Prevalence of Vitamin B and folic acid deficiency in HIV-positive patients and its association with neuropsychiatric symptoms and immunological response.

Background: Deficiency of micronutrients is prevalent even before the development of symptoms of HIV disease and is associated with accelerated HIV disease progression.

Aims: This study evaluates the prevalence of folate and Vitamin B deficiency in HIV-positive patients with or without tuberculosis (TB) and its association with neuropsychiatric symptoms and immunological response.

Settings And Design: Cross-sectional, observational study in an outpatient setting.

Effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric symptoms and immune response in HIV-positive patients.

Background: Micronutrients such as B12 and folic acid deficiencies are found in higher number in HIV-infected patients.

Objective: We conducted a study to examine the effect of Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation on neuropsychiatric manifestations, CD4 count, and anthropometric measurements in HIV-positive patients.

Materials And Methods: Three different groups of HIV patients, namely, HIV patients with tuberculosis, HIV patients with neuropsychiatric manifestations, and asymptomatic HIV patients with 50 patients in each group were included in the study.

Effects of botropase on clotting factors in healthy human volunteers.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of botropase on various clotting factors in human volunteers.

Materials And Methods: It was a prospective open label study conducted on human healthy volunteers. After the baseline screening, subjects fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled.

Prescription of Aspirin for adults with Diabetes.

Background: To evaluate the prescription of aspirin for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders in diabetic patients, in the light of American Diabetes Association guidelines.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective analysis, presence of any cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disease risk factor as defined in American Diabetes Association guidelines and the use of aspirin and other medication data were extracted from the case files of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus visiting two teaching hospitals.

Results: Of 100 patients studied, 58% were men and 42% women and all were >/= 40 years of age.

Efficacy of garlic paste in oral candidiasis.

In a randomized trial of 56 patients, topical application of garlic paste for 14 days was found to be as effective as that of clotrimazole solution in suppressing clinical signs of oral candidiasis. The results of this preliminary study explore the possible role of garlic paste in the treatment of oral candidiasis.