Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease in the Andaman Islands, India.

Objective: To investigate an outbreak of Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Andaman Islands during 2013.

Methods: Epidemiological, clinical data and samples were collected from HFMD patients who attended selected hospitals. Data were analyzed and samples were processed for detection of Enterovirus and further confirmed by sequencing.

B1c genetic subtype of coxsackievirus A16 associated with hand, foot and mouth disease in Andaman Islands, India.

Background: An outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) occurred in the Andaman Islands in 2013. Therefore, we aimed to identify the aetiological agent and to explore its genetic characteristics.

Methods: Clinical specimens were subjected to virus isolation, further confirmed by sequencing the partial VP1/2A region of enterovirus, and analysed using MEGA 6 software with intra-serotype reference sequences.

Chelonitoxism in Andaman and Nicobar Island: A report on mass poisoning including a death of an adult.

Chelonitoxism is a type of seafood poisoning which usually occurs due to consumption of certain marine turtle flesh. As the pharmacology or chemistry of the toxin is still unknown, antidote or treatment to chelonitoxism is unavailable. The symptoms can vary from common gastro-intestinal symptoms to neurological manifestations and even death.

The potential risk factors and the identification of hearing loss in infants.

To identify potential risk factors for hearing loss from the infant with high risk criteria as guided by the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (JCIH, 2000). 490 infants with age range of 2 days to 6 months who had undergone detailed audiological evaluation during for the period of 3 years at Gauhati Medical College Hospital were taken for the study. The hearing screening was performed on each infant using Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emission (DPOAE) testing.

Solitary hydatid cyst in thigh without any detectable primary site.

Echinococcus granulosus causes a zoonotic infection called Cystic Echinococcosis (CE). Surgeons meet with hydatid cysts of the liver and lungs with reasonable frequency. However hydatid cyst may also appear in other parts of the body.

Tobacco use among urban school boys of Paschim Midnapore, India.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence, perception and pattern of tobacco use among 13-15-year-old urban school boys along with associated factors of tobacco use.

Methods: A cross sectional, observational, study was carried out among 454 urban school boys aged 13-15 years studying in VIII, IX, X using self administered modified Global Youth Tobacco Survey Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by frequency distribution tables, proportion, line diagram, chi square test as required.