Genomic evidence of Y chromosome microchimerism in the endometrium during endometriosis and in cases of infertility.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies, which were primarily based on the fluorescent in-situ hybridisation (FISH) technique, revealed conflicting evidence regarding male foetal microchimerism in endometriosis. FISH is a relatively less sensitive technique, as it is performed on a small portion of the sample. Additionally, the probes used in the previous studies specifically detected centromeric and telomeric regions of Y chromosome, which are gene-sparse heterochromatised regions. In the present study, a panel of molecular biology tools such as qPCR, expression microarray, RNA-seq and qRT-PCR were employed to examine the Y chromosome microchimerism in the endometrium using secretory phase samples from fertile and infertile patients with severe (stage IV) ovarian endometriosis (OE) and without endometriosis. METHODS: Microarray expression analysis followed by validation using RNA-seq and qRT-PCR experiments at the RNA levels and further validation at the DNA level by qPCR of target inserts for selected targets in eutopic endometrium samples obtained from control (CON) and stage IV ovarian endometriosis (OE), either from fertile (FCON and FOE; n = 30/each) or infertile (ICON and IOE; n = 30/each) women, were performed. RESULTS: Six coding (AMELY, PCDH11, SRY, TGIF2LY, TSPY3, and USP9Y) and 10 non-coding (TTTY2, TTTY4C, TTTY5, TTTYY6, TTTY8, TTTY10, TTTY14, TTTY21, TTTY22, and TTTY23) genes exhibited a bimodal pattern of expression characterised by low expression in samples from fertile patients and high expression in samples from infertile patients. Seven coding MSY-linked genes (BAGE, CD24, EIF1AY, NLGN4Y, PRKY, VCY and ZFY) exhibited differential regulation in microarray analysis, and this change was validated by RNA-seq or qRT-PCR. DNA inserts for 7 genes in various samples were validated by qPCR. The prevalence and concentration of PCR-positive target inserts for BAGE, PRKY, TTTY9A and ZFY displayed higher values in the fertile, control (FCON) patients compared with the fertile, endometriosis patients (FOE). CONCLUSION: Several coding and non-coding MSY-linked genes displayed microchimerism as evidenced by the presence of their respective DNA inserts, along with their differential transcript expression, in the endometrium during endometriosis and in cases of infertility.

"TB - Mindedness"-the only way to beat "the great mimicker": A case series with atypical presentation of female genital tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Incidence of Tuberculosis (TB) cases in India reported in 2019 is 193 per 1 lakh population [National Tuberculosis Elimination Plan (NTEP)]. In India, annual extra pulmonary TB burden is 20-25%, of which 4% of cases are of urogenital origin (Revised National TB Control Programme, 2019; World Health Organization, 2019). The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has made a target of eliminating tuberculosis by 2025 under the NTEP by the process of identification, notification and treatment of cases. Tuberculosis being a leading cause of infertility in developing countries, employing best clinical practices and being "TB-minded" will also save the patient of enormous anxiety and uncertainity and also decrease the time gap between clinical presentation and diagnosis to optimize fertility outcome. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cohort study of cases presenting with unusual findings and ultimately being diagnosed as genital tuberculosis was conducted in the gynaecology OPD, AIIMS, New Delhi, from November 2020 to November 2021 (1 year). Patients were investigated judiciously, diagnosis made and followed up for their response to anti tuberculosis therapy (ATT). RESULTS: This data comprises of conglomerate of ten cases with unconventional exhibition of genital tuberculosis. 70% of the cases presented with pain lower abdomen not specifically related to menstrual cycle and often confused with IBD. Tubo ovarian mass (70%) mimicking as simple ovarian cyst, ovarian carcinoma or endometriosis was the most common clinical finding we came across.

Comparison of Accuracy of Freestyle Libre Pro and Medtronic iPro2 Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems in Pregnancy.

There are limited data on head-to-head performance of Freestyle Libre Pro (FSL-Pro) and blinded Medtronic iPro2 continuous glucose monitoring system in pregnancy. In this prospective observational study, women with hyperglycemia in pregnancy (n = 42) underwent simultaneous FSL-Pro and Medtronic iPro2 sensor insertion and self-monitoring of blood glucose using Contour Plus meter (reference). The overall mean absolute relative difference (MARD) for iPro2 and FSL-Pro systems were 8.0% ± 9.2% and 19.0% ± 12.7%, respectively. At hypoglycemic range, both sensors performed less accurately (MARD: 18.0% and 16.8%, respectively), whereas iPro2 showed higher accuracy at euglycemic (8.2% and 19.3%, respectively) and hyperglycemic (6.8% and 18.0%, respectively) ranges. On Bland-Altman analysis, iPro2 and FSL-Pro underestimated glucose by 0.01 and 1.09 mmol/L, respectively. The ISO criteria were fulfilled for 88.5% and 44.9% of all values, respectively. To conclude, iPro2 was more accurate; however, both sensors demonstrated inaccuracy at hypoglycemic range, highlighting the need for refinements in the current generation of sensors to address this problem.

