Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine

337-340

Authors: Ph A Ilinykh, EM Shestopalova, Yu I Khripko, AG Durimanov, KA Sharshov, AM Shestopalov

Objective To evaluate the use of Real-Time PCR system based on specific amplification of matrix protein gene fragment for influenza A virus RNA detection in cloacal swabs from wild birds. Methods Sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility of analysis results were identified. Study of cloacal swabs from wild birds for influenza A virus presence was performed. Results Reproducibility of low concentrations of virus detection in samples by Real-Time PCR was significantly higher than that of detection based on cytopathic effect of viruses grown on MDCK cell culture. Conclusions Real-Time PCR system for influenza A virus RNA detection is developed and applied for virus surveillance study.

348-350

Authors: Krishanti P Melinda, Xavier Rathinam, Kasi Marimuthu, Ayyalu Diwakar, Surash Ramanathan, Sadasivam Kathiresan, Sreeramanan Subramaniam

Objective To compare the antioxidative effects of the methanolic leaf extracts of Ficus religiosa (F. religiosa), Chromolaena odorata (C. odorata), Cynodon dactylon (C. dactylon) and Tridax procumbens (T. procumbens) as well as the contents of antioxidants in the extracts. Methods Total phenol and total flavanoid contents were measured according to the standard procedures. The total antioxidant capacity was determined using the phosphomolybdenum method. Reducing power was determined by the potassium ferricyanide reducing method. The free radical scavenging activity was measured by 2,2′-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Results Quantitative phytochemical analysis of total phenol content showed that C. odorata had the highest content of phenolic compounds significantly followed by F. religiosa, T. procumbens and C. dactylon. As for the total flavanoids content, F. religiosa had the highest content, followed by C. odorata, T. procumbens and C. dactylon. Study on the total antioxidant capacity revealed that F. religiosa, C. dactylon and C. odorata showed higher total antioxidant capacity. T. procumbens showed the lowest capacity. Meanwhile, T. procumbens and C. odorata have the highest reducing power activity followed by F. religiosa and C. dactylon. The results of DPPH radical scavenging activity indicated that T. procumbens induced the largest elevation as the concentration of its extract increased, followed by C. odorata and F. religiosa and C. dactylon. Conclusions The present study demonstrates the antioxidative capacity of all the four plant species. Of all the plants, C. odorata, a perennial weed plant showed potentially a high antioxidant activity, with higher phenolic and flavonoids contents. The data suggest that C. odorata can be best utilized in developing bioantioxidants.

356-359

Authors: Anindita Majumdar, Pranita D Kamble, CM Badole, BC Harinath

Objective To evaluate inhouse developed SEVA TB peroxidase enzyme immunoassay using cocktail of mycobacterial excretory-secretory antigens (ES-31, ES-43 & EST-6) for antibody detection and their affinity purified antibodies for antigen detection in tuberculosis suspected patients. Methods Inhouse developed SEVA TB peroxidase enzyme immunoassay was evaluated prospectively in 73 suspected pulmonary and 46 extra-pulmonary tuberculosis patients during November 2008∼March 2009 in a tertiary hospital located in rural area. Results Assay on prospective analysis showed 100% correlation of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) acid fast bacilli positivity and antitubercular treatment in 11 cases. Thirty nine PTB and 12 EPTB cases showed negative for ELISA test and were also not given antitubercular therapy. However 30 PTB and 27 EPTB cases showing ELISA positivity were neither acid fast bacilli positive nor antitubercular therapy treated. These cases may possibly have dormant infection and need further diagnosis. In EPTB cases ELISA was observed to be more useful than AFB smear test. Conclusions This inhouse developed user-friendly peroxidase ELISA can be used as an adjunct test of smear microscopy or culture techniques for routine screening of patients suspected of PTB or EPTB.

