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Clinical Epidemiology & Chemotherapy

HomeResearch DivisionsClinical Epidemiology & Chemotherapy
HomeResearch DivisionsClinical Epidemiology & Chemotherapy
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Clinical Epidemiology & Chemotherapy

Head of the Division: Dr. Vijesh Sreedhar Kuttiatt, Scientist-E

Fialriasis also known as elephantiasis, is very common in many States of India including Pondicherry. Patients affected with elephantiasis suffer from swelling of the scrotum among males, swelling of the lower or upper limb. Few patients also may have swelling in other parts of the body.

Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Chemotherapy (CEC) undertakes clinical epidemiological studies and clinical trials mainly in the field of filariasis and as on the need in chikungunya. The field practice areas of division for undertaking filariasis and chikungunya extend to neighbouring Villupuram, Cuddalore and Thiruvannamalai districts of Tamilnadu.

Currently, the main focus is on developing strategies to improve the Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) services, independent assessment of the currently available strategies for MMDP, development of the disability assessment tools, development of the rapid tools for surveys, development of the cost-effective therapeutic devices for lymphoedema management.

Filarial lymphoedema patients identified in research projects are offered MMDP services in an exclusive clinic functioning within the campus on Monday and Wednesday 9.00 a.m. to 12 noon. The services include pneumatic decompression therapy daily. Patients from faraway States get the e-consultation and provided the information on nearest facilities available to them and the patients are directed to approach the nearest facility for follow-up and further management.

Research Areas

  • Clinical epidemiological studies in filariasis and Chikungunya.
  • Filariasis Clinical trials on diagnostics and drugs.
  • Evaluation of Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) of ELF Program.
  • Development of Strategies and treatment tools for filariasis management.
Staff List
Sr. No.Name of the staffDesignation
1Dr. Vijesh Sreedhar KuttiattHOD & Scientist- E
2Dr. Arya RahulScientist-B (Medical)
3Mrs. G. VijayalakshmiTechnical Officer- II (Nursing)
4Mr. S. AnbusivamTechnical Officer-A
5Mr. N. NagarajanTechnician-1
Ongoing Projects

Ongoing Projects

  • Evaluation of the degenerative effects of filarial lymphoedema on the contralateral knee joint in lymphatic filariasis patients in Puducherry and Tamilnadu - A Prospective case-control study
  • Static Biomechanical Measures of foot among filarial lymphoedema patients and its effect on stability component of lower extremity
  • The benefit of YOGA therapy in filarial lymphoedema patients: A comparative study with Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention (MMDP) protocol of lymphoedema management
  • Associated risk factors and their influence on the prophylactic effect of doxycycline on cellulitis / ADLA in grade III and IV filarial lymphoedema
Significant research findings/contributions
  • Complete clearance of mf: Four courses of DEC at monthly intervals are required for the complete clearance of the mf.
  • Sequential Administration of DEC + ALB: Shortens the duration of therapy for individual Mf carriers. Complete clearance of the mf could be achieved at 26 weeks. This result highlights the importance of Individual Mf carriers treatment in Program
  • Cost-effective antigen testing for delimitation, monitoring and evaluation in bancroftian filariasis: Pool sizes of 20 or 25 could be considered as a favourable option for testing pooled filter paper blood spot samples in community surveys of filariasis. This approach could be applied to identify low endemic areas, un-surveyed areas and also for PDT-MDA assessment
  • Risk Factors for Chronic Intertrigo of the Lymphedema (LE) Leg in Southern India: LE patients under antibiotic prophylaxis should be self-motivated to look for the early symptoms of toe-web intertrigo to prevent chronic stage & recurrent episodes of ADLA.
  • Filarial lymphoedema (LE) patients’ ‘3 months recall’ on ADLA: Patients recall on past ADLA events correlates with streptococcal serology. This strategy ‘3 months recall’ could be considered as a tool to measure the burden of ADLA in the community.
  • Regular follow-up visits to MMDP clinic by lymphoedema patients: Lymphoedema patients get the direct benefit in terms of improvement in reduction in limb volume in addition to the reduction in Acute fever episodes and improvement in skin conditions.
  • NATIONAL NUTRITION MONITORING BUREAU (NNMB) Puducherry Unit: Surveys showed that prevalence of obesity, hypertension and diabetes are higher in Pondicherry urban areas compared to many other States. The health department in collaboration with the Department of information and Broadcasting need to develop suitable outreach IEC strategies and popularize among the public.
Infrastructure (Labs)
  • Clinical services for filarial lymphoedema including four and eight chamber pneumatic decompression therapy.
  • Routine Laboratory Diagnoses such as Blood cells count, Haemoglobin and blood sugar.
Facilities

Morbidity Management & Disability Prevention Clinic - (MMDP CLINIC)

  • Facility in Charge: Dr. Vijesh Sreedhar K, Scientist-F(Medical)
    Timings: Monday and Wednesday 09.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
  • Counseling for patients and caretakers regarding filarial lymphoedema
  • Demonstration of limb care activities
  • Clinical management of lymphoedema and complications including Acute Dermato-Lymphangio-Adenitis(ADLA) and other infections
  • Manual lymphatic drainage
  • Pneumatic decompression therapy
  • Referral for surgical and in-patient management
  • Physiotherapy advise for lymphoedema and co-morbidities like osteoarthritis
  • Yoga – Selected asanas for motivated patients
  • E- consultation

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