Biomedical subjects

R K Ratho

Publications and source records attributed to R K Ratho.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

Prevalence of hepatitis B virus infection in Chandigarh over a six year period.

A total of 6418 samples were received between January 1993 to December 1998 from patients with hepatitis. Blood samples were also collected from 946 apparently healthy subjects. All these samples were tested for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) by third generation micro ELISA. The overall HBsAg prevalence rate was 12.8%. The highest prevalence was noted in renal transplant patients (21.7%) followed by patients with acute hepatic disease (15.3%), pregnancy with jaundice (9.4%), chronic renal failure (8.8%), nephrotic syndrome (3.1%), whereas the prevalence rate in control group was 2.4%. The prevalence rate of HBsAg was higher in subjects between 21 to 30 years of age with a male preponderance (Male:Female = 2.8:1).

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Coexistent neurocysticercosis and Japanese B encephalitis: MR imaging correlation.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An increased incidence of intestinal helminthic infections has been observed in patients with viral encephalitis in endemic areas. Both Japanese B encephalitis (JE) and neurocysticercosis (NCC) share some common socio-demographic and ecologic factors, and pigs act as the intermediate carrier for both. Our purpose was to show the coexistence of JE and NCC in brain on MR images and highlight the possible role of NCC as an amplifier of JE. METHODS: MR images from 10 cases of coexistent JE and NCC were studied retrospectively. T1-weighted axial and sagittal, proton T2-weighted axial and coronal, and T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery axial and coronal sections of the brain were evaluated. NCC was diagnosed on the basis of neuroimaging. Diagnostic serologic testing for JE was conducted using paired blood and CSF samples. RESULTS: The JE changes were bilateral and asymmetrical and were more severe on the side harboring the solitary cyst or the side bearing the greater number of cysts or lodging the degenerating cyst. In each of nine of 10 cases, at least one degenerating cyst was found on the side of predominant JE pathologic abnormality. CONCLUSION: The study suggests that the co-occurrence of JE and NCC is not just a chance coincidence. NCC apparently predisposes a person to JE infection and is a positive modulator of the encephalitic process. The study shows a spectrum of MR imaging findings of coexistent JE and NCC.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Changing trend of SSPE over a period of ten years.

Sub acute sclerosing pan-encephalitis (SSPE) is a slowly progressive inflammatory disorder of the central nervous system. A decline in frequency has been noticed in most of the developed countries, whereas it continues to be high in developing countries. Though a number of studies have been carried out, the exact trend of SSPE is still not clear. Hence the present study was carried out to analyze the trend of SSPE over the past ten years in and around Chandigarh. A total of 205 patients with clinical features suggestive of SSPE were enrolled for the study during Jan'92 to Dec. 2001. Measles specific antibodies were detected in blood and CSF by HAI method. 114 patients were found to be positive for measles specific HAI antibody with a male preponderance. The number of SSPE cases were found to be more during the period 1992-95 in comparison to the next 6 years (p < 0.05). The high incidence of SSPE in our country could be due to improper vaccine coverage, poor cold chain maintenance or circulation of atypical measles virus strain.

Adolescent↗