SubFoveal Choroidal Imaging in High Myopic Nepalese Cohort.

Purpose: Evidence suggests that choroid is thinner in myopes as compared to nonmyopes. However, choroidal thickness varies with the refractive error, age, axial length, and ethnicity. The purpose of this study was to determine the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in high myopic Nepalese subjects and to investigate its association with the mean spherical equivalent refractive error (MSE), axial length, and age. Methods: Ninety-two eyes of 92 high myopic subjects (MSE ≤ -6 diopters) and 83 eyes of 83 emmetropic subjects (MSE: 0.00 Diopters) were included in the study. SFCT was assessed using spectral domain optical coherence tomography, and the axial length was measured using partial coherence interferometry. SFCT was measured manually using the inbuilt tool within the imaging software. Results: SFCT in the high myopic subjects was significantly thinner (mean ± SD: 224.17 ± 68.91 µm) as compared to the emmetropic subjects (353.24 ± 65.63 µm) (mean difference, 127.76 ± 130.80 µm, and p < 0.001). In high myopic subjects, there was a significant negative correlation of choroidal thickness with the axial length (rho = -0.75; p < 0.001) and MSE (rho = -0.404; p < 0.01). Regression analysis demonstrated a decrease of choroidal thickness by 40.32 µm (p < 0.001) for every 1 millimeter increase in the axial length and by 11.65 µm (p < 0.001) for every 1 diopter increase in the MSE. Conclusion: High myopic Nepalese subjects had significantly thinner choroid as compared to emmetropes. The MSE and axial length were inversely correlated with the SFCT. Age had no effect on SFCT in this study. These findings may have implications in interpreting choroidal thickness values in clinical and epidemiological studies in myopes, especially in the south Asian population.

Corrigendum to "What is the impact of snakebite envenoming on domestic animals? A nation-wide community-based study in Nepal and Cameroon" [Toxicon: X 9 (2021) 100068].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.toxcx.2021.100068.].

Evaluation of corneal topography, pachymetry and higher order aberrations for detecting subclinical keratoconus.

PURPOSE: To compare corneal topography, pachymetry and higher order aberrations in keratoconic and normal eyes; to investigate their association in keratoconic eyes; and to determine their diagnostic ability for detecting subclinical keratoconus in a Nepalese population. METHODS: Ninety-six eyes of 48 keratoconus patients and 50 normal eyes of 50 control subjects were included in this study. The eyes of keratoconus patients were classified into four different study groups: subclinical, stage 1, stage 2 and advanced stage keratoconus. In each eye, corneal topography, pachymetry and corneal aberrometry indices were measured using a Sirius corneal tomographer. The study parameters of keratoconic eyes were compared with normal eyes, and the possible association of corneal aberrometry with topography and pachymetry indices was investigated. The area under curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves along with optimal cutoff values with best sensitivity and specificity were also determined for each index to detect subclinical keratoconus. RESULTS: All the indices except average keratometry measurements (Kavg and mmavg ) and spherical aberration (SA) were found to be significantly different in subclinical keratoconus compared to the control group (p < 0.05). In keratoconic eyes, all corneal aberrations were significantly correlated with the topography and pachymetry indices (range of ρ: -0.25 to 0.96; all p < 0.05) except for trefoil and minimum corneal thickness (Thkmin ). All the indices except Kavg , mmavg and SA showed excellent diagnostic ability (AUC > 0.90) in detecting subclinical keratoconus. The cutoff values proposed for the asymmetry index of the corneal back surface (SIb ), Strehl ratio of point spread function (PSF), coma and Baiocchi-Calossi-Versaci index of corneal back surface (BCVb ) each showed excellent sensitivity (100%) and specificity (≥97%). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal higher order aberrations were found to be significantly elevated in subclinical keratoconus compared to healthy controls. SIb , PSF, coma and BCVb were identified as the most powerful Sirius indices for the detection of subclinical keratoconus.

Snakebite epidemiology in humans and domestic animals across the Terai region in Nepal: a multicluster random survey.

