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Biomedical subjects

R K Ratho

Publications and source records attributed to R K Ratho.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Virological investigation of a hepatitis E epidemic in North India.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection is of major public health concern in the developing countries, including the Indian subcontinent, due to epidemics of large proportions, increased morbidity and high mortality, especially in pregnant women. This study shows the findings of two different epidemics that occurred due to HEV. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 116 suspected HEV patients. Sera were separated and tested for hepatitis A virus HAV immunoglobulin M (IgM), hepatitis B virus surface antigen, hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody and HEV IgM by Micro ELISA. 15 acute samples were subjected to reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of HEV ribonucleic acid (RNA). RESULTS: Of the 116 blood samples collected, 68 (58.6 percent) were positive for HEV IgM antibodies. Mixed infections of HEV with HAV and HCV were detected in three (4.4 percent) and five (7.4 percent) cases, respectively. 15 HEV IgM-positive acute blood samples subjected to RT-PCR showed the presence of specific 343 bp amplified HEV ORF1 gene product in five cases. No untoward effects were observed in the five HEV-infected pregnant women during their follow-up. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the HEV aetiology and highlights a major disease outbreak that occurred due to mixing of drinking water with sewerage.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

An outbreak of dengue fever in periurban slums of Chandigarh, India, with special reference to entomological and climatic factors.

BACKGROUND: Dengue viral infection is one of the most important public health problem in tropical countries. AIM: An outbreak of dengue fever was investigated in a periurban slum area of Chandigarh, India, during September to December, 2002. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood samples from 218 patients and 30 apparently healthy contacts were tested for dengue-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibodies including 80 acute samples collected within 5 days of illness were subjected for virus isolation in newborn mice. The average temperature, rainfall, and humidity of the epidemic year were compared with the number of dengue cases. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: statistical significance was found out using c2-test. RESULTS: A total of 76 cases were positive by either dengue IgM capture assay (n = 57) or virus isolation (n = 17) or both (n = 2). Fifteen of nineteen viral isolates subjected for typing by type-specific multiplex reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were found to be of dengue virus. High rainfall and humidity with the temperature range from 21 degrees C to 33 degrees C during the months of August and September might have favored the breeding of mosquitoes, thus leading to an increase in the number of dengue cases in October and November, 2002. CONCLUSION: The present outbreak thus emphasizes the need for continuous sero epidemiological and entomological surveillance for the timely implementation of effective dengue control programme.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Heterophile antibody positive infectious mononucleosis.

OBJECTIVE: The present study has been carried out to analyse the trend of heterophile antibody positive infectious mononucleosis cases. METHODS: A total of 1741 cases of clinically suspected infectious mononucleosis from various age groups were investigated during the period January, 1986 to December, 2000 and were analysed for infectious mononucleosis (IM) specific heterophile antibody by Paul-Bunnel-Davidsohn (PBD) test. Forty seven heterophile antibody negative samples were also tested simultaneously for the presence of the IgG antibody to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and Epstein Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA) to detect the exposure to Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) infection. RESULTS: The overall percentage of EBV specific heterophile (Paul-Bunnel) antibody positivity was found to be 11.1% (194/1741). The average Paul-Bunnel antibody positivity between 1986 to 1990 was 20.5% which declined drastically to 5.7% during 1991-2000. Males comprised of 55.2% of the serologically proven IM cases. Of the 47 heterophile antibody negative cases, 38 (80.9%) and 33 (70.2%) were found to be positive for anti-VCA IgG and anti-EBNA IgG antibodies respectively. Paul Bunnel antibody positivity was found to be higher in >14 year age group patients than those below 14 years. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the EBV infection still continues to be endemic in this part of the country, however, a declining trend in IM cases was observed during the last decade.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Indirect immunofluorescence test: role in seroepidemiology and serodiagnosis of herpes simplex viral infections.

A study was carried out to find out a) the seroprevalence of herpes simplex viral infections (HSV) in and around Chandigarh city, North India and the probable age of acquisition of infection; b) the usefulness of salivary antibody detection in seroprevalence studies; c) role of HSV immunofluorescence antibodies in the sero-diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) patients. Single blood samples from 306 and paired blood and saliva samples from 48 apparently healthy individuals as well as paired blood and C.S.F. samples from 50 clinically suspected patients of HSE were included in the study proper. The subjects belonged to <6 months to > 30 years age group. Serum, saliva and C.S.F. samples were subjected to in house standardized indirect immunofluorescence test for the detection of HSV antibody. The overall seropositivity was 59.3%, which increased from 37.5% in children less than 10-years of age to 88.9% in individuals above 30 years of age (p<0.001). The maximum titer in less than 10 years children and above 10 years subjects were found to be 40 and 160 respectively. The difference in percentage positivity of HSV antibody in these groups was statistically significant (p<0.001). No difference in the seroprevalence rate was observed between different socio-economic groups and sex. Saliva in comparison to serum showed a sensitivity of 44% and specificity of 100% for the detection of HSV antibodies. Among the suspected HSE patients 4 (8%) could be serologically confirmed. This study indicated the endemicity of HSV infection in this locality. Indirect immunofluorescence test could detect intrathecal HSV antibodies in 8% of suspected HSE patients proving it to be a very useful rapid serodiagnostic tool. However, saliva testing showed limited sensitivity in HSV sero surveys.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Emergence of novel human group A rotavirus G12 strains in India.

