures were significantly more sensitive than strains of faecal origin (p < 0.01). No significant difference was seen between strains from faeces and wounds.

Adult↗

Serum beta 2-microglobulin as a tumour marker in space occupying lesions of central nervous system.

We prospectively evaluated serum concentrations of beta 2-microglobulin in twenty healthy controls and fifty cases of CT scan proven and operated intracranial tumours. The later group comprised of twenty subjects of benign and thirty cases of malignant tumours respectively. Mean serum beta 2-microglobulin in healthy subjects was 1.80 +/- 0.5 mg/ litre, none had value of more than 3.0 mg/ltr. On the contrary 75% of benign and 63.3% of malignant tumour cases had statistically significant rise in the beta 2-microglobulin. Elevated serum level of beta 2-microglobulin may prove to be a reliable tumour marker.

Adult↗

Assessment of the immune and nutritional status of the host in childhood diarrhoea due to cryptosporidium.

Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected microscopically in the concentrated faecal smears (stained by modified kinyoun's acid fast stain) in 13 out of 100 (13 per cent) cases of acute diarrhoea (AD < 2 weeks duration), 7 out of 50 (14 per cent) cases of chronic diarrhoea (CD > 2 weeks duration) and none in 50 age matched controls. The grades of malnutrition of the cases and controls were calculated by the weight for age criteria and the immune status assessed by the levels of serum immunoglobulins and SIgA in duodenal fluids. Malnutrition was observed in 6 out of 13 cases (46.1 per cent) in acute and 6 out of 7 cases (85.71 per cent) in chronic cryptosporidial diarrhoeas. There was no significant statistical difference (P > 0.05) in serum immunoglobulins and SIgA levels in chronic cryptosporidiosis. SIgA was significantly reduced (P > 0.05) in cases of acute cryptosporidiosis. Cryptosporidium is an important cause of symptomatic infection in apparently immunocompetent children not having been detected in a single non-diarrhoeal control. Further a low SIgA could contribute to acute symptomatic cryptosporidiosis by favouring colonization with the parasite.

Acute Disease↗

Serum sialic acid levels in patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis.

Serum sialic acid levels were measured in 16 patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis, 36 with neglected traumatic uveitis following penetrating injury and 40 healthy subjects. There was no significant alteration of its level in patients with traumatic uveitis. However, its level was significantly elevated in patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis. It was high even in the early stage of the disease. It decreased significantly at the remission stage. It is proposed that measurement of sialic acid level in serum can be used as a diagnostic aid when the diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmitis remains doubtful on clinical grounds. The extent of rise in its level may be considered a good parameter of the degree of severity of sympathetic ophthalmitis. It may also act as a useful tool to evaluate the drug efficacy in this disease.

Adolescent↗

Serum beta-2 microglobulin and C-reactive protein levels in acute adenovirus conjunctivitis.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin and C-reactive protein levels were measured in 52 patients with acute adenovirus conjunctivitis and 58 healthy subjects, by ELISA technique. Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels were found to be significantly increased while there was no change in C-reactive protein levels. Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels closely paralleled the severity of the disease. The increased beta-2 microglobulin level in serum showed a significant fall to normal level on clinical improvement. There was no difference in the serum beta-2 microglobulin levels in virus-isolation positive and negative patients.

Acute Disease↗

Serum beta-2 microglobulin level in sympathetic ophthalmitis.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin (beta 2-m) levels were measured in 12 patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis, 34 with neglected traumatic uveitis following penetrating injury and 36 healthy subjects by ELISA technique. There was no significant alteration of its level in patients with traumatic uveitis. However, its levels were significantly increased in patients with sympathetic ophthalmitis. They were high even in the early stage of the disease. Serum beta 2-m levels paralleled the severity of disease. It decreased significantly at the remission stage. Four patients came back with relapse of the condition and the level of serum beta 2-m was again found to be elevated in them. It is proposed that estimation of beta 2-m can be used as a diagnostic aid when the diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmitis remains doubtful on clinical grounds. It is also suggested that a rise in serum beta 2-m in patients with traumatic uveitis following perforating injuries may point to the onset of sympathetic ophthalmitis. The extent of rise in its level may be considered a good parameter of the degree of severity of sympathetic ophthalmitis. It may also act as a useful tool to evaluate the drug efficacy in this disease and predict relapse.

Acute Disease↗

Serum beta-2 microglobulin level in acute idiopathic anterior uveitis.

Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels were measured in 68 patients with acute idiopathic anterior uveitis and 51 healthy subjects by ELISA technique. The levels were found to be significantly increased in moderate and severe types of uveitis despite a normal renal glomerular function in all patients. The parameters remained unaltered in mild types. Serum beta-2 microglobulin levels closely paralleled the severity of the disease. The increased beta-2 microglobulin level in serum showed a significant fall to normal levels on clinical improvement. The data further strengthen the hypothesis that acute idiopathic anterior uveitis is an immune mediated disease. It is proposed that serum beta-2 microglobulin may be considered as a reliable parameter of the degree of severity of acute idiopathic anterior uveitis, as well as representing a useful tool for the evaluation of drug efficacy, especially in intractable cases.

Acute Disease↗

Alpha 1-antitrypsin and serum albumin in tear fluids in acute adenovirus conjunctivitis.

The alpha 1-antitrypsin and serum albumin levels in tear fluids were measured by electroimmunodiffusion in 76 healthy subjects and 63 patients with acute adenovirus conjunctivitis. They were found to be significantly increased during the acute phase of the disease. There was a correlation between increased severity of disease and increased levels of both the proteins. There was no significant difference in the tear alpha 1-antitrypsin and serum albumin levels in viral isolation-positive and isolation-negative patients. The raised levels of the two proteins in tears may reflect conjunctival inflammation rather than infection, since both isolation-positive and isolation-negative patients had the raised levels. The levels of the two proteins returned to normal with clinical improvement.

Adenoviridae Infections↗

Serum fibrin degradation products in acute idiopathic anterior uveitis.

Levels of serum fibrin degradation products were measured by the Staphylococcal clumping test in patients with acute idiopathic anterior uveitis and traumatic anterior uveitis. We found them to be significantly increased (P less than 0.001) in patients with acute idiopathic anterior uveitis (11.0 micrograms/ml). The extent of this increase in the serum levels of fibrin degradation products correlated well with increased severity of the disease. It showed return to normal levels (5.0 micrograms/ml) with the clinical improvement. It increased again with the re-appearance of acute stage of the disease. We found no alteration in the levels of serum fibrin degradation products in patients with traumatic anterior uveitis. We hypothesise that uveal deposition of immune complexes causes secondary platelet damage and intravascular coagulation which results in uveal tissue damage through inflammation.

Acute Disease↗