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Biomedical subjects

K C Nayak

Publications and source records attributed to K C Nayak.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

The changing spectrum of severe falciparum malaria: a clinical study from Bikaner (northwest India).

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Recently there were reports from all over India about changing spectrum of clinical presentation of severe malaria. The present study was planned to study the same in the northwest India. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted on patients of severe malaria admitted in a classified malaria ward of a tertiary care hospital in Bikaner, Rajasthan (northwest India) during 1994 and 2001. It included adult patients of both sexes belonging to all age groups. The diagnosis of Plasmodium falciparum was confirmed by demonstrating asexual form of parasites in peripheral blood smear. All patients were treated with i.v./oral quinine. The specific complications were treated by standard WHO protocol. The data for individual complications for both the years were analysed by applying chi-square test. RESULTS: In a prospective study in 1994 the spectrum of complication was dominated by cerebral malaria (25.75%) followed by jaundice (11.47%), bleeding tendencies (9.59%), severe anaemia (5.83%), shock (5.26%), Acute respiratory distress syndrome-ARDS (3.01%), renal failure (2.07%) and hypoglycemia (2.07%) whereas in 2001 it was dominated by jaundice (58.85%) followed by severe anaemia (26.04%), bleeding tendencies (25.52%), shock (10.94%), cerebral malaria (10.94%), renal failure (6.25%), ARDS (2.08%) and hypoglycemia (1.56%). The sharp difference for presence of jaundice and severe anaemia in 2001 and cerebral malaria in 1994 was statistically significant. Similarly, the important cause of mortality in 2001 was multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (71.10%) with predominant presentation of jaundice and renal failure, whereas in 1994, it was cerebral malaria (77.96%). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: The observation of changing spectrum of severe malaria in this study and a significant increase in presentation with jaundice as an important manifestation is highly essential for primary, secondary and tertiary level health care providers for proper diagnosis and management.

Acute Disease↗

Dexamethasone therapy for bacterial meningitis in adults: a double blind placebo control study.

Routine use of steroids in the treatment of bacterial meningitis remains controversial. A prospective placebo controlled double blind study of dexamethasone was carried out in 40 patients (age>10 years) of acute bacterial meningitis. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either placebo (n=20) or dexamethasone (n=20) in addition to injection ceftriaxone 100 mg/kg/day (maximum 4 gm/day) for 14 days. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate was given in dose of 0.6 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses, for first 4 days of therapy. First dose of dexamethasone was given 15 minutes prior to first dose of ceftriaxone. Baseline demographics, clinical and laboratory features of the two groups were similar. Clinical improvement of signs of meningeal irritation was rapid in dexamethasone group than in the placebo group, but no significant difference was observed regarding resolution of fever, headache and vomiting. Secondary fever (mean+/-SD 15.00), gastrointestinal tract bleeding (mean+/-SD 15.00) and psychiatric manifestations (mean+/-SD 10.00) were more common in dexamethasone group. Neurological complications and hearing loss were more common and severe in placebo group as compared to the dexamethasone group (p<0.05). It is concluded that dexamethasone may be beneficial in some aspects of bacterial meningitis, in adults. A study with a larger number of cases in each group is recommended.

Adolescent↗

Outbreak of polyarthritis with pyrexia in Western Rajasthan.

AIM: To establish the etiology of recent out break of polyarthritis which occurred in Kanvari village of Churu district of Rajasthan in August, 1999. METHODOLOGY: Forty eight patients of polyarthritis were studied by Hb, TDLC, ESR, CRP, throat swab Gram's stain and culture, blood culture, ASO titer, rheumatoid factor, Rose Bengal plate agglutination test, standard tube agglutination test for brucellosis, widal test, urine examination, X-ray chest, ECG and X-ray of the affected joint. RESULTS: Forty eight patients presented with acute polyarthritis with low grade fever of 1-2 week duration. Most common joint involved was sacroiliac joint (52.08%). Most of patients had multiple joint involvement (93.75%). The Rose Bengal plate agglutination test and standard tube agglutination test for brucella were positive in high titres in 44 (91.60%) patients. All the patients were treated with therapy for brucellosis and followed up for 12 weeks and responded well without complications. CONCLUSION: In case of polyarthritis possibility of brucellosis should always be kept in mind.

