A cross-sectional study to determine the psychological distress among pulmonary tuberculosis patients during COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 pandemic had adversely affected the services of the National Tuberculosis (TB) Elimination Programme, resulting in psychological distress among pulmonary tuberculosis patients (PTB). This cross-sectional, hospital-based study included 361 PTB patients. Three pre-defined questionnaires were used for the analysis, a questionnaire to evaluate anxiety related to COVID-19, a patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression, and a fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S) questionnaire. Among 361 PTB patients, 13% (n=47) had COVID-19 infection. Out of the total patients, 69% (n=250) were DR-TB (drug resistance-tuberculosis) cases. Proportion of anxiety, fear and depression due to COVID-19 was found in 49% (n=177), 23% (n=83), 67% (n=247) respectively. Delay in the initiation of anti-tubercular treatment was found in 58% (n=210) of the cases, among which the majority, i.e., 69% (n=172, p=0.011), were DR-TB. This pandemic has led to a sudden step-down of PTB. Trend analysis of the psychological distress showed a peak following the COVID-19 pandemic. Most DR-TB patients had delayed initiation of the anti-tubercular treatment during the pandemic. The preponderance of the younger age group was seen in the pulmonary tuberculosis patients, and a majority of them had DR-TB. Depression was the predominant psychological distress among the study subjects during the pandemic.

Spectrum of interstitial lung diseases and their association with pulmonary hypertension.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are an intriguing group of pulmonary disorders, which still require the study of epidemiological, genetic, pathophysiological, clinical, and radiological parameters. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an underreported complication in interstitial lung diseases which is associated with worse outcome. In our study, we have reported the spectrum of ILDs and estimated the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among these subjects at a tertiary care centre. A cross-sectional study was performed in which demographical, clinical, radiological, and histological data of subjects with ILD, attending the department of Respiratory Medicine in the University was collected from 1st September 2018 to 31st August 2019. Serological tests were done wherever indicated. Standard criteria along with multidisciplinary opinion were needed to arrive at the final diagnosis. All subjects were screened for pulmonary hypertension via 2-D echocardiography. Mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥20 mmHg was used to define PH. In the defined period, 239 subjects were enrolled (58% females, n=141; mean age 52.38±13.40 years). A tissue diagnosis was obtained in 34% cases.  The most common ILD was hypersensitivity pneumonitis (32.2%), followed by autoimmune-ILD (31.4%), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) (15.9%) and sarcoidosis (12.6%), non-IPF idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (2.1%) and rest 21 (5.9%) subjects were diagnosed as other types of ILD.  Pulmonary hypertension was seen in 46.0% of subjects.

Perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated pulmonary vasculitis masquerading as lung metastasis.

Churg-Strauss syndrome (CSS) is an uncommon systemic disorder leading to inflammation of small and medium vessels by an immunological mechanism. Lungs are the most frequent organ affected. It is an allergic granulomatosis with polyangiitis associated with the presence of perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody. We describe a rare presentation of CSS as bilateral multiple cavitating nodules in a 50-year-old man with diabetes.

Odd presentations of skeletal tuberculosis: A case series.

Tuberculosis has been afflicting mankind since times immemorial and yet can still present itself in such a disguised manner that even the bests of experts may be duped. Any site from head to toe can be affected but certain sites are far less common than the others. We came across three inconspicuous manifestations at atypical sites-parapharyngeal abscess, wrist joint and foot ulcer. No other primary site could be identified in any case. Two cases were diagnosed microbiologically and one with radiological evidence. All the three cases were medically managed and depicted positive response.

Estimates of Prevalence of Pulmonary Hypertension according to Different International Definitions.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension is a dreaded disease associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The pulmonary hypertension developing due to chronic respiratory disease is a unique subset with symptoms often getting masqueraded by the underlying respiratory condition. The importance of early detection of this complication has been realized worldwide, and recently, the definition of pulmonary hypertension was revised to set the cutoff of mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) at 20 mmHg instead of 25 mmHg at rest. In our study, we have tried to estimate the difference this new definition brings to the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among interstitial lung disease patients at our centre. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which all the patients of ILDs (n = 239) attending the outdoor and indoor Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George's Medical University, India, for the duration of one year were subjected to transthoracic echocardiography along with measurement of serum pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and troponin T values. The data were analyzed using the different definitions, and the prevalence was compared. Result: Incidence of pulmonary hypertension among ILD patients at mPAP cutoff ≥ 25 was 28.9%, while that at value ≥20 mmHg, incidence of pulmonary hypertension increased to 46.0%. An increment of 15-20% in incidence of pulmonary hypertension was observed among different types of ILD when cutoff of mPAP was changed. Conclusion: The new definition helps in a significant increase in the detection of pulmonary hypertension, which certainly helps in earlier detection and better management of patients.

"Necklace in the lung:" Multilocularis hydatid cyst mimicking left-sided massive pleural effusion.

Massive pleural effusions are commonly caused by malignancy, parapneumonic effusion, and tuberculosis. Parasitic infections are rare causes of massive pleural effusion. Echinococcosis or hydatid disease is a major public health problem in poor hygienic environments. The liver and lungs are the most frequently involved organs. Pulmonary disease appears to be more common in younger individuals. Echinococcus multilocularis causes alveolar echinococcosis, which accounts for <5% of all cases of hydatid liver disease and less frequently lung disease. Here, we present an unusual case of multilocular pulmonary hydatid cysts mimicking massive pleural effusion in a 25-year-old young male.

Incidental Case of Left Lung Hypoplasia in a Postabortal Young Female.

Congenital malformations of the lung are extremely rare with an incidence of pulmonary hypoplasia around 1-2/12,000 births. Boyden has categorized three degrees of malformation including (i) agenesis in which there is complete absence of the lung and bronchus and no vascular supply to the affected side, (ii) aplasia in which there is the presence of rudimentary bronchus with the absence of pulmonary parenchyma, and (iii) hypoplasia in which there are variable amounts of bronchial tree, pulmonary parenchyma, and supporting vasculature. Here, we present an incidental case of pulmonary hypoplasia in a young female.