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Review of literature on the seasonality of measles in India reveals that measles occur throughout the year with peaks around March, while October-November are the low transmission months. The epidemics of measles however, occur any time during the year. Nevertheless, measles vaccination campaigns are carried out in India in the Month of March to increase the vaccine coverage levels. Being the low transmission season, October and November may be more appropriate for undertaking measles campaigns in India.

A small localised outbreak of viral hepatitis due to HEV occurred in an educated and well placed community. The overall attack rate was found to be 1.9%; the children and adults were equally affected. No fatality was observed. Five blood samples collected from the cases of jaundice were found negative for Anti HAV IgM, HBsAg and Anti HBc IgM, but positive for Anti HEV. The infection spread by contamination of piped water by sewage system resulting from scarcity of water, intermittent water supply and installation of on-line private booster pumps by the residents. Community action, especially the boiling of drinking water till the quality of piped water improved, restricted jaundice cases to only one incubation period. The outbreak highlights the importance of community behaviour in first precipitating the crisis and then limitating the damage.

During 1988 a large scale outbreak of cholera occurred in Delhi giving rise to a total of 1708 bacteriologically proved El Tor cholera cases, the highest number recorded in a single year in Delhi, following its first detection in 1965. Civil lines and Shahdara zones were the worst affected areas recording 85.7 and 55.7 cases per 100,000 population respectively. The highest incidence rate was observed in the age group of 1-4 years (77 per 100,000). Males and females were equally affected. The data of moving average show the endemicity of cholera in Delhi with an increasing trend. The risk factors identified are lower socioeconomic status, poor personal hygiene, drinking water and food storage practices.

Tubercular meningitis (TBM) is a very serious disease of childhood. BCG vaccination under Universal Immunisation Programme is the only available way of preventing this disease. The present series using case-control method, evaluated efficacy of BCG against TBM in children to be 57 per cent. Suggestion has been made to initiate TBM surveillance in children and conduct multicentric prospective case-control study of similar type.

A jaundice epidemic broke out in Rairangpur town of Orissa during December 1989 to January 1990. The attack rate was 1.2 per cent with 89.8 per cent cases among 11-40 years age group. Male-female ratio of cases was 2.3:1. The source of infection was traced to contamination of drinking water from leakage in the pipe line which was confirmed by a subsequent case control study. The outbreak was due to enterically transmitted Non A Non B hepatitis virus.

A house to house survey was done in three villages of district Alwar covering 875 children under five years age. Two week incidence of diarrhoea morbidity was 2.27 episodes/child/year taking into consideration the seasonal correction factor. The incidence decreased with increase of age. Incidence was found significantly more in children of illiterate mother (p < 0.05). Children of poor socio-economic conditions as determined by occupational status (labourers) suffered significantly more often from diarrhoea as compared to children of higher socio-economic status (agriculturist and others). Fifty per cent episodes of diarrhoea were treated with antibiotics, and only one child was given ORS. It is a matter of concern. About 3.7 per cent mothers washed their hands before preparing meals while, 1.6 per cent washed their hands after toilet. Only 2 per cent mothers had the knowledge of preparing the home made salt sugar solution. An intensive health education campaign is therefore, necessary for health professionals as well as mothers.

An in-depth study of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) situation in Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh from 1982-1988 showed increasing trend in the incidence of JE. Total number of annual cases and case fatality rate (CFR) rose from 118 and 23.7 per cent in 1982 to 772 and 32.2 per cent in 1988 respectively. A definite increase was noticed in the number of cases per block following lull years in 1984 and 1987. Among the total affected 1201 villages, 1083 were affected only once. All age groups were affected and the disease showed marked seasonality during August to November. JE, which came in epidemic form in earlier years has established in the area in endemic form.

A retrospective study of two-weekly incidence of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the under-five children of rural area of Alwar District (Rajasthan) based on the previous fourteen days' recall by the mothers was undertaken during December 1989 to assess the magnitude of the problem and its' risk factors. The two-weekly ARI incidence was reported to be 33 episodes per 100 under-fives. Mothers in higher socio-economic strata reported higher incidence of ARI for their children due to more accurate recall. Majority of ARI cases (76 per cent) were found to be of mild degree. 26 per cent of deaths in under-fives during the previous year were reported to be ARI-related. 50 per cent of ARI cases were left untreated. Among the treated group, private practitioners were found to be the main source of health care.