Acute Disease↗

Alcohol consumption and hypertension.

The effect of acute alcohol consumption was studied in healthy subjects (Group-I) and in nondrinking hypertensive (Group-II) and in regularly drinking hypertensive patients (Group-III). All subjects consumed alcohol (1gm/kg body weight daily) for 5 days, then abstained for 5 days. Blood pressure was recorded in standing and supine position every morning. Group-I showed no significant difference in blood pressures during and after alcohol consumption. Group-II showed a statistically significant increase in the supine and standing systolic/diastolic and mean blood pressure when consuming alcohol (P < 0.01) as compared to the period of abstinence. In Group-III, hypertensive patients who drank regularly showed significant decrease in systolic blood pressure in the period of abstinence during standing (p < 0.02) as well as in supine position (p < 0.001) and diastolic and mean blood pressure reduction in standing and supine position (p < 0.01) as compared to the period of drinking.

Adult↗

Role of QT interval at onset of acute myocardial infarction in predicting early phase ventricular arrhythmia.

In this study, the QTc interval was determined in 51 patients of acute myocardial infarction and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in them was noted. It was found that the QTc interval was prolonged (more than 0.44 sec) in all the 33 patients who developed ventricular arrhythmias, while it was below 0.44 sec in all the 18 patients who did not develop ventricular arrhythmia.

Adult↗

An epidemiologic study of intermittent acute porphyria in Maheshwari community of Napasar, Bikaner (Rajasthan)

An epidemiologic study of intermittent acute porphyria in the Maheshwari community of Napasar, Bikaner (Rajasthan) was conducted. Twelve cases were detected among 1900 persons belonging to ten families surveyed (prevalence 1:408). The disease was more common in females and the maximum number (4 cases) was encountered in the age group 21-30 years. The disease was more common in Mundhra (4 cases) and Mohata (3 cases) subcastes.

Acute Disease↗

A study of incidence of Australia antigen and derangements in liver function tests in leprosy.

The present study was conducted in 50 patients of various subtypes of leprosy (Lepromatous, Tuberculoid, Borderline borderline) and 25 healthy control, for detection of Australia antigen and various liver function tests (serum protein, cholesterol, alkaline phosphates, SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin and liver biopsy) to see incidence of Australia Antigen and derangement in liver function. It was concluded that incidence of Australia antigen in study and control group was zero. Total serum protein and serum globulin was increased in lepromatous leprosy. A/G ratio was reversed in 34.3% and 50% in lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy respectively. Granulomatous hepatitis was seen in 66.66% and 50% cases of lepromatous and tuberculoid leprosy respectively. No relationships was established between hepatic lesion, Australia antigen and liver function test.

Adolescent↗

Bactericidal power of neutrophils in protein calorie malnutrition.

The present study was undertaken to compare the disturbance in bactericidal power of neutrophils in 25 children having protein caloric malnutrition age and sex matched healthy control subjects. There was a highly significant reduction in the percentage of bacteria killed during incubation in children having PCM as compared to healthy control. A direct relationship existed between total serum proteins and bactericidal activity of neutrophils in children having PCM. The impaired bactericidal power of neutrophils can be attributed to impaired synthesis of lysosomal enzymes, glycolytic activity of neutrophils in children having PCM. The exact mechanisms still remain to be elucidated. Decreased bactericidal activity of neutrophils may be one of the mechanisms responsible for infection.

Bacteria↗

Prognostic implication of hypocalcemia and QTc interval in malaria.

