Frequency of HLA celiac disease risk alleles and haplotypes in healthy adults in Tamil Nadu.

Celiac disease (CeD) occurs only in individuals who are able to express human leukocyte antigens (HLA) DQ2 or DQ8, and these are expressed in nearly a third of healthy people in the West. As the disease is very uncommon in Tamil Nadu, we evaluated the possibility that the relevant genes are infrequent in this population. Four hundred healthy adults without any gastrointestinal abnormalities were recruited from Vellore district of Tamil Nadu.

Prevalence and factors associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in southern India: A community-based study.

Background And Aim: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common worldwide with significant expenditure for health care. Community-based data on the prevalence of GERD in India remains scarce. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of GERD and to identify potential associations.

Vitamin D status in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Vitamin D has multifarious roles in maintenance of health and prevention of disease. The present study was undertaken to assess the vitamin D status of a rural adult south Indian population and to identify its associations with socioeconomic status and cultural practices.

Methods: Between June 2015 and July 2016, 424 healthy adults residing in Kattankulathur block in Tamil Nadu, India, provided venous blood samples and answered questions by personal interview.

Sequential testing with different tissue transglutaminase antibodies, a new approach for diagnosis of celiac disease.

Background: The diagnosis of celiac disease (CeD) in clinical practice relies on serological testing for IgA antibodies to human tissue transglutaminase (anti-tTG) which diagnose CeD autoimmunity. We compared three kits for their performance in diagnosis of the disease and evaluated the point prevalence of CeD autoimmunity in a South Indian urban population.

Methods: In the first part of the study, sera from 90 patients with documented CeD and 92 healthy controls were tested for anti-tTG using three different kits.

Intermittent Directly Observed Therapy for Abdominal Tuberculosis: A Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing 6 Months Versus 9 Months of Therapy.

Background: The duration of treatment of gastrointestinal tuberculosis continues to be a matter of debate. The World Health Organization advocates intermittent directly observed short-course therapy (DOTs), but there is a lack of data of its efficacy in abdominal tuberculosis. We therefore conducted a multicenter randomized controlled trial to compare 6 months and 9 months of antituberculosis therapy using DOTs.

Development of the gut microbiota in southern Indian infants from birth to 6 months: a molecular analysis.

Acquisition of the gastrointestinal microbiota at birth may have long-term health impacts. We longitudinally characterised major microbial communities in the faeces of a cohort of infants using molecular methods. Faecal samples were prospectively obtained at several time points after birth from eighty-three infants.

Effect of yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® on faecal excretion of secretory immunoglobulin A and human beta-defensin 2 in healthy adult volunteers.

Background: Probiotics are used to provide health benefits. The present study tested the effect of a probiotic yoghurt on faecal output of beta-defensin and immunoglobulin A in a group of young healthy women eating a defined diet.

Findings: 26 women aged 18-21 (median 19) years residing in a hostel were given 200 ml normal yoghurt every day for a week, followed by probiotic yoghurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12® (10⁹ in 200 ml) for three weeks, followed again by normal yoghurt for four weeks.