Population Of Assam Research Articles

Migration Crisis Deepens in the Indian State of Assam: Is Another Myanmar Style 'Ethnic Cleansing' Imminent?

The present context of crisis in the Indian State of Assam, has been developed out of a fear of a possibility for development of an assimilated or integrated society with changes in linguistic and religious composition. The current ruling party has been supporting a rise in mono-cultural society-based purely on a religious ideology of Hinduism. They expect to see Assam as a pure Hindu state by expelling the entire Muslim population currently living in Assam - including the permanent Muslim residents. A new citizenship registry (NRC) threatens to evict over five million of Bengali Muslims who have always called the state of Assam home. In order to materialize their long standing plan, they are making various allegations against the Muslim population of Assam - based on grounds of false and misleading data and fabricated information. Most of the Bengali Muslim citizens, it is feared, would not be able to retain their citizenship in Assam and become stateless persons as that happened to the Rohingya minorities in Myanmar's Rakhine province and could end up in a similar humanitarian crisis. This research has deployed three fundamental questions in relation to residential status and religious ethnicity of the Muslim population of Assam. This article has proved that the estimated number of so called Bengali Muslims in Assam, as being claimed by the local political leaders and their agitated followers, is totally based on false and misleading data and information. The findings of this research have also unveiled the nature of conspiracy that associates with the planned evictions of the Muslim residents of Assam to neighbouring Bangladesh in near future. This research has also highlighted the possible consequences out of a massive 'ethnic cleansing' and its effects on the political stability in South Asia.

Identification of swinepox virus from natural outbreaks in pig population of Assam.

Outbreaks of swinepox [caused by a swinepox virus (SWPV)] in pigs were investigated in 3 districts of Assam, a north eastern state of India. Diagnosis of the disease was carried out employing both standard virological as well as molecular methods. Three representative isolates from different places were selected for inoculation into confluent monolayers of Porcine Kidney-15 (PK-15) cell line. The cytopathic effects were characterized by cell rounding, nuclear vacuolation, cell fusion, granulation of cells and finally detachment from third blind passage onwards. The three genes viz., SPV18-20 and P42 of SWPV was targeted for confirmation of the virus. Swinepox virus was successfully adapted to the PK-15 cell line from seventh passage onwards. The isolated viruses were characterized by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of P42 gene (extracellular envelope protein), a homologue of vaccinia virus F13L gene. In India, studies on swine pox are very limited. This is the first report on successful isolation of swinepox virus from north eastern region of India. Assam and the other north-eastern states of India being a hub for pig husbandry, isolation of swinepox virus will help in developing and formulating control strategies against the disease.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamases producing multidrug resistance Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Klebsiella pneumoniae in pig population of Assam and Meghalaya, India.

Aim:The present study was conducted to record the prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) producing Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae from pig population of Assam and Meghalaya and to record the ability of the resistant bacteria to transfer the resistance genes horizontally.Materials and Methods:Fecal samples (n=228), collected from pigs of Assam (n=99) and Meghalaya (n=129), were processed for isolation and identification of E. coli and Salmonella spp. All the isolates were tested for ESBLs production by double disc synergy test (DDST) followed by screening for ESBLs producing genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, and blaCMY) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Possible transfer of resistance encoding genes between enteric bacterial species was carried out by in vitro and in vivo horizontal gene transfer (HGT) method.Results:A total of 897 enteric bacteria (867 E. coli and 30 Salmonella) were isolated and identified. Altogether 25.41% isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by DDST method. Majority of the isolates were E. coli followed by Salmonella. By PCR, 9.03% isolates were found positive for at least one of the target resistance genes. blaSHV was absent in all the isolates. blaCMY was the most prevalent gene. All the E. coli isolates from Assam were negative for blaTEM. A total of 2.76% isolates were positive for blaTEM + blaCMY. On the other hand, 0.67% isolates were positive for blaCTX-M + blaCMY genes. Only 0.33% isolates carried all the three genes. Altogether, 4.68% bacteria carried the resistance encoding genes in their plasmids. blaTEM gene could be successfully transferred from Salmonella (donor) to E. coli (recipient) by in vitro (5.5-5.7×10−5) and in vivo (6.5×10−5 to 8.8×10−4) methods. In vivo method was more effective than in vitro in the transfer of resistance genes.Conclusion:The pig population of Assam and Meghalaya are carrying multidrug resistance and ESBLs producing E. coli and Salmonella. The isolates are also capable to transfer their resistance trait to other bacterial species by HGT. The present finding could be considered as a serious public health concern as similar trait can also be transmitted to the human commensal bacteria as well as pathogens.

