Introduction: The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is of paramount importance for health planners and program managers. Data on viral hepatitis during pregnancy are not readily available. This study was conducted to assess the extent of seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis in pregnant women and to re-evaluate the need for routine antenatal care screening.Methodology: All samples were tested to detect HBsAg by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were tested to detect anti-HCV by ELISA. Samples were also tested for antibodies to Treponema Pallidum by qualitative rapid plasma reagine (RPR); finally, samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by three different methods as per Strategy III of the National AIDS Control Organization by using different systems of testing to establish a diagnosis of HIV. Results: Seropositivity of hepatitis B was 2.9%, hepatitis C was 0.19%, syphilis was 0.48%, and HIV was 0.38%. Out of the 1038 samples, no co-infection was found between hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, or HIV. Conclusion: The data from this study can help health professionals to treat antenatal patients more effectively. The data also reinforces the need for establishing effective prevention programs, which could lead to a reduction in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, syphilis, and HIV
Background: Chikungunya Virus has been responsible for significant human morbidity probably for several hundred years; yet in spite of its prevalence, the Chikungunya Virus epidemiology and the mechanisms of virulence and pathogenesis are still poorly understood and undetermined.
Aims:This study was done to show that the Chikungunya infection has shown a change in its pattern of occurrence with respect to the clinical features, the gender and the age group which are predominant and the season of the outbreak. The present study was conducted to evaluate the features of the Chikugunya infection in patients with acute febrile illness from various geographical regions of Rajkot district, Gujarat, India.
Type of Study:A cross-sectional study, multi centric study.
Statistical method:The Chi-square test for the goodness of the fit and independence.
Methods:One hundred ninty three serum samples of suspected cases of patients who attended the outdoor and indoor patients departments at a tertiary care hospital, Rajkot and the primary health centres, the community health centre and the urban health centres that were covered in the Rajkot district, which were collected during the period of one year from 1 st January 2011 to 25 th December 2011, were studied. The sera were processed and tested for the detection of the Chikungunya IgM antibody by using a solid phase, capture micro well ELISA technology.
Results:Out of the total 193 cases, 84 were positive for the Chikungunya IgM antibody. Out of the total 84 positive cases, 32 were males (38.09%) and 52 were females (61.9%). Female patients showed more prevalence of this disease. A majority of the patients presented with fever, headache and joint pain: 44(52.38%). The highest prevalence of Chikungunya was found in the 40-50 years age group, which occurred in 34 (40.47%) cases. In the months of November and December, the occurrence of Chikungunya was more.
Conclusion:This study emphasizes the need for a continuous surveillance on the disease burden by using multiple diagnostic tests and it also warrants the need for appropriate molecular diagnostic techniques for an early detection of the Chikungunya virus.
Background:Dengue is an important vector-borne disease with a spectrum of classical fever to hemorrhagic fever to dengue shock syndrome. The present study was conducted with objective to study epidemiological and demographic characteristics of dengue infections during the year 2015 in Saurashtra region, Gujarat state, India.Materials and Methods:The study was conducted at Tertiary Care Hospital, Rajkot, during the year 2015. A total of 3312 blood samples were collected and tested for dengue NS1 antigen and IgM antibody by capture ELISA testing from various districts of Saurashtra region. A pretested structured data sheet was used as a tool for data collection, and data analysis was done.Results:Out of 3312 tested samples, 33.4% samples were found positive for dengue. Suspected cases were reported from all age groups, including majority from 15 to 24 years (31.1%) and 25 to 44 years (30.0%) and also 8.4% from 0 to 4 years. More than two-third (68.7%) of males were dengue positive than female cases. Significant numbers of cases (P < 0.01) were residing in urban areas (65.7%). Two-third cases (66.8%) diagnosed after 7 days of fever by IgM antibody test. Increasing number of dengue cases reported from July and reached to peak during October 2015.Conclusion:The present study reported that dengue mainly affected males and urban population. Perennial occurrence with seasonal increase during monsoon and postmonsoon months was reported. Effective implementation of vector control measures through efforts toward vector breeding source reduction and with the use of personal prophylactic measures against mosquito bites will help in reducing the dengue prevalence in the community.
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