No abstract

Introduction: Little is known about the sero-prevalence of anti-VZV antibodies among adolescents in the Kandy district of Sri Lanka although adulthood VZV infections are very common in this part of the country. Design: Socio-demographic data and blood samples were collected between November 2004 and April 2005 from a total of 271, 12 to 19 year old school students from urban, rural and estate communities. Sera were tested for anti-VZV IgG antibodies using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Sero-prevalence of anti-VZV antibodies among these adolescents was found to be 34%. Number of siblings (39% of adolescents with more than 2 siblings and 27% of those with 2 siblings were immune, while those without siblings were non-immune) and areas of residence (urban, estate and rural) were statistically associated with the presence of anti-VZV IgG antibodies. School children who lived in the urban and estate sectors had significantly higher anti-VZV IgG prevalence rates than those who lived in rural areas (p<0.001). Conclusions: Sero-prevalence of anti-VZV IgG antibodies was low among adolescents in the Kandy district. Adolescents who lived in the urban areas had a significantly higher rate of anti-VZV IgG antibodies than those who lived in rural areas (p<0.001). Adolescents who grow up without siblings are at risk of evading the childhood VZV infection and form a potential target group for adulthood chickenpox.

No abstract

IB, et al. Effectiveness of ethinyl oestradiol / cyproterone acetate and ethinyl oestradiol/ desogestrel with or without low-dose metformin on perceived health-related quality of life in hirsute women with polycystic ovary disease: A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Dermatophytosis is a superficial fungal infection found in hot and humid areas particularly in tropical regions and affects the keratinized regions of the body. It is usually treated with a combination of topical and systemic antifungal therapy as well as improved hygienic measures. Over the last few decades there has been an increase in the prevalence of dermatophyte infections which are poorly responding to standard antifungal therapy. Methods: Modified Whitfield's ointment is a combination of 5%-5% Salicylic acid and Benzoic acid with an emulsifying ointment as a vehicle which has both a fungistatic and a keratolytic action. Oral Griseofulvin is a systemic antifungal agent which is a fungistatic agent. The combination of the above agents is synergistic. A randomized double blind, within-patient-placebo-controlled trial was designed for the treatment of dermatophytosis poorly responsive to standard antifungal therapy. Conclusions: This may shed light on the treatment of dermatophytosis poorly responsive to standard antifungal therapy. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with WHO trial registry number (Universal trial number): U111-1235-8791.