BACKGROUND: Each year, 2 million people worldwide are bitten by snakes, resulting in an estimated 81 000-138 000 deaths. WHO has added snakebite envenoming to the list of neglected tropical diseases, highlighting the need for stronger epidemiological evidence in endemic countries, such as Nepal. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in villages randomly geospatially selected from aerial images from across the Nepal's Terai lowlands region (excluding towns and cities). We collected data between Nov 30, 2018 and May 7, 2019, and analysed snakebite incidence rates and outcomes in humans and domestic animals. FINDINGS: Among 63 454 human participants living in 13 879 households (249 villages), 166 were bitten by a snake over the previous 12 months; 48·8% were envenomed and 7·8% died. This corresponded to an annual crude incidence rate of 262 snakebites (adjusted incidence of 251·1 [95% CI 201·7-312·6]) and 20 deaths (22·4 [11·9-42·1]) per 100 000 people, extrapolating to 26 749-37 661 yearly bitten people and 2386-3225 deaths. Bitten people had a median age of 30 years (IQR 20-45) and with available data, 64% were female. Children younger than 15 years (n=6; 46%) and females (n=10; 77%) were disproportionately affected among the 13 people who died. The incidence was higher in the Eastern region, and mortality was higher in the Central region. Of 183 949 animals, owners reported 144 snakebites, with an annual incidence rate of 42-202 per 100 000 and mortality of 79-100%, varying by animal type. Spatial and seasonal incidence were similar in humans and in animals. INTERPRETATION: This study provides the first epidemiological estimates of snakebite envenoming in humans and domestic animals across Nepal's Terai lowlands. It was also the first to use a community-based, transdisciplinary, and One Health design. These findings call for a strengthening of preventive measures and better access to life-saving treatments. FUNDING: Swiss National Science Foundation project 315130_176271 (SNAKE-BYTE).

Autoimmune Thyroid Disease in Patients with Hypovitaminosis D in Department of Biochemistry of a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Autoimmune thyroid disease is characterised by the generation of autoantibodies against self-antigens such as thyroid peroxidase, thyroglobulin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor. Recent studies have implicated the role of hypovitaminosis D to immune dysfunction, failure of self-tolerance and generation of autoantibodies. This study aimed to find out the prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease among hypovitaminosis D patients in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among participants between the ages of 18 years to 65 years who visited the Department of Biochemistry of a tertiary care centre between the periods of July 2018 to December 2019. The study was initiated after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 42,8/074/075-IRC). Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire followed by anthropometric measurement and blood collection. Thyroid hormone, thyroid peroxidase antibody and 25-hydroxy vitamin D were measured by chemiluminescence technique. Convenience sampling was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. Results: Among 83 patients, 39 (46.98%) (42.32-51.63, 95% Confidence Interval) had autoimmune thyroid disease. Conclusions: The prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease among patients with hypovitaminosis D was similar to studies conducted in comparable settings. Keywords: autoimmune diseases; prevalence; thyroid; vitamin D.

What is the impact of snakebite envenoming on domestic animals? A nation-wide community-based study in Nepal and Cameroon.

Snakebite envenoming is a life-threatening disease in humans and animals and a major public health issue in rural communities of South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Yet the impact of snakebite on domestic animals has been poorly studied. This study aimed to describe the context, clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of snakebite envenoming in domestic animals in Nepal and Cameroon. Primary data on snakebite in animals were recorded from a community-based nation-wide survey on human and animal snakebite in Nepal and Cameroon (Snake-byte project). Mobile teams collected data on snakebite in humans and animals in 13,879 and 10,798 households in Nepal and Cameroon respectively from December 2018 to June 2019. This study included 405 snakebite cases (73 in Nepal and 332 in Cameroon) in multiple types of animals. An interview with a structured questionnaire collected specific information about the animal victims. Snake bites in animals took place predominantly inside and around the house or farm in Nepal (92%) and Cameroon (71%). Other frequent locations in Cameroon were field or pasture (12%). A large diversity of clinical features was reported in all types of envenomed animals. They showed either a few clinical signs (e.g., local swelling, bleeding) or a combination of multiple clinical signs. Only 9% of animal victims, mainly cattle and buffaloes and less frequently goats, sheep, and dogs, received treatment, predominantly with traditional medicine. The overall mortality of snakebite was 85% in Nepal and 87% in Cameroon. Results from this nationwide study show an important impact of snakebite on animal health in Nepal and Cameroon. There is a need for cost-effective prevention control strategies and affordable snakebite therapies in the veterinary field to save animal lives and farmer livelihood in the poorest countries of the world. The WHO global strategy to prevent and control snakebite envenoming supports a One Health approach, which may help develop integrated solutions to the snakebite problem taking into account human and animal health.

