Serum C3d levels in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia.
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BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Results of earlier studies to evaluate the possible role of complement system in tropical pulmonary eosinophilia (TPE) using classical methods like serum haemolyte component CH50, C3 and C4 levels were inconclusive. In this study we determined levels of serum C3d which is a catabolic fragment of C3, to find out any direct evidence of activation of the complement system in TPE. METHODS: The study population consisted of 3 groups. Group A consisted of 37 patients with well characterized TPE. In group B, 26 patients with pulmonary eosinophilia had similar respiratory and haemotological features as in Group A but had associated worm infestation in stool. The control group consisted of 39 healthy volunteers. Serum C3d levels were determined by sandwich ELISA technique. RESULTS: The serum C3d levels in TPE patients were not significantly different from those of the patients of group B or the normal controls. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Absence of significant change in serum C3d goes against the possibility of complement activation in TPE. Results of our study suggest that complement system is unlikely to play a pivotal role in pathogenesis of TPE. (+info)
Elimination of neglected tropical diseases in the South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organization.
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This article forms part of our travel medicine series for 2010, providing a summary of prevention strategies and vaccination for infections that may be acquired by travellers. The series aims to provide practical strategies to assist general practitioners in giving travel advice, as a synthesis of multiple information sources which must otherwise be consulted. BACKGROUND: Leptospirosis is one of the many diseases responsible for undifferentiated febrile illness, especially in the tropical regions or in the returned traveller. It is a disease of global importance, and knowledge in the disease is continually developing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to provide clinicians with a concise review of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management and prevention of leptospirosis. DISCUSSION: Leptospirosis should be included in the broad differential diagnosis of febrile illness. The clinical manifestations of the disease vary from mild, nonspecific illness through to severe illness resulting in acute renal failure, hepatic failure and pulmonary haemorrhage. Diagnosis is dependant on accurate prediction of the time of infection: culture, polymerase chain reaction and serology may be used to confirm the diagnosis. Management is centred on prompt antibiotic therapy using doxycycline or intravenous penicillin G or intravenous ceftriaxone/cefotaxime. Prevention of leptospirosis revolves around the 'cover-wash-clean up' strategy. (+info)