The efficacy of Latex agglutination test (LAT) in the rapid diagnosis of typhoid fever was studied in parallel with blood cultures on 38 clinically suspected cases (Gr.I). 10 febrile cases other than typhoid fever (Gr.II), and 10 aferbile healthy controls (Gr.III). Antigen detection was done on blood culture broths and sera. Antiserum against S. typhi 901 ‘O’ was used after absorption with S. paratyphi A and Esch. coli. Analysis of the data show that S. typhi was isolated in 73.7% of the Gr. I cases; antigen detection by LAT in these blood culture broths and sera was 92.9% and 75% respectively. In the 26.3% of Gr.I cases, where blood culture was negative for S. typhi but widal was positive, the antigen could be detected in 100% of the sera indicating thereby the better sensitivity of LAT as compared to blood culture. However in the Gr. II and Gr. III cases antigen could not be detected in any of the blood culture broths or sera except in sera of 2 cases of Gr. II, where Esch. coli was isolated from blood. LAT therefore stands a good promise as a rapid diagnostic test for typhoid fever.

Sputum samples of 3000 pulmonary tuberculosis patients were evaluated by simplified concentration method. 1000 samples were examined by three methods: Direct smear, Petroff’s concentration method and Simplified concentration method. Acid fast bacilli were present in 10%, 14.5% and 14.8% by various techniques respectively. Remaining 2000 samples were examined only by two methods: Direct smear and Simplified concentration methods and positivity was 13.95% and 17.95% respectively. Cultures of 500 sputum samples isolated mycobacteria in 80 patients. Simplified technique yielded better results of acid fast bacilli and was superior to either direct smear examination or examination of smears by Petroff’s concentration method.

The efficacy of coagglutination (COAG) test in the rapid diagnosis of enteric fever was studied in parallel with routine blood culture in 179 patients. Of these, 158 patients were clinically diagnosed as cases of enteric fever and the remaining 21 patients had fever due to etiology of other than enteric fever. The isolation rate of salmonella organisms from blood cultures was very low, only 15 isolates (9.5%) from 158 samples. On the other hand COAG test appeared far more superior showing positive reactions with poly-COAG in 64 samples (40.5%), with 09- COAG and d-COAG being positive in 34 of these samples and with a-COAG in the remaining 30 samples. In 21 samples from non-enteric group, none were positive by blood culture but four were positive with poly-COAG, three of them being positive in 09-COAG and d- COAG and one sample was positive with a-COAG. Thus the COAG test appears to be quite specific and sensitive and can be used as a rapid diagnostic aid in enteric fever.

Seventy six clinical isolates of Coagulase negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were studied for invitro slime production. 65.8% (50 out of 76) of the strains were found to be slime positive. Majority of the isolates belonged to Staphylococcus epidermidis biotype I & II. More number of slime positive strains were obtained from patients using artificial devices than from patients without any artificial device (p<0.01). Isolation of antibiotic resistant strains was also more marked in patients with such devices. Our data highlights that slime is important in the colonization of artifical devices by CoNs and may as a virulence factor in infections produced by these organisms.

Multiple-tube most probable number (MT-MPN) method, a statistical method based on probability theory, has been used for estimating the reversion frequency of auxotrophic mutants of Mycobacterium fortuitum and M. Smegmatis. Reversion frequencies obtained by the MT-MPN method are compared with those obtained by the conventional plating method. Merits of the MT-MPN method over the plating method are discussed.

Enteroinvasive study of Campylobacter species was done by Sereny Test and embryonated egg inoculation. Enterotoxicity was test by rabbit ileal loop method. 12 strains of Campylobacter jejuni and 12 strains of Campylobacter coli were tested. None were positive for enteroinvasive study by Sereny test whereas 5 strains of Campylobacter showed enteroinvasive nature by egg inoculation. Rabbit ileal loop study showed only 5 were positive (8%). Animal model does not seem to be a suitable medium for testing pathogenicity of Campylobacter.

Serial serum samples were collected from the staff members of this Institute who had suffered from acute haemorrhagic conjuncitivitis in June and July 1981. The sera were tested for the presence of Enterovirus 70 antibodies. A low antibody titres was detected in majority of the pre-exposure sera, however, their convalescent samples (87.5%) showed a four-fold rise. Sera collected after one and 2 years possessed diminishing antibody titres. This indicated that EV-70 was the aetiological agent during the outbreak.

The emergence of antibiotic resistant organisms and their spread in the community has been a subject of increasing concern in recent years. Antibiotic resistant organisms are more frequently found in hospital environment and is attributed to misuse of antibiotics. Staphylococci are found to develop antibiotic resistance more readily than others. The methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) first appeared in 1961. MRSA have caused outbreaks of colonization and infection in intensive care unit and other special units in hospital throughout the world. We report strains of MRSA isolated from the patients, staffs and hospital environment of a tertiary medical care center, Kathmandu, Nepal. This constitute the first communication of its kind from this country.

Serum immunoglobulin levels represent a state of equilibrium between catabolism and synthesis in normal conditions and the amount of immunoglobulins appears to be related to may factors, such as environment, antigenic stimuli and genetic regulation of protein synthesis. Several disease states interfere with regulation of serum immunoglobulin levels through environmental or metabolic factors. Hypergammaglobulinaemia in rheumatoid arthritis has been a frequent reported finding. Although the cause and significance of immunoglobulins in rheumatoid arthritis is not known exactly, some immunologic process has been thought to play an important role. The present study was undertaken to estimate serum levels of IgG, IgA and IgM in seronegative and seropositive cases of rheumatoid arthritis.

Urine culture in usual practice is done by inoculation of the sample separately onto blood agar and Mac-Conkey’s Medium. This practice of inoculation is not only costly but also requires more man-power. To reduce such cost and man-power, Cystline Lactose Electrolyte Deficient medium (with Andrade indicator) has been procured for inoculation of urine samples. But as this media is also costly, in present study as single medium having some combining properties of both blood agar and Mac-Conkey’s has been used.