(99m)Tc-labeling of ciprofloxacin and nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone using fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)3(H2O)3] core: evaluation of their efficacy as infection imaging agents.

The aim of this study was to radiolabel ciprofloxacin (Cip) and nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone (NFT) with the fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) core and to evaluate the ability of the radiopharmaceuticals as tracers in detecting sites of infection. Cip and NFT were radiolabeled with the fac-[(99m)Tc(CO)(3)(H(2)O)(3)](+) core and characterized by RHPLC. The stabilities of the preparations were evaluated in saline and rat serum. In vitro binding studies of the radiopharmaceuticals with S. aureus were performed. Biodistribution studies were conducted at different time points after injecting (i.v.) the radiopharmaceuticals in rats (intramuscularly infected with S. aureus) as well as in rats with sterile inflammation. To assess the infection targeting capacity of (99m)Tc-tricarbonyl ciprofloxacin and nitrofuryl thiosemicarbazone, (99m)Tc(v)O-Cip and (99m)Tc(v)O-NFT were used as control. Scintigraphic imaging studies of tricarbonyl compounds and (99m)Tc(v)O-Cip were performed at 4 h after injection. The radiochemical purities of (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-Cip and (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-NFT were between 97-98% as determined by thin layer chromatography (TLRC) and RHPLC; no further purification is necessary before injection. The radiopharmaceuticals exhibited substantial stability when incubated in isotonic saline and serum up to 24 h. Biodistribution studies showed maximum uptake in the infected rat thigh muscle at 4 h post injection and washing out at slower rate from the infected site than the oxo technetium chelate. The mean ratios of uptake in infected/non-infected thighs were 3.87:1, 3.41:1 and 3.17:1 for (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-Cip, (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-NFT and (99m)Tc(v)O-Cip respectively. During scintigraphic studies, infection sites appeared quite distinctly with (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-Cip and (99m)Tc(CO)(3)-NFT, comparable to the behaviour with (99m)Tc(v)O-Cip. These results encouraged us for further development of infection imaging radiopharmaceuticals based on the (99m)Tc-tricarbonyl core.

Development and physical characterization of chloramphenicol loaded biodegradable nanoparticles for prolonged release.

The objectives of our study were to prepare a biodegradable nanoparticulate system of chloramphenicol (CHL) and to evaluate its ability to prolong in vitro release of CHL compared to free drug suspension (FDS). CHL-loaded polylactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles (CHL-PLGA-NPs) were prepared by an emulsion/solvent evaporation method using ethyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol. CHL-PLGA-NPs were characterized by particle size, zeta potential, infrared spectra, drug entrapment efficiency and in vitro release kinetics measurement. Sonication was done with an ultrasound pulse sonicator at 70 W, 30 kHz for 60 s to produce stable NPs of mean size range from 277 nm to 433 nm. Drug to polymer ratio (D:P) was selected as formulation variable and significantly influenced entrapment efficiency (approximately 30% to 66%) and release (p < 0.05). Entrapment of CHL in biodegradable NPs significantly prolonged drug release compared to FDS and thus implies potential antibiotic delivery system for ocular application.

Extracranial complications of chronic suppurative otitis media.

The aim of this study was to find out the pattern of extracranial complications of CSOM cases who attended to the department of ENTD, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital during the period from July'1999 to June' 2001. Different types of extracranial complications of CSOM were presented here. A total of 100 cases, diagnosed clinically and radiologically were included in the study of which 66 were male and 34 were female giving a male to female ratio of 1.94 : 1 (p < 0.05). Majority cases (53) were in the age group of 11- 20 years followed by the age group of below 10 years where there were 30 cases. Majority (64) cases came from low socio-economic class. The number of different types of extracranial complications of CSOM were as follows: mastoid abscess 57, discharging sinuses 28, purulent labyrinthitis 07, Bezold's abscess 04, fascial nerve paralysis 03 and zygomatic abscess 01. In all cases of CSOM Cholesteatoma were detected. In 14 cases, Cholesteatoma were associated with granulation tissue/polyp. Modified radical mastoidectomy were performed in all cases. On analyzing the findings of the present study it was observed that mastoid abscess were the predominant extracranial complications of CSOM, affecting mostly the male population of 11 - 20 years age group coming from low socio-economic class.

Outcome of patients treated with the endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy.

DCR allows an abstracted lacrimal drainage system to be drained into the nasal fossa. Since the development of endonasal endoscopic surgical technique, the endonasal approach presents it self as an alternative choice to the conventional external approach as in the former skin scar can be avoided. We performed DCR of 50 cases in endonasal endoscopic approach in Mymensingh Medical Collage Hospital. The age range of patient was found between 7 to 35 years, average 21 & male female ratio was 1:1.5 with follow up to 2.10 years with high success rate. Associated nasal disease correction septoplasty was done in 7 cases. In each & every case silicon tube was introduced & removed after 3 to 6 months. The only complication was periorbital injury in 5 cases, punctal tear in 2 cases and granuloma formation in 2 cases. Overall success rate was 86%.

Epidemiology of group-A streptococcal infection amongst children of different ethnic groups in Darjeeling.

The carrier rate of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) was studied amongst 932 children from 1+ upto 12 years of age in three major racial groups in the foothills of the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. It was altogether 13 per cent and was found to be evenly distributed in the three ethnic groups as Gurkhas: 11 per cent, Rajbanshis: 15 per cent and Cosmopolitans: 13 per cent, but the incidence of Rheumatic fever and/or Rheumatic heart diseases were unnoticed among the Gurkha children who also had significant low ASO titres.

Chloramphenicol resistant Salmonella typhi: the cause of recent out-break of enteric fever in Calcutta.

Fifty one strains of Salmonella typhi were isolated during the recent outbreak of enteric fever in and around Calcutta. Forty strains were multidrug resistant including Chloramphenicol. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of Chloramphenicol was between 200 mcg per ml and 500 mcg per ml. All these strains were sensitive to Cephalexine, Gentamicin, Furazolidine and Ciproflexacin. Widal test was done in all the cases but the result was inconclusive.