A clinical and molecular study of artesunate + sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine in three districts of central and eastern India.

Background: Artesunate + sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AS + SP) is recommended throughout India as the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Due to the presence of several eco-epidemiological zones of malaria and variable drug pressure, it is necessary to evaluate the efficacy of this combination in different regions of India. The objective of this study was to use clinical and molecular methods to monitor the efficacy of AS + SP in three diverse sites.

Artesunate-amodiaquine fixed dose combination for the treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in India.

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) has been recommended for the treatment of falciparum malaria by the World Health Organization. Though India has already switched to ACT for treating falciparum malaria, there is need to have multiple options of alternative forms of ACT. A randomized trial was conducted to assess the safety and efficacy of the fixed dose combination of artesunate-amodiaquine (ASAQ) and amodiaquine (AQ) for the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria for the first time in India.

Efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in area of high malaria endemicity in India and its correlation with blood concentration of lumefantrine.

This study was conducted to correlate blood concentrations of lumefantrine with treatment outcome for patients with Plasmodium falciparum malaria when the drug was given without specific instructions for administration with food. Patients with P. falciparum malaria in the highly endemic state of Orissa, India, were enrolled during 2008 and followed-up for 28 days after admistration of artemether-lumefantrine for three days according to a World Health Organization protocol.

Identification of IgE-mediated food allergy and allergens in older children and adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Background And Objective: Prevalence of immunoglobulin (Ig) E-mediated food allergy is primarily reported for certain pediatric populations and adults. The present study was aimed to investigate the relative prevalence of food allergy and allergens in older children and adults with asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Methods: Patients (12-62 years) were screened using standard questionnaire and skin prick-test (SPT) with common foods and aeroallergens.

Therapeutic efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in uncomplicated falciparum malaria in India.

Background: Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) is the treatment of choice for uncomplicated falciparum malaria. Artemether-lumefantrine (AL), a fixed dose co-formulation, has recently been approved for marketing in India, although it is not included in the National Drug Policy for treatment of malaria. Efficacy of short course regimen (4 x 4 tablets of 20 mg artemether plus 120 mg lumefantrine over 48 h) was demonstrated in India in the year 2000.

Relevance of serum IgE estimation in allergic bronchial asthma with special reference to food allergy.

Studies suggest the importance of serum total and specific IgE in clinical evaluation of allergic manifestations. Such studies are lacking in Indian subcontinent, though a large population suffer from bronchial asthma. Here relevance of serum total and specific IgE was investigated in asthmatics with food sensitization.

Rice (Oryza sativa) allergy in rhinitis and asthma patients: a clinico-immunological study.

Sensitization to foods varies in different countries reflecting a possible interaction of genetic factors, cultural and dietary habits. Rice is a major food consumed world wide and needs evaluation for IgE mediated reactions. The present study was carried out to identify rice allergy in patients of rhinitis and asthma and identify the allergenic proteins in raw and cooked rice.