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Biomedical subjects

V P Sharma

Publications and source records attributed to V P Sharma.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

Studies on malaria during pregnancy in a tribal area of central India (Madhya Pradesh).

In tribal villages of central India where malaria is highly prevalent (mesoendemic), this preliminary study was undertaken to determine the effects of malaria infection in a group of 456 pregnant women with or without fever. Only 96 women were found infected with malaria, of which Plasmodium falciparum accounted for 64% of the detected parasites, while P. vivax for the remaining 36%. There were no instances of cerebral malaria or death however, one abortion and four still births were recorded among 38 primigravid women. Only one neonate was found infected with P. falciparum on day 21 though parasitemia was not high. Anemia was commonly present in most of the women (80%). Failure to clear P. falciparum parasitemia after a chloroquine regimen (25 mg/kg of body weight) was commonly observed. Persistent P. falciparum parasitemia was recorded in 8% cases. Poor response to chloroquine suggests the need to change the drug policy.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Effectiveness of alpha-beta arteether in clearing Plasmodium falciparum parasitemia in central India (Madhya Pradesh).

Forty-six patients (25 Females + 21 Males) of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum in districts Jabalpur and Mandla of central India (Madhya Pradesh) were administered alpha-beta arteether (an ethyl derivative of qinghaosu), intramuscularly for 3 consecutive days (150 mg once a day). The results revealed that there was rapid control of fever in all the patients without administration of any antipyretic drug. The mean parasite clearance time was 30.78 +/- 10.92 hours and recrudescence/reinfection rate was 6.7% within 28 days. Study indicates that arteether, besides being a potent and fast acting schizontocidal drug, also exhibited gametocytocidal action on P. falciparum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

The use of a dipstick antigen-capture assay for the diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum infection in a remote forested area of central India.

A study was carried out in a highly malarious forested belt of central India (Madhya Pradesh) to evaluate the usefulness of a dipstick antigen-capture assay (ParaSight F) as a diagnostic method for Plasmodium falciparum appropriate for field use. In all, 1,231 patients with fever were screened in parallel with the taking of thick blood smears. The sensitivity and specificity of the dipstick test for detection of P. falciparum were 93% and 92.5%, respectively. Results also indicate that the dipstick test result became negative within seven days after initiation of curative chemotherapy in the majority of cases (95%). Tribal populations in remote forested areas are important reservoirs of P. falciparum that are mostly resistant to standard antimalarial drugs and a source of malaria to the rest of the country. Control of malaria is limited by inaccessibility, lack of medical services, public ignorance of the disease, and other technical problems. In this population, the dipstick assay was found to be highly accurate, simple, and rapid, suggesting that it may be used in remote forested areas without the need for microscopic examination. The simplicity of the dipstick test enabled administration of more effective and expensive antimalarials preventing further buildup and dissemination of resistant parasites and a return of symptoms.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Field trial of Bacillus sphaericus strain B-101 (serotype H5a, 5b) against filariasis and Japanese encephalitis vectors in India.

A large-scale operational field trial was conducted from June 1993 to October 1994 to evaluate the efficacy of Bacillus sphaericus (strain B-101, serotype H5a,5b) for control of the vectors of filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus) and Japanese encephalitis (Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. vishnui) in Rourkela city. Application of B. sphaericus, when sprayed at 1 g/m2 in storm drains, wastewater pools, abandoned masonry tanks, peripheral paddy fields, ditches, and other small water collections and at 4 g/m2 in domestic septic tanks, significantly reduced larval and pupal counts (P < 0.0001) and significantly reduced the percentage of habitats containing larvae (3rd-4th instars) (P < 0.0001) as compared with routine antilarval measures. This in turn resulted in a reduction in the indoor density of disease vectors in particular and a reduction in mosquito nuisance in general. The trial demonstrated that B. sphaericus has good potential for use against disease vectors and mosquito breeding in polluted as well as clean waters.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

In-vivo and in-vitro sensitivity of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine in Chennai (Tamil Nadu), India.

In-vitro and in-vivo susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine were conducted at Chennai city, India. Eighteen (60%) out of 30 cases showed resistance in in-vitro study. EC50 of resistant and sensitive cases were 0.40 and 0.24 mumol chloroquine/l blood respectively, while EC90 were 2.64 and 0.84 mumol chloroquine/l blood respectively. In-vivo tests identified 24 cases (40%) as resistant (23 RI and 1 RII) and 36 (60%) as sensitive out of 60 cases. Eight isolates which were found resistant with in-vitro tests showed sensitive behaviour to chloroquine treatment assessed by in-vivo studies.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Mosquito breeding and resting in treeholes in a forest ecosystem in Orissa.

