Quality assurance in relation to mycobacterial sputum samples received and processed at the National Public Health laboratory, 1st August 1997 to 31st January, 1998 and the effect of patients' treatment

There has been a global increase in the incidence of mycobacterial cases since the advent of HIV and AIDS. This increase has not been seen in Jamaica. This study was done to determine the quality of sample received, at the National Public Laboratory, in terms of sputum/saliva and time submitted after collection, and to evaluate if this affected case treatment. Data was retrospectively extracted from bench records at the laboratory and analyzed. Cross checking of laboratory negative and positive cases was done using patients' record at the National Chest Hospital, to validate laboratory results with clinical diagnosis. Evaluation of treatment of positive cases with respect to sensitivity results was done. Results showed that of the 925 sputum submitted 86.6 percent were true sputum samples, submitted mainly from the urban region. Sputum samples were five times more likely to yield positive TB culture results than saliva. There was no statistically significant difference in mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) or contamination results between sputum and saliva. With respect to time of arrival, only 412 samples were analyzed due to lack of data. Of these, 56.1 percent of these arrived within one day. Postive TB cultures were no different among sputum (14.3 percent) and saliva (13.3 percent) samples with respect to time of arrival. Contamination rate was slightly higher in samples received > 1 day (4.4 percent), to those received within one day (2.2 percent). The treatment of 22 TB positive cases evaluated, corresponded with the sensitivity results, but only one of the three MOTT cases corresponded. The quality of sputum samples received was generally good, and did not significantly affect culture results and patients' treatment. A further study however, needs to be done to evaluate quality control measures in the laboratory.(AU)

Social economics of childhood glucocorticoid stress response and health

This study examines socioeconomic conditions, psychosocial stress, and health among 264 infants, children, adolescents, and young adults aged 2 months to 18 years residing in a rural Caribbean village in Dominica. Fieldwork was conducted over a 9 year period (1988-1996). Research methods and techniques include salivary cortisol radioimmunoassay (N = 22, 438), systematic behavioral observation, psychological questionnaires, health evaluation, medical records, informal interviews, and participant observation. Analyses of data indicate complex relations among socioeconomic conditions, stress, and health. Household income, land ownership, parental education, and other socioeconomic measures are weakly associated with child illness. There is no evidence that apparent material benefits of high socioeconomic status such as improved housing, diet, work loads, and access to private health care have important direct effects on child health in this population. However, social relationship, especially family environment, may have important effects on childhood psychosocial stress and illness. Abnormal glucocorticoid response profiles, diminished immunity, and frequent illness are associated with unstable mating relationships for parents/caretakers and household compositon. We suggest that family relationships and concomitant stress and immunosuppression are important intermediary links between socioeconomic conditions and child health.(AU)

Saliva-based HIV rapid test launched in Caribbean

Reports that Beacon Diagnostics Inc. has announced that it has begun marketing the OraScreen HIV Rapid Test for detection of antibodies to HIV in saliva in Caribbean countries. Sale of the test to medical providers and over-the-counter for personal home use; Features of the test kit.(AU)

Assessment of antipyrine kinetics by measurement in saliva

The half-life of antipyrine has been estimated from saliva samples in ten subjects by a gas chromatographic method. Half-life, apparent volume of distribution and total body clearance estimated from saliva and plasma concentrations of antipyrine are not significantly different. The concentration of antipyrine in saliva is independent of the flow rate within the range expected in healthy subjects in response to mechanical and sapid stimuli. Antipyrine estimation in saliva could facilitate many areas of pharmacokinetic research limited by the difficulty of obtaining serial plasma samples. (AU)

Infectivity of the saliva in parasitic rabies

The saliva of bovines, horses, bats, and human beings suffering from paralytic rabies is highly infectious to rabbits. Though a large number of presons scoop out the saliva from the mouths of rabid animals with their hands, upon which superficial wounds can be seen, no one has, so far contracted the disease through this practice (Summary)