An HIV 1/2 point of care test on sputum for screening TB/HIV coinfection in central India-Will it work?

Objective:To determine whether the OraQuick(?).HIV-1/2 Assay(OraSure Technologies, Inc.,Bethlehem,PA,USA) in sputum is a valid tool for HIV surveillance among TB patients. Methods:A cross sectional study was carried out on sputa of patients diagnosed with tuberculosis.Sputa were tested for antibodies to HIV using OraQuick. HIV-1/2 Assay(OraSure Technologies,Inc.,Bethlehem,PA,USA).The results were compared with results of serum ELISA.Results:Compared to serum ELISA,the OraQuick(?).HIV-1/2 Assay in sputum specimens reported 90%sensitivity(9/10)and 100%specificity(307/307),with a positive predictive value of 100%(95%CI:66.37%-100.00%)and a negative predictive value of 99.68%(95%CI:98.20%-99.99%). Conclusions:This testing method may provide a useful strategy for conducting HIV surveillance in possible co-infected TB patients at peripheral centres.Since there is no investment on infrastructure,it may be possible for paramedical health professionals to carry out the test. particularly in areas with low HIV endemicity.

Human sperm immobilization effect of Carica papaya seed extracts: an in vitro study

Aim: To examine if the seed extracts of Carica papaya, which showed anfispermatogenic/sperm immobilizationproperties in animal models, could cause human sperm immobilization in vitro. Methods: Chloroform extract, ben-zene chromatographic fraction of the chloroform extract, its methanol and ethyl acetate sub-fractions and the isolatedcompounds from the sub-fractions i. e., ECP 1 & 2 and MCP 1 & 2, of the seeds of Carica papaya were used at con-centrations of 0.1%, 0.5%, 1% and 2%. Sperm motility was assessed immediately after addition of extracts and ev-ery 5 minutes thereafter for 30 minutes. Results: There were dose-dependent spermicidal effects showing an instantfall in the sperm motility to less than 20% at 2% concentration. Isolated compounds ECP 1 & 2 were more effective in-ducing a motility of less than 10%. Many of the spermatozoa became vibratory on the spot. Total inhibition of motilitywas observed within 20-25 rain at all concentrations of all products. Scanning and transmission electron microscopyrevealed deleterious changes in the plasma membrane of the head and mid-piece of spermatozoa. Sperm viability testand the number of abnormal spermatozoa after completion of incubation suggested that the spermatozoa were infertile.The effects were spermicidal but not spermiostatic as revealed by the sperm revival test. Conclusion: The results re-veal spermicidal activity in vitro of the seed extracts of Carica papaya.