Detection of respiratory syncytial virus & Mycoplasma pneumoniae in paediatric lower respiratory tract infections

Background & objectives: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are considered common cause of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children. The present study was conducted to detect M. pneumoniae and RSV in paediatric LRTIs employing serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) analysis. Methods: Seventy five children aged one month to five years with acute LRTIs were investigated for M. pneumoniae antibodies and RSV antigen using immunochromatographic test, RT-PCR for RSV and M. pneumoniae by PCR on nasopharyngeal aspirates. Results: RSV infection was observed in 33 (44%) and M. pneumoniae was positive in 26 (35%) children. No significant difference in infection was noted between male and female children. Clinical and radiological features among RSV and M. pneumoniae positive and negative cases were similar. Considering RT-PCR for RSV as gold standard, RSV antigen immunochromatography was 90.90 per cent sensitive and 100 per cent specific. Interpretation & conclusions: Our study showed the presence of RSV and M. pneumoniae infection in 44 and 35 per cent children, respectively with community-acquired LRTIs and aged less than five years.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology Of An Unusual Retropharyngeal Mass

We describe a case of long standing goiter with retropharyngeal space mass. FNAC established the diagnosis of retropharyngeal mass as extension of the goiter into the retropharyngeal space. Long standing large goiter usually grows downwards through the thoracic inlet. This case highlights the rare possibility of extension of the goiter into the retropharyngeal space and presenting clinically as retropharyngeal mass.

Cervical mediastinoscopy: Re-evaluation of an old technique in era of new imaging technology.

Context. With the advent of modern anatomical and functional imaging technologies, application of cervical mediastinoscopy has decreased in diagnosis and staging of mediastinal diseases. Aim. To evaluate the usefulness of cervical mediastinoscopy in assessing the mediastinal disease when imaging modalities are non-diagnostic. Settings and Design. Retrospective analysis of records of a tertiary care hospital. Patients and Methods. Thirty-nine patients with mediastinal pathology of varied aetiologies underwent cervical mediastinoscopy. Pre- and post-operative diagnosis was compared. Results. In 34 out of 39 cases (87.5%), cervical mediastinoscopy provided a confirmatory final diagnosis. One case had a major complication in the form of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Conclusion. Cervical mediastinoscopy is useful, minimally invasive modality in a scenario where anatomical and functional imaging tools are non-diagnostic.

Relationship between sputum smear grading and smear conversion rate and treatment outcome in the patients of pulmonary tuberculosis undergoing DOTS- A prospective cohort study.

