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Biomedical subjects

V Balasubramaniam

Publications and source records attributed to V Balasubramaniam.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Intramedullary glioependymal cyst and tethered cord in an infant.

INTRODUCTION: Intramedullary glioependymal cysts are rare congenital lesions of the spinal cord. Their association with another congenital lesion, i.e., tethered cord, is rarer still. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We present a case of intramedullary glioependymal cyst with a filar lipoma in an infant. The clinical features, terminology and pathogenesis are discussed. Many varieties of spinal cysts have been described. It is now believed that simple ciliated or goblet-containing intracranial and intraspinal cysts are endodermal rather than glioependymal in origin. The diagnostic criteria, too, have been defined. Although many of these lesions are developmental in origin their association with other congenital anomalies is rare.

Epidermal Cyst↗

Combined detection and genotyping of Chikungunya virus by a specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was developed for the detection of Chikungunya virus infection. Based on the nonstructural protein 1 (nsP1) and glycoprotein E1 (E1) genes of Chikungunya, two primer sets were designed. Total RNA were extracted from the cell culture fluid of Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells inoculated with the S27 prototype virus, isolated in Tanzania in 1953, and the Malaysian strains (MALh0198, MALh0298, and MALh0398), isolated in Malaysia in 1998. For both sets of RNA samples, the expected 354- and 294-base pair (bp) cDNA fragments were amplified effectively from the nsP1 and E1 genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted for the Malaysian strain and other virus strains isolated from different regions in the world endemic for Chikungunya, using partial E1 gene sequence data. The Malaysian strains isolated during the epidemics of 1998 fell into a cluster with other members of the Asian genotype.

Aedes↗

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the temporal bone.

Aneurysmal bone cysts are uncommon lesions of the bone, which are benign and non-neoplastic in nature. They are commonly seen in the long bones. Their occurrence in the calvarium is rare. We report the occurrence of an aneurysmal bone cyst in the temporal bone of a young boy, which eroded the posterior part of the orbit to cause proptosis.

Bone Cysts, Aneurysmal↗

Giant intramedullary teratoma in an infant.

Teratomas are uncommon tumors of the nervous system, the commonest site being the pineal region. Spinal teratomas are very rare apart from the sacrococcygeal variety. The authors report the occurrence of an intramedullary teratoma in an infant. The clinical features, imaging studies and the pathology are discussed. In addition the literature is also reviewed.

Humans↗

CSF ascites: a rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunt surgery.

CSF ascites is a very rare complication of ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt procedure. No definite explanation has been offered for the inability of the peritoneum to absorb the CSF. Two children who underwent VP shunting for hydrocephalus, presented with ascites 3 (1/2) years and 4 months respectively, after the shunt was placed. The treatment of choice is conversion of the VP shunt to a ventriculoatrial shunt.

Ascites↗

The role of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in congenital diseases in Malaysia.

A previous cross-sectional serological survey of various age groups (0-55 years) of the Malaysian normal population showed that cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is highly endemic in Malaysia. A total of 1,688 infants (0-4 months) with congenital abnormalities were screened for evidence of congenital CMV infection and the rest of the TORCHES (TOxoplasmosis, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, HErpes simplex, Syphilis) group of congenital infections. Congenital CMV infection was detected in 193 (11.4%) infants which is significantly higher than the prevalence of congenital syphilis (4%), congenital rubella infection (3.7%), congenital toxoplasma (1.0%) and congenital herpes simplex virus infection (0%). Of the 193 cases, 10.4 per cent had CNS defects. We concluded that 1) congenital CMV appears to be the most important cause of congenital infections among the TORCHES diseases in Malaysia; and 2) secondary rather than primary infections or reactivation is responsible for most of the intrauterine CMV infection in Malaysia, as primary infection is usually associated with neurological involvement.

Cytomegalovirus Infections↗

Comparison of HIV antibody profiles in intravenous drug users and individuals infected by the sexual route.

HIV-1 antibody patterns in two groups, those infected by the intravenous route (IV drug users) and those infected by the sexual route (prostitutes, male homosexuals and sexually transmitted disease patients) were compared using the Western blot technique. A total of 160 cases were studied. The intravenous drug user (IVDU) group appeared to respond to fewer antibody markers than the sexually infected group, the difference being significant for markers p31, p51, p55, p66, gp41 and gp120. Furthermore, a higher proportion (63%) of the sexually infected group carried antibodies to all Western blot markers as compared to the IVDU group (49%).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