Three rare human G12 strains were detected from diarrheic clinical samples of children (<8 months of age) in Calcutta during a routine surveillance study of rotaviral diarrhea in India. The VP7 genes of G12 strains and their products showed maximum homology (97 to 99% at the nucleotide level and 98% at the amino acid level, respectively) with those of two recently reported G12 strains (from the United States and Thailand) but lesser homology with those of prototype G12 strain L26.

Antigens, Viral↗
PubMed2003

Transfusion associated infections: a threat to life.

Blood transfusion is indispensable in the management of many haematological diseases and has become the mainstay in major surgical procedures. Transfusion-transmitted infections have been a major threat to life since the dawn of transfusion therapy. The authors have highlighted the different viral, parasitic and bacterial infections associated with transfusion and have focussed on the precautionary measures that can be implemented for prevention of the infections along with a brief review of the literature.

Bacterial Infections↗
PubMed2002

Measles outbreak in a Periurban area of Chandigarh: need for improving vaccine coverage and strengthening surveillance.

OBJECTIVE: An outbreak of measles was investigated in the periurban areas of Chandigarh Union Territory, during the months of December 1998 to February 1999. Mainly the children below 15 years of age were affected. The children of migrant labourers belonging to the neighbouring states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar constituted the majority of population in the area under study. They belonged to lower socio economic status with low immunization coverage. METHODS: A total of 2968 houses were surveyed for epidemiological investigations in the areas of colony No. 5, Ramdarbar, Palsora and Pandit colony of Kajheri, covering a population of 14,601 and 7.3% (216/2968) of families were affected in the outbreak. RESULTS: Two hundred and eighty three cases of measles were reported with an attack rate of 4.5% and male to female ratio of (M:F) 5.3%:3.6%. Among the measles cases, 48.8% had received measles vaccination. The outbreak was investigated by detecting measles specific IgG/IgM antibodies either in acute or convalescent serum samples or both. Due to inadequate surveillance system and containment measures, the outbreak was in full swing during the winter months. Measles related complications were reported in 31.1% cases (i.e. diarrhoea in 15.2% and Pneumonia is 7.1%). CONCLUSION: Following smallpox and guinea worm eradication, WHO's next thrust, is on eradication of poliomyelitis and measles. Hence, strengthening of disease surveillance as well as vaccination policies are mandatory to achieve disease control in these areas.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Role of viral serology in the diagnosis of acute retinal necrosis syndrome.

Due to the devastating nature of acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARNS), early diagnosis is essential. 5 cases of clinically diagnosed ARNA were investigated for CMC, herpes simplex and varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections. Of the three VZV IgM positive cases, two were positive in acute blood samples and one in vitreous fluid. Thus VZU can be incriminated as the causative agent of ARNS cases in North India.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Isolation of measles virus from cerebrospinal fluid of children with acute encephalopathy without rash.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the viral agent involved in cases of acute encephalopathy in children during an outbreak in Northern India. DESIGN: Virological and serological studies using serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens from patients. METHODS: Serum and CSF specimens were tested by IgM ELISA for IgM antibodies to variety of viruses like Japanese encephalitis, West Nile, Dengue and Measles. The specimens were inoculated into Vero cell monolayer for virus isolation. The viral strains isolated were identified by indirect immunofluorescence test and qualitative in-vitro neutralization test using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to measles. Identity of the isolates was reconfirmed using RT-PCR method. RESULTS: Of the 28 specimens tested, 17 had IgM antibodies to measles. Commercial IgM ELISA kits confirmed the serological findings. Vero cell cultures yielded 4 isolates from CSF and 2 from serum specimens of six different patients. Cytopathic effect was typical of measles. Indirect imunofluorescence using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to measles HA protein, confirmed the measles etiology. Neutralization tests reconfirmed the measles strain isolation. RT-PCR amplified product was confirmed as measles. CONCLUSION: The isolation of measles virus from CSF and serum of children with acute encephalopathy without rash proved the etiological role of measles virus in this outbreak.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1999

Prevalence of Japanese encephalitis and West Nile viral infections in pig population in and around Chandigarh.

A study on sero prevalence of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and West Nile (WN) viruses in pigs was carried out in and around Chandigarh. A total of 158 blood samples collected (June, 1995-March, 1996) from batches of pigs were screened for antibodies against JE and WN viral antigens by haemagglutination inhibition and complement fixation tests. In Chandigarh out of 13 pigs, 5 had JE and one WN HAI antibodies. Similarly, the sera of 14 and 1 pigs in Punjab and 29 and 3 pigs in Haryana were positive for JE and WN HAI antibodies respectively. In total JE specific HAI antibodies were found in 30.3% and CF antibodies in 12.5% of pigs whereas WN specific HAI antibodies were obtained in 3.2% and only one pig had CF antibodies. The results show that JE and WN viral infections are prevalent in pig population in and around Chandigarh.

Animals↗
PubMed1999

Role of serology in the diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis.

Twenty one cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/brain tissue (16 CSF and 5 brain tissue) from patients clinically suspected of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) were collected during one year period and was subjected for the detection of HSV type I and type II antigen by direct Immunofluorescence (DIF). Paired serum and CSF samples obtained from 12 patients were tested for herpes simplex virus antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence test. Of the 21 cases, two were positive for HSV-1 antigen in CSF and one in brain tissue by DIF. Virus specific IgG antibody in paired CSF and serum samples was positive in one case only. In none, virus could be grown in verocell line. In 2 Patients antemortem diagnosis was possible and parenteral acyclovir could be administered in one case that recovered following treatment. Thus, besides antibody detection, direct immunofluorescence is an useful and rapid method for the early diagnosis of HSE.

Adolescent↗