Bioassay and molecular study for detection of insecticide resistance dengue causing mosquito vectors

Nowadays, dengue infection creates a major problem across the country. The vector species carrying dengue infection has progressively started to developed resistance against most of the currently used insecticides. Hence, a study was carried out in dengue-endemic areas of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to find the current situation of insecticide susceptibility status of dengue vectors. Based on the previous history of dengue incidence, Aedes mosquitoes were collected from Dibrugarh, Kamrup, Sivasagar, Tezpur and Tinsukia districts in Assam and Pasighat district in Arunachal Pradesh to test the insecticide resistance status through bioassay and molecular methods. The WHO standard bioassay test kits were used to detect insecticide susceptibility status among dengue vectors. In molecular study, allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was done for the detection of mutations in paratype voltage-gated sodium channel gene of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. In bioassay method, 100% A. aegypti mosquitoes were found to be resistant towards dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), 8% towards pyrethroid and 4% towards malathion. Similarly, 92% A. albopictus mosquitoes have shown resistance competency towards DDT, 12% towards pyrethroid and 8% towards malathion. In allele-specific PCR methods, V1016G heterozygous mutations were detected from the field collected A. aegypti and A. albopictus mosquitoes of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar district. Similarly, F1534C heterozygous mutations were observed from A. aegypti mosquitoes of Tezpur, Tinsukia and Sivasagar district and A. albopictus mosquitoes of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Sivasagar district. From the study, it was concluded that the Aedes mosquitoes have progressively started to developed resistance towards commonly used insecticides.

C-reactive protein (CRP) as an indicator of sepsis in orthopaedic trauma.

In the present study serial estimations of changes in plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and temperature were recorded in 100 patients. Nature and extent of tissue trauma varied from fresh soft tissue or bony injuries to elective orthopaedic procedures, besides acute orthopaedic infections. All the parameters showed a rise from day 1-3 from the normal levels, though the rise in temperature was minimal. However, from third day onwards, CRP level showed a sharp decline in all cases without any septic complication or infective patients who improved with treatment. Decline of ESR levels on the other hand was variable. Similarly, decline of TLC and temperature was also not consistent and sharp. Persistent rise of CRP level beyond third day or any subsequent rise in CRP level was consistent with a septic complication in the patient. CRP was therefore observed to be a sensitive and dependable indicator of orthopaedic sepsis even orthopaedic trauma.

Engelmann's disease with optic atrophy.

Engelman-Camurati disease is a rare Diaphyseal dysplasia, characterized by endosteal and periostal thickness of cortex of shaft of tubular bone sparing metaphysis and epiphysis. The bone of the hand, feet, ribs, scapulae and pubis are not affected.

Normal parameters of ventricular system in healthy infants.

Six hundred healthy inborn newborns and infants upto the age of 18 months were studied. Cranial sonography was performed by real time 2D scanner with 5 MHz transducer and images were obtained through anterior fontanelle and temporo-squamal suture. Various parameters related to ventricular system were measured for different ages till the fontanelle remained open. These values will prove useful for diagnosing hydrocephalus at an early stage of the disease and also to find out the blocks at various levels in ventricular system.

Ultrasonic diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage in high risk neonates.

One hundred and eleven high risk neonates were subjected to (cranial ultrasound (CR-USG) Caranial sonography was performed by 2D realtime scanner with 5 MHz transducer through anterior and posterior fontanelle and temporo-squamal suture. One quarter of these neonates developed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 120 hours of birth. Of them 42.8% neonates recovered completely, 21.4% developed ventriculomegaly, 21.4% neonates expired, 10.4% developed pseudo-porencephalic cysts and 3.5% developed aqueductal block. It is concluded that CR-USG is a useful technique for detection and monitoring of complications of ICH and at least one screening sonogram is essential in the first week of life of all high risk neonates.

Cranial ultrasonic assessment of infants with acute bacterial meningitis.

A prospective study was performed on 44 patients (newborn to one year old) with acute bacterial meningitis. Sonograms were obtained within 72 hours of diagnosis, and repeated on 7th, 14th or at an early date, if required. The spectrum of sonographic features of meningitis included normal scan (35.4%), echogenic sulci (63.7%) and parenchyma (29.5%), ventriculomegaly (59%), ventriculitis (35%), pseudo-porencephalic cyst (4.4%), extra axial fluid collection (4.4%), encephalomalacia (2.2%) and cerebral abscess (2.2%) in patients.

Intraoperative fine needle aspiration cytology of pancreas: a study of 97 cases.

Intraoperative fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for pancreatic and ampullary lesions was carried out under direct vision using transduodenal approach in 97 patients. Cytological findings were classified as follows: positive for malignancy, suspicious for malignancy, benign (normal) cells from duodenum or pancreas, inflammatory and non-representative smears. Suboptimal smears (non-representative, suspicious and inflammatory) were excluded for calculating decision analysis values. Sensitivity for malignancy was 90.5% and specificity 100%. Positive and negative predictive values were 100% and 50% respectively. We conclude that intraoperative FNAC is useful in diagnosing malignant lesions of the pancreas.

Ileal endometriosis (a case report).

A case of endometriosis involving small bowel is reported here. It is the first case reported at our institution in the last 10 years period.