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Impact of agribusiness on food security and livelihood generation: A case study in Assam, India

Assam is predominantly a rural phenomenon, stemming principally from underperformance of the agriculture sector and lack of alternative employment avenues mainly in the rural areas. Decadal growth rate of population of Assam reflected a per square increase trend of population in the state. With increase population people below poverty line started increasing and average size of holding started to decrease. Area, Production and average yield of food grains in Assam found stagnant for a long period as a result per day per capita availability of most of the food grains found decreasing for the state. The study revealed that Assam has deficit in fish and livestock products as per nutritional demand. But has potentiality in horticultural crops. So to maintain the food security and livelihood to the people of Assam transition of agribusiness is very much required which will include cultivation of high yielding crop varieties, mechanization of agriculture, development of contact farming, establishment of food processing industry and development of cooperative fish and livestock farming in the state.

Polymorphism of HLA class I and class II alleles in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infected population of Assam, Northeast India.

Human leucocyte antigen (HLA) represents one of the most highly polymorphic systems which plays a central role in the immune response. Genetic polymorphism of HLA in influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infected population may be an important factor in disease progression and severity that needs further probing. In this study, a total of 110 Influenza like illness patients were recruited from the population of Assam, Northeast India, from which 35 cases infected by A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses and 35 controls were typed for HLA-A, B and DRB1 locus by PCR-SSP method. A total of seven alleles of HLA-A, 16 alleles of HLA-B, and 11 alleles of HLA-DRB1 locus were identified. The most common alleles within each locus in cases were HLA-A*11 (85.71%, P = 0.046), HLA-B*35 (25%, P = 0.0001), and HLA-DRB1*15 (49.35%, P = 0.133) as compared to the controls, HLA-A*11 (40.82%), HLA-B*35 (0.00%), and HLA-DRB1*15 (67.53%). The frequency of HLA-A*11 and HLA-B*35 were significantly higher in cases as compared to the controls. In DRB1 locus, HLA-DRB1*10 was significantly higher in cases (20.78%, P = 0.005) than that of controls (0.00%). Whereas, HLA-DRB1*15 showed a higher frequency in controls than in cases. In addition, HLA-DRB3*01 (P = 0.053), DRB4*01 (P = 1.000), and DRB5*01(P = 0.591) were also identified along with HLA-DRB1 haplotype. From this preliminary study, it is suspected that there may be a role of HLA-A*11, HLA-B*35 and HLA-DRB1*10 in conferring susceptibility to influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection in the study population. A larger extended study on HLA polymorphism may explain the association between HLA and influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection and provide insights for HLA restricted peptide based vaccines.

Mosquito abundance and pig seropositivity as a correlate of Japanese encephalitis in human population in Assam, India.

Assam is the most vulnerable state for Japanese encephalitis (JE) in India. The situation warrants characterization of epidemiological patterns of JE in vectors, pigs and human population. This investigation was aimed to determine the relative abundance of mosquito species and seroprevalence of JE in pigs in order to draw an epidemiological association with reported human JE cases in Assam. Pig sera and mosquitoes from selected farms in Sivasagar and Kamrup districts of Assam were collected fortnightly for one year during June 2015-May 2016. Pig sera were tested for JE antibodies by haemagglutination and virus neurtralization tests. Mosquito species were identified microscopically following the taxonomic keys. The results were analyzed with data on confirmed human JE cases in the selected districts. Culex gelidus (26.07%) and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (24.07%) were the most abundant species in collected mosquitoes (n = 997). A total of 22.99% of pigs (n = 335) were JEV seropositive and 45.65% of human acute encephalitis syndrome cases (n = 230) were positive for JE virus (JEV) infection. Relative mosquito abundance, pig positivity and human cases were highest during monsoon (June-September) and least during winter (December-February). Rise in mosquito population was observed during pre-monsoon season (March-May) and concurrently higher number of human cases and pig seropositivity were recorded. A good correlation was observed between mosquito number and JEV positivity in pigs/human, and between pigs and human cases (p < 0.05). Human population in Sivasagar was at higher risk for JE infection (OR: 6.46, p < 0.0001) than in Kamrup rural district. This study indicates that a seasonal correlation exists between mosquito abundance and JEV seroconversion in pigs with concurrent human JEV outbreaks under field conditions in Sivasagar and Kamrup rural districts of Assam and that monitoring mosquito abundance/density and pig JEV seropositivity may help in predicting JEV outbreak in human population in the region.