Background: The Smear Conversion Rate (SCR) is an operational indicator for the Directly Observed Treatment Shortcourse (DOTS) strategy of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in India. The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between sputum smear grading and smear conversion rate among the Category I smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients undergoing DOTS. Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted among the Category I smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients registered under DOTS at GTB, Karawal Nagar and Shahdara Chest Clinics of Delhi. Sample size for the present study was calculated on the basis of a similar study of a retrospective design conducted at LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory diseases New Delhi, India using statistical software Epi Info version 6. Accordingly, a total of 338 sputum smear positive patients with 169 each in the High Positive Cohort (pre-treatment sputum grading 3+) and Low Positive Cohort (pre-treatment sputum grading 2+, 1+ and Scanty) were followed periodically at two months ( end of Intensive Phase) , at three months (after one month extension of Intensive Phase ), at two months of Continuation Phase and then at the end of the treatment to record the sputum AFB result and treatment outcome as per the RNTCP guidelines. Data was analyzed using SPSS Version -15. Results: After two months (end of the intensive phase), SCR was 57.9% (98 of 169) among the High Positive and 71.6% (121 of 169) in the Low positive cohort ( p -0.008). After three months (one month’s extension of intensive phase), cumulative SCR was 85.2%( 144 of 169)) in the High Positive and 92.3%(156 of 169) in the Low Positive cohort (p- 0.03). Cure rate was 82.8%(140 of 169) in the High Positive and 84.6%(143 of 169) in the Low Positive cohort. Default rate was 3% (five of 169) in the High Positive and 5.3% (nine of 169) in the Low Positive cohort. Failure rate was 11.2% (19 of 169) in the High positive and 6.5% in the Low positive Cohort (11 of 169). Only one patient (0.6%) in each High and Low Positive cohort died during course of treatment ( p -0.631). Treatment outcome was further compared among the patients according to their sputum status achieved at two and three months of the treatment after ignoring their initial sputum status. The cure rates for the patients who converted at two months was 90.9% (199 of 219) and for those who did not convert at two months, was 74.3% (84 0f 113) (p -0.000). Similarly, the cure rate for the patients who converted at three months was 84% (68 of 81) and for those who did not convert at three months was 55.2% (16 of 29) (p-0.01). Interpretation: Patients with higher grades of sputum positivity at the beginning of the treatment have significantly lower SCR at the end of intensive phase and even after extending the intensive phase for one month. Hence, they are likely to remain infectious for a longer duration and continue to transmit infection in the community. Therefore, these patients demand to have more stringent self-precautionary measures to break the chain of infection in the community. The SCR at two months and three months as an operational indicator should be given more importance rather than being practised only as a documentation and academic exercise. The patient should be investigated for the possible co-morbid conditions and drug resistance which could be a cause for the persistent sputum smear positivity at two and three months and hence poor treatment outcome.

Introducing regular behavioural surveillance into the health system in India: Its feasibility and validity.

Background. Illness is affected by human behaviour. However, in most developing countries the risk behaviour of the general population is not assessed. We developed a surveillance system to assess the ‘risk factors’ at the community level using the routine healthcare system. Methods. The Comprehensive Rural Health Services Project at Ballabgarh, Haryana, provides healthcare to a population of 82 933 through 2 primary health centres and 24 health workers. Information on behavioural risk factors for communicable and non-communicable diseases was collected by health workers during the annual health census from December 2003 to February 2004. The information collected pertained to maternal and child health, and household and individual behaviour. We compared the data related to individual behaviour with that of a survey of non-communicable diseases risk factors done in the same area. Results. Data were collected from (i) mothers who had delivered during the preceding year (n=1625), (ii) a random sample of individuals (n=2865), (iii) and all households (n=7488). The response rate was 85% for mothers, 91% for households and 95% for individuals. Approximately 80% of the households had access to drinking water, 32% to sanitary latrines, 28% of women increased their dietary intake during pregnancy, and 50% of adult men used tobacco. Comparing these results with those from the survey of risk factors for non-communicable diseases revealed no significant differences. Conclusion. It is feasible for health workers to do behavioural surveillance by using the routine healthcare system.

Osteopetrosis: A rare cause of anemia - Review of literature.

Normocytic anaemia is caused either by hypoproliferation of haemopoietic tissue or increased destruction of red cell. Osteopetrosis is a rare cause of anaemia. The leading clinical features are pallor, growth failure, hepatosplenomegaly.On hematological examination, anemia, thrombocytopenia, leucocytosis and myelophthisic anemia are commonly observed in this disease. We are highlighting osteopetrosis as a rare cause of anemia presenting to us for evaluation of anemia.

Prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable disease in a rural area of Faridabad district of Haryana.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: To estimate the prevalence and levels of common risk factors for noncommunicable disease in a rural population of Haryana. METHODS: The study involved a survey of 1359 male and 1469 female respondents, aged 15-64 years. Multistage sampling was used for recruitment (PHCs/sub-centres/villages). All households in the selected villages were covered, with one male and one female interviewed in alternate household. WHO STEP-wise tool was used as the study instrument which included behavioural risk factor questionnaire and physical measurements of height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure. The age adjusting was done using rural Faridabad data from Census 2001. RESULTS: The age adjusted prevalence of daily smoked tobacco was 41% for men and 13% for women. Daily smokeless tobacco use was 7.1% and 1.2% for men and women respectively. The prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 24.6% among men and none of the women reported consuming alcohol. The mean number of servings of fruits and vegetables per day was 3.7 for men and 2.7 for women. The percentage of people undertaking at least 150 minutes of physical activity in a week was 77.8% for men and 54.5% for women. Among men 9.0% had BMI > or = 25.0 compared to 15.2% among women. The prevalence of measured hypertension, i.e. > or = 140 SBP and/or > or = 90 DBP or on antihypertensive drugs was 10.7% among men and 7.9% among women. CONCLUSION: The study showed a high burden of tobacco use and alcohol use among men, inactivity and overweight among women and low fruit and vegetable consumption among both sexes in rural areas.

Risk factors for non-communicable disease in urban Haryana: a study using the STEPS approach.

BACKGROUND: India is in the midst of an epidemiological transition with non-communicable diseases increasing in importance. Targeting the risk factors for non-communicable diseases is recognized as an essential preventive strategy. There is lack of good quality data on prevalence of risk factors. The present study addresses this challenge in urban population of Ballabgarh town in Faridabad district of Haryana. METHODS: A total of 1263 male and 1326 female respondents were selected using multistage systematic random sampling, in 5 age groups of 10 years (15-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64). The World Health Organization's STEPS approach entails stepwise collection of the risk factor data based on standardized questionnaires (step 1), basic physical measures in step 2 and finally in 3rd step, basic biochemical investigations such as blood sugar and cholesterol. The prevalence was adjusted to the age and sex strata of urban Faridabad as per census 2001. RESULTS: The prevalence of current daily use of smoked tobacco was 22.2% (95% CI7colon; 20.0-24.6) for males and 1.4% (95% CI: 0.9-2.2) for females. In males the prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 28.9% (95% CI: 26.4-31.5). Physical inactivity was reported by 23.2% (95% CI: 20.9-25.6) of males and 52.4% (95% CI: 49.7-55.1) of female respondents. Only 8.6% of males and 4.4% of females were consuming adequate portions of the fruits and vegetables. 23.1% (95% CI: 20.8-25.5) males and 15.7% (95% CI: 13.87ndash;17.8) females were either in Stage 1 and 2 hypertension (JNC VII) or were taking anti-hypertensives. Among males, 25.4% (95% CI: 23.0-27.9) and, among females 34.9% (95% CI: 32.3-37.6) were overweight. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use among males and physical inactivity among females was high. Low consumption of fruits and vegetables, hypertension and overweight was equally common among both the sexes in the population studied. Thus there is an urgent need for initiating measures at the risk factor level to counter this modern day epidemic of non-communicable disorders, within this urban community.

Are the urban poor vulnerable to non-communicable diseases? A survey of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in urban slums of Faridabad.

BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases have modifiable risk factors, which are easy to measure and can help in planning effective interventions. We established a community-based sentinel surveillance to estimate the prevalence and level of common risk factors for major non-communicable diseases as part of a joint Indian Council of Medical Research/WHO initiative. METHODS: This survey was done from February 2003 to June 2004 and included 1260 men and 1 304 women 15-64 years of age living in urban slum areas of Ballabgarh block, Faridabad district, Haryana. A list of all slums in Ballabgarh block was obtained from the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad. Slums were selected by stratified cluster sampling. All households in the selected slums were visited and men and women interviewed in alternate households. The study instrument was based on the STEPS approach of WHO. It included questions related to tobacco use, alcohol intake, diet, physical activity, and history of treatment for hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured. To estimate prevalence at the population level, age adjustment was done using the urban Faridabad population structure from the 2001 Census of India. RESULTS: The age-adjusted prevalence of smoking among men was 36.5% compared with 7% in women. Bidi was the predominant form of smoked tobacco used. The use of smokeless tobacco was reported by 10.2% of men and 2.9% of women. While 26% of men reported consuming alcohol in the past 1 year, none of the women did. The mean number of servings per day of fruits and vegetables was 2.7 for men compared with 2.2 for women. Overall, only 7.9% and 5.4% of men and women, respectively took > or = 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables. Women were more likely to be physically inactive compared with men (14.8% v. 55%); 67% of men and 22.8% of women reported mean physical activity > 150 minutes per week. The mean body mass index (BMI) was lower in men than in women (20.9 v. 21.9 kg/m2). The prevalence of overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2)) was 16% among men and 21.9% among women. The prevalence of hypertension (blood pressure > or = 1 40/> or = 90 mmHg or on an antihypertensive drug) was 17.2% in men and 15.8% in women. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases across all age groups in this urban slum community indicates the likelihood of a high future burden of illness. Immediate action for prevention and control is required to prevent the situation from worsening.

