Discordant HIV DNA PCR results among infants diagnosed with HIV infection and initiated on ART: a case series.

This case series reports three infants diagnosed with HIV-1 infection using DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. The three children were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at ten, four and six months of age. Their serological tests at 18 months of age were negative for HIV-1. The first child was discontinued from ART. The other two children were HIV-negative after 18 months, but were continued on ART. Such seroreversion may be either due to viral suppression or false-positive DNA PCR results. There is a need to develop guidelines to address such discordant cases.

Study of occupational stress as a risk factor for various morbidities among policemen.

Police work is widely considered to be among the most stressful occupations. There is increased prevalence of cardiovascular diseases risk factors and type 2 diabetes among policemen in many countries. There is limited data on health status of policemen in India. Hence a cross-sectional study was conducted during the period April 2007 to September 2007 at three police stations in Rahata taluka of Ahmednagar district. Study was done to assess the level of stress and source of stress among policemen and to study the stress as a risk factor for hypertension, diabetes, obesity and depression. All available 90 policemen were interviewed and their occupational stress was assessed by occupational stress index. Clinical examination and necessary investigations were done. Depression among them was diagnosed with the help of Hamilton depression rating scale. Majority of policemen (88.89%) were having moderate level of stress. Role overload and responsibility for person were moderately stress producing factors among all ranks. Stress score was significantly high among overweight (137), diabetes (142), hypertensive (137) and depressed (118) policemen. Thus occupational stress is the risk factor for development of obesity, diabetes, hypertension and depression.