Correlation of serum Adenosine Deaminase levels with microbiological parameters in Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

Accurate diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is largely based on sputum smear microscopy, culture, and GeneXpert MTB/RIF tests; culture being the gold standard. All these diagnostic tests require sputum sample to be positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while many active TB patients often do not present with M. tuberculosis positive sputum. Biochemical markers play an important role in early diagnosis, disease prevention, and drug response in tuberculosis. This study aims to find the association of serum adenosine deaminase (a biomarker) with the various microbiological parameters like sputum smear microscopy, culture and CBNAAT in pulmonary tuberculosis patients. A total of 40 cases were collected from November 2019 to October 2021, and the presumptive cases of pulmonary tuberculosis diagnosed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining for acid fast bacilli and/or CBNAAT were recruited. Serum adenosine deaminase levels were estimated.The following variables were significantly associated (p < 0.05) with serum adenosine deaminase levels: age, sputum smear microscopy findings, time to culture positivity, CBNAAT category and Ct value (Mean).This study does witness few significant correlations between serum adenosine deaminase levels and various microbiological parameters used in diagnosis of TB, which can be further explored and utilised in diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Association of 25 (OH) Vitamin D and Leptin in Individuals with Insulin Resistance.

Introduction: Asian-Indian individuals with diabetes have been shown to have low vitamin D levels. Whether this hypovitamonisis D is associated with hyperleptinaemia is unclear. Also, whether this association is different in those with and without insulin resistance has not been ascertained. The present study aimed to investigate the association of 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH) vitamin D] and leptin in individuals with and without insulin resistance. Methods: Ninety two individuals were recruited in two study groups (n = 46 each group). First group included individuals with insulin resistance (homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] ≥2.0). Second group included those without insulin resistance (HOMA-IR <2.0). Comparison of 25(OH) vitamin D, leptin, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters was done between two groups and correlations between 25(OH) vitamin D, leptin, and HOMA-IR were studied. Results: Individuals with insulin resistance were of simiar age (39.6 ± 5.3 years) and body mass index (24.4 ± 3.2 kg/m2) as those without (39.5 ± 5.2 years and 23.6 ± 3.2 kg/m2). Individuals with insulin resistance showed significantly lower 25(OH) vitamin D (17.8 ± 7.1 vs. 22.3 ± 11.6 ng/mL, P = .03) and significantly higher leptin levels (16.9 ± 15.8 vs. 9.6 ± 9.3 ng/mL, P = .09) compared to those without. Significant negative correlation was observed between 25(OH) vitamin D and leptin levels overall (r = -0.3, P = .008). HOMA-IR showed significantly negative correlation with 25(OH) vitamin D levels in individuals with insulin resistance (r = -0.33, P = .027). Conclusion: The present study found higher circulating leptin levels and lower 25(OH) vitamin D levels in individuals with insulin resistance. 25(OH) vitamin D levels were inversely associated with leptin levels particularly in women.

Prevalence of diabetes related vascular complications in subjects with normal glucose tolerance, prediabetes, newly detected diabetes and known diabetes.

AIMS: Varying prevalence of individual diabetes related vascular complications in prediabetes has been reported. However, very few studies have looked at both macrovascular and microvascular complications in prediabetes. METHODS: Study subjects without any history of diabetes underwent oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and were classified as either normal glucose tolerance (NGT), prediabetes (PD), newly detected diabetes mellitus (NDDM) on the basis of American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria. Age and sex matched known diabetes mellitus (KDM) patients were also recruited. All the participants were subsequently screened for both macrovascular (CAD, CVA,PVD) and microvascular (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy)complications of diabetes. RESULTS: Prevalence of vascular complications among prediabetes subjects was 11.1% as compared to 1.4% among NGT subjects, 13.9% among NDDM subjects and 23.8% among KDM subjects. There was no significant between complication rates in prediabetes and NDDM group (p = 0.060). The prevalence of macrovascular and microvascular complications among prediabetes subjects was 4.2% and 6.9% while the same in NDDM was 4.2% and 9.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of subjects with prediabetes and vascular complications was about half of those with known diabetes and almost similar to those with newly detected diabetes mellitus.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES): presentation, diagnosis and treatment.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a neurological disorder which is characterised by variable symptoms, which include visual disturbances, headache, vomiting, seizures and altered consciousness. The exact pathophysiology of PRES has not been completely explained, but hypertension and endothelial injury seem to be almost always present. Vasoconstriction resulting in vasogenic and cytotoxic edema is suspected to be responsible for the clinical symptoms as well as the neuro-radiological presentation. On imaging studies, Symmetrical white matter abnormalities suggestive of edema are seen in the computer tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, commonly but not exclusively in the posterior parieto-occipital regions of the cerebral hemispheres. The management is chiefly concerned with stabilization of the patient, adequate and prompt control of blood pressure, prevention of seizures and timely caesarean section in obstetric cases with pre-eclampsia/eclampsia. In conclusion, persistently elevated blood pressures remain the chief culprit for the clinical symptoms as well as the neurological deficits. Early diagnosis by diffusion weighted MRI scans, and differentiation from other causes of altered sensorium i.e. seizures, meningitis and psychosis, is extremely important to initiate treatment and prevent further complications. Although most cases resolve successfully and carry a favorable prognosis, patients with inadequate therapeutic support or delay in treatment may not project a positive outcome.

