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S Kumari

Publications and source records attributed to S Kumari.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Diagnostic utility of the estimation of mycobacterial Antigen A60 specific immunoglobulins IgM, IgA and IgG in the sera of cases of adult human tuberculosis.

SETTING: An ELISA assay based on mycobacterial Antigen A60 for the estimation of Mycobacterium-specific immunoglobulins in the serum has been used successfully for the rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in studies done in the Western countries. There are hardly any similar large scale studies in India. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of this ELISA test for rapid diagnosis of different clinical forms of tuberculosis in an adult Indian population. DESIGN: ELISA test based on mycobacterial antigen A60 (Anda Biologicals, France) was used to estimate specific IgM, IgA and IgG antibodies in the sera obtained from 337 cases of tuberculosis and 131 controls in the population of Delhi (India). RESULTS: Of the 131 controls, only 9.9% were positive for IgM, 7.6% for IgG, 6.1% for IgA and 9.9% when an IgA and IgG combination was considered. Of 122 cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis, 41% were positive for IgM, 86.8% for IgA, 88.5% for IgG and a very high positivity (98.3%) was seen when IgA and IgG estimations were combined. A relatively low seropositivity was observed in 25 cases of pleural tuberculosis. The corresponding figures in 130 cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis were 22.3%, 68.4%, 73.8% and 86.15%. When 60 cases of pulmonary tuberculosis who had been successfully treated with antituberculosis drugs were analyzed the rates of seropositivity fell to 11.6%, 46.6%, 58.3% and 66.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: Our findings point to a very good sensitivity (91.6%) and specificity (90.0%) of the test when combined IgA and IgG antibody titres are considered, to detect cases of adult tuberculosis. The role of IgM estimation can be restricted to the detection of cases of reactivation of tuberculosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Incidence and significance of opportunistic fungi in leukemia patients in India.

Twenty-four patients with acute leukemia were investigated for the incidence of opportunistic fungi. Culture isolations of the sputum and urine samples revealed significant levels of Candida in 14 patients; Candida albicans, C. tropicalis and C. pseudotropicalis were the predominant ones isolated. Aspergillus flavus was isolated from blood in two cases and C. albicans and a black yeast from the blood of another two. Serological studies showed fungal antibodies in seven patients; precipitins against Candida were detected in five and Aspergillus in two. Both of the Aspergillus positive cases and two patients who had rising antibodies against Candida died during the course of investigation. In this study 13 of 24 patients developed oral candidiasis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

Asymptomatic Salmonella senftenberg carriage in a neonatal ward.

During a 23-day period in April 1991, nine infants in a neonatal ward were found to be colonized with Salmonella senftenberg. All were asymptomatic on detection and all except one (who developed septic ileus) remained asymptomatic on follow-up. The affected babies were isolated and subsequently discharged from the ward as soon as possible. These measures, along with emphasis on handwashing and intensification of cleaning and disinfection, were able to prevent spread to other babies. Despite extensive sampling of the environment, mothers and staff, the source of the organism could not be identified.

Carrier State↗
PubMed1992

Lower respiratory tract infection in hospitalized children due to respiratory syncytial (RS) virus during a suspected epidemic period of RS virus in Delhi.

A study of 131 children below 5 years of age seeking hospitalization due to lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), comprising 56 cases of bronchiolitis, 61 cases of bronchopneumonia, and 14 cases of other lower respiratory tract diseases showed significant occurrence of bronchiolitis in younger age groups (chi 2 = 79.21; P less than 0.001). Employing two rapid techniques, viz. immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFAT) and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) along with tissue culture, Respiratory Syncytial (RS) virus could be detected in higher percentage of bronchiolitis cases (54 per cent by both culture and IFAT, 70 per cent by EIA) compared to bronchopneumonia (36 per cent by both culture and IFAT, 49 per cent by EIA) and other LRTI cases (14 per cent each by culture, IFAT and EIA). The detection rate of RS virus was higher in the age group 0-6 months compared to the remaining age groups combined (7-60 months) in bronchiolitis cases irrespective of the technique employed while no such difference could be noted in bronchopneumonia. Eighteen (90 per cent) out of 20 specimens positive for RS virus by EIA, but negative by culture were found to be true positives as revealed by blocking test. In comparison to culture, sensitivities of IFAT, EIA, and EIA (by blocking test) were found to be 89, 94, and 94 per cent, respectively, while specificities of these techniques were found to be 92, 74, and 76 per cent, respectively. Higher detection rate of RS virus in the present study compared to earlier ones from India is attributed to application of EIA as well as selection of LRTI cases during a period of suspected epidemic of RS virus.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

Immunologic tolerance in lymphatic filariasis. Diminished parasite-specific T and B lymphocyte precursor frequency in the microfilaremic state.

