Infectious causes of acute encephalitis syndrome hospitalizations in Central India, 2018-20.

Background: We enhanced surveillance of hospitalizations of all ages for acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) along with infectious aetiologies, including the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV).

Methods: From October 2018 to September 2020, we screened neurological patients for AES in all age groups in Maharashtra and Telangana States. AES cases were enrolled at study hospitals along with other referrals and sampled with cerebrospinal fluid, acute and convalescent sera.

Mycetoma: A Common Yet Unrecognized Health Burden in Central India.

Context: Mycetoma is a chronic suppurative infective disorder of skin, subcutaneous tissue, fascia, and bones caused by the traumatic inoculation of either fungal (eumycotic) or bacterial (actinomycotic) organisms present in the soil. Triad of tumefaction, discharging sinuses, and grains characterizes the disease.

Aims: This study was undertaken to study the clinical spectrum and treatment response of mycetoma in central India.

Subdural empyma due to Mycobacterium fortuitum in a non-HIV patient.

A 14-year-old male child presented with high grade intermittent fever with altered sensorium since 5-6 days and generalised seizures. On examination neck stiffness noticed with normal haemogram and chest X-ray. CSF microscopy was normal and no growth seen in aerobic culture.

Interactive E-learning module in pharmacology: a pilot project at a rural medical college in India.

Many medical educators are experimenting with innovative ways of E-learning. E-learning provides opportunities to students for self-directed learning in addition to other advantages. In this study, we designed and evaluated an interactive E-learning module in pharmacology for effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility, with the aim of promoting active learning in this fact-filled subject.

Crossword puzzles: self-learning tool in pharmacology.

Students of the second professional MBBS course of the Indian medical curriculum (II MBBS) perceive pharmacology as a 'Volatile Subject' because they often find it difficult to remember and recall drug names. We evaluated the usefulness of crossword puzzles as a self-learning tool to help pharmacology students to remember drug names. We also measured the students' satisfaction with this learning method.

Fusarium soloni mycetoma.

A young apparently healthy, non-diabetic, HIV non-reactive woman presented with a mycetoma-like lesion on right buttock. Discharge was scanty, and mycotic grains were not seen. Biopsy of sinus track was obtained for microscopy and culture.

Bacteriological study of pyogenic meningitis with special reference to C-reactive protein.

Seventy five clinically, biochemically and microscopically diagnosed cases of pyogenic meningitis including 28 adults and 47 paediatric patients were studied. Gram positive isolates in adults and gram negative bacilli in paediatric age group were the predominant organisms. Estimation of C-reactive protein (CRP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum was done in all cases as an early marker for rapid diagnosis of pyogenic meningitis.

Seroprevalence of anti-HCV and hepatitis B surface antigen in HIV infected patients.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is known to influence the natural history of infections with certain hepatitis viruses and interactions between HIV and hepatitis viruses may potentiate HIV replication. There is high degree of epidemiological similarity between hepatitis B virus and HIV as regard to high-risk group and route of transmission. Transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) through blood transfusion and intravenous drug abuse is well documented.

Effect of passive smoking on endothelial function in: healthy adults.

Background: Active smoking predisposes to atherosclerotic vascular disease but recent evidence that inhalation of environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) may also have deleterious cardiovascular effects, has enormous public health implications. Endothelial dysfunction is an important early feature of atherogenic process, which may occur due to passive smoking.

Objective: To assess the effect of passive smoking on endothelial function (measured by flow-mediated dilatation, a marker of endothelium-dependent arterial dilatation) and compare it with non-smokers.

Evaluation of extended spectrum beta lactamase in urinary isolates.

Background & Objectives: Urinary tract infection (UTI) remain the common infections diagnosed in outpatients as well as in hospitalized patients. Current knowledge on antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of uropathogens is mandatory for appropriate therapy. Extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) hydrolyse expanded spectrum cephalosporins like ceftazidime, cephotaxime which are used in the treatment of UTI.

Concurrent infection with S.typhi and V. cholerae--a case report".

An eight year old male child presented with symptoms of diarrhoea, vomiting & fever with signs of moderate dehydration. He was treated with tetracyline and fluid replacement therapy. Inspite of treatment and control of diarrhoea and vomiting patient developed gastrointestinal bleeding and tenesmus with continued fever.

An unusually high occurrence of Salmonella enterica serotype paratyphi A in patients with enteric fever.

Background & Objectives: Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi A has been reported less frequently as a causative agent of enteric fever. Reports on the antimicrobial susceptibility of this pathogen are few and varied. An unusually high occurrence of S.

Effect of H37Ra on PHA-induced migratory inhibition of leucocytes in patient of tuberculosis.

Eighty nine cases of active pulmonary tuberculosis were classified into four stages depending on the clinical extent of disease. Leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMIT) was done using mitogen phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) and H37Ra specific antigen. Normal PHA responses were observed in all clinical stages while specific immune response in relation to inhibition of leucocyte migration decreased from stage I to stage IV.

Short PR interval and abnormal systolic time interval as a method of carrier detection in maternal relations of patients with muscular dystrophy.

Seventeen relatives of patients with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy (Group A) and 6 relatives of patients with adult type of muscular dystrophy (Group B) were studied. Short PR interval on electrocardiogram and abnormal systolic time interval (STI) were consistent findings in 14 of 15 female relatives (93.35%) in group A, while these criteria were lacking in group B.

Single dose therapy of ascariasis--a randomized comparison of mebendazole and pyrantel.

A multicentre, randomized trial was carried out to compare the efficacy of two single-dose treatments for ascariasis: mebendazole 200 mg, and pyrantel 10 mg/kg. Each centre enrolled 200 patients with a suspected diagnosis of ascariasis, 100 for each treatment, and the treatments were randomized for each centre. To confirm the diagnosis, stools were examined for eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides by Kato's thick smear method.