Seasonal intensity of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the intermediate host, Laevicaulis alte.

The slug, Laevicaulis alte, is a vector of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the Greater Bombay area. The seasonal prevalence of A. cantonensis was investigated to determine the maximum intensity of the parasite in a field population occupying an area of approximately 400 m2.

Effect of tissue culture media on multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

To date RPMI-1640 has been the best medium for cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro. In addition to this medium, several alternative media, essentially the ones used in animal and plant tissue culture, were employed for the cultivation of P. falciparum.

Sero-diagnosis of schistosomiasis by ELISA test in an endemic area of Gimvi village, India.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out in Gimvi village, India, using antigens derived from S. haematobium and S. mansoni adult worms.

Major histocompatibility complex restriction of T-cell suppression of immune response to mycobacteria.

In earlier work, intraperitoneal (i.p.) immunization with Mycobacterium vaccae was shown to generate a T-suppressor (Ts) response but intradermal (i.

Scanning electron microscopy of Setaria cervi adult male worms.

Scanning electron microscopy studies of adult Setaria cervi male worms showed the presence of horn-like lateral appendages and characteristic striated bands on the ventral side of the tail. All other features were indistinguishable from other members of the genus Setaria.

Influence of some growth promoting substances on multiplication of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro.

A number of growth promoting substances used in plant tissue culture were investigated for their effect on cultures of malaria parasites. In all, seven such growth promoting substances were employed. Out of these, only three substances, namely indoleacetic acid, indolebutyric acid and gibberellic acid improved P.

Immune response to hepatitis B viral antigens in chronic infection & its relationship with liver necrosis.

Markers of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and immune response against them were studied in 18 chronic asymptomatic carriers, 8 patients of the virus induced chronic liver disease (CLD), and 7 patients of chronic alcoholic liver cirrhosis, who were also chronic HBV carriers (CALC). The LMI responses to HBeAg were elevated in HBeAg and/or HBV-DNA positive chronic asymptomatic carriers, (median response 31.5%), along with elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (sALT) levels (59-150 IU/l).

Variation in immunogenicity of mycobacteria: role of antigen-presenting cells.

The antigen-presenting efficiency of peritoneal cells and irradiated spleen cells was compared using Mycobacterium tuberculosis- and M. vaccae-primed T cells and corresponding sonicates as antigens in an in vitro lymphocyte transformation test. The presentation efficiency of irradiated spleen cells was reasonably good for both antigens.

Pathogenesis of route-related variation in T-suppressor response on immunization with mycobacteria.

The route of immunization was observed to play a significant role in deciding the outcome of immunization with killed mycobacterial vaccines. Earlier we reported that the slow growers were immunogenic by both the intraperitoneal (i.p.

Route-related variation in immunogenicity of mycobacteria.

The route of immunization was observed to play a significant role in deciding the T-cell response to immunization with killed mycobacterial vaccines. Slow-growing mycobacteria were found to be immunogenic by both the intraperitoneal (i.p.

Role of antigen-presenting cells in variation in immunogenicity of mycobacteria.

The route of immunization was observed to play a significant role in deciding the outcome of immunization with killed mycobacterial vaccines. Whereas the slow growers were immunogenic by both intraperitoneal and intradermal routes, the rapid growers were immunogenic only by intradermal route. The non-responder state of mice to Mycobacterium vaccae by i.

Distribution and insecticide resistance of the plague flea Xenopsylla cheopis in Maharashtra State, India.

Distributions are reported for commensal rat fleas, predominantly Xenopsylla cheopis (Rothschild), in the State of Maharashtra, India, including the city of Bombay, during 1965-80. The X.cheopis flea index was high in most parts of Maharashtra, but low in Bombay.

Evaluation of Setaria cervi antigen in the diagnosis of human filariasis.

Bovine filariid worm (Setaria cervi) antigen was evaluated for the immunodiagnosis of human filariasis. Patients with manifestations of filarial infection; [1) microfilaremia cases, (2) chronic clinical cases, (3) tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) cases) were taken for the investigations along with (4) normal endemic and non-endemic human subjects. CIEP, IFAT and ELISA tests were employed for detection of serum antibodies.

Suncus murinus. Observations on ecology, distribution, status to plague in Bombay.

The common house shrew Suncus murinus has been shown to play an important role in maintenance and perpetuation of plague infection by earlier plague workers. With the control of human plague there is no knowledge about foci of plague in small mammals associated with man. Present study was carried out to fill in this Lacuna.

Micro test for assaying sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax in vitro.

A modified Rieckmann test was developed for assessing chloroquine sensitivity of Plasmodium vivax strains. This test envisages the evaluation of parasite growth with different concentrations of the drug and its comparison with controls, at the end of a 48-hour experimental period. Using this test, 16 strains were assessed for their chloroquine sensitivity.

Route-related variation in the immunogenicity of killed Salmonella enteritidis vaccine: role of antigen presenting cells.

In order to assess the role of the route of immunization on the immunogenicity of killed Salmonella vaccine, mice were immunized with killed S. enteritidis by intraperitoneal (i.p.

Observations on commensal rats and their status to plague in Bombay.

The distribution pattern of various types of commensal rodents in Bombay city reveals that Bandicota bengalensis constitutes the predominant commensal rodent species followed by R. rattus and Rattus norvegicus. Apart from these three types, Bandicota indica, M.

Larvicidal effect of perbendazole on experimental infection of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in mice.

Perbendazole was given orally and subcutaneously to mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis at different stages of infection. The subcutaneous route of administration was more effective than the oral one. On the 5th day after infection, the perbendazole had a higher efficacy than on the 10th day postinfection.

Effect of the chronic administration of ethinyl estradiol and norgestrel on biogenic amine(s) level and monoamine oxidase enzyme activity in rat brain.

Adult female virgin rats were administered contraceptive steroids orally for a long period, and the effect of this on the brain biogenic amine(s) content was studied. The amine(s) content of the brain during the course of chronic treatment with the hormones was estimated at various time intervals. In addition to this, the noradrenaline (NA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) content of rat brain regions was assayed after three months of hormone treatment.