364-366

Authors: Debjani Taraphdar, Arindam Sarkar, Mihir Kumar Bhattacharya, Shyamalendu Chatterjee

Objective To investigate the outbreak of unknown fever at Siliguri town, Darjeeling District on request from the State Health Department, Government of West Bengal. Methods Investigations were made to the affected wards, Sub Divisional Hospital and the nursing homes of Siliguri Town. Duration of illness was 3–5 days. Interesting observations were made in some cases which had gastrointestinal disorders with high serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) levels. A total of 69 blood samples and 7 throat swabs (in Minimum Essential Media) were collected and brought to the ICMR Virus Unit, Kolkata for analysis. Mosquitoes from different affected areas were collected for the identification of the definite vector. Results Amongst the 69 blood samples, 42 (60.86%) were positive to IgM antibody against dengue virus by Mac enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. No IgM antibody to Japanese encephalitis virus was detected among the collected blood samples. Based on the clinical symptoms, presence of IgM antibody to dengue virus and identification of Aedes mosquito, it amply proves that, the illness of those cases were due to dengue virus infection. Conclusions Based on clinical-epidemiological observations of the investigations the possibility of a communicable disease of viral origin, the detection of IgM antibody and the identification of Aedes egypti, and the potential circulation of denge virus in Siliguri town for the first time were all suggested.

371-373

Authors: Vatandoost Hassan, Telmadarraiy Zakkyeh, Sharifi Mozafar, Moradi Alireza, Kamali Maryam, Taran Mojtaba

Objective To identify the ectoparasits of lesser mouse eared bat, Myotis blythii inside the Mahi-Dasth cave in Kermanshah province, Iran. Methods A total of 30 lasser mouse eared bat (Myotis blythii) in a cave close to Kermanshah city were hunted with special net and were transported to the laboratory. After anesthetizing by chloroform, ectoparasites from these bats were removed and identified. Results The ectoparasites include flies, ticks and mites. The 39 identified flies belonged to two families including Strebilidae (7.7%) and Nycteribiidae (92.3%). A total number of 5 ticks of larval, nymphal and adult stages of Ixodes vespertilionis and 18 mites from Spiturnicidae family were identified. Conclusions The result of this study is a clue for the identification of ectoparasites from bats and implication of possible prevention measures for diseases transmitted by ectoparasites.

379-381

Authors: R Jeevangi Santoshkumar, S Manjunath, M Awanti Sharanabasappa

Objective To evaluate the prescribing pattern of anti malarial drugs in a tertiary care hospital. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for months of patients visiting in Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Gulbarga. Data were analyzed for various drug use indicators. Results A total of 212 prescriptions were collected, with 136 (64.15%)male and 76 (35.85%) female. There were 128 (60.37%) Plasmodium vivax cases and 84 (39.63%) Plasmodium falciparum cases. All Plasmodium vivax cases were treated with chloroquine alone and among these 16 (12.5%) recieved radical treatment with primaquine along with chloroquine. Among 84 patients with Pasmodium falciparum, 40 patients received single drug such as quinine/ mefloquinine/artesunate/arteether. Another 44 patients received multidrug regime like, quinine+artesunate (54.54%), quinine+mefloquine (27.27%) and quinine+arteether (18.18%). Chloroquine was not administered to any of the patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria. The most common adverse effects with chloroquine were anorexia, nausea, vomiting and tinnitus in 9.37% of the cases. With quinine it was nausea and vomiting in 17.64%, tinnitus in 11.76% and hypoglycemia in 2.1% of cases. Conclusions Our study found the perennial favorites like chloroquine for Plasmodium vivax and quinine for Plasmodium falciparum were the most effective drug. In the severe Plasmodium falciparum cases the artesunate derivatives and combination of artesunate with quinine/mefloquine were most effective with fewer incidences of side effects.

386-391

Authors: Patricia CAM Buijtels, Michael D Iseman, Shelagh Parkinson, Cas S de Graaff, Henri A Verbrugh, Pieter LC Petit, Dick van Soolingen

Objective To determine the accuracy of TB diagnosis of TB in Zambia in the era of increasing HIV prevalence. Methods Sputum of the clinically diagnosed TB cases was additionally subjected to liquid culture and molecular identification. This study distinguished between TB cases confirmed by positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) cultures and mycobacterial disease caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Results Only 49% of the 173 presumptively diagnosed TB cases was M. tuberculosis cultured, while in 13% (22) cases, a combination of M. tuberculosis and NTM was found. In 18% of the patients only NTM were cultured. In 28%, no mycobacteria was cultivable. HIV positive status was correlated with the isolation of NTM (P <0.05). Conclusions The diagnosis of tuberculosis based on symptoms, sputum smear and/or chest X-ray leads to significant numbers of false-positive TB cases in Zambia, most likely due to the increased prevalence of HIV. The role of NTM in tuberculosis-like disease also seems relevant to the false diagnosis of TB in Zambia.

