A proposed management classification for spinal brucellosis from India.

INTRODUCTION: The myriad presentation of osteoarticular brucellosis make the patient seek the help of general practitioners, orthopaedic and rheumatology specialists. Moreover, the lack of disease-specific symptomatology is the leading cause of the delay in diagnosing osteoarticular brucellosis. Given the increasing number of spinal brucellosis cases across the country, no literature is presented on the systematic management of spinal brucellosis. However, with our experience, we formulated a classification for managing spinal brucellosis. METHODS: A single-centred prospective observational study was conducted with 25 confirmed cases of spinal brucellosis. Patients were analysed and graded clinically, serologically, and radiologically and were managed with antibiotics for 10-12 weeks, and if necessary, stabilisation and fusion were done based on the treatment classification devised. All patients were followed up to ensure disease clearance at serial follow-up with relevant investigations. RESULTS: The mean age of the study participants was 52.16 ± 12.53 years. According to spondylodiscitis severity code (SSC) grading, four patients belong to grades 1, 12 to grade 2 and 9 to grade 3 at presentation. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (p = 0.02), c-reactive protein (p < 0.001), Brucella agglutination titers (p < 0.001), and radiological outcomes improved statistically by six months. The treatment duration was individualised according to the patient's response to the treatment, with a mean time of 11.42 ± 2.66 weeks. The mean follow-up period was 14.42 ± 8 months. CONCLUSION: High index of suspicion of patients from endemic regions, proper clinical assessment, serological evaluation, radiological assessment, appropriate decision-making (medical/surgical) in treatment, and regular follow-up were the key to successful comprehensive management of spinal brucellosis.

Assessment of Lipid Profile in Patients With Pulmonary Tuberculosis: An Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Mycobacterium tuberculosis causes tuberculosis (TB), an infectious lung disease. There is mounting evidence linking low lipid levels to a variety of human diseases, including TB. Cholesterol, mainly due to its involvement in heart disease, gets more attention in recent years. The objectives of the study were to look into the link that connects hypolipidemia to the existence of pulmonary/extrapulmonary TB; we have tried to find the link in relation to patients who have been recently diagnosed with TB as well as in those who are having TB in the long term. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational study was performed on TB patients attending respiratory medicine at the Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from February 2021 to January 2022, and their lipid levels were tested from patients with consent and correlated. Student's t-test was applied to the obtained data. To convey quantitative data, measurements such as mean along with standard deviation were applied, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: This research included 80 subjects, 40 of whom were diagnosed with TB, and the rest (40 controls) were deemed healthy. The age group with the highest low lipid levels in pulmonary TB was 40-50 years. A chi-square test of association was conducted; this test revealed that the fraction of TB patients having lower than normal levels of total cholesterol (p = 0.0001), triglyceride level (p = 0.006), high-density lipoprotein (p = 0.009), low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.006), and body mass index (p = 0.000) was statistically significantly higher in contrast to the control group. Thus, there was a significant correlation between a higher prevalence of hypolipidemia in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) and normal healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a strong relationship between hypolipidemia and TB, indicating that patients with low lipid levels tend to have severe inflammation as compared to patients with normal lipid levels.

Pulmonary Manifestations at Different Stages in the Chronic Kidney Disease: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: By a variety of pathogenic pathways, kidney diseases can have a direct negative impact on the lungs and worsen the prognosis for those with chronic renal disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health concern throughout the world. The relationship between the kidneys and lungs is crucial for maintaining acid-base balance, fluid homeostasis, and blood pressure control. These patients have a higher prevalence of lung dysfunction regardless of the disease's stage, including sleep apnea syndrome, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The chance of getting a pulmonary consequence increases with the severity of kidney disease. In individuals with chronic renal disease, this study looked at the prevalence of several respiratory disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From February 2021 to October 2021, 70 CKD patients who were receiving care at the Saveetha Medical College and Hospital were taken into consideration for the study. Clinical assessment and pertinent tests, such as a pulmonary function test, chest radiography, CT chest, sputum analysis, and pleural fluid analysis were performed. To evaluate left ventricular function, echocardiography was performed. Selected patients underwent polysomnography. RESULTS: The study's population had a mean age of 50 years. There was a 20:50 sex ratio (M:F). Seventy percent of them had respiratory conditions, the most frequent of which was pleural effusion (70%), followed by pulmonary edema (52%). The pleural effusion was primarily transudative and right sided. Both tuberculous pleural effusion and pulmonary tuberculosis were detected in 2% of the population. Seven percent of them developed pneumonia. 10% of patients had thickening of the pleura. Using chest CT and x-ray, 3% of patients had pulmonary calcification visible. In 12 (60%) out of the 20 patients who were studied, sleep apnea was observed. Two patients with tuberculosis and pneumonia lacked the typical signs. CONCLUSIONS: In our research study, CKD patients have a much higher preponderance of respiratory illnesses, which has negative effects on patient care.