No abstract

Iatrogenic procedures, especially contaminated blood transfusion etc., still contributes significantly to the pool of HCV infection. Genotype 3 is the predominant genotype in North India, though the subtype distribution within genotype 3 may be changing. The association of severe liver disease is significantly more with genotype 1 as evidenced by higher viral load and deranged AST levels.

Occlusion of the sound eye (conventional occlusion) introduced by Buffon (I 743) was the only treatment for amblyopia until Bangerter (I953) introduced occlusion of the amblyopic eye (non-conventional or inverse occlusion) combined with pleoptic treatment in cases of amblyopia with eccentric fixation. Mackensen, Kroner, and Postic (I965), von Noorden (I965), Posti6 (I966), Borgmann and Dielefeld (I967), and Ver Lee and Iacobucci (I967) found conventional occlusion of the sound eye to be as good as pleoptic treatment. On the other hand, Arruga (I962) and Cibis and Windsor (I967) favoured non-conventional (inverse) occlusion of the amblyopic eye. Brinker and Katz (I963) introduced red-filter occlusion to avoid the shortcomings of pleoptic treatment.Because of the disparity in the results given by various authors, the present study was undertaken to provide comparative data and to ascertain the significance of such factors as age of patient, fixation pattern, refractive error, and strabismus in the response to occlusion therapy. This study includes a number of patients above the age of I 2 yearsa group not discussed by other workers. Material and methodsSeventy cases of amblyopia with eccentric fixation but no other ocular abnormality were selected for occlusion therapy. Pleoptics were not combined with any of the occlusion methods. The diagnosis of eccentric fixation was established and the degree of eccentric fixation determined by using the Linksz star graticule in Keeler's projectoscope. A distinction was made between eccentric fixation and eccentric viewing, and only cases with true eccentric fixation were included in this series. The eccentricity was graded according to the classification of Malik, Gupta, and Choudhry (I969). Visual acuity was measured by using Snellen's "Whole line optotypes".The cases were divided into three groups:Group I (i8 cases) Conventional occlusion (of the unaffected eye) Group H (24 cases) Non-conventional occlusion (of the affected eye) Group m (28 cases) Red-filter occlusion (of the affected eye).

Studies have reported significant gender-related differences in serological tests for detection of NS1 antigen and IgM antibody used for diagnosing dengue fever. However, no such study has been undertaken in India though dengue fever is endemic in this country. Therefore, this study was planned to study the association of serological findings with gender in 700 patients suspected to be suffering from dengue fever in the Indian setting. Haematological parameters of seropositive patients were also studied. Seropositivity and haemorrhagic findings were significantly associated with the female gender. Positive NS1 antigen and IgM antibody results were significantly associated with females and males, respectively.

Fifty cases of amblyopia, including some cases of eccentric fixation, which had previously been successfully treated by various therapies (conventional occlusion, red filter occlusion and pleoptics) were followed up from 12 to 68 months. Fifteen cases (30%) deteriorated to pretreatment level during the follow up. Deterioration was found to be greater in cases over the age of 15 years and in cases who did not follow the instructions given to them after cessation of therapy.