SUMMARYThe aim of the present study is to evaluate cyst wall and protoscolex as an alternate source of antigen in serodiagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). A total of 90 blood samples, 30 each of confirmed CE cases, disease controls and healthy controls were collected. Dot-ELISA using cyst wall, protoscolex and cyst fluid were used to demonstrate anti-hydatid antibodies. The sensitivity of Dot-ELISA using cyst wall, protoscolex and cyst fluid was 96.66%, 86.66% and 93.33% respectively and the specificity of the assay was 70% for Dot-ELISA using cyst fluid, protoscolex and cyst wall antigens. Results of the present study show that cyst wall and protoscolex can also be an useful source of antigen in detection of hydatid antibodies in the serodiagnosis of CE.

Background:Several serological assays are used for detection of a hydatid antigen in serum for diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). However, it requires technical expertise and is associated with the risk of acquiring blood-borne infections. Of late, interests have been shifted to other body fluids like urine, saliva, tear drops as alternate specimens in the diagnosis of CE.Aim:The aim of the study was to evaluate the dot enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Dot-ELISA) and electro-immunotransfer blot (EITB) for detection of a hydatid antigen in the urine for diagnosis of CE.Materials and Methods:100 ml of urine samples were collected from the patients with confirmed CE (n=30), patients with suspected CE (n=30), patients with other diseases (n=30) and healthy controls (n=30). A hydatid antigen in urine was detected by Dot-ELISA and EITB using only polyclonal antibodies raised against a complete homogenate hydatid (CHH) antigen in rabbits.Results and Conclusions:The Dot-ELISA using polyclonal antibodies showed a sensitivity of 53.33% and specificity of 96.66%, whereas EITB showed a sensitivity of 46.66%. The Dot-ELISA and EITB employing polyclonal antibodies showed no significant difference in sensitivity (P=0.426). Hence, the Dot-ELISA being a simple procedure can be used for detection of a hydatid antigen in urine for diagnosis of CE.

Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) play a major role in global disease burden with significant morbidity. The most vulnerable age group was school going children and is transmitted through soil. About 90% of infected individuals remain asymptomatic. The present study was designed to screen for IPI among school children in Karaikal, to identify the asymptomatic infections and to assess the type and occurrence of IPIs. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out from July to September 2018 among school children in the age group of 6–14 years after getting ethical clearance. A total of 335 single stool samples were collected. The samples were subjected to macroscopic examination, microscopic examination and subjected to concentration techniques such as salt floatation and formal ether sedimentation technique. Two separate fresh stool smears were made on the microscopic slides for trichrome and modified acid-fast staining. The results were calculated as percentage, frequency/proportion, and Chi-square test using IBM SPSS software version 19. Results: Only 90 (28%) out of 324 stool samples were positive for the presence of intestinal parasites. The sensitivity of formal ether sedimentation technique (58%) was higher than other techniques. None of the ova of helminths detected. Modified acid-fast staining was negative for coccidian parasites. Conclusions: The low prevalence of protozoan parasites and total absence of helminths in the study revealed the effective role of nationwide deworming program and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan program. However, anthelminthic does not cover the protozoan parasites and it exists among asymptomatic healthy population.

The vaginal microbiota dysbiosis [Bacterial vaginosis (BV)] is a condition in which the predominant Lactobacillus spp is replaced by anaerobic bacteria like and in the women of reproductive age group due to several factors. The women with BV are at a greater risk of acquiring urinary tract infection (UTI). The association of bacterial vaginosis and asymptomatic UTI in pregnant women pose risk for both mother and foetus. Here, a case of adverse pregnancy outcome in pregnant woman with BV and asymptomatic UTI is reported.