Emerging HIV Epidemic in the North-Eastern State of Assam, India: An Exploratory Study Using Mixed-Methods Approach

Background: The national HIV scenario in India has improved impressively during past two decades. Contrastingly, the State-level HIV sentinel surveil-lance and routine programme data from various testing facilities indicated an increasing HIV prevalence among antenatal clinic attendees and female sex workers (FSWs) in three districts of Assam. Objectives: 1) To explore the reasons behind increasing adult HIV prevalence and 2) To understand the role of FSW and Migrants/long distance truckers as drivers of the HIV epi-demic in these districts. Methodology: Three sources of data were utilized in this concurrent mixed methods study—1) existing programme data for past three years; 2) questionnaire-based data for a case-control study, where dur-ing past six months at designated testing facilities HIV(+) married women were “cases” and age-matched HIV(?) women from the same district were “controls”. Spouses of these women were also interviewed separately; and 3) a qualitative study, where focus group discussions were conducted among FSWs, outgoing male migrant labourers and long-distance truckers. Results: The study revealed high levels of unsafe sexual practices among the FSWs. Sometimes in poverty-struck areas, women, not identifying themselves as sex workers, sold sex on a part-time basis to earn extra money for financial sup-port and often remained invisible to the programme. The clients of the sex workers, male migrants and truckers also revealed various risk behaviours for contracting and transmitting HIV infection. Conclusion: Population and context specific programme strategies are required to halt the rising trend of HIV infection in the general population in Assam.

Emerging infection of swinepox in the pig population of Assam

Emerging infection of swinepox in the pig population of Assam

Detection and characterization of Swinepox virus from pig population of Assam, a North Eastern state of India

Two outbreaks of Swinepox in pig population of north-east India were investigated. The disease was diagnosed based on clinical signs, lesions, electron microscopy and by molecular techniques. The virus was identified by PCR amplification targeting the viral late transcription factor-3 (VLTF-3) gene of swinepox virus. The VLTF-3 gene was cloned and sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis based on VLTF-3 gene sequence showed that the Swinepox viruses identified in these outbreaks were clustered along with the other Swinepox isolates reported across the globe and were distinctly separated from the other members of the poxviridae family. The north-eastern states of India, being a hub for pig husbandry, are the home for over a quarter of all India’s pig population. Till now swinepox was not reported from this part of India. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on detection and characterization of swinepox from the north-eastern part of India.

A cross-sectional survey on the attitudes and interests of rural population towards expanded pharmacist prescribing in India.

Background Shortage of qualified medical doctors and little or no access to basic medicines and medical facilities are the major rural health concerns in India. Expanding the role of pharmacists to provide prescribing services could improve rural health outcomes. Objective To assess the attitudes of rural population towards pharmacist prescribing and their interest in using expanded pharmacist prescribing services. Setting Rural population of Assam, India. Methods A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted for a period of 2months from March to April 2016 in the State of Assam, India. A multi-stage sampling was used to recruit (n=410) eligible participants. Main outcome measure Rural population attitudes towards, and interests in using, pharmacist prescribing services. Results The attitudes of participants were generally positive towards pharmacist prescribing. A large proportion of participants (81.5%) agreed that pharmacists should have a prescribing role in rural India. Participants indicated their interest in using expanded pharmacist prescribing services, with greater interests in receiving medications in emergency situations (79.7%) and getting a treatment plan for their medical problem (75.6%). Participants with low income and tertiary education had better attitudes and showed more interest towards expanded pharmacist prescribing services (p<0.05). Conclusions Most participants had positive attitudes towards pharmacist prescribing and were interested in using expanded pharmacist prescribing services.

Understanding influences of culture and history on mtDNA variation and population structure in three populations from Assam, Northeast India.

Positioned at the nexus of India, China, and Southeast Asia, Northeast India is presumed to have served as a channel for land-based human migration since the Upper Pleistocene. Assam is the largest state in the Northeast. We characterized the genetic background of three populations and examined the ways in which their population histories and cultural practices have influenced levels of intrasample and intersample variation. We examined sequence data from the mtDNA hypervariable control region and selected diagnostic mutations from the coding region in 128 individuals from three ethnic groups currently living in Assam: two Scheduled tribes (Sonowal Kachari and Rabha), and the non-Scheduled Tai Ahom. The populations of Assam sampled here express mtDNA lineages indicative of South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian ancestry. We discovered two completely novel haplogroups in Assam that accounted for 6.2% of the lineages in our sample. We also identified a new subhaplogroup of M9a that is prevalent in the Sonowal Kachari of Assam (19.1%), but not present in neighboring Arunachal Pradesh, indicating substantial regional population structuring. Employing a large comparative dataset into a series of multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses, we saw the Rabha cluster with populations sampled from Yunnan Province, indicating that the historical matrilineality of the Rabha has maintained lineages from Southern China. Assam has undergone multiple colonization events in the time since the initial peopling event, with populations from Southern China and Southeast Asia having the greatest influence on maternal lineages in the region.

