Scrub typhus in Uttarakhand & adjoining Uttar Pradesh: Seasonality, clinical presentations & predictors of mortality.

Background & Objectives: Scrub typhus is a re-emerging mite-borne rickettsiosis, which continues to be underdiagnosed, with lethal consequences. The present study was conducted to determine the seasonality, clinical presentation and predictors of mortality in patients with scrub typhus at a tertiary care teaching hospital in northern India.

Methods: Scrub typhus was suspected in patients attending the hospital as per the standard case definition and serological evidence was obtained by performing an IgM ELISA.

Frequency, diagnostic performance of coproantigen detection and genotyping of the Giardia among patients referred to a multi-level teaching hospital in northern India.

Giardiasis, a common gastrointestinal parasitic infection in tropics, is diagnosed on stool microscopy (gold standard); however, its sensitivity is low due to intermittent fecal shedding. Coproantigen detection (ELISA) is useful but requires further evaluation. We aimed to study: (a) detection of Giardia by stool microscopy and/or coproantigen, (b) diagnostic performance of fecal antigen detection and microscopy, and c) genotypic characterization of G.

Evaluation of Immunoflourescence antibody assay for the detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis.

Detection of microsporidia at the species level is important for therapeutic purpose. The available techniques, modified trichrome (MT) staining cannot differentiate between species, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requires a reference laboratory and skilled technical staff. Immunoflourescence antibody (IFA) assay is another technique, which can differentiate among commonest species of microsporidia.

Identification and genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi among human immunodeficiency virus infected patients.

Microsporidia cause diarrhea among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients worldwide. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis are the most common species infecting HIV patients. Various genotypes of E.