During a longitudinal study in the deciduous monsoon forest in northwest Orissa, 16 species belonging to Genera Anopheles (2), Culex (3), Aedes (8), Armigeres (1), Orthopodomyia (1) and Toxorhynchites (1) were found breeding in the treeholes, while 20 species including disease vectors An. culicifacies, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. albopictus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. vishnui were found resting. The study showed that so far malaria vectors have not exploited the breeding potential of treeholes but Aedes albopictus, vector of dengue/ dengue haemorrhagic fever in Asia, was one of the main species breeding and resting in the treeholes. The paper describes seasonality, interspecific association and some new species breeding/resting in treeholes in Orissa.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Anopheline species complexes & malaria control.

Species complexes comprising morphologically indistinguishable biological species that are reproductively isolated, are of common occurrence among anophelines. A list of anopheline species complexes identified so far in the world has been given. To demonstrate the importance of species complexes in malaria control, we report the Anopheles culicifacies complex as a case study. An. culicifacies is a major vector of malaria in India and neighbouring countries. This complex comprises four sibling species, A, B, C and D. Stratification of U.P. state and district Allahabad has been shown taking into consideration the biological differences among sibling species, viz., sibling species composition and vectorial potential- species B is a non-vector while others are vectors. To achieve cost effective vector control, microlevel stratification at least at the block level has been suggested. Implications of differential responses of sibling species to DDT and malathion in field operations have been discussed. To achieve selective and sustainable control, and to reduce the unnecessary selection pressure of insecticides, an insecticide spray strategy to control An. culicifacies has been provided.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Role of geographic information system in malaria control.

In this paper we provide an account of our experience in the application of remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS) in understanding malaria transmission dynamics at the local level. Two studies have been briefly reviewed. One is the application of RS on the mosquito production in the Sanjay lake and surrounding areas in Delhi. Studies are demonstrated that remote sensing data were useful in assessing relative mosquito abundance from large water bodies. The second study was carried out in Nadiad taluka, Kheda district, Gujarat on the application of RS and GIS in a village-wise analysis of receptivity and vulnerability to malaria. For this study, remote sensed data and topo sheets of 1:50,000 and 1:125,000 were used in preparing thematic maps. Digitised overlaid maps were subjected to computer analysis using ARC/INFO 3.1 software. Malaria annual parasite incidence (API) showed relationship with water table followed by soil type, irrigation and water quality, other parameters also contributed to malaria receptivity but less significantly. Based on GIS analysis location specific malaria control strategy was suggested to achieve cost effective control of malaria on a sustainable basis.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Bioenvironmental control of industrial malaria at Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd., Hardwar, India--results of a nine-year study (1987-95).

A bioenvironmental model to control malaria at Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. in Hardwar was developed by using existing resources to reduce mosquito breeding. The civil maintenance department carried out major source reduction work by filling pits, low lying areas, ditches, etc., with fly ash from a coal-fired power station, construction of stand posts and proper drainage, mosquito proofing of overhead tanks, and preventive maintenance of the water supply and the sewage system. The project staff has applied 1) expanded polystyrene beads to underground tanks, leaking sluice valve chambers, and blocked sewage manholes; 2) biolarvicides to water accumulated in factory scraps, blocked drains, and riverbed pools, and 3) larvivorous fish to storm water drains, effluent ponds, and drains for the effective control of mosquito breeding. Improved surveillance and treatment coupled with comprehensive developmental schemes were additional tools to gain community support. As a result of intervention measures, the vector density in the township was significantly lowered compared to that of a control area, and there was a drastic reduction in malaria incidence compared to that of the preintervention year: only 190 cases were recorded in 1995, compared to 3,049 cases in 1985. The study has shown that malaria control in an industrial township through an integrated control approach is practical, sustainable, and economically feasible and reduces insecticide pollution in the environment.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Efficacy of alpha,beta-arteether in acute uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria.