Real-World Evidence of Efficacy and Safety of Levonadifloxacin (Oral and IV) in the Management of Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infections (ABSSSI): Findings of a Retrospective, Multi-Center Study.

Background Antimicrobial resistance by bacteria poses a substantial threat to the success in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSI). Levonadifloxacin is a novel benzoquinolizine subclass of quinolone which has a broad spectrum of activity, available in both oral and intravenous formulations for the treatment of skin structure infections caused by Gram-positive pathogens including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Patients and methods This prescription event monitoring study captured data of 227 patients receiving levonadifloxacin (oral and/or IV) in a real-world setting to assess the safety and efficacy in the treatment of ABSSSI. Study outcomes were a clinical and microbial success at the end of therapy and safety was assessed based on adverse events reported. Results One hundred and forty patients received IV levonadifloxacin therapy, 76 patients received oral alalevonadifloxacin, and 11 received IV followed by oral therapy. The mean duration of therapy was 7.3 days. Out of 227 patients, MRSA isolates were identified in 79 patients. Clinical success rates with oral, IV, and IV followed by oral levonadifloxacin therapy were 97.3%, 97.8%, and 100% respectively. The overall microbial success rate was 99.2% and only two patients reported two adverse events. Conclusions The excellent safety and efficacy profile of levonadifloxacin on oral and/or intravenous therapy, makes it a desirable treatment modality for management of ABSSSI. Unique features of levonadifloxacin such as availability of both IV and oral form, minimal drug-drug interactions, exemption from dosage adjustment in renal and hepatic impaired patients and a broad spectrum of coverage, makes it a suitable agent meeting several unmet clinical needs in contemporary patients.

Continuous glucose monitoring system profile of women diagnosed as gestational diabetes mellitus by International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups criteria and labeled as normoglycemic by alternate criteria in early pregnancy.

AIMS/INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate and compare continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS)-based glycemic parameters in women in early pregnancy (<20 weeks of gestation) who were classified as: (i) gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG), but normoglycemia by alternate (UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Canadian Diabetes Association and Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group of India) criteria; and (ii) normoglycemia by both (IADPSG and alternate) criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, eligible women underwent standard 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, followed by the placement of a CGMS. Glycemia-related parameters were calculated using the standard approach for CGMS data in pregnancy. RESULTS: We enrolled 96 women at 14.0 ± 3.2 weeks of gestation. Of the women diagnosed as GDM by IADPSG criteria, 34.2%, 26.3% and 44.7% were classified as normoglycemic by UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Canadian Diabetes Association and Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group of India criteria, respectively. Mean 1-h postprandial glucose and time above range were significantly higher in women who were GDM by IADPSG, but normoglycemia by Canadian Diabetes Association criteria, compared with women with normoglycemia using both criteria. Similarly, mean 1-h postprandial glucose, 2-h postprandial glucose, peak postprandial glucose, 1-h postprandial glucose excursion and time above range were significantly higher in women who were not identified as GDM by the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence criteria. Finally, women missed by the Diabetes in Pregnancy Study group of India criteria had significantly higher mean 1-h postprandial glucose, 2-h postprandial glucose, peak postprandial glucose, postprandial glucose excursion, 24-h glucose and time above range parameters. CONCLUSIONS: More than one-quarter of women diagnosed as GDM by IADPSG criteria are not identified by alternate criteria. Such women are significantly different from normoglycemic women in terms of several CGMS-based glycemic parameters of clinical significance.

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Profile of Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Missed Using Isolated Fasting Plasma Glucose-Based Strategies Alternative to WHO 2013 Criteria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences in the continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS)-based glycemic parameters between women with normoglycemia and early gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) identified on the basis of mild fasting plasma glucose elevation (FPG, 5.1-5.5 mmol/L) and/or post-load plasma glucose elevation (PLG, 1-h ≥ 10.0 mmol/L or 2-h ≥ 8.5 mmol/L). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included women with singleton pregnancy (8+0 to 19+6 weeks of gestation) and normoglycemia or GDM per World Health Organization (WHO) 2013 criteria. We evaluated the glycemic parameters of clinical interest using blinded CGMS evaluation and reported them per standard methodology proposed by Hernandez et al. RESULTS: A total of 87 women (GDM, n = 38) were enrolled at 28.6 ± 4.5 years. Among women with GDM, 10 (26.3%) had isolated mild FPG elevation (5.1-5.5 mmol/L), 10 (26.3%) had isolated PLG elevation (1-h ≥ 10.0 mmol/L or 2-h ≥ 8.5 mmol/L), and 7 (18.4%) had a combination of both. The remaining 11 (28.9%) had elevated FPG (≥ 5.6 mmol/L) with or without PLG elevation. Thus, when an isolated FPG cutoff ≥ 5.6 mmol/L is used to diagnose GDM, 27 (71.0%) women would be perceived as normoglycemic. Such women had significantly higher CGMS parameters of clinical interest, such as 24-h mean glucose, fasting glucose, 1-h and 2-h postprandial glucose (PPG), 1-h PPG excursion, and peak PPG. CONCLUSIONS: An isolated FPG threshold, especially the higher cutoff ≥ 5.6 mmol/L, can potentially miss a large proportion of women (nearly three-fourths) diagnosed with GDM per WHO 2013 criteria. Eventually, such women fare significantly differently from normoglycemic women in various CGMS parameters of clinical interest.

