Prevalence of co-existent COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and its impact on early mortality in patients with COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM).

BACKGROUND: Data on mixed mould infection with COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) are sparse. OBJECTIVES: To ascertain the prevalence of co-existent CAPA in CAPM (mixed mould infection) and whether mixed mould infection is associated with early mortality (≤7 days of diagnosis). METHODS: We retrospectively analysed the data collected from 25 centres across India on COVID-19-associated mucormycosis. We included only CAPM and excluded subjects with disseminated or rhino-orbital mucormycosis. We defined co-existent CAPA if a respiratory specimen showed septate hyphae on smear, histopathology or culture grew Aspergillus spp. We also compare the demography, predisposing factors, severity of COVID-19, and management of CAPM patients with and without CAPA. Using a case-control design, we assess whether mixed mould infection (primary exposure) were associated with early mortality in CAPM. RESULTS: We included 105 patients with CAPM. The prevalence of mixed mould infection was 20% (21/105). Patients with mixed mould infection experienced early mortality (9/21 [42.9%] vs. 15/84 [17.9%]; p = 0.02) and poorer survival at 6 weeks (7/21 [33.3] vs. 46/77 [59.7%]; p = 0.03) than CAPM alone. On imaging, consolidation was more commonly encountered with mixed mould infections than CAPM. Co-existent CAPA (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 19.1 [2.62-139.1]) was independently associated with early mortality in CAPM after adjusting for hypoxemia during COVID-19 and other factors. CONCLUSION: Coinfection of CAPA and CAPM was not uncommon in our CAPM patients and portends a worse prognosis. Prospective studies from different countries are required to know the impact of mixed mould infection.

Lightning Characteristics Over Humid Regions and Arid Regions and Their Association With Aerosols Over Northern India.

The association between aerosol and lightning has been investigated with long-term decadal data (2005-2014) for lightning, aerosol optical depth (AOD), relative humidity, and effective cloud droplet size. To understand the complex relationship between aerosol and lightning, two different regions with different climatic and weather conditions, a humid region R1 (22°-29° N, 89°-92° E) and an arid region R2 (23°-28° N, 70°-76° E) of northern India, were chosen for the study domain. The results show that lightning activity was observed to occur more over the humid region R1, i.e., 1141 days (1/3 of total days), than over the arid region R2, i.e., 740 days (1/5 of total days). Also, over the humid region R1, the highest lightning flash density was recorded as nearly 4.6 × 10-4 flashes/km2/day observed for 18 days (1.5%); on the contrary, over the arid region R2, the maximum lightning flash density was observed to be 2.5 × 10-4 flashes/km2/day and occurred for about 22 days (2.9%). The analysis shows that a nonlinear relationship exists between aerosol and lightning with a highly associated influence of relative humidity. A very significant positive and negative co-relation that varies with relative humidity has been observed between AOD and lightning for both humid and arid regions. This shows relative humidity is the key factor in determining the increase or decrease of lightning activity. This study also shows that the larger the cloud droplet size, the higher the relative humidity and vice versa. This study emphasizes that aerosol concentration in the atmosphere influences cloud microphysics by modulating the size of cloud droplets and thereby regulating the lightning frequency. The atmospheric humidity is the driving factor in deciding the positive or negative co-relationship between aerosol and lightning. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00024-022-02981-6.

Natural History and Treatment Outcomes of Severe Autoimmune Hepatitis.

