Fluctuating temperature: A cause for survival and development of entomopathogenic nematodes, Heterorhabditis indica and Steinernema carpocapsae

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) belonging to the families of Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are obligate pathogens of a wide range of insects. But their survival and efficacy is adversely affected by the temperature. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the survival ability of Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) and Heterorhabditis indica (Poinar) infective juveniles (IJ) by exposing them to various temperatures. Results showed that the percentage survival with the maximum exposure time (48 h) at 25 and 40°C, for S. carpocapsae was 100 and 32.93%, respectively. H. indica which also showed 100% survival after exposure to 25°C, did not survive at 40°C. Among the nematodes, S. carpocapsae showed more tolerance to high temperature compared to H. indica and exposure time also significantly different in both nematodes. When IJs used as inoculum source after exposing to various temperature levels, the percent penetration was reduced and, importantly, progeny production was very less on Greater wax moth larvae. On desiccation, IJs of both S. carpocapsae and H. indica showed significant survivalability. H. indica IJs showed significantly more survival compared to S. carpocapsae when exposed to different desiccating levels.

Evaluation and selection of living related kidney donors--our experience in a government hospital.

In a state-funded, live related-donor kidney transplantation programme, 616 eligible end stage renal failure (ESRF) patients were seen over a four-year period. 73% of them had potential related donors, 64% of whom were willing to donate. Fear of surgery, non-congenial pre-morbid relationships and discouragement by family members were the most common reasons for unwillingness to donate. After investigations, 76% of the willing donors were found to be fit. ABO incompatibility, lymphocyte cross-match positivity and anatomic abnormalities were the most common grounds for non-acceptance. Sixty eight percent of the willing, fit donors finally donated their kidneys, patient-death and donor-recipient withdrawal before surgery accounting for the remaining. One hundred and forty eight patients underwent renal transplantation. Two-thirds of the donors were females, mothers (37%) forming the single largest group. Eight five percent of the recipients were males. Overall, only 35% of the eligible ESRF patients had related, willing and fit donors attesting to the need for an active, cadaver-donor transplantation programme.

Leptospirosis in Madras--a clinical and serological study.

Leptospirosis was confirmed by Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) and/or ELISA in 57 patients admitted to the Government General Hospital, Madras, India, during November and December of 1990 and 1991 with symptomatology suggestive of the disease. Fifty (88%) of the 57 cases were males; the mean age of all the cases was 39.6 years (range 17-72). The main clinical features were: fever 100% jaundice 84%, Myalgia 82%, acute renal failure 72% and conjunctival suffusion 58%. Non-azotemic jaundice occurred in 19% of cases. Renal failure was non-oliguric in 24% of cases. 3.5% of patients died. 23 patients underwent peritoneal and/or hemodialysis. ELISA IgM titres ranged from 1:80 to 1:10240 (geometric mean tire 911). MAT titres > or = 1:1600 and > or = 1:800 occurred in 39 of 54 and 51 of 54 cases respectively. Autumnalis was the serogroup most commonly recorded serologically, and Leptospira interrogans serovar autumnalis was isolated from one patient. This study shows that leptospirosis is a significant health problem in Madras, though normally grossly underestimated due to the absence of routine laboratory diagnostic facilities for the disease. Gross under-reporting is also likely in other high rainfall third world areas.