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Biomedical subjects

R H Kalro

Publications and source records attributed to R H Kalro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Frequency analysis of proliferating and cytotoxic T cells in livers and peripheral blood of patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Frequencies of proliferating and cytotoxic lymphocytes from liver biopsy samples and peripheral blood of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients and control subjects were monitored by limiting dilution analysis. Precursor frequencies of proliferating T lymphocytes were not significantly different in the liver and peripheral blood compartments of patients and controls. Moreover, similar frequencies of natural killer cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes were observed in the peripheral blood of patients and controls. A higher frequency of cytotoxic T cells (1 of 22) compared to NK cells (1 of 306) was observed in liver tissues of CHB patients. Dual colour flow cytometric analysis revealed the presence of both CD4+ HLA-DR+ and CD8+ HLA-DR+ T cells in the liver tissues. These results suggest that in livers of CHB patients not only activated CD8+ T cells but also activated CD4+ T cells may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B.

Adolescent

Pancreatic ascites.

Pancreatic ascites is rarely considered in the differential diagnosis of exudative ascites, and is in fact missed in a majority of patients. Eleven cases of pancreatic ascites are described. 63.6% were chronic alcoholics. The clinical diagnosis was cirrhosis of liver (5/11), tuberculous peritonitis (5/11) or malignant peritonitis (1/11). In all patients ascites was exudative and the ascitic fluid amylase was markedly elevated (mean +/- SD: 7815 +/- 6507 SU/dl). Endoscopic retrograde pancreatography (ERP) performed in 4 patients demonstrated the site of leak in 3. Laparoscopy performed in 8 patients helped in the diagnosis of pancreatic ascites in all, which was confirmed on histology. Laparoscopy ruled out other causes of exudative ascites in all. We conclude that pancreatic ascites should be suspected in any patient with exudative ascites, especially chronic alcoholics and that ascitic fluid amylase should be routinely performed in all such cases. High ascitic fluid content is virtually diagnostic of pancreatic ascites. ERP is essential in preoperative assessment or planning endoscopic treatment. Laparoscopy is an invaluable investigation to rule out other conditions such as tuberculous or malignant peritonitis and cirrhosis of liver.

Adolescent

Hepatitis C virus infection in chronic liver disease in Bombay.

To find out the prevalence of antibody of hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) in patients with chronic liver disease in Bombay, sera from 126 patients (93 men, 33 women; aged 9-70 years, mean 39.7) with chronic liver disease (cirrhosis 103, cirrhosis with hepatocellular carcinoma 3, chronic active hepatitis 20) were tested for HBsAg and anti-HCV antibody. HBsAg positive sera were tested for anti-delta antibody and IgM anti-HBc. All the tests were carried out by ELISA. Of 126 patients, 51 (40.5%) were HBsAg positive, 49 (38.8%) alcoholic and 21 (16.6%) anti-HCV positive. The prevalence of anti-HCV in HBsAg positive, alcoholic and cryptogenic (HBV negative and no alcohol) liver disease patients was 13.7%, 14.7% and 20.5% respectively. Of 21 anti-HCV antibody positive patients, 8 (38%) had received blood transfusions previously. HCV is present in 15-20% of patients with chronic liver disease in Bombay.

Adolescent

HIV infection in patients of liver cirrhosis.

A total of 130 patients of liver cirrhosis (97 males, 33 females; aged 9-70 yr) of various etiologies were subjected to anti HIV antibodies testing by ELISA and supplementary Western Blot (WB) tests. Eleven patients were positive by ELISA. Of these 11 patients, 5 were WB positive, 4 were WB negative and 2 were indeterminate. Of the 5 WB positive patients none had received blood transfusions and one was a homosexual. These results indicate that HIV infection was present in 3.8 per cent patients of liver cirrhosis. Further studies are required on a large number of patients to recommend HIV testing routinely in cirrhotic patients.

Adolescent

Frequency of hepatitis B, C and D and human immunodeficiency virus infections in multi-transfused thalassemics.