Cholera has been present in India since antiquity. Six pandemics originated in Indian subcontinent. The present seventh pandemic caused by El Tor Vibrio cholerae started from Indonesia (Sulawesi) in 1961 and entered India in 1964. By the end of 1965 it has replaced the age old classical V. cholerae. Many of the States which never had cholera or were free from it for a long time got infected and became endemic foci of El Tor infection. This article reviews the epidemiological features of important outbreaks reported after 1975 in India.

678 under five children were surveyed in village Shahbad Mohammadpur, Delhi. Two weeks morbidity was also recorded. 47.9 per cent children had one or more risk factors studied. Significantly more female children (54.1 per cent) were at risk than male children (43.3 per cent). 433 risk factors were observed in 325 at risk children. Majority of them had one or two risk factors. Birth interval less than two years and malnutrition were most frequent risk factors. At risk children suffered significantly more than not at risk (21.2 per cent vs 14.4 per cent). The results confirmed the validity of the risk factors considered for the study.

A community based prospective study on measles was undertaken during 1986 to 1988 in Ramgarh village of Alwar district (Rajasthan) to elucidate epidemiological features of measles. The initial population of the village was 5258 with 2018 children (0-14 years) which rose to total population of 5923 with 2200 children in 1988. During the entire period of study, all the children (0-14 years) were covered regularly through monthly domicilliary visits by trained paramedical personnel under direct supervision of Medical Officers. A total of 208 measles cases were detected which gave an overall incidence rate of 31.5 per 1000 children (0-14 years) per year. Incidence rate was highest in children of 2-5 years of age group and lowest (4.6 per 1000) in 10-14 years of age group. The maximum number (86.5 per cent) of cases occurred during the first six months of year. The Kolmogrov-Smirnov statistical method validated the seasonal character of the disease (Vn = 5.36, p less than 0.01). A significant (P less than 0.005) rise in seropositivity with increase in age was observed in children (6-36 months) who had no previous history of measles and measles immunization during their life time. A higher rate of sero-conversion was observed in children vaccinated after 10-months of age than those before. No significant relationship of seroconversion following vaccination could be seen with age of vaccination (p greater than 0.50), sex and nutritional status (p greater than 0.10).

An epidemiological survey for scabies was conducted in a rural community of 2771 persons among 404 households living in 238 houses. Prevalence rates were 13% by population and 30.9% by household. Each index case was responsible, on average, for the spread of infection to 1.9 persons in affected households. Significantly lower rates of secondary attack and transmissibility were observed among the more prosperous villagers. The proportion of infected households increased linearly with household size. The prevalence was highest in those aged up to 19 years, both sexes being affected equally. An average morbidity duration for scabies was 64.5 days; 16.3% of the patients showed secondary pyogenic infection of the skin.

Mild structural and functional changes were observed in liver and testes of rats after a single intraperitoneal administration of diazinon (21.6 mg/kg). Kidney, however, showed no pathological lesion. Attempts are made to correlate the pathological changes in these organs with the activity of succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase.

Cytogenetic effects of endosulfan (Thiodan) a member of the chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticide was tested in male albino rats. The insecticide was administered orally to rats at 0, 11.00, 22.00, 36.60 and 55.00 mg/kg daily for 5 days. The highest doses were associated with clinical signs of insecticide poisoning and death. Cytogenetic analysis of bone marrow cells and spermatogenial cells did not reveal any significant effect of the insecticides on chromosomes. The ratio of mitotic index and frequency of chromatid break in the two cell types had no correlation with the doses tested and was not very different from those of the control group.

Cytopathological and histopathological changes in skin, liver, kidney and testis of rats due to nickel sulphate have been studied experimentally. Skin of nickel sulphate painted rats showed hyperkeratinization, vacuolization, hydropic degeneration of basal layer and atrophy of epidermis. The testis showed degeneration and oedema of seminiferous tubules, while liver showed areas of focal necrosis, congestion and dilatation of sinusoids.