Prediction of Gestational Diabetes from First Trimester Serum Adiponectin Levels in Indian Women.

INTRODUCTION: The prediction of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by serum adiponectin levels has shown promise in Western literature. This study looks at the first trimester serum adiponectin levels as a predictor of gestational diabetes in Indian women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 450 pregnant women were screened at 11-- 13 weeks of gestation and serum samples were stored. All the women underwent an oral glucose tolerance test to diagnose GDM by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy study Group criteria at 24-- 28 weeks of gestation. Amongst these, 45 women who had developed GDM were compared with 45 controls. The first trimester serum adiponectin levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean first trimester adiponectin in GDM and non-GDM group was 7.21 ± 2.49 µg/ml and 12.20 ± 2.91 µg/ml, respectively (P < 0.001). Logistic regression revealed that low adiponectin was the strongest independent risk factor followed by body mass index and HbA1c. Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that a cut-off value of adiponectin of 9.10 µg/ml in the first trimester was associated with a sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 95.6% in predicting GDM. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study from India which has studied the prediction of GDM by first trimester adiponectin levels. First trimester serum adiponectin may be a strong predictor of GDM in Asian Indian women.

Association of postprandial triglyceride responses with insulin resistance among rotational night shift healthcare workers.

NEW FINDINGS: What is the central question of this study? Does long-term rotational night shift work among healthcare workers alter postprandial triglyceride metabolism, and are the postprandial triglyceride responses associated with insulin resistance? What is the main finding and its importance? Rotational night shift duties in healthcare workers might have a negative impact on postprandial triglyceride responses and insulin sensitivity. This is the first study in which postprandial triglyceride responses among shift workers exposed to long-term night shifts have been studied. ABSTRACT: Studies on the postprandial period demonstrate that in experimental conditions, abrupt or acute changes in sleep timing and work are followed by significantly altered postprandial glucose, insulin secretion and lipid tolerance. Whether shift work results in altered postprandial triglyceride (PPTG) metabolism in the long term is not known. In the present study, we aimed to ascertain the association between PPTG and shift work in relationship to cardiometabolic risks and to compare the PPTG response among healthcare workers with and without night shift duties. Twenty healthcare workers with rotational night shifts (group 2) and 20 age- and sex-matched healthcare workers who had not done night shift duty in the past 1 year or ever (group 1) were recruited. Only subjects with normal glucose tolerance were recruited. A standardized fat challenge test was done in all study subjects. The postprandial triglyceride area under the curve (PPTG AUC) showed overall (n = 40) a significant positive correlation with fasting insulin and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (r = 0.40, P = 0.01 and r = 0.37, P = 0.01, respectively) and in group 2 (r = 0.49, P = 0.02 and r = 0.44, P = 0.042, respectively). The PPTG peak also showed a significant positive correlation with fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in group 2 (r = 0.52, P = 0.01 and r = 0.47, P = 0.03, respectively). No significant correlation was found in group 1. The PPTG AUC and PPTG peak were, however, comparable between both groups. The findings of this pilot study suggest that rotational night shift duties in healthcare workers might have a negative impact on metabolic parameters, including postprandial triglyceride responses and insulin sensitivity.