Of forty multi-transfused thalassemia patients (26 males, 14 females; mean age 8.1 +/- 5.3 years, range 1-35) with no clinical or biochemical evidence of liver disease, HBsAg, anti-hepatitis C virus and anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were present in 18 (45%), 7 (17.5%) and 1 (2.5%) cases respectively. Three of the 18 (16.7%) HBsAg positive patients were anti-delta antibody positive. Our results indicate that more than 50% of multi-transfused thalassemia patients show serological evidence of one or more of hepatitis B, C and D and human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Adolescent

Prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

To assess the prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP), ascitic fluid cell count, and ascitic fluid culture by conventional method and by bedside inoculation in blood culture bottles were performed in 31 consecutive patients of liver cirrhosis. Seven (22.58%) patients had ascitic fluid polymorphonuclear count (PMN) more than 500/mm. Ascitic fluid culture by conventional method was negative in all the patients, while in 4 patients culture was positive by bedside inoculation method. Six of 7 patients with SBP or its variant were in Child class C. Clinical features in these patients were abdominal pain (5 patients), fever (4) and encephalopathy (2); serum bilirubin level was 6.8 +/- 5.5 mg/dl, serum albumin 1.98 +/- 0.2 g/dl, prothrombin index 59.8 +/- 12.2%, ascitic fluid protein 0.78 +/- 0.24 g/dl. Three of 7 patients with SBP or its variant expired during hospital stay; the other 4 patients recovered after appropriate antibiotic therapy. We conclude that SBP is a serious complication in patients of liver cirrhosis with ascites. Ascitic fluid PMN count and bedside inoculation of blood culture bottles with ascitic fluid are sensitive indicators of SBP. Hence they should be performed routinely for early detection of SBP.

Adult

Prevalence of delta virus infection in high risk population and hepatitis B virus related liver diseases.

Two hundred and fifty four high risk persons or patients with hepatitis B virus related liver disease (209 men, 45 women; age range 1-78 years) were tested for anti-delta antibody and IgM anti-HBc to determine the prevalence of delta agent coinfection and superinfection. The prevalence of delta infection was as follows: acute viral hepatitis 23/148 (16%) and chronic liver disease 17/92 (19%), and asymptomatic HBsAg carriers 1/6 (17%). In the high risk population, the delta antibody prevalence was as follows: multiple transfusion recipients 3/8 (38%), patients with chronic renal failure 1/5 (20%) and medical professionals 2/7 (29%). Of 44 patients (34 men, 10 women; age 3-63 years) with delta infection, 26 (59%) had coinfection and 18 (41%) had superinfection. Six patients with anti-delta antibody had received blood transfusion(s) and six others gave history of parenteral exposure.

Adolescent

Effect of acute ingestion of tobacco on gastric mucosa. An endoscopic study.

One hundred patients with non ulcer dyspepsia with history of chronic tobacco chewing were examined endoscopically to assess the effect of tobacco ingestion on the gastric mucosa. Gastric erosions were seen in 20 patients in the fasting state. The remaining 80 patients in whom gastroscopy did not reveal erosions were subjected to repeat gastroscopy after tobacco ingestion. In 40 patients, endoscopy was repeated 30 minutes after 200 mg of tobacco ingestion (Group I) and in another 40 patients endoscopy was repeated 1 hour after 400 mg of tobacco ingestion (Group II). Eleven patients (27.5%) in Group I and 19 (47.5%) in Group II developed gastric erosions. Erosions were observed mainly along the lesser curvature, and in the fundus and the body of stomach. Gastric pH, determined after tobacco ingestion, was 2.4 +/- 0.43 in patients with erosions and 3.0 +/- 0.67 in patients without erosions. It is concluded that tobacco ingestion produces dose-dependent damage to the gastric mucosa as seen on endoscopy. Hence, history of tobacco ingestion should always be asked for in patients with gastric erosions.

Gastric Acidity Determination

Mono and dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori associated gastritis.

Sixty patients with Helicobacter Pylori positive non ulcer dyspepsia were randomly allocated to one of the following treatment groups: Group I--norfloxacin 400 mg bid for 10 days, Group II--amoxycillin 500 mg bid plus tinidazole 500 mg bid for 15 days, Group III--colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) 240 mg bid for 4 weeks. H pylori elimination was achieved in 14%, 81%, and 62% in Groups I, II and III respectively. Eradication of H pylori was not observed in Groups I and II, but was achieved in 25% of patients in Group III. Antral gastritis improved in 69% in Group II and 50% in Group III. We conclude that norfloxacin is not effective in H pylori infection. A combination of amoxycillin and tinidazole is highly effective in H pylori elimination with improvement in associated gastritis, but H pylori eradication is not observed with this therapy. CBS is also effective in H pylori elimination though H pylori eradication is achieved in only 25%.

