Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Influenza in Pregnancy after Treatment with Oseltamivir.

CONTEXT: Influenza infection in pregnancy causes 4%-8% case fatality and five times more perinatal mortality. Influenza is a major contributor to mortality in developing countries; however, the morbidity has largely been underestimated. Public health interventions for prevention are also lacking. AIMS: This study aimed to determine the seasonality of influenza in pregnant Indian women and to estimate the maternal and perinatal morbidity after treatment with oseltamivir. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a prospective observational cohort study, conducted in a tertiary hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Pregnant women with ILI (influenza-like illness) were recruited into Cohort 1 (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] positive) and Cohort 2 (PCR negative). Gestational age-matched asymptomatic controls formed Cohort 3. Women in Cohort 1 received oseltamivir for 5 days. The incidence of small-for-gestational age (SGA) and preterm birth were the primary outcomes. Maternal and neonatal morbidity formed the secondary outcomes. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Unmatched (Cohort 1 and 2) and matched analysis (Cohort 1 and 3) were done. Student's t-test and Chi-square test were used to compare between variables. RESULTS: Year-round incidence of influenza was recorded. Severe illness was more in Cohort 1 compared to Cohort 2 (36.2% vs. 6.3%; P < 0.001). SGA was comparable in all the cohorts (13%). Preterm birth (7.8% vs. 3.3%; P < 0.08; relative risk-2.75) was considerably high in Cohort 1. Secondary maternal and neonatal outcomes were similar between the groups. CONCLUSION: Influenza in pregnancy showed year-round incidence and increased maternal and neonatal morbidity despite treatment with oseltamivir. We suggest the need for newer interventions to curtail the illness in pregnancy.

Antibacterial Activity of Leaf Extract of Annona muricata and Simarouba glauca on Enterococcus faecalis.

AIM: To determine the antimicrobial effect of water extracts of leaves of Annona muricata and Simarouba glauca on Enterococcus faecalis using agar diffusion method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dried leaves of A. muricata and S. glauca were powdered and extracted in a soxhlet apparatus. Enterococcus faecalis was grown overnight in Trypticase soy agar plates. About 10 µl of each extract was placed on agar plates and incubated overnight. The zone of inhibition was measured after 24 hours. About 1% sodium hypochlorite and distilled water were used as positive and negative controls. RESULTS: The leaf extract of A. muricata showed similar effectiveness as that of sodium hypochlorite, whereas the leaf extract of S. glauca showed only a slight reduction in growth of E. faecalis. CONCLUSION: Leaf extract of A. muricata can be developed as an alternative to sodium hypochlorite for root canal irrigants. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Success of endodontic treatment depends on complete disinfection of the root canals. Root canal irrigants have a major role in complete disinfection of the root canals. Chemical root canal irrigants are more or less toxic to the oral environment. In this study, naturally derived leaf extracts of A. muricata and S. glauca are compared with sodium hypochlorite for its effectiveness against E. faecalis - the most common pathogen found in the root canals.

Delayed granulomatous reactions to facial cosmetic injections of polymethylmethacrylate microspheres and liquid injectable silicone: A case series.

Polymethylmethacrylate microsphere (PMMA) and liquid injectable silicone (LIS) fillers are non-biodegradable, synthetic polymers utilized for long-term soft-tissue augmentation. Delayed granulomatous reactions to permanent fillers are a rare yet significant event that can occur months to years post procedure and are often refractory to treatment and associated with significant cosmetic morbidity. We report a case series of 4 patients who developed granulomatous reactions to PMMA or LIS, 15 months to 5 years post injection. The etiology of granulomatous reactions to permanent fillers is still poorly understood, with foreign-body reactions and/or biofilms purported to play a role. Real-time biochemical analysis with polymerase chain reaction should be performed when the index of suspicion for the presence of a biofilm is high.