A phase-III clinical trial was conducted in 50 patients (42M + 8F) with acute uncomplicated falciparum malaria from Delhi during the period of September to November 1995. Their mean age was 27.2 years, and the mean parasitaemia on day 0 was 0.65%. Patients were hospitalized and treated with a new ethyl derivative of artemisinin developed at CDRI called alpha, beta-arteether, at the dosage of 150 mg l/M for three consecutive days. Peripheral smears were examined every day for 4 days and then weekly up to 28 days. The results of the study showed that the mean parasite and fever clearance times were respectively 19.94 +/- 6.87 and 37.81 +/- 21.67 hours. Within 48 h, 70% of the cases became afebrile and the peripheral smear was negative in 100% of the cases. The drug was well tolerated. Three cases (6%) had recrudescence within 28 days. It is concluded that alpha, beta-arteether is a safe, effective and rapidly acting antimalarial.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Y-chromosome polymorphism in species B and C of Anopheles culicifacies complex.

Isofemale cultures of wild-caught Anopheles culicifacies collected from 11 localities representing different ecoepidemiological zones on the mainland of India were identified by examining both F1 male larval mitotic karyotypes and polytene chromosomes of half-gravid F1 adult females. All cultures identified as species A by polytene chromosome examination had submetacentric Y chromosomes. In species B and C, some isofemale cultures had acrocentric Y chromosomes, whereas others were submetacentric. The study revealed the existence of a Y chromosome polymorphism in species B and C; consequently, male mitotic karyotypes are of limited use for differentiating members of the An. culicifacies complex.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

HCH and DDT residues in human and bovine milk at Hardwar, India.

Concentrations of HCH and DDT in human and bovine milk were determined in two areas under malaria control namely, BHEL, Hardwar with bioenvironmental control strategy and rural and urban areas of Bahadrabad PHC of Hardwar district with residual spraying of insecticides. Mean HCH and DDT residues in human milk in BHEL were 0.027 and 0.021 mg/kg, while from Bahadrabad were 0.089 and 0.149 mg/kg respectively. Similarly, mean HCH and DDT contents in bovine milk from BHEL were 0.019 and 0.008 mg/kg, while 0.058 and 0.029 mg/kg, respectively from Bahadrabad. Statistically significant differences were recorded in HCH and DDT levels in human and bovine milk samples between BHEL and Bahadrabad areas of Hardwar district. The mean levels of HCH and DDT in bovine milk samples did not exceed the maximum residual limit of 0.05 mg/kg from BHEL whereas, 38.5% samples from Bahadrabad area exceeded this limit.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Laboratory evaluation of the biocontrol potential of Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides (Copepoda: Cyclopidae) against mosquito larvae.

Biocontrol potential of Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides against first instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus was studied under laboratory conditions. It was found that M. thermocyclopoides had the highest predation efficacy against Ae. aegypti followed by An. stephensi and Cx. quinquefasciatus. There was a significant reduction in the predation efficacy of M. thermocyclopoides against Cx. quinquefasciatus in the presence of alternate food (p < 0.01). The cage simulation trial indicated that M. themocyclopoides has the potential to control Ae. aegypti breeding effectively in a container type of habitat.

Aedes↗
PubMed1996

High-performance liquid chromatographic determination of primaquine and carboxyprimaquine concentrations in plasma and blood cells in Plasmodium vivax malaria cases following chronic dosage with primaquine.

A reversed-phase HPLC method using acetonitrile-methanol-1 M perchloric acid-water (30:9:1:95, v/v) at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min on a mu-Bondapak C18 column with UV detection at 254 nm was developed for the separation of primaquine, its major metabolite carboxyprimaquine and other metabolites such as N-acetylprimaquine, 4-hydroxyprimaquine, 5-hydroxyprimaquine, 5-hydroxy-6-methoxyprimaquine, demethylprimaquine and 6-methoxyprimaquine, and also other antimalarials. The calibration graphs were linear in the range 0.025-100 micrograms/ml for primaquine and 4-1000 micrograms/ml for carboxyprimaquine. The within-day and day-to-day coefficients of variation averaged 3.65 and 6.95%, respectively, for primaquine and 3.0 and 7.52%, respectively for carboxyprimaquine in plasma. The extraction recoveries for primaquine and carboxyprimaquine were 89 and 83%, respectively. The mean carboxyprimaquine concentration was much higher in plasma and blood cells of Plasmodium vivax patients than that in plasma from healthy subjects. The carboxyprimaquine level was also higher in blood cells than plasma whereas the primaquine concentration was the same in both cases.

Adolescent↗