To explore the mechanisms of antigen-specific immune unresponsiveness seen in microfilaremic patients with bancroftian filariasis, T and B cell precursor frequency analysis was performed using PBMC from individuals with either asymptomatic microfilaremia (MF, n = 7) or chronic lymphatic obstruction (CP, n = 20). Highly purified CD3+ cells were partially reconstituted with adherent cells and their proliferative response to parasite antigens determined in cultures of T cells by limiting dilution analysis. A filter immunoplaque assay also assessed the frequency of both total and parasite-specific Ig-producing B cells. While the lymphocyte proliferation to mitogens and to a nonparasite antigen (Streptolysin-O, [SLO]) were similar in all groups of patients, the frequency of parasite-specific CD3+ T cells was significantly lower (geometric mean [GM], 1/3,757) in MF patients when compared to that in CP patients (GM 1/1,513; P less than 0.001). Similarly, the proportion of lymphocytes producing parasite-specific IgE or IgG was significantly lower in MF patients (IgE mean, 0.2%; IgG mean, 0.33%) compared with CP patients (IgE mean, 3.2%; IgG mean, 1.76%; P less than 0.05 for both comparisons). These observations imply that low numbers of parasite-specific T and B lymphocytes may be partially responsible for the severely diminished capacity of lymphocytes from patients with MF to produce parasite-specific antibody and to proliferate to parasite antigen in vitro. Such differences in parasite-specific lymphocyte responses suggest that tolerance by clonal anergy may be a critical mechanism for maintaining the microfilaremic state.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunogenicity of enhanced potency inactivated polio vaccine.

Fifty two children were immunized with two doses of enhanced potency inactivated polio vaccine in order to determine its efficacy. The vaccine was very efficacious with 92.3, 92.3 and 88.3% of the children seroconverting to the three poliovirus types, respectively. The vaccine was equally efficacious whether the two doses were given at 4-week or 8-week intervals or when immunization was started at 6-7 weeks of age or later. The presence of maternal antibodies did not interfere significantly with the seroresponse to two doses of IPV-E. The study recommends that two doses of IPV-E give satisfactory seroconversion rates. Immunization can be started as early as 6 weeks age and the two doses can be given at 4 weeks interval to complete primary immunization against poliomyelitis.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1992

Relative performance of Organon kit in comparison to Du Pont for confirmatory serological testing of HIV infection by western blot test in sera from blood donors.

A total of 32 specimens with different categories of reactivity by Du Pont Western Blot kit comprising of specimens showing full spectrum of HIV-I antigen specific bands, 19 specimens showing total absence of bands and four specimens showing non-specific bands (without any interpretative importance) were subjected to Western Blot testing by Organon test. Of the nine specimens showing full spectrum of bands by Du Pont the correlation with Organon kit was 100 per cent based on WHO criteria. Four specimens with non-specific indeterminate band pattern by Du Pont failed to show any band in Organon kit, indicating that latter to be more specific.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1992

Prolonged undiagnosed fever in northern India.

A prospective study for five years along with a retrospective analysis of all patients admitted over 10 years with the diagnosis of prolonged undiagnosed fever was carried out in a referral hospital of North India to determine the specific disorders responsible for it. One hundred and fifty patients (80 prospective and 70 retrospective) were included in the study. Infections, especially tuberculosis, was the most dominant cause (50%), followed by lymphoreticular and haematological disorders (21.32%), collagen vascular disorders and neoplasms (8.67%) each. Miscellaneous causes were responsible in 6.67% and in 4.67% the cause of fever remained undiagnosed.

Academies and Institutes↗
PubMed1992

Significance of cord problems at birth.

Cord problems at birth were prospectively studied in 12,000 singleton deliveries, of which 258 (2.15%) babies had cord abnormalities. Nearly 32% of these cases had fetal distress and 20.5% had 1 minute Apgar score less than 6. Of the various cord problems nuchal cord was noted in 79.1%, cord prolapse in 12.4% and true knots in 3.9% cases. Perinatal mortality rate with cord problems was 85.27/1000 births. Neonatal problems noted were septicemia (4.56%), aspiration syndromes (13.48%), hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (7.30%), neonatal convulsions (2.14%) and hyperbilirubinemia (2.14%). Although mean Hb and PCV were lower in those with cord round the neck as compared to normal controls, this difference was not significant. Seven babies had Hb less than 13 g/dl with nuchal cords. Neonates born with cord around the neck or with other cord abnormalities should be carefully followed up for morbidity.

Apgar Score↗
PubMed1991

An evaluation of straw-extract agar media for the growth and sporulation of Madurella mycetomatis.

Four new media, namely Wheat straw extract agar, Bajra straw extract agar, Jowar straw extract agar and Paddy straw extract agar, were evaluated for their potential to stimulate the growth and sporulation of Madurella mycetomatis in comparison with the conventional Sabouraud dextrose agar and Soil extract agar. Vegetative growth of M. mycetomatis on the four types of Straw extract agars was superior to that obtained on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Isolates of M. mycetomatis sporulated better and faster on the Straw extract agars than on the Sabouraud dextrose agar and Soil extract agar. Straw extract agar is recommended as a sporulation medium for M. mycetomatis. It may prove useful especially for studies of the conidium ontogeny of the fungus for elucidating its taxonomic status.

