To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among tuberculosis patients, to compare the clinical features of tuberculosis among HIV seropositive and seronegative patients, & to correlate the seropositive tuberculosis patients with the CD4 count. METHODS: This study was undertaken in Gandhi Medical College, Hamidia Hospital, Bhopal, in department of medicine during November 2008 to November 2009. A total of 150 radio logically and / or bacteriologically confirmed patients of tuberculosis were tested for HIV seroprevalence. RESULTS: Among 150 tuberculosis patients, thirteen (8.66%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Eleven (84.6%) were males and two (15.4%) were females. Among 13 HIV seropositive patients ten (76.92%) patients were in the age group of 21-40 years. Out of eleven HIV seropositive male patients five (45.45%) were labourers, four (36.36%) were truck drivers, Among HIV seropositive patients, eight (61.53 %) belonged to urban area & five (38.47%) were from rural areas. Eleven (84.6%) had contracted HIV infection through sexual contact, one was IV drug abuser, one was supposed to be infected by blood transfusion. five (38.46%) patients had disseminated/military tuberculosis (DTB/MTB), three (23.07%) patients had pulmonary tuberculosis, three (23.07%) had pleural effusion, two (15.38%) had neurotuberculosis. Ten (76.92%) seropositive patients had CD4 count <350.CONCLUSION: The trend of dual infection with HIV and tuberculosis in the area is rising. Atypical presentation, extrapulmonary and disseminated / military tuberculosis cases are more at CD4 < 350/ml

Background: Studies have reported relationship between chronic  Helicobacter pylori infection and coronary artery disease (CAD). The  cytotoxin-associated gene A product (CagA) is an immunodominant protein which indicates infection with virulent H. pylori strains. Significant  associations of CagA-positive H. pylori strains with coronary artery disorders have been widely reported. H. pylori is also known to produce different heat shock proteins (HSPs) which can stimulate the production of specific  antibody against microbial proteins and capable of eliciting autoimmune reaction against human tissue expressing HSPs such as vascular  endothelial cells. The objectives of this study are to investigate the  association between H. pylori and CagA with coronary atherosclerosis and CAD, and to determine the possible role of H. pylori HSP60 protein in increasing the risk of CAD development. Methods: This study included 70 patients with stable angina and 70 age and gender-matched controls. Each group was evaluated by clinical history, physical examination, cardiac echocardiography (ECHO) and electrocardiography (ECG) with and without exercise. Fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were estimated by automated enzymatic methods. H. pylori IgG, CagA IgG and HSP60 IgG were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for both groups. Results: The seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was high in both groups; 75.7% in case and 68.6% in control (p=0.346). Serum IgG levels were significantly higher for CagA (p=0.028) and HSP60 (p<0.001) in cases than in controls. There was significant association between H. pylori and CagA IgGs in cases (p=0.007) but no association in controls (p=0.700). Higher HSP60 IgG level was significantly associated with both positive H. pylori IgG (p<0.001) and CagA IgG (p<0.001) in cases but no significant association was found with H. pylori (p=0.815) or CagA (p=0.332) IgG levels in the control group. Serum values were significantly higher for TC (p<0.001), TG (p<0.001) and LDL (p=0.004) while value for HDL was significantly lower (p<0.001) in H. pylori IgG-positive subjects (case and control). Conclusion: There is serological evidence that H. pylori infection may pose a significant risk factor for CAD. Since H. pylori can be eliminated by specific treatment, this may be a good preventive approach for CAD.Key words: H. pylori, coronary artery disease, CagA, HSP60, serology.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between biochemical, serological and viral replication indices in an individual with incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was undertaken on 73 asymptomatic HBsAg positive individuals between January 2010 and December 2011. They were divided into 5 groups on the basis of HBeAg status, ALT levels, and HBV DNA levels. RESULTS: There was statistically significant difference in HBV DNA levels and ALT between HBeAg positive and negative; and in ALT levels between cases in Group C and E and that between Groups C & D. There were significant difference in DNA levels between group D & group E and that between group C & group E. HBV DNA levels Corelated significantly with grade (r = 0.48, p <0.001) with Stage (r = 0.47, p <0.001) with ALT (r = 0.37, p <0.001) and AST (r = 0.42, p <0.001). AST co-related significantly HBV DNA levels. There was NO statistically significant difference in HBV DNA levels in cases with elevated ALT(> 40 IU/ml) and those with normal ALT(<40 IU/ml). CONCLUSION: ALT and AST had a strong correlation with HBV DNA level. INTRODUCTION:Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection and its sequel are serious public health problems worldwide. Around 2 billion people are infected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) worldwide of which 400 million persons suffer chronic infection with HBV. 1 HBV infection is usually clinically in apparent. Approximately, 5-10% of infected adults develop chronic liver disease of varying severity. More than 90% of infants infected during the first year of life and 30-50% children infected between 1-4 yrs of age develop chronic infection. The risk of death from HBV related liver cancer and cirrhosis is approximately 25% in persons who become chronically infected during child hood. 2, 3 15-40% of carriers will develop serious complications during lifetime like cirrhosis, decompensated liver disease or HCC. 1 75% of carriers are present in Asia. India has the second largest pool of HBsAg carriers after China.