Complicated malaria: a rare presentation of Plasmodium ovale.

Malaria has emerged as a major public health problem worldwide. Complications are commonly seen in Plasmodium falciparum (P. falciparum) and Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax) infection, but due to Plasmodium ovale (P. ovale) infection is rarely described in literature. Here we report a case of severe disease due to P. ovale infection complicated with jaundice, thrombocytopenia, hypotension and acute renal failure.

Symptomatic relapse of HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis: recurrent cryptococcal meningitis or Cryptococcus-related immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome?

Cryptococcosis, a significant opportunistic infection, has become a global concern since the advent of immunosuppressive chemotherapy or in immunodeficient patients. Host responses range from a harmless colonization to disseminated disease. An accurate or definitive diagnosis in patients with cryptococcal meningitis is often delayed because of the similar clinical presentation and biochemical or cerebrospinal fluid findings to those of a variety of infectious and non-infectious aetiologies, most of which are also especially prevalent in developing countries. Rarely, patients with cryptococcal meningitis can develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) when initiated on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) the diagnosis which is often missed and can be fatal. Due to the similar presentation of infection and IRIS, it is often confused with the relapse of cryptococcal meningitis. We report a case of paradoxical recurrent meningitis in response to the initiation of cART in a patient diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis and propose that the recurrent symptoms resulted from a therapy-induced reconstitution of the immune response against residual Cryptococcus neoformans.

Diagnostic dilemma in female genital tuberculosis- staining techniques revisited.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is an increasing public health concern worldwide. On a global scale it has a devastating impact in developing nations. Genital TB, an extrapulmonary form, is not uncommon particularly in areas where pulmonary TB is prevalent. Genital TB may be asymptomatic or may even masquerade as other gynaecological conditions; hence, diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion and the use of appropriate investigations. OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to identify endometrial TB in endometrial biopsies taken from women evaluated for infertility by comparison of various staining techniques. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comparative cross sectional study was conducted from February 2011 to April 2011 in Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, New Delhi. Endometrial biopsy specimens from 55 endometrial TB suspects were stained for acid fast bacilli by Ziehl Neelson staining and Gabbet staining. The biopsy samples were also subjected to Auramine Phenol fluroscent staining and H and E staining. Culture on Lowenstein Jensen medium was taken as the gold standard. RESULTS: Three samples were culture positive giving positivity rate of 5.4%. Considering culture as the gold standard the senstivities of ZN, Gabbet, fluorescent and H and E staining were 33, 33, 66, and 66% respectively while their specificities were 100, 100, 98, and100% respectively. CONCLUSION: Combination of fluorescent staining techniques along with one of the acid fast staining techniques or histopathology achieves sufficient sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis. There is an urgent need for developing definitive diagnostic methods to make a conclusive diagnosis of genital TB.

Iron deficiency anemia presenting as pancytopenia in an adolescent girl.

Iron deficiency anemia is commonly associated with thrombocytosis and normal leukocyte count. Thrombocytopenia has occasionally been reported in iron deficiency anemia, but pancytopenia is very rare. We present a case of a young female who presented with iron deficiency anemia associated with pancytopenia that improved with iron replenishment after initial deterioration, the mechanism of which is also discussed in this case report. This case illustrates two uncommon associations of a very common disease: severe iron deficiency can be associated with pancytopenia and can be initially worsened by iron replacement despite normal serum B12 and folic acid levels.

Dengue fever presenting as acute liver failure--a case report.

Dengue fever (DF) and dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) are important mosquito-borne viral diseases of humans and recognized as important emerging infectious diseases in the tropics and subtropics. Compared to nine reporting countries in the 1950s, today the geographic distribution includes more than 100 countries worldwide. Dengue viral infections are known to present a diverse clinical spectrum, ranging from asymptomatic illness to fatal dengue shock syndrome. Mild hepatic dysfunction in dengue haemorrhagic fever is usual. However, its presentation as acute liver failure (ALF) is unusual. We report a patient with dengue shock syndrome who presented with acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy in a recent outbreak of dengue fever in Delhi, India.

Treatment under DOTS.

