Sathyavathi S

Abstract

Background & Objectives: The SARS COVID 19 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus Disease 2019) pandemic has created a surge in the need for N95 respirators all across the world. Health care systems are struggling to find a way to cleanse and decontaminate the N95 masks for reuse. To combat the crisis there is a need to validate the N95 mask for efficiency and air filterability on repeated exposure to UV irradiation and vaporized hydrogen peroxide with equal parts of normal saline. Materials and Methods: To validate N95 respirator mask by using UVGI (Ultra Violet Germicidal Irradiation) method using UV hood and VHP (Vaporized Hydrogen peroxide 6% with equal volume saline 0.9% using an OT fogger machine). Results: VHP decontamination is the method of choice to repeatedly re-sterilize N95 masks. Interpretation & Conclusion: Decontamination by the VHP method is more efficient in killing microorganisms within a short duration of exposure (60 minutes). The method retains the texture of the mask material, re-usability and air filterability even with repeated exposure (up to 10 times). UVGI does sterilize the mask but is inferior to VHP in retaining air filterability.   Keywords: Decontamination, VHP, UVGI, Air filterability, Health care workers, N95 mask

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Abstract

Background: Dengue, endemic in India presents in mild to severe forms with or without bleeding. There is no specific treatment available till date hence severe dengue has to be recognized in early stages. Platelet counts are unreliable as they do not correlate with bleeding. Platelet indices have been studied for their utility as predictors of severity of the disease and aid in guide to transfusion therapy. Mean platelet volume is inexpensive and available with routine complete blood counts in hematology analyser. Its role as marker in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of dengue has been investigated with platelet indices reports. Aims: To study MPV patterns, association with platelet counts and relevant laboratory parameters in dengue. Methods: The study was conducted over one month in the year 2016 in department of Hematology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, Bengaluru. 100 serologically proven dengue cases were analysed with data collected from the records in the departments of Hematology and Microbiology against patient’s unique hospital identification number. Results: There was a predominance of young aged and male patients. The range for MPV was 8.7 – 13.2 (average 10.95) with 35% normal and 65% high MPV cases. There was 48% cases with moderately severe / severe thrombocytopenia. 32% with increased hematocrit, 35% with leucopenia, 54% with significant atypical lymphocytosis and 42% with antibody pattern. There was an increased number of high MPV seen in severe thrombocytopenia, increased hematocrit significant atypical lymphocytosis and antibody pattern whereas normal pattern was noted in leucopenia. Conclusion: High MPV is a useful predictor of severe dengue platelet recovery and may guide in transfusion therapy. Keywords: MPV, Dengue, Platelet.

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