GOALS: The aim of this study was to analyze the natural history and treatment outcomes of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) variants presenting with severe-AIH. BACKGROUND: Severe acute presentation is an uncommon manifestation of AIH, and it remains poorly characterized. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 101 patients with AIH from January 2011 to December 2015. Patients were classified as seropositive-AIH and seronegative-AIH. Patients with acute liver failure, acute-on-chronic liver failure, and severe acute hepatitis were defined as severe-AIH patients. Patient characteristics and treatment outcomes with follow-up until 12 months were analyzed between the different groups. RESULTS: Out of 101 cases, 24 (23.76%) had severe AIH. Of them 9 (37.5%) had severe acute hepatitis, 3 (12.5%) had acute liver failure, and 12 (50%) had acute-on-chronic liver failure. Seronegative-AIH patients presented with severe-AIH significantly more frequently compared with seropositive-AIH patients (50% vs. 20.27%, P=0.022). Severe-AIH had 50% complete responders, 25% partial responders, and 25% treatment failures. Jaundice (88.88% vs. 68.7%, P=0.048), encephalopathy (55.55% vs. 6.66%, P=0.014), and higher international normalized ratio values (2.17±0.60 vs. 1.82±0.14, P=0.038) were factors associated with nonresponse rather than the presence or absence of autoantibodies in severe-AIH. The hazard ratio for predicting remission in the non-severe AIH group as compared with the severe-AIH group was 1.502, which was statistically not significant (95% CI, 0.799-2.827; P=0.205). CONCLUSION: Approximately 24% of patients with AIH have severe-AIH. Conventional autoantibodies are often absent in severe-AIH; however, it does not alter the outcome. Immunosuppressants should be given expediently in patients with severe-AIH.

Construction of Ductal Diameter Centiles in the First 24 h of Life and Their Relation to Cerebral Blood Flow in Neonates Weighing Less Than 1250 g in the First 24 h of Life.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ductal diameter centiles in the first 24 h of life and their relation to cerebral blood flow in neonates weighing <1250 g in the first 24 h of life. METHOD AND MATERIAL: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 44 infants with birth weight <1250 g. Two-dimensional echocardiography and color Doppler were performed within the first 12 h of life and were repeated again in the next 12 h of life to assess the ductal size and middle cerebral artery (MCA) flows [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), mean velocity (MV) and pulsatility index (PI)]. RESULTS: The mean patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) size (mm) within 0-6 h was 1.88 ± 1.12, within 7-12 h was 2.02 ± 0.973, within 13-18 h was 1.47 ± 1.00 and within 19-24 h was 1.42 ± 0.705. There was a significant increase in the PSV and MV of the MCA in infants with open PDA compared with those with closed PDA (p < 0.05) when measured between 13 and 24 h of life. There was no correlation between the PDA size and simultaneous PSV, EDV, MV and PI of MCA within 12 h of life. The PDA size within 13-24 h showed correlation with only the PSV of the MCA (p = 0.05) and not with the EDV, MV and PI. There was no significant difference in the PSV, EDV, MV and PI among the infants depending on the size of the PDA. CONCLUSION: There is a progressive decrease in the PDA size in the first 24 h of life. The PSV and MV of the MCA are increased in infants with closed PDA, but among those with open PDA, size does not relate to MCA flows in the first 24 h of life.

Most overweight and obese Indian children have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

 Background and rationale. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common cause of pediatric liver disease in western countries. Its prevalence in Indian subcontinent is not well studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a school based cross sectional study we have screened overweight and obese children in the age group of 11 to 15 years for NAFLD. Ultrasonography, elevated serum transaminases, fibroscan were used for defining NAFLD. Dietary habits, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, blood counts and insulin resistance were recorded. The relation of fibrosis 4 score, pediatric NAFLD fibrosis index, aspartate transaminases to platelet ratio index (APRI) with fibroscan was evaluated. RESULTS: Out of 616 students screened 198 were overweight and obese. Hundred students and their parents gave informed consent for the further evaluation. The prevalence of NAFLD was 62% in overweight and obese children. Fatty liver was found in 50 % students on ultrasonography, liver stiffness (≥ 6.1 Kilopascals) in 23% and raised alanine transaminase in 30%. Hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance were seen in 6%, 18%, 2% and 66% students respectively. Systolic hypertension, serum triglyceride, aspartate transaminase, APRI was significantly higher in the NAFLD group. On binary logistic regression only systolic hypertension was an independent risk factor for NAFLD. CONCLUSION: In conclusion NAFLD is common in asymptomatic overweight and obese Indian children. Systolic hypertension is the only independent factor associated with NAFLD. Fibroscan has limited role for screening. We recommend screening for NAFLD in this high risk group with alanine transaminases and ultrasonography.

Metronidazole-Induced Encephalopathy in Alcoholic Liver Disease: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge.