Hundred confirmed cases of malaria were included in the present study to determine the clinical and prognostic implications of hypocalcemia and corrected QT interval (QTc) prolongation in malaria. Peripheral blood smear examination was done to determine the parasite species and the parasite load. Serum calcium level and QTc measurements in electrocardiogram were done for each patient. Fifty patients were of P. falciparum malaria (38 complicated and 12 uncomplicated), 40 of vivax malaria and 10 patients were having mixed (P. falciparum and P. vivax) infection. Hypocalcemia was found in 26 cases in which QTc was prolonged. Ten patients who had convulsions, all of them were having QTc prolongation and eight had hypocalcemia. A total number of eight patients had muscle spasm, of which six had QTc prolongation and four had hypocalcemia. There were 34 cases of cerebral malaria, of which 18 had hypocalcemia as well as QTc prolongation, 12 of them developed renal failure and 14 had high parasitaemia. Four patients died who had hypocalcemia and QTc prolongation due to hepatorenal syndrome. The mean parasite load, QTc interval and serum calcium were 2.69 +/- 1.0, 0.468 +/- 0.055 sec and 8.16 +/- 0.86 mg/dl respectively in complicated falciparum malaria; 1.6 +/- 0.55, 0.442 +/- 0.043 sec and 8.72 +/- 0.97 mg/dl in complicated mixed (Pf + Pv) infection. 1.33 +/- 0.52, 0.435 +/- 0.035 sec and 9.77 +/- 1.34 mg/dl in uncomplicated falciparum malaria and 1.35 +/- 0.58, 0.403 +/- 0.019 sec and 9.68 +/- 0.99 mg/dl in vivax malaria. The difference was significant between complicated falciparum and mixed (Pf + Pv) infection when compared to uncomplicated falciparum and vivax malaria (p < 0.05).

Adolescent↗

Profile of cardiac complications of snake bite.

The present study was conducted in 30 cases of snake bite to understand fully the intricacies of the cardiac profile and to render help in the management of the problem arising out of them. All were subjected to routine and specific investigations (ECG, X-ray Chest, SGOT). The present study concluded that 57 per cent of patients of snake bite were in 2nd and 3rd decades of life. Viperine snake bite occurred in 93 per cent and elapide snake bite in 7 per cent of cases. Cardiotoxicity was seen in only 25 per cent patients with viperine bite. Seventy-six per cent of the patients presented within 24 hours of the bite. Seventy per cent of patients had haemorrhagic manifestations and 30 per cent had cardiotoxicity. The disturbance in heart rate was seen in 47 per cent, rhythm disturbance in 6.7 per cent, tachycardia in 36.7 per cent and bradycardia in 10 per cent cases. Hypertension was found in 6.7 per cent, hypotension in 16.7 per cent. Thirty per cent of patients had gallop rhythm and it persisted in 16.6 per cent patients till discharge. One patient had evidence of pulmonary edema and one had basal congestion. Cardiomegaly on chest X-ray was found in one patient and elevated SGOT titres were found in ten per cent. Common electrocardiographic changes were sinus tachycardia, sinus arrhythmia (6.6%), sinus bradycardia (10%), tall T-wave in V2 (3.3%), pattern suggestive of acute anterior wall infarction with reciprocal changes (3.3%), myocardial ischemia (10%), non-specific ST-T changes (16.7%) and atrioventricular block (3.3%). The mortality rate was 10 per cent and all these patients had bleeding manifestations and abnormal electrocardiograms.

Adult↗

Treadmill exercise testing in asymptomatic chronic smokers to detect latent coronary heart disease.

The treadmill exercise test has been performed in 50 chronic smokers and 50 non-smokers (93 males and 7 females) who were not having any clinical or electrocardiographic manifestation of ischemic heart disease. The test was positive in 18% chronic smokers and 4% in non-smokers, the chances of positivity of stress test was 4-5 times greater in chronic smokers than in non-smokers. The duration of smoking and number of/cigarettes/bidis smoked per day were directly proportional to the incidence of a positive stress test. There was no significant difference in the incidence of a positive exercise test amongst purely cigarette smokers (17.64%), purely bidi smoker, (16.16%), and in both bidi and cigarette smokers (20%). The study, therefore, suggests that chronic heavy smoking is more frequently associated with asymptomatic ischemic heart disease, as compared to non-smokers and stress testing of persons with coronary risk factors important for detection of latent IHD.

Adult↗