A new strategy of drug treatment in NSAID-unresponsive ankylosing spondylitis: combination of pamidronate and methylprednisolone monthly intravenous infusions on the background of a combination of disease modifying drugs sulfasalazine and methotrexate.

OBJECTIVES: To assess short term efficacy and tolerability of a therapeutic strategy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) unresponsive to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or coxibs and unable to take anti-tumour necrosis factor-alpha (anti-TNFalpha) biological treatment. METHODS: Established AS patients were given a background treatment consisting of subcutaneous injections of methotrexate weekly (MTX, dose stepped up to a maximum of 20 to 25 mg), weekly 12-16 mg of methylprednisolone orally 30 mts before methotrexate dose (for nausea prevention), sulfasalazine (SSZ, 1 gm orally twice per day) with folic acid supplementation (5 mg daily except on the day of MTX). Additionally, they were given monthly cycles of intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone 'pulse' (MPP) and pamidronate infusions (MPP 500 mg 3 consecutive days + pamidronate 60 mg in a slow IV infusion on day 2 of the MPP infusion). A minimum of six treatment cycles at monthly intervals were given. Adjunct treatment consisted of 1 gm elemental calcium supplementation, paracetamol 650 mg 'as-and-when-required' for symptomatic pain relief, amitriptyline 10 mg 2 hours before bed time daily. RESULTS: Of a total of 46 intent-to-treat patients, 39 patients achieved ASAS-20 and BASDAI-50 response (85%, 95% CI, range 71% to 94%); 7 (15 %) patients failed to improve. The expense involved in 6 months of treatment was approximately 10-fold less than anti-TNFalpha treatment over the same period of time. CONCLUSION: For AS patients unresponsive to standard NSAIDs/coxibs and unable to take anti-TNF biological agents a combination therapeutic strategy showed efficacy and good tolerability in a majority of patients evaluated over a short-term.

Benign esophageal stricture following aluminium phosphide poisoning.

Aluminium phosphide is often implicated in accidental and suicidal poisoning in India. Ingestion of even half a fresh tablet invariably results in death, whereas exposed tablets are usually considered harmless. We report two cases of short-segment esophageal strictures that occurred following ingestion of exposed tablet of aluminium phosphide. Both cases could be successfully managed by endoscopic dilatation.

Refractory thrombocytopenia in antiphospholipid syndrome.

Thrombocytopenia is the second most common manifestation of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). It is found in approximately 22% of the patients with this disease. Often it is not severe, platelet counts usually range between 50 x 10(9)/L and 150 x 10(9)/L without bleeding problems. Yet, it does not protect patients against thrombotic events. It rarely requires treatment and, due to similarities to idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), similar treatment rules usually apply. In this report two patients with APS are described who presented with severe thrombocytopenia that did not respond to standard treatment regimen namely glucocorticoids (GC) followed by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG). Splenectomy had to be resorted to relieve the condition.

Declining sex ratio: role of society, technology and government regulation in Faridabad district, Haryana.