BACKGROUND: Acute encephalopathy in a patient with alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a commonly encountered emergency situation occurring most frequently due to liver failure precipitated by varying etiologies. Acute reversible cerebellar ataxia with confusion secondary to prolonged metronidazole use has been reported rarely as a cause of encephalopathy in patients with ALD. CASE REPORT: We describe a decompensated ALD patient with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis associated with hepatolithiasis who presented to the emergency department with sudden-onset cerebellar ataxia with dysarthria and mental confusion after prolonged use of metronidazole. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain was suggestive of bilateral dentate nuclei hyper intensities on T2 and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sections seen classically in metronidazole-induced encephalopathy (MIE). Decompensated liver cirrhosis resulted in decreased hepatic clearance and increased cerebrospinal fluid concentration of metronidazole leading to toxicity at a relatively low total cumulative dose of 22 g. Both the clinical symptoms and MRI brain changes were reversed at 7 days and 6 weeks, respectively, after discontinuation of metronidazole. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: A patient with ALD presenting with encephalopathy creates a diagnostic dilemma for the emergency physician regarding whether to continue metronidazole and treat for hepatic encephalopathy or to suspect for MIE and withhold the drug. Failure to timely discontinue metronidazole may worsen the associated hepatic encephalopathy in these patients. Liver cirrhosis patients have higher mean concentration of metronidazole and its metabolite in the blood, making it necessary to keep the cumulative dose of metronidazole to < 20 g in them.

Association of lightning with LCL, EL, humidity at 850 mb and at 200 mb during various CAPE, over northern India.

Association of lightning with Lifting Condensation Level (LCL), Equilibrium Level (EL), K Index, and humidity at 850 mb and 200 mb in 2019 and 2020 over National Capital Region (Delhi) (Lat: 27°N -29°N, Lon: 76°E-78°E) is investigated using in-situ observation data. Study shows high lightning activity during low LCL, and vice versa. This high lighting and low LCL is associated with high relative humidity at 850 mb, and high "K" index. Low LCL and high relative humidity (low dew point depression) at 850 mb helps in generating super cell thunderstorms with spinning/tornado updraft. It is seen that asymmetric LCL height and relative humidity at 850 mb is the prime causes for uneven seasonal lightning in 2019 and 2020 over the region, despite more or less same seasonal aerosol and relative humidity. Anvil clouds behave uneven with time, despite, unanimous cloud top glaciation.

Risk factors, mortality, and predictors of survival in COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis: a multicentre retrospective study from India.

OBJECTIVES: To compare COVID-19-associated pulmonary mucormycosis (CAPM) with COVID-19-associated rhino-orbital mucormycosis (CAROM), ascertain factors associated with CAPM among patients with COVID-19, and identify factors associated with 12-week mortality in CAPM. METHODS: We performed a retrospective multicentre cohort study. All study participants had COVID-19. We enrolled CAPM, CAROM, and COVID-19 subjects without mucormycosis (controls; age-matched). We collected information on demography, predisposing factors, and details of COVID-19 illness. Univariable analysis was used to compare CAPM and CAROM. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with CAPM (with hypoxemia during COVID-19 as the primary exposure) and at 12-week mortality. RESULTS: We included 1724 cases (CAPM [n = 122], CAROM [n = 1602]) and 3911 controls. Male sex, renal transplantation, multimorbidity, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, intensive care admission, and cumulative glucocorticoid dose for COVID-19 were significantly higher in CAPM than in CAROM. On multivariable analysis, COVID-19-related hypoxemia (aOR, 2.384; 95% CI, 1.209-4.700), male sex, rural residence, diabetes mellitus, serum C-reactive protein, glucocorticoid, and zinc use during COVID-19 were independently associated with CAPM. CAPM reported a higher 12-week mortality than CAROM (56 of the 107 [52.3%] vs. 413 of the 1356 [30.5%]; p = 0.0001). Hypoxemia during COVID-19 (aOR [95% CI], 3.70 [1.34-10.25]) and Aspergillus co-infection (aOR [95% CI], 5.40 [1.23-23.64]) were independently associated with mortality in CAPM, whereas surgery was associated with better survival. DISCUSSION: CAPM is a distinct entity with a higher mortality than CAROM. Hypoxemia during COVID-19 illness is associated with CAPM. COVID-19 hypoxemia and Aspergillus co-infection were associated with higher mortality in CAPM.