Present study was prospectively carried out at the 3 DOTS cum Microscopy Centres, associated with LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Disease. A pre-tested and pre-designed questionnaire was developed to study the objectives and the patients were interviewed with the questionnaire at beginning of treatment. Among the 311 patients who were included in the study, 158 patients consisted of different type of delay. In the study maximum delay was patient delay (43.08%) i.e. in DOTS maximum delay is due to patients reporting to the clinic after onset of symptoms. Diagnosis delay was found in only 7.34% cases, indicating that the diagnosis in DOTS is efficient. Treatment delay consisted of 22.5% among study among study population i.e. late initiation of treatment under DOTS is a major issue on which the system have to concentrate.

Cutaneous markers of coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is rapidly increasing in prevalence across the world and particularly in south Asians at a relatively younger age. As atherosclerosis starts in early childhood, the process of risk evaluation must start quite early. The present review addresses the issue of cutaneous markers associated with atherosclerosis, and the strengths and weaknesses of the markers in identifying early coronary atherosclerosis. A diligent search for such clinical markers, namely xanthelasma, xanthoma, arcus juvenilis, acanthosis nigricans, skin tags, ear lobe crease, nicotine stains, premature graying in smokers, hyperpigmented hands in betel quid sellers, central obesity, and signs of peripheral vascular disease may prove to be a rewarding exercise in identifying asymptomatic CAD in high risk individuals.

Unusual manifestations in dengue outbreak 2009, Delhi, India.

Epidemics of Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are common in Southeast Asia. DF is defined & classified according to WHO criteria. Variable clinical manifestations of DF & DHF have been described in earlier studies. But some patients present with unusual clinical features and clinical profile not classifiable according to the present WHO criteria. Some of these complications if not recognized early and treated properly can even prove fatal. So this study was done to describe various clinical features in Dengue fever with special emphasis on unusual manifestations. This study was conducted at University College of Medical Sciences and associated Guru Teg Bahadur hospital; a tertiary care hospital, located in East Delhi in India. It was a retrospective study of 76 patients of probable DF; including 4 cases of DHF (according to WHO classification); 60 males & 16 females above 12 years of age admitted in medical wards of Guru Teg Bahadur hospital in an outbreak of DF which occurred during September-December 2009. The data obtained was analyzed to see clinical and laboratory profile of DF/DHF with special emphasis on unusual manifestations. The mean age of the patients was 28 +/- 9.6 years. Fever was present in all the cases with an average duration of fever being 5.47 +/- 2.2 days with body ache, (84.2%), vomiting (61.8%), abdominal pain (51.3%) and headache (19.7%) being the other presenting complaints. Hemorrhagic manifestations in the form of gum bleeding and epistaxis (35.5%), positive tourniquet test (27.6%); skin rashes (15.8%), melena (15.8%) and hematemesis (5.26%) were also present. In our study a fair no of patients presented with unusual symptoms like pain in abdomen 39 (51.3%), nausea 32 (42.1%), & vomiting 47 (61.8%), which is higher than that reported previous outbreak. Of the 39 patients who presented with abdominal pain; ultrasonography of abdomen was done in 25 patients. Fifteen (38%) of these were found to have acalculous cholecystitis. Amongst the known manifestations of DF, abdominal pain has been well described, but acalculous cholecystitis as a cause of abdominal pain is scantly reported. Another unusual manifestation was the presentation of patients (7.89%) in circulatory failure without the evidence of plasma leakage and not fulfilling all the criterion proposed by WHO for DHF/DSS. All of the above patients had very low platelet counts & tourniquet test was positive in all these six patients. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed in 34.2% and 7.89% of cases, respectively. Renal dysfunction was observed in 13.1% of cases. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia (with a platelet count of < 100,000/microl) in all cases. Leucopenia (WBC < 4,000/mm2) and Hemoconcentration (Hct > 20% of expected for age and sex) were found in 38% and 5.26% of the cases, respectively. Results of our study indicate that apart from usual manifestations, sometimes unusual but clinically extremely important manifestations can occur which if not detected early can prove fatal. So a vigilant and timely approach is warranted.

Efficiency of diagnostic methods for correlation between prevalence of enteric protozoan parasites and HIV/AIDS status--an experience of a tertiary care hospital in East Delhi.