Wild Teas of Assam and North East India

India is one of the largest tea producers in the world. In India the state of Assam is a large tea growing belt in the world where the renowned Assam teas grow. The tea was discovered growing wild in Assam by the British. Before the discovery of wild teas the local population of Assam, some of the tribal people, were in the habit of drinking tea in their indigenous method of preparation since time immemorial. Since the early part of the nineteenth century, discovery of ‘wild’ plants of Assam and Cambodia races of tea were recorded. In Assam and the North-East area at present in all the explorations carried out to the original tea areas, hybrids of the three main varieties of tea are found. The true to type original Assam variety is yet to be discovered. Existence of wild tea plants in the forests of Assam has been a subject of much curiosity and collection of such germplasm would greatly assist research on plant improvement by the scientists.

Seroprevalence of contagious ecthyma in goats of Assam: An analysis by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Aim:The objective of this study was to screen the prevalence of contagious ecthyma (CE) among the goat population of Assam owing to its high prevalence rate.Materials and Methods:In this study, a total of 231 serum samples were collected from 12 districts of Assam during September 2013 to July 2014. The serum samples were tested for the presence of antibodies against Orf virus (ORFV) by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Indirect ELISA was standardized using purified Orf reference virus produced in bulk in primary lamb testes cells.Results:Studies on seroprevalence showed 76.62% of goats were seropositive. The total number of animals were divided into different age groups starting from 0-2 months, 2-4 months, 4-6 months, and above 8 months and accordingly highest prevalence of antibodies against ORFV was recorded in the age-group above 8 months of age. Significantly, lower rates of infection were observed in goats of age group 2-4 months. This study recorded that seropositivity from naturally infected animals and in contact apparently healthy animals to be 53.67% and 46.32%, respectively.Conclusion:The results indicated that CE is a prevalent infection in goats of Assam, and the healthy population is at increased risk of infection.

Original Research Article: Clinical Profile and Outcome of Patients with Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Assam, India.

Background: Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Japanese encephalitis (J.E.) is the most prevalent mosquito borne viral encephalitis , occurring in Japan, China, Southeast Asia and India, affecting around 50,000 people and 15,000 deaths annually (4, 5). Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a major health problem in the state of Assam. In the state of Assam, several districts of upper Assam , have been experiencing recurrent episodes of AES ( J E and non JE ) with different magnitudes in the post monsoon period leading to many deaths and greater numbers as disabled (7) . Under this backdrop, the present study was undertaken to know the epidemiology, clinical profile and outcome of AES patients. Methods: The present study was carried out in department of Medicine, F.A.A. Medical College and hospital, Barpeta, Assam. F.A.A Medical College hospital is a tertiary care hospital, located in rural Assam. A total number of 60 patients with acute encephalitis syndrome admitted in Medicine ward over a period of 2 years from February 2014 to January 2016, were included in this study. This was a retrospective study. We collected the bed head tickets and all investigation reports (medical files) of all AES patients from medical record department of the hospital. Relevant data of the AES cases were collected. Next, data were analyzed and interpreted accordingly. Results: A total number of 60 AES cases were included in the present study. Out of 60 AES patients, majority 37(61.7%) of them were below 30 years of age. Male were 38 (63.3%) and female cases were 22(36.7%). Most of the cases were seen in rural area 56 (93.3%) suggesting that AES mainly affect rural population of Assam .Peak incidence was seen in monsoon and post monsoon period. The most common presenting clinical manifestations were fever with altered sensorium (100%) followed by headache (93.3%) and vomiting (58.3%). Seizure was seen in 26 (43.3%) cases. The most common outcome of AES cases was full recovery, seen in 38 cases (65.5%). Partial recovery i.e. with neurological sequelae was seen in 11 (18.9%) cases. The mortality rate of AES was 15.5% in this study. Conclusion: Acute viral (Non J E) encephalitis still remains most common cause of AES followed by JE positive encephalitis. Immunization programme with J E vaccine is an important measure for prevention of the diseases. Proper supporative care and timely intervention in intensive care unit will save many lives. Physiotherapy and family support will improve long term outcome of AES cases with neurological sequelae. Case reporting and appropriate workup of all cases would strengthen the AES surveillance and go a long way in bringing down the morbidity and mortality associated with AES.