Culture Media↗
PubMed1991

Observations on coagulase-negative staphylococci in a neonatal unit in India.

Fifty neonates were included in a prospective study which determined the frequency of colonization and infection with coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) in a neonatal unit. The isolates were characterised by species, antibiotic resistance and ability to produce slime. Twenty-four epidemiologically related isolates (including four isolates from the hands of staff) were also phage typed and had plasmid analysis performed. On the first day of birth, 18% of infants were colonized with CNS, 40% and 30% by days 3-5 and day 7 respectively, and 25% by the 14th day and beyond. Staphylococcus haemolyticus and S. epidermidis were the most frequent CNS species encountered, accounting for 36% and 35% of isolates. Resistance to four or more antibiotics was present in 37% of strains isolated on the first day and this increased to 100% of isolates from infants who stayed for more than 14 days. Forty-five percent of CNS were slime producers; no significant difference was observed in slime producing ability between the species or isolates at different days after birth. Five infants developed septicaemia due to CNS. Staphylococcus haemolyticus and S. epidermidis were recovered as the only pathogens from three and two cases respectively. Detailed typing revealed that one case of infection with S. haemolyticus was preceded by surface colonization with an identical strain. Evidence was also obtained for the transmission of CNS between babies on the hands of staff.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Sero-epidemiological study of severe forms of paralytic poliomyelitis.

Poliomyelitis has assumed immense public health importance owing to the magnitude of problem. The present study describes clinical, epidemiological and virological profile of seventy four cases of severe forms of acute paralytic poliomyelitis admitted to Kalawati Saran Children Hospital, New Delhi, during the period from August, 1986 to May, 1987. Thirty two per cent of total paralytic poliomyelitis cases were diagnosed as severe cases. Highest incidence (45.95%) of the cases were in the age group of 6-12 months and male to female ratio was 2.08:1. There was preponderance of cases from urban area. Among all the cases, 12.2% had received three or more doses of oral poliovaccine. Fever and respiratory involvement were the commonest symptoms. Sixty seven patients (90.5%) were virologically or serologically confirmed as an acute poliomyelitis due to any of the three poliovirus type. On follow up of the cases, complete recovery could be seen only in 4.2% of cases with varying degree of residual paralysis in 95.8% cases.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1991

Antibody response to three doses of standard and double dose of trivalent oral polio vaccine.

The study was undertaken to compare the antibody response of 6-12 weeks old infants after three doses of standard trivalent oral polio vaccine (TOPV) (Groups A; (n = 42) with three doses of double the amount of TOPV (Group B; n = 35). Seroconversions in Group A were 64.2, 80.9% and 57.1% for Types I, II and III polioviruses, respectively. The corresponding figures for Group B were 77.7, 80.0 and 60.6%, respectively, the differences being insignificant. Differences in feeding practices and presence of maternal antibodies did not affect seroconversion. This suggests that increasing the amount of vaccine virus in each dose is not an alternative to present strategy. Breast feeding and presence of maternal antibodies are not responsible for poor seroconversion.

Antibodies, Viral↗
PubMed1991

Icterometer: a useful screening tool for neonatal jaundice.

One hundred and sixty one jaundiced newborns were investigated for the usefulness of perspex icterometer as a screening tool for neonatal jaundice. Along with serum bilirubin estimation, icterometer score was simultaneously obtained in all the cases. The correlation between serum bilirubin and icterometer score was high (r = 0.99). The icterometer was useful in various subgroups. A high sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value was seen in all the groups. A possible role of icterometer in India for screening newborns with jaundice at peripheral level is highlighted.

Bilirubin↗
PubMed1991

Neonatal mortality patterns in an urban hospital.

Neonatal mortality rate is perhaps the most reliable indicator of the perinatal outcome. An assessment of perinatal outcome can be made through knowledge of causes of death. This study was carried out to evaluate the neonatal deaths in our hospital. Live births (n = 7309) and deaths (n = 328) during a 6 months period were retrospectively analyzed. These were grouped into non-preventable and potentially preventable causes of death. The single most important factor contributing to the mortality was respiratory distress (29.3%) followed by sepsis (24.4%) and birth asphyxia (16.2%). The non-preventable causes of mortality (e.g., lethal congenital malformations, extremely low birth weight) accounted for 10.4% of the total mortality. The idealized neonatal mortality rate was 4.6/1000 live births, while the salvageable death rate was 40.2/1000 live births. The mortality increased significantly if the birth weight fell below 2 kg. The salvageable deaths could perhaps be prevented through better antenatal and intranatal care, ventilatory support and prevention of sepsis.

Cause of Death↗