Association of Left Atrial Spontaneous Echocardiographic Contrast with Inflammatory Markers in Mitral Stenosis Patients.

Background: Spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) is a risk factor for left atrial thrombus formation and an important indicator of potential systemic embolism originated from heart. An established relation exists between the inflammatory status and the prothrombotic state. The present study was conducted to evaluate the association between left atrial spontaneous echocardiographic contrast with inflammatory markers in mitral stenosis patients. Methods: This observational analytical study was undertaken in the department of Cardiology, National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases (NICVD), Dhaka. A total of 70 patients with mitral stenosis were categorized into two groups: group I with left atrial SEC and group II without left atrial SEC. All patients underwent transthoracic as well as transoesophageal echocardiography. Complete blood count with ESR was done and neutrophil lymphocyte ratio was calculated. The high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) was assayed. Results: The hs-CRP levels were significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (5.6±2.1vs 1.5±0.7, p=0.001). The mean ESR level was significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (32.6±15.5 mmvs15.8±4.7 mm).The neutrophil levels ((76.1±1.9 vs 63.7±3.3) were significantly greater in the SEC-positive group, and the lymphocyte levels (33.3±3.0 vs 21.5±1.3) were significantly greater in the SEC-negative group (p=0.001 for each). The neutrophil/lymphocyte (N/L) ratio was also significantly greater in the SEC-positive group (3.4±0.4 vs2.1±0.6, p=0.001).On multivariate analysis hs-CRP, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, raised ESR, mitral valve area and left atrial diameter were independent risk factors for SEC in patients with mitral stenosis. Conclusion: From this study it may be concluded that left atrial SEC is associated with raised inflammatory markers in majority of patients with mitral stenosis. So, SEC may be considered as a reflection of ongoing inflammatory process in patients with mitral stenosis.

Correlation of Heart Rate Variability and 24- hour Mean Heart Rate with TIMI Risk Score in Acute ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction.

Background: Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score, heart rate variability (HRV) and 24hour mean heart rate all are important predictor of prognosis after ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI). Correlation among these factors has not been studied thoroughly. Methods: This study was conducted in NICVD (National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases), Dhaka, from July 2008 to June 2009. Total 105 STEMI patients were included in the study. TIMI risk score were calculated and each patient under went 24hour Holter monitoring. SDNN for HRV and mean RR interval for mean heart rate were recorded. Results : Ninety one patients (mean age 53.9 ± 10.8 years), 86.7% were males and 14( mean age 59.8 ± 8.8 years), 13.3% were female. Stratification of subjects by TIMI risk score shows that nearly 60% had risk score in the range of 3 – 7, 17. % between 0 – 2 and 24% 8 or more than 8.SDNN and RR interval stratified by TIMI risk score demonstrates that both the variables decreases significantly with the increase of TIMI risk score. Among the TIMI risk groups SDNN values were 120.0 ± 19, 871.0 ± 20.5 and 40.9 ± 6.4 msec in mild, moderate and high risk group respectively(p=<0.001). Mean RR were 836.8 ± 121.0, 776.7 ± 130.3 and 649.7 ± 75.5 msec in low, intermediate and high risk group respectively(p<0.001). There was a significant correlation between depressed SDNN and high TIMI risk score (r=.893, p=.001). High TIMI risk score also showed a negative correlation with mean RR interval (r=-574, p<0.001). Mean RR and SDNN show a perfect linear relationship (r = 0.657, p < 0.001). Conclusion: It was observed that depressed heart rate variability and increased 24-hours mean heart rate correlates with high TIMI risk score after acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Occurrence, significance & molecular epidemiology of cholera outbreaks in West Bengal.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Diarrhoeal disease outbreaks are causes of major public health emergencies in India. We carried out investigation of two cholera outbreaks, for identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, phage typing and molecular characterization of isolated Vibrio cholerae O1, and to suggest prevention and control measures. METHODS: A total of 22 rectal swabs and 20 stool samples were collected from the two outbreak sites. The V. cholerae isolates were serotyped and antimicrobial susceptibility determined. Pulsed- field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to identify the clonality of the V. cholerae strains which elucidated better understanding of the epidemiology of the cholera outbreaks. RESULTS: Both the outbreaks were caused by V. cholerae O1 (one was caused by serotype Ogawa and the other by serotype Inaba). Clinically the cases presented with profuse watery diarrhoea and dehydration. All the tested V. cholerae isolates were sensitive to tetracycline, gentamycin and azithromycin but resistance for ampicillin, co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, and furazolidone. PFGE pattern of the isolates from the two outbreaks revealed that they were clonal in origin. Stoppage of the source of water contamination and chlorination of drinking water resulted in terminating the two outbreaks. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The two diarrhoeal outbreaks were caused by V. cholerae O1 (Inaba/Ogawa). Such outbreaks are frequently seen in cholera endemic areas in many parts of the world. Vaccination is an attractive disease (cholera) prevention strategy although long-term measures like improvement of sanitation and personal hygiene, and provision of safe water supply are important, but require time and are expensive.