Since the beginning of the AIDS pandemic, opportunistic infections have been recognized as common complications of HIV infection. Enteric protozoan parasitic infections are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV infected patients. The present study is, therefore, aimed to determine the prevalence of these parasites and study their association with immune status in HIV patients with emphasis on the correlation between various diagnostic techniques to give an accurate diagnosis to avoid empirical treatment. This prospective study, carried out between November 2009 and May 2010 included all HIV seropositive patients presenting with diarrhea to the ART center. A total of 64 stool samples were analyzed by wet mount examination, three different staining techniques, and antigen detection by ELISA for various enteric protozoan infections. Total prevalence of enteric protozoan parasites was 30%. Among the total cases, Cryptosporidium was seen in 12% cases followed by Giardia, E. histolytica and Isospora belli. The maximum diagnostic yield for coccidian parasites was with safranin-methylene blue staining technique. Parasitic burden contributes towards early morbidity in HIV infection. This study provides important information about prevalence of intestinal protozoan parasites in HIV infection. A combination of procedures should be carried out for the screening of stool specimens of HIV patients for better diagnosis and management.

Diffuse lymphomatous infiltration of kidney presenting as renal tubular acidosis and hypokalemic paralysis: case report.

We report the case of a 22-year-old woman who presented with acute onset flaccid quadriparesis. Physical examination showed mild pallor with cervical and axillary lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, and bilateral smooth enlarged kidneys. Neurological examination revealed lower motor neuron muscle weakness in all the four limbs with hyporeflexia and normal sensory examination. Laboratory investigations showed anemia, severe hypokalemia, and metabolic acidosis. Urinalysis showed a specific gravity of 1.010, pH of 7.0, with a positive urine anion gap. Ultrasound revealed hepatosplenomegaly with bilateral enlarged smooth kidneys. Renal biopsy was consistent with the diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B cell type). Metabolic acidosis, alkaline urine, and severe hypokalemia due to excessive urinary loss in our patient were suggestive of distal renal tubular acidosis. Renal involvement in lymphoma is usually subclinical and clinically overt renal disease is rare. Diffuse lymphomatous infiltration of the kidneys may cause tubular dysfunction and present with hypokalemic paralysis.

Celiac disease: association with adult-onset Still's disease: apropos of a clinical case.

Adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rheumatic disorder of unknown etiology characterized by a triad of fever, polyarthritis and evanescent rash. We present a case report of a 28-year-old female who presented with complaints of fever, joint pains, rash, weakness for the past 4 years and diarrhea for the past 2 years. On investigation the patient was diagnosed to be a case of AOSD. Duodenal biopsy report was suggestive of celiac disease with a positive IgA tissue transglutaminase and anti-endomysial antibody. The patient was started on weekly methotrexate and gluten-free diet and her symptoms gradually improved. The patient remains in our follow-up and is doing well.

The 2003 outbreak of Dengue fever in Delhi, India.

Dengue fever (DF) and Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) are widespread in Southeast Asia. An outbreak of DF/DHF in Delhi in 2003 started during September, reached its peak in October-November, and lasted until early December. This study describes the clinical and laboratory data of the 185 cases of DF/DHF admitted to Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi. The mean age of the patients was 26 +/- 10 years. Fever was present in all the cases with an average duration of fever being 4.5 +/- 1.2 days with headache (61.6%), backache, (57.8%), vomiting (50.8%) and abdominal pain (21%) being the other presenting complaints. Hemorrhagic manifestations in the form of a positive tourniquet test (21%), gum bleeding and epistaxis (40%), hematemesis (22%), skin rashes (20%) and melena (14%) were also observed. Hepatomegaly and splenomegaly were observed in 10% and 5% of cases, respectively. Laboratory investigations revealed thrombocytopenia (with a platelet count of < 100,000/microl) in about 61.39% of cases, Leukopenia (WBC <3,000/mm2) and hemoconcentration (Hct >20% of expected for age and sex) were found in 68% and 52% of the cases, respectively. The mortality rate was 2.7%. Despite widespread measures taken to control outbreaks of DF, it caused major outbreaks. More stringent measures in the form of vector control, improved sanitation and health education are needed to decrease morbidity, mortality and health care costs caused by a preventable disease.