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We investigated the hypothesis that CD54 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1) expressed on hepatocytes will support beta2-integrin (CD18)-dependent adhesion of neutrophils. An in vitro model using C3A cells (a human hepatoblastoma cell line exhibiting many characteristics of normal hepatocytes) and human neutrophils was utilized. C3A cells were stimulated with interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha, or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) for 24 h to induce expression of CD54, and adhesion of neutrophils was found to be markedly increased. Detailed studies with IFN-gamma-stimulated (100 U/ml) C3A cells revealed that this adhesion involved CD11a/CD18 [lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1)] and CD54 and was dependent on low levels of IL-8 produced by the stimulated hepatocytes. Addition of higher concentrations of chemotactic factor (e.g., IL-8) further augmented adhesion and recruited contributions of CD11b/CD18 (Mac-1). In contrast to LFA-1, Mac-1 appeared to recognize a CD54-independent ligand constitutively expressed on the hepatocytes. Such close apposition of neutrophils to hepatocytes may increase the potential for parenchymal cell injury by providing a short distance through which cytotoxic factors such as reactive oxygen or proteolytic enzymes could act.

The outbreak of viral hepatitis E occurred due to sewage contamination of water pipelines.

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So far there is no conclusive evidence that HGV produces hepatitis. But presence of HGV in hepatitis cases casts a doubt on this finding. Prevalence rate in blood donors may be helpful in future studies when the exact role of HGV is known.

Background: There was an epidemic of enteric fever in Mumbai garrison during Nov-Dec 2000 with more than 150 cases admitted to a tertiary care service hospital. Methods: All the cases presented with fever and some had splenomegaly, bradycardia, abdominal pain and diarrhoea. The epidemic was investigated by the station health organization (SHO) and the case and bacteriological study was carried out in pathology laboratory of the service hospital. The serological study was carried out at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune and the Phage typing was carried out at Lady Harding Medical College, New Delhi. Results: Blood cultures were positive in 92(63%) for Salmonella typhi and Widal test was positive in 83(55%). All strains were resistant to four primary drugs i.e. ampicillin, chloramphenicol, co-trimoxazole and tetracycline. All but two were treated successfully with ceftriaxone. The Salmonella typhi belonged to phage group E1 and biotype I. Conclusion : Extensive epidemiological investigation of cases and water sources of cantonment area pointed to a common source of the epidemic i.e. the well near 'Gurudwara'.

Incidence of HIV infection in patients with tuberculosis was found out by serological method (ELISA) with confirmation by Western Blot analysis. Out of 2116 tuberculosis patients tested for HIV, 150 cases were found to be positive for HIV infection (5.73%). Drug susceptibility to first line antitubercular drugs was carried out in 1378 isolates from HIV negative cases and 68 isolates from AIDS cases. The overall resistance pattern to one or more drugs was seen in 13.78% of isolates from HIV negative cases as compared to 7.2% isolates in AIDS cases. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was seen in 8.9% of isolates from HIV negative cases as compared to 4.4% of isolates from AIDS cases.