In vitro lethal efficacy of leaf extract of Cannabis sativa Linn on the larvae of Chironomous samoensis Edward: an insect of public health concern.

Leaf extract of C. sativa causes paralysis leading to death in larvae of C. samoensis. The extract brought a drastic change in the morphology of sensilla trichoidea and the general body cuticle. The larvae exposed to the leaf extract also showed a significant reduction in the concentration of Mg and Fe, while Mn showed only slight average increase. Since the sensilla trichoidea has nerve connection, it is expected that the toxic principle of the leaf extract has affected the central nervous system. The significant reduction of the level of Fe indicates that the extract could cause the reduction in oxygen binding capacity of the haemolymph, thereby acting as a respiratory poison in addition to its known role as a neurotoxic substance.

Silver amalgam versus resin modified GIC class-II restorations in primary molars: twelve month clinical evaluation.

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of resin modified GIC with amalgam as a restorative material, in Class-II cavities of primary molars. Restorations were evaluated at four, eight, and twelve months for their marginal integrity, anatomic form and development of recurrent caries. When each parameter was considered separately, there was no difference in the success rate between the two groups, except development of recurrent caries significantly less (p<0.05) in RMGIC group(4.7%) compared to amalgam group (12.5%) at twelve month follow up. However, the cumulative success rate at 12 month was found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in RMGIC (Fuji II LC) group(83.1%) compared to amalgam(72%).

Surgical management of genital prolapse in an industrial hospital.

Surgical management of 200 cases of genital prolapse was reviewed and analysed. Forty per cent cases had 3rd degree uterine prolapse, 42 per cent had 2nd degree uterine prolapse and 18 per cent had 1st degree uterine prolapse. Fothergill operation was performed in 91 cases (45.5%). Vaginal hysterectomy with pelvic floor repair was performed in 70 cases (35%) and was the choice of treatment in pre-and postmenopausal patients.

Localised disturbances associated with primary teeth eruption.

The survey carried out on 201 infants of Calcutta aged 6-12 months to find out the localised disturbances associated with the eruption of the primary teeth, as judged through a questionnaire revealed that the most common disturbance was the inflammation of gums followed by flushing of cheeks, ulcers in mouth, cheek rash and eruption cyst.

Prognosis and management of membraneous nephropathy.

Patients of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MGN) were randomly assigned to received steroid and cyclophosphamide every other month (Gr-I) and steroid alone (Gr-II). Of 36 patients in Gr.I, 33 patients achieved complete remissions, 2 had relapsing course with remission on further courses of therapy and only one has reached end stage renal failure. In contrast, of the 35 patients in Gr. II, 15 (P < 0.001) achieved complete remission, 7 are in partial remission, 5 have no response, another 5 have deterioration of renal function of which two required dialysis, and 3 have relapsing course after the initial remission. Mean follow up period was 46 +/- 10.2 months. We conclude that steroid and cyclophosphamide every other month is highly effective in achieving remission in patients with membranous nephropathy.

Malpighian corpuscles of spleen in infancy and childhood.

In early infancy splenic white pulp is seen arranged around the central arterioles. They do not show any reactive changes even in the presence of systemic infections. Lymphoid follicles are seen at 6 weeks of life. Germinal centres appear from the 8th week of life onwards. Periarteriolar lymphocytic sheaths persist in the older children along with the reactive changes.

Aortic dissection in a non-marfanoid child.

A nine year old girl presented with chest pain and dyspnoea of sudden onset. She had no marfanoid features, with a normal slit lamp examination and a normal aortic valve on echocardiography. The diagnosis of dissecting aneurysm of the ascending aorta involving the aortic valve cusps, the right coronary artery and the pericardium was later established with the help of ECG, pericardiocentesis, echocardiography and aortography.

A rare case of variable immune deficiency with type II dysgammaglobulinaemia, light chain defect, gut associated IgA deficiency and progressive neutropenia.

This report describes in detail an unusual variant of a common variable immunodeficiency disease in a seven-year-old boy. The unique features were progressive neutropenia due to defective myelopoiesis, serum IgG and IgA deficiencies, defective immunoglobulin light-chain synthesis, absence of secretory IgA and IgM gammopathy. He had been born healthy, but following a thermal injury at the age of 1 1/2 years, he suffered recurrent attacks of sinopulmonary and urinary tract infections, enteritis due to enteropathogenic E. coli, Giardia lamblia and E. histolytica, developed pulmonary tuberculosis and died of deep mycotic infection of the oral cavity and obstruction of the bronchial tree. The cause of the defective myelopoiesis could not be determined, but it might have been due to prolonged sulphomamide therapy administered for controlling his persistent urinary tract infection due to paraphymosis.