Clinical and bacteriological correlates of whole blood interferon gamma(IFN-γ) in newly detected cases of pulmonary TB

Objective:To determine the relationship of the capacity to produce interferon gamma(IFN-γ) in whole blood,bacteriological,hematological,radiographic and clinical presentations in new,HIV seronegative cases of pulmonary tuberculosis(TB).Methods:80 cases and 50 control subjects aged 15 years onwards,representative of Kasturba Hospital and Nursing schools of Wardha district of Maharashtra state in India were examined for their health condition with standard methodology.Results:Among these TB patients,73.8%were Quantiferon-TB gold (QFT) positive with IFN-γconcentration as 0.35 IU or more and there was none in healthy controls.The mean IFN-γconcentrations varied between 9.58 IU(50-59 yrs) and 2.58 IU(≥60 yrs),showing no trend.The differences in positivity and mean IFN-γconcentrations were statistically insignificant.Both the QFT positivity and IFN-γconcentrations were higher in normal lymphocyte percent as compared to below and above normal,but differences were not statistically significant.Conclusions:The IFN-γconcentrations are not correlated with any of the predictors of disease severity studied,the levels are significantly higher in observation group as compared to healthy group.

Periodontal conditions and treatment in urban and rural population of West Bengal,India

Objective:To search adequate epidemiological data on periodontal conditions for the planning of oral health programs in Indian population,and to determine the prevalence of periodontal diseases,in regards to age and gender of urban and rural population in West Bengal.India. Methods:22 542 subjects aged 15 years onwards,representative of rural and urban areas of West Bengal were examined for their periodontal conditions using the community periodontal index(CPI).Results:Supra and/or sub gingival calculus dominated as the most frequent score (score 2) among males(76.51%) and females(76.58%),which was least affected in young age group and higher in rural population.Severity of highest score were significant(P【0.001) according to their gender,age group and habitation and had independent effects(P【0.001) on it. Mean number of sextants affected by scores 1,2,3,& 4 were more in the rural areas.Assessed treatment needed was predominantly typeⅡ(Scaling and improved oral hygiene).Conclusions: The severe periodontal condition(Score 2,3 and 4) is observed among rural males in older age group more than its urban counterparts of West Bengal,India.

Socio-economic determinants of underweight children in West Bengal,India

Objective:To study the extent of undernutrition at district level and the socio-economic determinants of underweight children aged 0-71 months in West Bengal.Methods:The data were accessed from the Reproductive and Child Health Survey(RCHS-II),which contained information of 7 SSO children and their parents.Information of socio-economic variables about the associated families of these children had also been taken for our study.This study computed weight-for-age z-scores to assess the nutritional status of the children using WHO(2006) reference.Results:The prevalence of underweight varied over the districts.Districts with very high prevalence of underweight children were Murshidabad,Burdwan,Purulia,Medinipur, Howrah and South 24 Parganas.High prevalent districts for both boys and girls were Jalpaiguri and Coochbihar.Low prevalent districts for both boys and girls were South Dinajpur,Nadia and Kolkata.The percentage of underweight children were more in rural areas among Muslim families with illiterate parents and low standard of living.In Murshidabad,Bankura,Nadia, Medinipur and South 24 Parganas districts,i.e.,where prevalence of underweight children were higher,the rural and urban differences were less.The characteristics like religion,parents’ educational status and standard of living index showed significant effect on the children’s weights.Conclusions:Public intervention programs on the parent’s education and the standard of living of the households at district level should be given high priority to combat the children’s undernutrition problems so far as weight for age is concerned.