Methotrexate-induced cutaneous ulcers in a nonpsoriatic patient: case report and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Methotrexate is a mainstay of treatment for autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Methotrexate has numerous potential side effects and, in rare circumstances, can lead to cutaneous ulceration. Methotrexate can cause skin ulceration, and stopping this medication can lead to complete healing of the ulcerated lesion. OBSERVATIONS: A 67-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis on long-term methotrexate therapy presented to hospital with ulcers on his hands, elbows, and lower extremities. He had no history of psoriasis. Shortly after admission, the patient was noted to have pancytopenia. A bone marrow biopsy showed a hypocellular marrow. Both the cutaneous ulcers and the hypocellular marrow were thought to be induced by methotrexate. The ulcerated areas were biopsied, and histopathology showed no evidence of vasculitis. After 1 month of rehabilitative skin care, the patient's ulcers healed almost completely and his bone marrow suppression recovered. CONCLUSION: We report the fifth case of methotrexate-induced cutaneous ulceration in a nonpsoriatic patient and review the literature on this unusual drug reaction. Methotrexate can induce cutaneous ulceration in nonpsoriatic patients and should be considered a potential cause of ulceration in patients treated with this antimitotic agent.

Urothelial bladder cancer with cavitary lung metastases.

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder tends to remain superficial; however, in 5% to 20% of cases, it progresses to muscle invasion and, more rarely, can metastasize. TCC of the bladder primarily spreads via regional lymphatics. The most common sites of distant metastases of TCC are the liver, lung, mediastinum and bone. Longterm survival of patients with metastatic bladder cancer is rare. Patterns of pulmonary metastasis include multiple nodules, a solitary mass or interstitial micronodule. When multiple nodules are present, they are round and well-circumscribed, without calcification or cavitation. An unusual case of rapidly metastatic TCC to the lung causing large cavitary masses and nodules is presented. Imaging performed after the patient began chemotherapy revealed widespread necrosis of the metastatic cavitary masses causing moderate volume hemoptysis.

Tinea corporis gladiatorum presenting as a majocchi granuloma.

Background. Wrestlers are at increased risk of developing cutaneous infections, including fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. Erythematous lesions due to tinea infections can be mistakenly diagnosed as an inflammatory dermatitis and incorrectly treated with potent topical corticosteroid treatments which cause localized skin immunosuppression. This can eventuate in a Majocchi granuloma which then becomes refractory to topical antifungal therapy. To our knowledge, this is the first case of tinea corporis gladiatorum presenting as a Majocchi granuloma. Observations. A 20-year-old wrestler presented with a 4-year history of a large pruritic, scaly erythematous plaque with follicular papules, and pustules on his right forearm. The lesion had the clinical appearance of a Majocchi granuloma. He had been treated with potent topical corticosteroids and topical antifungal therapy. KOH and fungal culture of the lesion were negative. An erythematous scaly lesion in the scalp was cultured and grew Trichophyton tonsurans. Oral Terbinafine therapy was initiated and complete resolution of both lesions occurred within 6 weeks. Conclusion. The purpose of this report is to inform dermatologists that tinea corporis gladiatorum can present as a Majocchi granuloma and needs to be considered in the differential diagnosis of persistent skin lesions in wrestlers.

Schnitzler syndrome with cold-induced urticaria.

BACKGROUND: Schnitzler syndrome encompasses monoclonal gammopathy, urticaria, inflammation, recurrent fever, bone pain and arthralgia, with occasional lymphadenopathy and/or hepatosplenomegaly. It is a rare condition with approximately 100 cases reported in the literature. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of cold-induced physical urticaria with Schnitzler syndrome. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: A 43-year-old woman presented to an allergy and immunology clinic with a 7 year history of chronic urticaria, angioedema with anaphylaxis, monoclonal gammopathy and bone pain. Her urticaria was triggered by cooler temperatures and an ice cube test for cold induced urticaria was positive. In spite of aggressive therapies this patient remains symptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Schnitzler syndrome is under-recognized, particularly variants of the classical description of Schnitzler syndrome. Other diseases, especially those of hematologic origin, should be ruled out. This condition is largely refractory to conventional therapies, although novel treatments, such as interleukin-1 receptor inhibitor, may show promise.