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Biomedical subjects

S C Das

Publications and source records attributed to S C Das.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1989

Cations and anions in drinking water as putative contributory factors to endemic goitre in Plateau State, Nigeria.

The prevalence of endemic goitre in Plateau State, Nigeria was established and an attempt was made to identify some of the possible environmental goitrogenic agents in the region to establish their likely relationship with the goitre endemicity. Iodine deficiency appears to be a major aetiological factor for the disease as indicated by low iodine levels observed in portable drinking water and in daily urinary excretion. The carbonate (CO3-) content of drinking water supply was found to bear a significant positive correlation with the goitre rate for the entire state (p less than 0.005). The calcium (Ca++) and magnesium (Mg++) levels of the drinking water also exhibited relatively good linear direct correlations with the percentage goitre distribution in a region, nearly 2/3 of the state. It is concluded that there is possibly an interplay of several factors and in particular the carbonate content of drinking water which, in association with a state of iodine deficiency, may be regarded as responsible for the goitre endemic seen in this part of the Continental Africa.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Entomological and epidemiological studies on malaria in Rajmahal range, Bihar.

The epidemiological investigations carried out in six tribal villages in Rajmahal range hill in south Bihar revealed average slide positivity rate (SPR) 25.1 ranging between 9.8 and 37.8 per cent. Plasmodium falciparum was the dominant parasite which accounted 64.2 per cent of the total infections. Results of mass blood survey indicated the presence of high percentage of asymptomatic carriers of malaria parasites in the local populace. In an entomological survey, 25 species of mosquitoes under five genera were collected in 20 trap nights. The average density of mosquitoes recorded was 230.6 per trap night. Anopheles mosquitoes alone accounted 72.8 per cent of the total collection whereas malaria vectors Anopheles maculatus, An. minimus, An. philippinensis, An. varuna and An. annularis accounted 32.8 per cent of the total anophelines collected. Both anopheline and culicine mosquitoes were found susceptible to DDT (4 per cent) and malathion (5 per cent) in 30 min exposure. Dissection of malaria vectors An. minimus, An. maculatus and An. philippinensis revealed very high percentage of parity rate (77.8 per cent) which gives a strong indication about their vectorial status in the transmission of malaria. Poor socio-economic condition, lack of sense of hygiene worsen the situation in the presence of asymptomatic carriers.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiological observations on malaria in some parts of Darrang District, Assam.

A study on malaria conducted in tribal villages of Darrang district, Assam during April 1994 to March 1995 revealed that the malaria incidence due to Plasmodium falciparum was considerably high. Slide positivity rate (SPR) ranged between 2.3 to 45.67 per cent with transmission from May to October. P. falciparum was the dominant species (91.7 per cent) followed by P. vivax (7.25 per cent) and mixed infection (Pv + Pf = 1.05 per cent). Malaria cases were recorded throughout the year in all the age groups including infants, however, age groups between 0-1 and 21-30 years were more affected. Among 17 anophelines collected, Anopheles vagus, An. jamesii, An. crawfordi and An. minimus were the most abundant species. Known vectors of malaria like An. annularis, An. culicifacies, An. minimus, An. philippinensis and An. varuna were detected. Perennial transmission of malaria was attributed to low socio-economic conditions, poor surveillance and inadequate intervention measures.

Adolescent↗