Novel transdisciplinary methodology for cross-sectional analysis of snakebite epidemiology at national scale.

BACKGROUND: Worldwide, it is estimated that snakes bite 4.5-5.4 million people annually, 2.7 million of which are envenomed, and 81,000-138,000 die. The World Health Organization reported these estimates and recognized the scarcity of large-scale, community-based, epidemiological data. In this context, we developed the "Snake-Byte" project that aims at (i) quantifying and mapping the impact of snakebite on human and animal health, and on livelihoods, (ii) developing predictive models for medical, ecological and economic indicators, and (iii) analyzing geographic accessibility to healthcare. This paper exclusively describes the methodology we developed to collect large-scale primary data on snakebite in humans and animals in two hyper-endemic countries, Cameroon and Nepal. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We compared available methods on snakebite epidemiology and on multi-cluster survey development. Then, in line with those findings, we developed an original study methodology based on a multi-cluster random survey, enhanced by geospatial, One Health, and health economics components. Using a minimum hypothesized snakebite national incidence of 100/100,000/year and optimizing design effect, confidence level, and non-response margin, we calculated a sample of 61,000 people per country. This represented 11,700 households in Cameroon and 13,800 in Nepal. The random selection with probability proportional to size generated 250 clusters from all Cameroonian regions and all Nepalese Terai districts. Our household selection methodology combined spatial randomization and selection via high-resolution satellite images. After ethical approval in Switerland (CCER), Nepal (BPKIHS), and Cameroon (CNERSH), and informed written consent, our e-questionnaires included geolocated baseline demographic and socio-economic characteristics, snakebite clinical features and outcomes, healthcare expenditure, animal ownership, animal outcomes, snake identification, and service accessibility. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: This novel transdisciplinary survey methodology was subsequently used to collect countrywide snakebite envenoming data in Nepal and Cameroon. District-level incidence data should help health authorities to channel antivenom and healthcare allocation. This methodology, or parts thereof, could be easily adapted to other countries and to other Neglected Tropical Diseases.

Lupus nephritis: An experience of a tertiary care center in Nepal.

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the common complications of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Timely treatment will decrease progression to chronic kidney disease. Treatment varies with different stages for which biopsy is needed. Controversies still exist regarding its requirement in management. This is a retrospective study from September 2014 to August 2016 in B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal among all patients with SLE and undergone renal biopsy. Of 92 patients, most were female 85 (92.4%) with a median age of 32 years. In this study, 80.4% had some clinical symptomatology. Of the clinical manifestations, 41.3% had polyarthritis, edema (20.7%), and malar rash (17.4%). Anti-nuclear antibody was positive in 80.4% and ds DNA in 70.7%. Renal biopsy showed more number of patients 27 (35%) had Stage IV LN, followed by Stage I, 19 (24%), and Stage II, 16 (20%) LN. Median urinary protein in Class I was 1.05 g, Class II (0.63 g), Class III (1.5 g), Class IV (2.44 g), Class V (3.99 g), and Class VI (4.7 g). Only Stage IV had Kappa of 0.269 {P = 0.003) showing agreement between proteinuria and histological staging which was statistically significant (P <0.005). However, overall Kappa analysis showed none to fair strength of agreement for different stages of LN (-0.014-0.269) with proteinuria. Kappa (k) analysis showed none to fair strength of agreement for different stages of LN and proteinuria. Hence, only proteinuria is not sufficient to replace the need of renal biopsy in LN.