BACKGROUND: A declining sex ratio at birth has been documented during censuses in India. The decline is especially more in the northern states of Haryana and Punjab. We attempted to assess the role of society (preference for a male child, awareness and acceptability of the practice of sex determination), technology (availability and affordability) and government regulation in the adverse ratio for girls in the Ballabgarh block of Haryana in northern India. METHODS: The population (about 80 000) in the Ballabgarh block has been under constant demographic surveillance for the past 30 years and the data are stored electronically. This was used to determine the sex ratio at birth in the area since 1990. The data on availability of ultrasound machines was collected from the district authorities, as registration of these machines was made mandatory under the Prenatal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994. We interviewed 160 mothers and grandmothers to determine the awareness and acceptability of sex determination methods and practices. RESULTS: The demographic data for the past 10 years showed a declining sex ratio-from 881 in 1990-91 to 833 in 2000-01. The data support the view that in the initial part of this period, ultrasound was used for sex determination of all-order births but subsequently was used more in higher-order births. Our interviews with the mothers and grandmothers of the area showed that the practice of sex determination is prevalent and the attitude of the society is ambivalent. The increased availability of ultrasound machines in the area in the past 10 years corresponded to the decline in sex ratio. When the government made the practice illegal, the sex ratio improved only to fall again as the law was not implemented. Later years saw a more stringent implementation of the law and the sex ratio improved again. CONCLUSION: There is a 'demand' for sex determination technology and, therefore, this would continue to be 'supplied'. At most the 'supply' can be regulated. Social engineering efforts need to be targeted at reducing the demand if the sex ratio is to be improved.

Cost of syrup versus capsule form of vitamin A supplementation.

The study was done to estimate the cost of each dose of vitamin A (2,00,000 Units) to the health system when delivered as a capsule, applicap or as syrup form. The cost of distribution of vitamin A supplements was estimated for the manufacturers, district and delivery level. The lowest cost per dose was for capsules in plastic jar (Rs. 0.99) and the highest was for the syrup in glass bottle (Rs. 1.29), the option currently being practiced. The distribution costs were least for the capsule, which compensates for its higher production cost. The cost of syrup was also more due to high degree of wastage compared to capsules. While cost is an important issue, other operational factors need also to be considered.

Use of verbal autopsy by health workers in under-five children.

We conducted this study to ascertain whether health workers can routinely administer verbal autopsy (VA) to determine the cause of death in their area. The health workers were trained to administer verbal autopsy tool on the deaths occurring in the population under them. All the verbal autopsies of under-five deaths between January 2000 to December 2001 were reviewed by a pediatrician. There were 262 deaths of children under five years in this period, and 71% of them were infants, out of which 34% were neonatal deaths. The health workers reported PEM, fever, pneumonia, and diarrhea as the leading causes of death, based on the existing system of obtaining information provided by the family members. Verbal autopsy forms reviewed by a pediatrician also showed that apart from fever, the first three causes of death were the same i.e., PEM, diarrhea and pneumonia. This study shows that health workers can be trained to use the verbal autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasma infection among primigravid women attending antenatal clinic at a secondary level hospital in North India.

A study was carried out among primigravid women attending a secondary level hospital in a district of North India. The objective of the study was to determine seroprevalence rate of Toxoplasma gondii infection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Associations between toxoplasma seropositivity and selected variables (socio-demographic and biologically plausible variables) were also studied. Five hundred three women were enrolled from the antenatal clinic between August, 1996 and September, 1997. Of these, 210 women (41.75%) were seropositive for Toxoplasma gondii infection. These results indicate that a large number of the study subjects were vulnerable to toxoplasma infection. If these infections had occurred during the pregnancy, their foetuses would have been at high risk of infection. There was no statistically significant association between toxoplasma seropositivity and the variables studied except, in the case of type of meat usually consumed. There is a need to provide health education to pregnant women in order to prevent primary toxoplasma infection during pregnancy.