Trichuris suis infection in an adult Ghungroo pig: A case report

The whipworm of pig, Trichuris suis, can cause severe diarrhea, anorexia, and lose of activity owing to reduced average daily gains and decreased feed efficiency. The severity of Trichuris infection depends on the infective dose along with concurrent infection. It has an impact on perfor-mance and production of pig. Prevalence of T. suis infection is declining over time due to swine in confinement. This paper describes an inci-dental finding of T. suis in an adult pig reared in backyard system, revealing presence of T. suis in swine population of Assam.

Health costs of arsenic contamination of drinking water in Assam, India

This paper estimates the health costs of arsenic contamination of drinking water in Assam, India, where nearly one million people are affected. Applying the Three Stage Least Square (3SLS) procedure to data collected through a primary survey of 355 households in 2013, it estimates three structural equations to determine health costs due to arsenic contamination. The estimates show that the average annual health cost of a 1 microgram increase in arsenic concentration per liter of drinking water is about INR4 per household. Furthermore, if the average level of arsenic concentration is reduced to the safe limit of 50 microgram per liter, the average annual welfare gain for a household is estimated to be INR 862 (USD 14). Projecting these figures to the entire arsenic-affected population of Assam, the annual health costs of a 1 microgram increase in arsenic concentration per liter are estimated to be about INR 0.76 million (USD 0.01 million) and the welfare gains from reducing the level of arsenic concentration to the safe limit are estimated to be INR 153 million (USD 2.49 million). The results also indicate that these health costs and welfare gains vary significantly across different levels of arsenic concentration and across districts. Finally, the paper draws policy implications for providing safe drinking water in Assam.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of APOA1 gene and their relationship with serum apolipoprotein A-I concentrations in the native population of Assam

BackgroundThere is a growing interest in the role of allelic variants of the APOA1 gene in relation to a number of disorders. We described two common polymorphisms of the APOA1 gene, G-75A and C+83T and investigated their potential influence on the serum apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) levels in the native population of Assam — a region that is ethnically distinct and from where no information is hitherto available. MethodsBlood samples were collected from 150 healthy volunteers. Apo A-I levels were estimated by immunoturbidometry. Genotyping was done by a PCR-RFLP method that involved DNA extraction from whole blood, followed by polymerase chain reaction and digestion of the PCR product by MspI restriction enzyme, and analysis of fragment sizes in 12% polyacrylamide gel. ResultsThe GG variant at G-75A locus and CC variant at C+83T locus were the most prevalent. GG/CC was the most common combination. Homozygous TT genotype was not detected in any of the subjects. The rare allele frequencies for the G-75A and C+83T sites were found to be 0.22 and 0.06 respectively, which significantly differed from those reported in some other populations in neighbouring regions. Serum apo A-I concentrations did not vary significantly across the detected genotypes. These findings were consistent in both sexes. ConclusionWe described the distribution of the G-75A and C+83T polymorphisms of the APOA1 gene in the population of Assam for the first time. These polymorphisms were not found to directly influence apo A-I concentrations in this population either individually or synergistically.

Pattern of maxillofacial fractures among population in Assam, India

Background: Surveys of facial injuries have shown that etiology varies from country to country and even within the same country depending on the prevailing socioeconomic, cultural and environmental factors. 1 Olasoji H.O. Tahir A. Arotiba G.T. Changing picture of facial fractures in northern Nigeria. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2002; 40: 140-143 Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (67) Google Scholar

Evaluation of Female Breast Cancer Risk Among the Betel Quid Chewer: A Bio-Statistical Assessment in Assam, India.

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among the female population of Assam, India. Chewing of betel quid with or without tobacco is common practice among female population of this region. Moreoverthe method of preparing the betel quid is different from other parts of the country.So matched case control study is conducted to analyse whetherbetel quid chewing plays a significant role in the high incidence of breast cancer occurrences in Assam. Here, controls are matched to the cases by age at diagnosis (±5 years), family income and place of residence with matching ratio 1:1. Conditional logistic regression models and odd ratios (OR) was used to draw conclusions. It is observed that cases are more habituated to chewing habits than the controls.Further the conditional logistic regression analysis reveals that betel quid chewer faces 2.353 times more risk having breast cancer than the non-chewer with p value 0.0003 (95% CI 1.334-4.150). Though the female population in Assam usually does not smoke, the addictive habits typical to this region have equal effect on the occurrence of breast cancer.