Possible source of intermediate ions over marine environment.

Measurements of small, intermediate and large ions made onboard ORV Sagarkanya over the Arabian Sea in May-June 2003 during Arabian Sea Monsoon Experiment (ARMEX) are reported here. The daily averaged values of small-, intermediate-, and large-ion concentrations measured for 36 days during this cruise have been used for analysis. The analysis shows a weak positive correlation of 0.14 between intermediate- and large-ion concentrations, which indicates that the sources of these two types of ions are different over ocean surface. The negative correlation is observed between small- and intermediate-ion concentration for entire period of cruise. In addition, it is seen that the intermediate-ion concentration shows a very good (r = 0.58) and significant positive correlation with sea surface pressure. Based on good negative correlation between small- and intermediate-ion concentrations and good positive correlation between intermediate-ion concentration and sea surface pressure, it has been proposed that attachment of small ions to the ultrafine particles transported from upper troposphere to marine boundary layer is the main source of intermediate ions over ocean surface. This study supports the idea that the main source of ultrafine particles over marine boundary layer (MBL) is entrainment of aerosol particles from the free troposphere.

CLINICAL PROFILE, DRUG RESISTANCE PATTERN AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES OF ABDOMINAL TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS IN WESTERN INDIA.

BACKGROUND: Abdominal tuberculosis is an increasing problem in developing world. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to describe the clinical presentations, drug resistance pattern and treatment outcomes of abdominal tuberculosis in Western India. METHODS: All the cases of abdominal tuberculosis from May 2014 to April 2017, diagnosed on the basis of clinical profile and gross morphological findings at endoscopy, imaging, followed by histology and/or GeneXpert and MGIT culture were included. All patients received antitubercular drug (AKT) therapy according to national protocol. Patients were followed from diagnoses till completion of treatment and various parameters were studied. RESULTS: Out of the 176 patients, 48% were males. Abdominal pain was most common complaint in 83.5%. On colonoscopy terminal ileum and ileocaecal valve were most commonly involved segments. Upper gastrointestinal tract was involved in four patients. Overall ulceronodular lesions were most common followed by ulcerative/nodular lesion. Strictures in bowel were seen in 28 (15.9%) patients with ileocaecal valve being most commonly involved, of which 23 had symptomatic relief with AKT and only three required dilatation. Histopathology showed granuloma in 80.8% cases. MGIT was positive in 43 (35.80%) cases and GeneXpert was positive in 35 (26.1%) cases. Eight patients had multi drug resistant tuberculosis. Only two patients required surgical management. CONCLUSION: Abdominal tuberculosis with wide spectrum of presentation, can still be managed with early diagnosis and treatment even in patients with sub acute intestinal obstruction. Weight gain or resolving symptoms were considered early markers of treatment response. Patients with stricture can become asymptomatic with medical treatment alone.

Growth and Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Preterm LBW Infants with Sepsis in India: A Prospective Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal sepsis is associated with abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes but not with poor growth at 9 to 15 months of corrected age in LBW infants. DESIGN SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This is a prospective cohort study involving 128 eligible preterm low-birth-weight (LBW) infants admitted during the period of 2013-2014 to the Durgabai Deshmukh Hospital and Research Center. All patients were followed up in the outpatient Department of Pediatrics. They were divided into the sepsis and nonsepsis group. RESULTS: A total of 94 infants were evaluated (40 in sepsis and 54 in nonsepsis group). At the age of 9-15 months, low-birth-weight infants with neonatal sepsis had an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders (67.5 versus 20.3%; RR: 3.31 (1.87-5.85)). There is no statistically significant difference in the growth outcomes. CONCLUSION: Neonatal infections are associated with the abnormal neurodevelopmental outcomes in LBW infants but there was no significant difference at growth outcome at 9 to 15 months of corrected age between both groups.

Changing clinical profile and factors associated with liver enzyme abnormalities among HIV-infected persons.

