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Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) are serious public health problem worldwide and major causes of chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence rates of HBV and HCV infections in this part of country. Methods: Serum samples of inpatients and outpatients were collected over a period of one and a half year. HBsAg was determined using the HBsAg one step (HEPACARD) hepatitis B surface antigen test device. Antibody detection of HCV was done using HCV TRI-DOT. Results: A total of 4369 serum samples were tested for HBsAg detection and 736 serum samples were tested for hepatitis C virus antibodies. Seropositivity for HBsAg was 1.69% whereas HCV seropositivity was 0.4%. A higher seroprevalence of HBsAg and HCV was found in males as compared with females. Conclusion: Attempts should be made to reduce the incidence of HCV and HBV and their unregulated spread which can be done by increasing public awareness of simple preventive measures.

BACKGROUND: Trichomonas vaginalis is sometimes seen in Papanicolaou stained smears, but because emphasis is placed on malignant cells in Papanicolaou stained smears, not much is done to search for this parasite in smears. In this study, cervical and vaginal specimens were examined by conventional Papanicolaou method for the presence of Trichomonas vaginalis microscopically. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred high vaginal swabs collected from gynaecology OPD were stained with Papanicolaou stain. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty (30%) out of 500 Papanicolaou stained smears screened, were positive for Trichomonas vaginalis. Out of them 76.67% of positive smears were from asymptomatic females. Presumptive diagnosis based on perinuclear halo and complete T. vaginalis had the highest sensitivity of 69.33%, while diagnosis based on perinuclear halo alone was 50.66% and 41.33% for diagnosis based on identification of complete organisms in Pap smear.

ABSTRACT:INTRODUCTION:Dengue is an acute viral infection with potential fatal complications. Rapid and easy diagnosis of dengue can help in patient triage and caremanagement. The detection of dengue virus NS1 antigen by rapid lateral flow tests offers a faster method to a presumptive diagnosis in the peripheral centers of developing countries like India where the laboratory has no great technological backup. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 351 sera from patients suspected of having dengue virus infection were tested for dengue NS1 antigen and dengue IgM and IgG antibodies by both ELISA and immunochromatographic test (ICT). RESULTS: From the 351 samples tested, 249 (70.94%) of the sera were found to be positive for DENV infection based on the IgM antibody or IgG antibody or NS1 antigen. Of the 249 samples 105 (42.16%) were positive for only IgM or only IgG or both antibodies by ELISA and 101 (40.56%) by ICT. Based on dengue NS1 antigen along with IgM and/or IgG tests, 144 (57.8%) were positive for dengue infections by ELISA and 139 (55.8%) by ICT. Among these 144 samples, only dengue NS1 antigen was detected in 67 (26.90%) by ELISA and 65 (26.10%) by ICT. CONCLUSIONS: Inclusion of NS1 in the diagnosis of dengue increases the detection rate significantly. The sensitivity of ICT for both antigen and antibody detection are almost equal to ELISA. Thus, the potential use of the NS1 antigen along with antibody tests in an ICT could increase the diagnostic efficiency for early diagnosis of dengue infection.

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