Apolipoprotein B Is a Good Tool for Screening Dyslipidaemia in Apparently Healthy Population

Dyslipidaemia is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) which is the leading cause of death in the world. Even though several lipid parameters are used, currently apolipoprotein B (apoB) is considered as the best predictor of CVD. Thus this study was carried out to find out the association between conventional lipid parameters and apoB in apparently healthy subjects. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 170 apparently healthy volunteers who were not diagnosed with dyslipidaemia. After 12 hours overnight fast venous blood was obtained and Total cholesterol (TC), Triglyceride (TG), High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured by enzymatic kit method. Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was calculated by Friedewald formula and apoB was analyzed by immune turbid metry using a Konelab® auto analyzer. Among the participants, majority (63.5%) were females. The mean value of apoB concentration of the population was 103 ± 42 mg/dL which was similar and not significantly different between the genders (Males, 102 ± 37 mg/dL and Females, 104 ± 45 mg/dL). All lipid parameters showed a positive correlation with apoB concentration whereas HDL-C had a negative correlation (r = -0.165). HDL-C significantly (p < 0.05) decreased with increase in apoB concentration while LDL-C, TC/HDL-C and non-HDL-C significantly (p < 0.05) increased with an increase in apoB concentration. Present study suggests that serum apoB has better correlations and associations with the parameters that are used in conventional lipid profile and with markers recommended for diagnosing dyslipidaemia. Hence apoB could be used as a single marker for screening dyslipidaemia in apparently healthy people.

Identification of Microbes in Patients with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Apart from the conventional factors, recent evidences have suggested that lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is also associated with microbes, which is completely ignored in the management of patients with disc prolapse and disc degeneration. Therefore, the present study was carried out to identify the different microorganisms in subjects with LDH. Subjects (n = 101) who were confirmed for LDH with Magnetic Resonance Imaging and undergoing lumbar discectomy, were recruited in this study. Standard protocols for disinfection of the skin and surgical instruments were adhered. Skin scrapings, muscle biopsies and portion of the inter-vertebral disc were transferred into individually labeled Robertson’s cooked meat enrichment broth for anaerobic identification. Remaining portions of the excised disc material and muscle biopsy were taken for aerobic identification. Anaerobic isolates were identified using Gram stain and catalase test while the species identification was done by RapID ANA II ID kit. Gram stain, catalase test, DNase test and coagulase tests were used for identification of aerobic bacteria. Study confirmed 6/101 disc cultures (6%) with positive anaerobes and 12 disc cultures with coagulase negative Staphylococci spp. Among the anaerobes, two disc cultures were identified as Propionibacterium acnes and one as Gemella morbillorum. Due to slow growth, other three anaerobic cultures were not confirmed. However, they resembled the colony morphology of Gram positive bacilli. None of the control samples (skin and muscles) had any positive growth. The present study adds to the literature confirming the role of microorganisms in LDH. Present study newly identified Gemella morbillorum in the intervertebral tissue in addition to the previously reported microorganisms associated with LDH.