Application of PCR and Microscopy to Detect Helicobacter pylori in Gastric Biopsy Specimen among Acid Peptic Disorders at Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Nepal.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori infection is most prevalent in developing countries. It is an etiological agent of peptic ulcer, gastric adenocarcinoma, and mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma. Despite the development of different assays to confirm H. pylori infection, the diagnosis of infection is challenged by precision of the applied assay. Hence, the aim of this study was to understand the diagnostic accuracy of PCR and microscopy to detect the H. pylori in the gastric antrum biopsy specimen from gastric disorder patients. METHODS: A total of 52 patients with gastric disorders underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy with biopsy. The H. pylori infection in gastric biopsies was identified after examination by microscopy and 23S rRNA specific PCR. The agreement between two test results were analysed by McNemar's test and Kappa coefficient. RESULT: H. pylori infection was confirmed in 9 (17.30%) patients by both assays, 6.25% in antral gastritis, 22.22% in gastric ulcer, 100% in gastric ulcer with duodenitis, 50% in gastric ulcer with duodenal ulcer, and 33.33% in severe erosive duodenitis with antral gastritis. Out of nine H. pylori infection confirmed patients, 3 patients were confirmed by microscopy and 8 patients by PCR. In case of two patients, both microscopy and PCR assay confirmed the H. pylori infection. The agreement between two test results was 86.54% and disagreed by 13.46% (p value > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that PCR assay to detect H. pylori is more sensitive than microscopy. However, we advocate for the combination of both assays to increase the strength of diagnostic accuracy due to the absence of the gold standard assay for H. pylori infection.

Spectrum of complications in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis: An experience of a tertiary care center in Nepal.

The burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide. Renal replacement therapy is the lifesaving treatment modality in end-stage renal disease. Among various renal replacement modalities, hemodialysis (HD) is widely preferred one. Intradialytic complications are common and mostly inevitable. This study was conducted to determine pattern of intradialytic complications and its associated factors. This is a cross-sectional study conducted for six months duration among all CKD patients who were undergoing maintenance HD in B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. Of 228 patients, most were male 141 (61.8%) with median age 50 years (22-77). In this study, diabetic nephropathy (38.2%) was the most common etiology of CKD. Among 228 patients, complications were noted in 133 (58.3%) patients. Common complications were chills and rigor (44.3%), backache (30.7%), and hypotension (27.2%) in the study patients. Intradialytic complications were significantly associated with increasing age (P <0.001) and irregular HD (P <0.001). The common complications among CKD patient undergoing maintenance HD were chills, backache, and hypotension. Increasing age and irregular HD were significantly associated with intradialytic complications.

Pattern of glomerular disease and clinicopathological correlation: A single-center study from Eastern Nepal.

The pattern of glomerular disease varies worldwide. In the absence of kidney disease/kidney biopsy registry in Nepal, the exact etiology of different forms of glomerular disease is primarily unknown in our country. We analyzed 175 cases of renal biopsies performed from September 2014 to August 2016 in Internal Medicine Ward at B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences. The most common indication for renal biopsy was nephrotic syndrome (34.9%), followed by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with suspected renal involvement (22.3%). Majority of patients were in the 30-60 years' bracket (57.2%), with the mean age of the patients being 35.37 years. The average number of glomeruli per core was 13, with inadequate sampling in 5.1%. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (17%) was found to be the most common primary glomerular disease, followed by membranous nephropathy (14.6%) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (14.6%). The most common secondary glomerular disease was lupus nephritis (LN). Complications associated with renal biopsy were pain at biopsy site in 18% of cases, hematuria in 6%, and perinephric hematoma in 4% cases. Although the most common primary glomerular disease was IgA nephropathy, significantly higher population of SLE with LN among Nepalese in comparison with other developing countries warrants further evaluation. As an initial attempt toward documentation of glomerular diseases in the national context, this study should serve as a stepping stone toward the eventual establishment of a full-fledged national registry of glomerular diseases in Nepal.