395-398

Authors: Edith U Ebeledike, Godwin IC Nwokedi, Okechukwu O Ndu, Festus BC Okoye, Izuchukwu S Ochiogu

Abstract Objective To investigate the calcium and phosphorus contents of four domestic animals used as sources of meat in Nigeria. Methods The calcium contents of the body parts of the animals were determined using atomic absorption spectrometer. Their phosphorus contents were determined colorimetrically using the molybdenum blue method. Results The calcium and phosphorus contents were significantly higher in the bone samples than in the other animal parts investigated (P<0.05). The calcium contents of all the edible parts were higher in chicken than in the other animals. High calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the faeces of chicken and goat, and that of cattle and goat, respectively. Low calcium and phosphorus contents were detected in the urine samples. Calcium: phosphorus ratios calculated for the bones of chicken, cattle and goat were satisfactory. Conclusions In conclusion, calcium and phosphorus contents of the animal parts vary significantly and their relative contents may be related to the animal's diet. Chicken parts may be the preferred dietary source of these minerals. This study highlights the need for routine investigation of the mineral contents of food, which is necessary for proper nutritional guidelines.

402-406

Authors: GTA Jombo, EM Mbaawuaga, AN Gyuse, MNO Enenebeaku, EE Okwori, EJ Peters, S Akpan, F Odey, EA Etukumana, JT Akosu

Objective To ascertain the socio-cultural factors influencing the rate of utilization of insecticide treated bed nets (ITNs) in a malaria endemic city of Makurdi, north central Nigeria. Methods The study was cross-sectional in nature using systematic sampling method to identify households. Both quantitative and qualitative data was generated from adult women using structured and semi structured questionnaires, and focused group discussions (FGDs) to obtain information on rate and patterns of utilization of ITNs. Information such as age, educational level, marital status, awareness or otherwise of the existence of malaria, and factors influencing rate of ownership and utilization of ITNs were obtained. FGDs were used to obtain qualitative information on rate of utilization of ITNs not captured in the questionnaires. Data obtained was analysed using Epi Info 6 statistical software. Results Among the respondents interviewed, 97.0% (2 013/2 075) were aware of existence of malaria and 87.0% of these (1 751/2 013) would associate it with mosquitoes. The rate of ownership of any bed net, ITNs and untreated bed nets (UTNs) was 25.1%, 17.0% and 8.3%, respectively. Utilization of ITNs among children was 30.0% (112/373) and UTNs 12.9% (48/373). Positive contributors to ITNs utilization were literacy, enhanced economy, experience of marriage, and being gainfully employed (P<0.05); while negative contributors were ignorance, poverty and some cultural beliefs and values. Conclusions A more synchronized advocacy should be carried out on the potential benefits of ITNs utilization and sustained. Also ITNs should be made available to the people of the community at minimal or no cost.

410-411

Authors: Anita Chakravarti, Manisha Jain, Mayank Singh Chauhan, Anju Sharma, Sayani Tewari

Objective To screen for the presence of mixed infection with rotavirus. Methods The present study included 140 children aged less than 2 years with acute diarrhea. Fecal samples of all these patients were analyzed for the presence of astroviral antigen by enzyme immunoassay. Also 40 rotavirus positive fecal samples were screened for the presence of astrovirus. Results In case of acute diarrhea in children the prevalence of astrovirus was around 34% (48/140). It was seen that even in rotavirus positive cases astrovirus co infection was 25%. Conclusions Astrovirus is a growing problem which is often underrecognised. With the rotavirus vaccine licensure being imminent astrovirus will emerge out as the single most important cause of viral diarrhea