Carrier detection in Duchenne muscular dystrophy using molecular methods.

Background & Objectives: Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophies are X-linked allelic disorders which are caused by mutations in the DMD gene. Carrier analysis in DMD is complicated due to the heterozygous nature of the X chromosome. Several techniques have been tried for carrier analysis in families where the mutation is identified including quantitative multiplex PCR (qmPCR), Southern blot, and now multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).

Dengue fever epidemic in Chennai--a study of clinical profile and outcome.

Children with dengue fever presenting to the Institute of Social Pediatrics, Government Stanley Hospital, during the months of October to December 2001, were prospectively followed up for clinical profile and outcome. Commonest clinical features were fever, vomiting, bleeding, body pain and hepatomegaly. Elevated liver enzymes and low platelet counts were common laboratory findings in dengue.

Comparison of phenobarbitone, phenytoin with sodium valproate: randomized, double-blind study.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and side effects of phenobarbitone (PB), phenytoin (PHT) and sodium valproate (SVP) in controlling generalized tonic-clonic convulsions (GTC).

Design: Randomized, double blind clinical trial.

Setting: Out-Patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from cerebrospinal fluid by the centrifugation & filtration methods.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected in 2 bottles each, from 112 children, examined clinically for tuberculous meningitis (TBM) One was processed by the centrifugation method and the other by the filtration method for the isolation of M. tuberculosis. Of these specimens, 11 and 13 yielded M.

Does BCG vaccine prevent tuberculous meningitis?

The reported efficacy of BCG vaccine in preventing pulmonary tuberculosis varies from 0-80%; however, its efficacy in preventing tuberculous meningitis ranges from 52%-84%. A case-control study was conducted to assess the efficacy of BCG in preventing tuberculous meningitis in children. New cases of tuberculous meningitis, confirmed bacteriologically, were registered as cases.