Exposure of male rats to parathion (2.6 mg/kg), lindane (17.6 mg/kg), or their combination through oral intubation daily for a period of 90 days produced histological and biochemical alterations in the liver and testis. The focal necrosis of the liver, although observed in all the treatments, was very prominent in the animals exposed to lindane alone. The kidney and epididymis, however, did not show any significant histological lesions. The activity of acetylcholine esterase in blood and brain decreased markedly, whereas that of succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, and the alkaline and acid phosphate in liver and testis showed significant alterations for all three treatments.

A prospective study on measles was undertaken during 1974 to 1986 in Hiramanpur village, Varanasi having an initial population of 1538 which rose to 2101 in 1986 enabling to register a total of 23,221 (all population) person years of observation and a total of 9191 (0-14 years) person years of observation. The entire population was covered regularly through domicilliary visits by trained para-medical personnel under direct supervision of medical officers. All cases were verified by doctors. A total of 411 measles cases were detected, which gave average annual incidence rates of 17.7 and 44.7 per thousand population and per thousand children (0-14 yrs), respectively. The maximum number of cases occurred in Ist quarter of the year (69.7 per cent). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov Statistical method validated the seasonal character of the disease (Vn = 5.18, p less than 0.01). The maximum measles cases occurred in children 1-4 yrs (57.4 per cent). Males (54.9 per cent) were affected slightly more than females (45.1 per cent). A total of 246 (59.9 per cent) cases developed complications. The most frequent was respiratory infections (42.2 per cent) followed by infection of gastrointestinal system (32.2 per cent). The complication rates were found higher in infants and older children (greater than 5 yrs.) in both the sexes. Three-fourth of the cases did not get any treatment. The overall case-fatality rate was 2.2 per cent. Females had higher rate (3.3 per cent) than males (1.3 per cent) and the highest case fatality rate was observed in infants, particularly in females.

Dermal application of benzene hexachloride in daily doses of 100, 200 and 500 mg/kg for a total period of 30 days caused significant changes in male guinea pigs. The animals exposed to high doses of benzene hexachloride (1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane) (BHC) (BHC) died within 5--12 days. There was no mortality in 100 mg/kg/day but significant pathologic and biochemical changes were observed in the vital organs of the experimental animals. Massive congestion and thickened blood vessels were seen in liver of the BHC treated animals in comparison to the normal picture of the controls. Similarly, testicular changes included mild to severe pathologic lesions. There was no change in the epididymis, kidney, spleen, brain and lungs. The changes in the skin were mild and no signs of dermatitis were observed in the BHC painted areas. The activity of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and alkaline phosphatase in liver and serum revealed significant changes from that of the controls. The significance of biochemical changes with the tissue damage of the insecticide exposed animals are discussed.

Toxicological studies of a leachable stabilizer Di-n-butyltin dilaurate (DBTL) were undertaken. Effects of DBTL after 15 days oral exposure to rats were studied on brain and liver enzyme activities. A significant decrease in body weight gain of DBTL exposed rats were observed. No effect was observed in the activities of brain enzymes, succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase, acetylcholine esterase and monoamine oxidase. In liver, DBTL treatment resulted in a significant decrease in the activities of microsomal enzymes glucose-6-phosphatase, aminopyrine-N-demethylase, benzphetamine-N-demethylase, aniline hydroxylase, benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylase and also on cytochrome P-450 content, whereas no difference in the activities of mitochondrial enzymes, succinic dehydrogenase, Mg2+-adenosine triphosphatase as well as in the activity of lysosomal enzyme acid phosphatase was observed. Duration of exposure dependent increase in pentabarbital induced sleeping time was also observed. DBTL treatment produced an induction in heme oxygenase activity whereas the activity of -aminolevulinic acid synthetase remained unaltered. The results demonstrate that DBTL significantly affects the biotransformation mechanism and heme metabolism of hepatocytes.