The spectrum of liver disease among HIV-infected patients is changing. In the era of antiretroviral therapy, opportunistic infections are diminishing and deranged liver function appears to be due usually to drug-induced liver injury, alcohol, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) or chronic hepatitis B. To test this hypothesis, 98 HIV-positive patients with deranged liver function were compared with matched HIV-positive patients with normal liver function and likewise matched HIV-negative patients with normal liver function tests.

Primary hepatic amyloidosis: A case report and review of literature.

We describe a case of 42-year-old female presenting with abdominal pain associated with loss of weight and fever for 8 mo. On evaluation she had gross hepatomegaly with raised alkaline phosphatase and raised GGT levels with normal transaminases and bilirubin. On imaging she had diffuse enlargement of liver with heterogeneous contrast uptake in liver. Her viral marker and autoimmune markers were negative. Liver biopsy depicted massive deposition of amyloid in peri-sinusoidal spaces which revealed apple green birefringence on polarizing microscopy after Congo red staining. Cardiac and renal evaluation was unremarkable. Abdominal fat pad and rectum biopsy was negative for amyloid deposit. There was no evidence of primary amyloidosis as bone marrow examination was normal. Serum and urine immunofixation electrophoresis were normal. Immunoperoxidase staining for serum amyloid associated protein for secondary amyloidosis was negative from liver biopsy. We present this rare case of primary hepatic amyloidosis and review the literature regarding varied presentations of hepatic involvement in amyloidosis.

An Interesting Case of Non-Resolving Hepatogastric Fistula - An Unseen Cause.

Hepatic tuberculosis presents one of the rare forms of extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. It is usually secondary to infection in the lung or the gut. Tuberculous liver abscess is the rarer manifestation even in endemic areas of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Hepatogastric fistula secondary to tuberculous liver abscess has never been reported in literature. We herein report a case of a disseminated tuberculous liver abscess complicated by hepatogastric fistula, which posed a considerable diagnostic challenge. It was treated successfully with anti tubercular drugs. Liver abscess with atypical features and non responsive to antibiotics should raise the suspicious of tuberculosis or fungal infections.

Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in 4 Schools of South Mumbai.

INTRODUCTION: The paediatric obesity is on the rise so as the complications of obesity like cardiovascular diseases, liver diseases, dyslipidaemia are increasing. The changing dietary habits and less of outdoor activities are risk factors for obesity. AIM: The study was conducted to find out prevalence of overweight and obesity among students in four schools of the Mumbai and compare with studies from rest of the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is school based, cross-sectional study conducted in four Schools from class of 5(th) to 10(th). The anthropometric measurements of height, weight were taken of each student. The body mass index was calculated based on the age based Cole et al., criteria (International) as well as Khadilkar et al., criteria which are specially develop for Indian children. The data was analysed with chi-square test. RESULTS: Total 1828 students were screened from 4 schools. Out of which 590 were girls and 1238 were boys. The prevalence of overweight and obesity by Cole et al., criteria were 11.3% and 3.3% and by Khadilkar et al., criteria were 17.5% and 7.8 % respectively. CONCLUSION: It shows significant difference in obesity between boys and girls and also between government and private schools. There is overall decrease in prevalence of overweight and obesity as age increases. The overweight and obesity among these schools in Mumbai is comparable with the rest of the studies from India.

An unusual cause of overt gastrointestinal bleeding in a malnourished child.

Trichuris trichiura (T. Trichiura) is a known parasite infestation among tropical children. Humans acquire Trichuriasis infection after ingestion of embryonated eggs via contaminated food or water. Most of them are asymptomatic. A severe form of trichuris infestation is known as Trichuris dysentery syndrome (TDS). It manifests as mucous diarrhoea, bleeding, malnutrition and stunting, or even life-threatening anaemia. We are reporting an interesting case of a 7-year-old girl who presented with bloody diarrhoea for 2 years. Her growth was stunted as she was not gaining weight. Severe inflammatory bowel disease was suspected clinically. Physical examination revealed marked pallor, pedal oedema and koilonychia along with sparse and hypopigmented hair. On evaluationT. Trichiurahelminths were seen on stool examination and massive worm load was visualised directly on colonoscopy. A diagnosis of TDS was made. She was successfully treated with oral Albendazole (400 mg) and blood transfusion.