Molecular characterization of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS 1) region of different isolates of India.

Six isolates collected from ponies (PH1 and PK6), camel (CB2), donkeys (DJ3 and DH4) and cattle (CK5) from Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat states of India were used for molecular characterization of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS 1). The DNA was isolated from purified trypanosomes of these six isolates after propagation in mice model. ITS1-PCR of purified parasite DNA yielded an amplification product approximately 540 bp in size.

Modified measles versus rubella versus atypical measles: One and same thing.

Introduction: In outbreak settings, more than one virus may be infecting the given population. In twin or triple outbreak of measles, German measles (rubella), and varicella in highly immunized hilly areas, maximal number of the case patients in all the hilly villages belonged to the older age group. It suggested an obvious shift to the higher age group, warranting second dose opportunity in such case scenario.

Comparison of three supraglottic airway devices for airway rescue in the prone position: A manikin-based study.

Background: Accidental extubation during surgery in prone position can be life-threatening. Supraglottic airway devices (SAD) have been used successfully in such situations to rescue the airway. However, which SAD would be most appropriate in this setting has not been described in the literature.

Efficacy of contrasting background on a drug label: A prospective, randomized study.

Background And Aims: Medication error can occur due to fault at any level starting from manufacturing until the administration to the patient. It can be difficult to read the drug name and other information from an ampoule, if there is poor contrast between the font color and background of the ampoule. Primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the contrast color on the ampoule's label.

Concurrent multiple outbreaks of varicella, rubeola, german measles in unvaccinated children of co-educational mount carmel senior secondary school, thakurdwara palampur of northern himachal, India.

Background: In April, 2009, in a co-education school, we investigated suspected triple outbreak; varicella first and then with chance detection of rubeola and rubella. The aim was to confirm diagnosis and recommend remedial measures to prevent further outbreaks.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of varicella with maculopapulovesicular rash without other apparent cause in students or staff of the school and residents of neighboring villages of Khalet and Roady since 23(rd) March to 14(th) October, 2009.

Anesthetic management of a case of armored brain.

Armored brain is condition, which occurs due to calcification in a chronic subdural hematoma (SDH). Here, we are reporting a case of armored brain due to chronic SDH as a complication of vetriculoperitoneal shunt (VP shunt). Patient had undergone major surgery for removal of calcified hematoma.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita: airway concerns in an emergency situation.

Difficult airway is always of special concern to anesthesiologists, but in a trauma setting where having a secured airway is most important, the incidence of difficult airway increases manifold. We report a "cannot ventilate cannot intubate" situation in a trauma patient who was later diagnosed to have arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, a syndrome known to affect the airway, and in whom all measures of securing a nonsurgical airway failed.

Surveillance data analysis of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program of Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.

Background: The annual risk of tuberculosis infection is 1.9% in Himachal Pradesh against a national average of 1%. Revised national tuberculosis control program (RNTCP) in Kangra was introduced in October, 1998.

A Mixed Outbreak of Rubeola-Rubella in District Kangra of Northern India.

Background: On 14(th) September 2006, a local community leader informed us about the sudden increase in number of cases of fever and rash in five villages of district Kangra. We investigated the suspected outbreak to confirm the diagnosis and recommend for prevention and control.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of rubeola as the occurrence of fever with rash in children from 3(rd) September to 13(th) January, 2007.

A modification in the tube guide to facilitate retrograde intubation: A prospective, randomised trial.

Background: The technique of anterograde over a retrograde guide is considered to be more reliable and preferable in comparison to only retrograde one, for improving the success rate of retrograde intubation. As the prior technique requires a lengthy guidewire to negotiate the whole channel of a tube guide, we designed a side eye at one end of tube guide, which obviated the above requirement while maintaining the integrity of the whole channel assembly. The efficacy of this modified technique was compared with the conventional one for retrograde intubation procedure.

Evaluation of revised national tuberculosis control program, district Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India, 2007.

Background: THE PRESENT EVALUATION STUDY HAS BEEN CONDUCTED WITH THE FOLLOWING OBJECTIVES: (i) To assess the treatment outcomes of revised national tuberculosis control program (RNTCP) in five microscopic centers of Kangra district under five tuberculosis units and (ii) To identify gaps and underlying contributing factors. Based upon the findings of (i) and (ii) we suggest appropriate measures to narrow down the existing gaps.

Materials And Methods: We identified and interviewed health personnel involved, reviewed the documents and records pertaining to evaluation plan/guidelines, training records and reports generated by five tuberculosis units.

Clinico-etiological study with response to specific treatment in childhood urticaria.

Background: Urticaria is a common dermatological manifestation in adults with relatively infrequent occurrence of chronic urticaria (CU) in childhood. The etiology of urticaria in childhood remains incompletely understood because of limited data on children.

Objective: We carried out this retrospective data-based study to determine different etiological factors and response to treatment in pediatric patients presenting with urticaria.

The heterogeneity of measles epidemiology in India: implications for improving control measures.

Background: Measles vaccination coverage varies in India. Trainees of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) investigated 8 outbreaks from 2004 through 2006 in Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal. We reviewed these outbreaks to contribute to the description of the epidemiology of measles and propose recommendations for control.

Factors precipitating outbreaks of measles in district Kangra of North India: A case-control study.

Background: Globally, measles is the fifth killer disease among children under five years of age. Despite high immunization coverage in Himachal, outbreaks are occurring. Upon two outbreaks in a hilly district in North India, a case control study was conducted to identify factors contributing to outbreaks and to recommend remedial measures to prevent further outbreaks.

Outbreak of gastroenteritis in tibetan transit school, dharamshala, himachal pradesh, India, 2006.

Background: On 28(th) June, 2006, 55 cases of the gastroenteritis were reported among the hostellers of the Tibetan Transit School, Dharamshala. We investigated the outbreak to identify the source, propose control and preventive measures.

Materials And Methods: We defined a case of the gastroenteritis as the occurrence of more than three smelly loose motions between 28(th) June to 2(nd) July, 2006 among some sections of the resident hostellers.

An outbreak of rubella in a hilly district of Kangra-Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, India, 2006.

Objective: Rubella is a minor disease that often goes unnoticed and seldom results in significant morbidity and mortality. However, the infection among pregnant women is associated with serious consequences for the fetus. On 5th November, 2006, a local community leader reported cases of fever with rash in three villages of Chamba district to Shahpur hospital.

Two Highly Immunized Hilly Areas versus Double Measles Outbreak Investigations in District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India, in 2006.

Background: We investigated two sequential outbreaks of measles in seven villages of Kangra, to confirm the diagnosis and to formulate recommendations for prevention and control.

Methods: We defined a case of measles as occurrence of fever with rash in a child aged six months to 17 years during the period 3(rd) September to 23(rd) November 2006. We collected information on age, sex, residence, date of onset, symptoms, signs, treatment taken, traveling history and vaccination status.