Adult

Peritoneoscopy in diagnosis of ascites.

Diagnostic peritoneoscopies were performed in 226 patients with ascites. Satisfactory examination was possible in 220 patients. Clinical diagnosis was confirmed at peritoneoscopy in 82.7% of patients. Peritoneoscopic examination corrected the clinical diagnosis in 13.7%, was inconclusive in 2.6% and was incorrect in 0.8% of cases. It was 100% diagnostic in malignant peritonitis and 89.5% in patients with tuberculous peritonitis. Pseudomyxoma peritoneai and mesothelioma were suspected in one patient each at peritoneoscopy and was confirmed histologically. The utility of routine ascitic fluid examination was reviewed in all patients. The ascitic fluid was transudative in 81.9%, exudative in 8.6% and indeterminate in 9.5% of patients with cirrhosis of liver. Patients with tuberculous pertitonitis had exudative, transudative and indeterminate ascites in 71.8%, 3.2% and 25% respectively. The ascites in patients with malignant peritonitis was either exudative (80%) or indeterminate (20%). There was considerable overlap in the nature of ascites present in the three groups of patients. We therefore conclude that peritoneoscopy is the most valuable investigation in the diagnosis of ascites, particularly in exudative and indeterminate types.

Ascites

Ascitic fluid protein and cellular changes during diuretic therapy in cirrhosis of liver.

Thirty four patients with peritoneoscopy and/or biopsy proven uncomplicated cirrhosis of liver with ascites were studied for the effect of diuretic therapy on ascitic fluid protein and cell count. Renal function tests, liver function tests, ascitic fluid protein concentration and cell count were estimated prior to diuretic therapy and once every week till the end of therapy. There was no change in mean total serum protein (5.71 +/- 0.58 g/dl to 5.72 +/- 0.63 g/dl). The rise in mean ascitic fluid protein from 1.55 +/- 0.77 g/dl to 1.76 +/- 0.79 g/dl was not significant (P greater than 0.05). Twenty one patients (Group I) showed a rise in ascitic fluid protein concentration while 13 patients (Group II) did not show a rise or showed a fall in protein concentration during diuretic therapy. The rise in ascitic fluid protein concentration in Group I from 1.62 +/- 0.69 g/dl to 2.05 +/- 0.67 g/dl was statistically significant (P less than 0.05). Group I patients had a mean weight loss of 6.21 +/- 3.66 kg as compared to 3.15 +/- 2.00 kg in Group II patients (p less than 0.05). There was no other difference between Group I and Group II patients. Only 5 patients showed a rise in ascitic fluid cell count (more than 50 cell/mm3). It is concluded that diuretic therapy alters ascitic fluid protein concentration in a majority of patients but has no significant effect on cell count.

Adolescent

Effect of ginger & garlic on DNA content of gastric aspirate.

DNA content of gastric aspirates was studied before and after intragastric infusions of three doses of ginger (2, 4, 6 g) and four doses of garlic (0.3, 0.75, 1.5, 3 g) on different days in volunteers. Only one dose was administered on any day. The mean changes of DNA-p/min in gastric aspirates after intragastric infusions of 2 and 4 g ginger were -1.37 +/- 2.3 and 6.74 +/- 3.06 respectively, which were not significant statistically. However, 6 g ginger given intragastrically showed a mean significant increase in DNA-p/min of 3.23 +/- 1.02 (P less than 0.05). Intragastric infusion of 0.3 g uncooked garlic showed a non-significant increase in DNA-p/min of 0.307 +/- 0.59. On the other hand, infusion of 0.75, 1.5 and 3 g of uncooked garlic each caused significant increase in DNA-p/min of 5.47 +/- 1.63 (P less than 0.01), 10.42 +/- 3.46 (P less than 0.01) and 29.26 +/- 4.55 (P less than 0.001) respectively. Infusion of 3 g of cooked garlic also showed significant increase in DNA-p/min of 21.43 +/- 4.62 (P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between the effect of cooked and uncooked (3 g) garlic. Ginger in quantities of 6 g or more and garlic in quantities of 0.75 g or more cause a significant increase in exfoliation of gastric surface epithelial cells in human subjects.

Cooking