Administration of Iomex, petroleum fraction, at a dose level of 1 ml/kg for a period of 4 weeks did not produce any toxic symptoms in albino rats. At higher doses, however, the animals showed high incidence of mortality, reduction in food and water intake and loss in body weight. At necropsy, lungs were found to be congested and intestines hyperaemic. Histopathological examination revealed slight abnormalities in lungs, liver and kidney. The absolute organ weights decreased (liver, kidney, heart, spleen, lung, gonad, brain and adrenal), whereas relative weights increased. There was a significant fall in total erythrocyte (RBC) and total leucocyte (WBC) counts and haemoglobin content (Hb) was reduced. Increased lymphocytes with correspondingly decreased neutrophils were also observed. Serum and liver transaminases (GOT and GTP) showed enhanced activity.

Repeated administration of endosulfan or metepa or their mixture did not induce any significant histological changes in the organs examined in male rats. Similarly, the activity of different enzymes assayed here showed no significant alterations. The level of endosulfan did not differ significantly in presence or absence of metepa in the samples of blood, brain, fatty tissue, kidney, liver and testis. The observations do not suggest any kind of additive or antagonistic effects or potentiation of each compound in presence of the other, at the doses and duration studied in male rats.

A field evaluation of efficacy of BCG vaccine to prevent tubercular meningitis was undertaken in a case control study in Delhi during 1988-89. Each case of tubercular meningitis was matched by age and neighbourhood with 2 controls from the community. Thirty-seven cases of tubercular meningitis were matched with 74 controls and thus 37 triplets were analysed. ODDS RATIO between BCG vaccinated and non vaccinated individuals for acquisition of tubercular meningitis was 11.3. This gives 84 per cent efficacy of BCG vaccine in the prevention of TB meningitis under the field conditions prevailing in Delhi. Paired matched analysis of tubercular meningitis with the control group 1 and 2 separately revealed the ODDS RATIO to be 9.5 and 15 respectively. The corresponding BCG vaccine efficacy worked out were 90 and 93 per cent respectively. Authors suggest that this method of evaluating BCG vaccine efficacy is fairly reliable and cost effective. This methodology could be further simplified by using hospital patients as control and be introduced to evaluate BCG vaccine efficacy in different areas with reference to its role in preventing tubercular meningitis under the programme of immunisation.

Administration of lindane (20 mg/kg . d) for 30 d to ovariectomized rats caused no significant change in the weight of the uterus, cervix, or vagina. Histological changes in these organs were comparable to those in ovariectomized control rats. Treatment with estradiol dipropionate alone and in combination with lindane induced a significant increase in the weights of these organs. Microscopically, these organs appeared normal. Lindane induced a significant increase in the glycogen content of the uterus, cervix, and vagina of ovariectomized rats compared to ovariectomized control rats, whereas a two- to fourfold increase in glycogen was observed in ovariectomized rats treated with estradiol dipropionate or estradiol dipropionate plus lindane. There was a significant increase in total erythrocytes and hemoglobin in ovariectomized rats treated with lindane, estradiol dipropionate, or lindane plus estradiol dipropionate. An increase in neutrophils with a corresponding decrease in lymphocytes was also observed in rats treated with lindane or lindane plus estradiol dipropionate.

Free amino acid composition of brain and kidney of guinea-pig showed significant decrease after repeated exposure of skin to P-P1 DDT. Gamma amino butyric acid of the brain and proline, tyrosine and valine of kidney disappeared completely. The remaining amino acids showed a marked depletion.

A 90-day study involving administration of O (group 1), 100 (group 2), 250 (group 3) and 500 mg/kg (group 4) of ammonium sulfamate to rats 6 days a week was carried out. No adverse effect was observed in respect of appearance, behaviour or survival of animals. No significant difference in the body weights of rats was observed except in case of adult rats (group 4) where the body weight was significantly less than the controls after the end of 60 days. In all the groups food intake gradually reduced whereas water intake increased as the experiment proceeded. No significant change in relative organ weights were noticed in all groups of rats. Haematological examination conducted at 30, 60 and 90 days revealed non-significant increase in the neutrophils in the adults and male weanling rats (group 4) after 90 days. In the histological examination, organs in all the groups of animals appeared normal except that the liver of 1 rat in adults (group 4) showed slight fatty degenerative changes after 90 days.