Breath methane analysis in the diagnosis of rice carbohydrate malabsorption

Rice carbohydrate malabsorption is common in Myanmar village children and adults. The diagnosis is dependent on the use of a rice breath hydrogen test which has potential limitations. As methane production has been identified in almost 20 percent of Myanmar children under age 5, it was possible that an increased carbohydrate load in the colon consequent upon rice malabsorption may provide increased substrate for methanogenic bacteria in the left colon. A rise in methane production might be reflected in fasting breath methane concentration and therefore simplify the diagnosis of rece malabsorption. 79 children had a rice breath hydrogen test with measurement of hydrogen over a four hour period allied with a breath methane measurement and anthropometric measurement. There was no correlation between rice malabsorption and methane production and the measurement of breath methane does not, therefore, correlate with the rice absorption status.

Comparative study on detection of urease activity by CLO Test Kit and Microtiter Biopsy Urease Test Kit for evaluation of Helicobacter pylori

A Microtiter Biopsy Urease Test (MBUT) for the detection of Helicobacter pylori was evaluated in the drug trial study conducted in the Endoscopy Department of New Yangon General Hospital. The MBUT was compared with commercially available urease test (CLO Test). Both CLO test and MBUT were performed on antral and fundal gastric tissues biopsied from 35 subjects who underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. 29 (83 percent) cases were positive for Helicobacter pylori when tested by CLO test and MBUT. Thus the sensitivity and specificity of MBUT relative to CLO test was both 100 percent respectively. Tested by MBUT, the urease reaction was positive in 83 percent of cases within 2 hours and 90 percent within 3 hours. Tested by CLO test, it was positive in 60 percent of cases within 2 hours and 67 percent within 3 hours. the accuracy of MBUT was thus similar to that of CLO test for the detection of Helicobacter pylori. Moreover, MBUT is not expensive, can be prepared locally, packed in test kit form and can be supplied to gastroenteroscopy units for diagnostic and treatment purposes.

The changing incidence of plasmodium vivax infection in subjects with malaria (Short report)

Malaria is still the most important parasitic disease in the tropics. Malaria is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Plasmodium, of which three species are commonly known to infect people living in Union of Myanmar. They are P. falciparum, P. vivax and P. malariae. Although vivax and malariae infections are not generally life threatening , they can cause a sometime severe acute illness. Vivax forms of malaria are characterized by relapses i.e. reappearance of symptoms of parasitaemia following a "latent" or symptomless period of up to five years. Chronic or repeated vivax malaria infection often causes impaired growth in activity in adults. Therefore our findings will suggest closer supervision and effective measures against increasing incidence of vivax malaria in some areas of Myanmar Naing-Ngan.

Silicone rod encirclement in retinal detachment surgery at Eye, ENTt Hospital, Rangoon

There are many different techniques avaiable to reattach a detached retina. The best method is that which is least traumatic to the eye and at the same time yields the best long tern functional results. The present surgical technique involve fairly intenst but sparse drathermy applications over and aroung the retinal break. The silicone encirclement and buckling without prepared scleral bed and without detaching the recti muscle, shortened the operative proceture, time and also minimised the trauma to the eye ball.