Statistical assessment of underground drinking water contamination and effect of monsoon at Hasanpur, J. P. Nagar (Uttar Pradesh, India).

Water Quality Index (WQI) has been calculated for underground drinking water at Hasanpur in J. P. Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh, India at ten different sites in the pre-monsoon season as well as after the onset of monsoon. Water quality parameters were selected as per the WHO guidelines and seventeen water quality physico-chemical parameters were estimated following the standard methods and procedures. Drinking water at almost all the sites was found to be highly contaminated, except a few sites, where it was found moderately contaminated for both the periods during the year 2005. In general, to some extent water quality showed deterioration after the onset of monsoon. It was found that some effective measures are urgently required for water quality management in this region.

Clinicopathological Study of Renal Amyloidosis

Study included 13 cases of renal amyloidosis.Oedema, feet and face was the commonest manifestation (100%), two patients (18.18%) also presented with loose motions, ascites and pain in abdomen and one patient had ankylosing spondylitis and cervical spondylitis. On clinical grounds only one case was diagnosed as primary amyloidosis of light chain type, who presented initially with cervical lymphadenopathy and 4 years later with nephrotic syndrome. About 72.72% cases had some chronic disease in the terms of tuberculosis, ankylosing spondylitis, chronic ulcerative colitis, lepromatous leprosy, rheumatoid arthritis and one patient had carcinoma caecum. Congo red stain was positive in both, light chain deposit disease (LCDD) and amyloidosis but polarizing microscope showed mixed birefringence (red, green, yellow) only in amyloidosis. In AFOG and PAS stain, amyloid appeared negative, only peripheral portion revealed blue and pink staining and central area appeared as cutout spaces. Congo red and methyl violet stains and potassium permanganate treatment was not helpful in distinguishing AL amyloidosis from secondary amyloidosis. Hence immunohistochemistry and myeloma profile is a must. It might be possible that in light chain amyloidosis, treatment with methotrexate and prednisolone may improve survival.

Spectrum of renal disease in malaria.

Between January 2000 and December 2001, renal involvement in 81 cases of malaria was studied. Their age ranged between 05 and 66 (mean 35.5) years. Distribution of malarial parasite was P falciparum (75), mixed infection (4) and P vivax (2). The evidence of clinical renal disease in the form of acute renal failure, electrolyte abnormality, abnormal urinary sediment and increased urinary protein excretion (>500 mg/24 hours) was found in 100%, 91.3%, 46.9% and 18.5% respectively. Probable aetiopathogenesis of acute renal failure (ARF) was multifactorial. Volume depletion (72.8%) was the dominant cause of ARF in these patients. In addition, hyperbilirubinaemia, intravascular haemolysis and sepsis were responsible for ARF in 64.2%, 70.3% and 25.9% cases respectively. All the patients were managed with anti-malarial drugs and dialysis support was needed in 35 patients (43.2%). Prognosis of malarial acute renal failure is favourable with mortality rate of 18.5%. Multi-organ failure was the commonest cause (33.3%) of death.

Effect of low dose recombinant human omega erythropoietin (rHuEPO) on anaemia in patients on hemodialysis.

The effect of low dose rHuEPO therapy in ESRD patients on regular dialysis therapy was assessed in a prospective study in 22 patients. Routine hematological and biochemical tests, bone marrow aspiration, serum iron and ferritin studies were performed. The quality of life was also assessed. rHuEPO was administered in a dose of 25 units/kg i.v. post dialysis 3 times a week for 8 weeks, followed by 36 units/kg for further 4 weeks. Significant rise (p = 0.0001) in Hb & PCV with rise in reticulocyte count (0.016) was noted. Serum ferritin was a better index of iron status of the body. Significantly improved anemia and quality of life of ESRD patients on hemodialysis was seen in 95% of the patients.