Allergic rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema: prevalence and associated factors in children.

Objective: We aim to describe the data collected from India during phase 3 of the International study of asthma and allergy in childhood (ISAAC) study. Prevalence, severity, and population characteristics associated with rhinitis, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema were assessed.

Methods: Children from two age groups (6-7 and 13-14 years) were included in the study as per the ISAAC protocol.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination is associated with lower prevalence of allergic diseases in Indian children.

Background: Immunization with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been shown to augment T helper (Th) 1 biased response and hence gives protection against developing allergies. However, results across the studies have been inconclusive and there is no Indian study verifying this association. We explored the link between BCG vaccination and prevalence of allergic diseases among school children of Chandigarh, North India.

Diarrhea in children less than two years of age with known HIV status in Kisumu, Kenya.

Objective: To compare the frequency and etiology of diarrhea in children aged less than 2 years with known HIV status.

Methods: This was a nested cohort study, whereby children were followed during monthly routine and unscheduled visits. The HIV status of children was determined with PCR.

Sexual behavior of married young women: a preliminary study from north India.

Background: There are significant gaps in the scientific literature concerning female sexual behavior and attitudes surrounding sexuality, which have definitive implications on public health and clinical work.

Aim: To study the sexual behavior of young married Indian women.

Materials And Methods: The study group comprised 100 consecutive women attending the Department of Pediatrics for the care of noncritical children in a multispecialty, tertiary care teaching hospital setting in North India.

Atopy and alopecia areata in North Indians.

The study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the effect of associated atopy on severity and age at onset of alopecia areata in north Indians. Presence of atopy was elicited by detailed history, examination and intracutaneous tests. Chi square test was carried out to evaluate statistical significance.

Seroprevalence of Chlamydia pneumoniae in asthmatic children from Northern India.

Serum from children with chronic persistent asthma was subjected to C. pneumoniae IgG antibody determination. C.

Surveillance for bacterial diarrhea and antimicrobial resistance in rural western Kenya, 1997-2003.

Background: Diarrhea is a major cause of preventable illness in sub-Saharan Africa. Although most cases of bacterial gastroenteritis do not require antimicrobial treatment, antimicrobial use is widespread. We examined the bacterial causes of diarrhea and monitored antimicrobial susceptibilities of isolates through clinic-based surveillance in a rural Kenyan community.

Clinico-immunologic evaluation of allergy to Himalayan tree pollen in atopic subjects in India--a new record.

Exposure to local pollen allergens has a direct bearing on the prevalence of allergic symptoms among the inhabiting atopic population. The populations in the Himalayas and around it are exposed to a variety of pollen grains from trees growing in the region, but the pollen-population interaction has not been clinically investigated. Himalayan tree pollen from five different taxa, i.

Nitric oxide metabolites in induced sputum: a noninvasive marker of airway inflammation in asthma.

Objective: This study was designed to examine for nitric oxide (NO) metabolites in induced sputum as a marker of airway inflammation in asthmatic children. DESIGN. Prospective interventional

Setting: Pediatric Allergy and Asthma Clinic of a tertiary care referral hospital in Northern India.

Pneumonic presentation of brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a rare disease in children. Lung involvement is an uncommon presentation of brucellosis. The authors are presenting a child with brucellosis, who presented with predominant pulmonary involvement.

Penumonic presentation of brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a rare disease in children. Lung involvement is an uncommon presentation of brucellosis. The authors are presenting a child with brucellosis, who presented with predominant pulmonary involvement.

Comparison of improvement in quality of life score with objective parameters of pulmonary function in Indian asthmatic children receiving inhaled corticosteroid therapy.

This prospective, hospital based, descriptive study was designed to compare improvement in quality of life (QOL) score with objective measures of pulmonary function in children with persistent bronchial asthma receiving inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy. QOL score (measured by an indigenous tool), forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and asthma symptom score were measured in 20 newly diagnosed children with persistent asthma- before, during and eight weeks after ICS therapy. There was a significant improvement in all parameters compared at each follow up visit and at termination of the study (p less than 0.

Adenosine deaminase levels in cerebrospinal fluid as a diagnostic test for tuberculous meningitis in children.

Adenosine deaminase activity (ADA) was estimated in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 30 patients of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and 10 patients each of partially treated pyomeningitis (PTM), aseptic meningitis (AM) and pyogenic meningitis (PM). Mean ADA levels in CSF of TBM patients were higher (18.22 U/L) as compared to 6.

Epidemiology of sporadic bloody diarrhea in rural Western Kenya.

We conducted laboratory-based surveillance and a case-control study to characterize the epidemiology of bloody diarrhea in rural Western Kenya. From May 1997 through April 2001, we collected stool from 451 persons with bloody diarrhea presenting to four rural clinics. Cultures of 231 (51%) specimens yielded 247 bacterial pathogens: 198 Shigella (97 S.

Proximal muscle weakness--an unusual presentation of celiac disease.

The identification of the etiology of metabolic bone disease that leads to myopathy is important as this type of muscle weakness often responds fully to treatment. We present the case history of an 11-year-old girl with celiac disease who had rickets masquerading as muscle weakness and bone pains.

Cystic fibrosis in North Indian children.

Cystic fibrosis is the most common life threatening, inherited disease of the Caucasians. Ever since the gene for this disease was delineated in 1989, there are about 900 mutations discovered so far. This disease is being reported with increasing frequency from North India now.

Severe Henoch-Schönlein nephritis: resolution with azathioprine and steroids.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of long-term azathioprine and steroids for treatment of severe nephritis in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP).

Methods: Analysis of case records of children with HSP followed up for a mean duration of 4.7 years (range 6 months-6.

Prevention of atopic disorders.

Prevention of sensitization, onset of disease and disease exacerbations is a very important aspect of holistic approach towards allergic disorders. The prevalence of allergic or atopic disorders has increased significantly in children over the last three decades. There are significant variations in prevalence between countries and also within many countries.

Respiratory allergy.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma are common respiratory allergic disorders which are increasing globally more in developed countries. Although much has been written about childhood asthma and guidelines published by various international and national fora, not much information is available on AR. This is most common in children, is a significant risk factor for developing asthma, is a common comorbidity with asthma and affects quality of life.

Induction of systemic and mucosal immune response in mice immunised with porins of Salmonella typhi.

Porins, purified from Salmonella typhi strain 0901 provided 90% protection to BALB/c mice against a lethal dose (300 x LD50) of S. typhi Ty2 when given intraperitoneally. To measure the porin-induced cellular immune responses, macrophages and lymphocytes were isolated from spleen and lamina propria (LP) of porin immunised-challenge mice and of infected and control mice; T-cell phenotypes, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production were studied.