Recommendations for prenatal, intrapartum, and postpartum care during COVID-19 pandemic in India.

The pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has affected more than 19.7 million persons worldwide with 7 28 013 deaths till August 10, 2020. It has put an unprecedented workload on healthcare systems with special reference to labor rooms and obstetrics as deliveries cannot be stopped or postponed. Preparing their facilities using triage (COVID-positive patients, COVID-suspect patients, and COVID-negative patients) can help to better utilize the limited resources and help in prevention of spread of disease, and improve maternal and perinatal outcome. There is a need for proper training of healthcare providers for judicious use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for optimum outcome. Fortunately, the available literature suggests that there is no substantial increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 in pregnancy or its increased virulence in pregnancy and labor and there are no adverse effects on fetus and neonate with negligible fetal transmission rate. Nevertheless, utmost care is needed to manage such pregnancies, their prenatal care, and labor. This review aimed to highlight the main recommendations applied in Indian maternities for better management of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Evaluation of Gene Xpert as compared to conventional methods in diagnosis of Female Genital Tuberculosis.

To evaluate Gene Xpert for diagnosis of Female Genital Tuberculosis (FGTB) as compared to conventional methods. STUDY DESIGN: It was a prospective study conducted over 167 cases of infertile female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) diagnosed on composite reference standard (CRS) (smear for AFB, histopathological evidence of epithelioid granuloma or definite or possible findings of tuberculosis on laparoscopy). All women underwent endometrial biopsy for AFB microscopy, culture, gene Xpert, PCR and histopathology) and laparoscopy and hysteroscopy for diagnosis and prognostication of disease. The results of Gene Xpert were compared with conventional methods in detection of FGTB. All patients were treated with 6 months course of rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E) (RHZE for 2 months, RHE for 4 months) using directly observed treatment short course strategy. RESULTS: Mean age, parity, body mass index and history of contact was 28.3 years, 0.28, 22.9 Kg/m2 and 38.92% respectively. Primary infertility was seen in 87.42% cases with mean duration of 2.42 years. Menstrual dysfunctions, abdominal or pelvic pain and lump were seen in 38.92%, 14.37% and 10.77% cases. Abnormal vaginal discharge and adnexal mass were seen in 28.14% and 13.17 % cases. On diagnostic laparoscopy, definite findings of tuberculosis (beaded tubes, tuebrcles and caseous nodules) were seen in 96 (57.48%) women while probable findings of tuberculosis (pelvic or abdominal adhesions, hydrosaplinx, tubo-ovarian mass, pyosalpinx) were seen in 81 (48.50%) women. On laboratory investigations, positive AFB on microscopy or culture was seen in 2.99% casess, PCR was positive in 47.90% gene Xpert was positive in 18.56% cases while epitheloid granuloma was seen on histopathology in 16 (9.58%) cases. Gene Xpert had sensitivity of 35.63%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100% and negative predictive value of 58.82% and diagnostic accuracy of 66.47% in the present study. CONCLUSION: Gene Xpert is a very useful test to rule in tuberculosis whereas when it is negative it is not a good test to rule out tuberculosis.

Glycemic profile of women with normoglycemia and gestational diabetes mellitus during early pregnancy using continuous glucose monitoring system.

AIM: We studied women between 8 and 20 weeks of gestation with the aim of evaluating and comparing those having normoglycemia and GDM according to WHO 2013 criteria. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (2017-2019), eligible pregnant women underwent a 75-g OGTT, followed by placement of a CGMS. RESULTS: Women (n = 96, 58 with normoglycemia and 38 with GDM) were enrolled at 14.0 ± 3.2 weeks of gestation. Mean preprandial, 1-h and 2-h postprandial and peak glucose values were significantly higher in women with GDM. Peak glucose value was achieved 60.0 ± 12.3 and 64.3 ± 11.6 min after meal in the normoglycemia and GDM group, respectively. 24-h mean glucose (5.8 ± 0.6 vs. 5.3 ± 0.4 mmol/L), mean daytime glucose (6.0 ± 0.6 vs. 5.5 ± 0.4 mmol/L) and mean nocturnal glucose (5.4 ± 0.7 vs. 5.0 0 ± 0.5 mmol/L) were significantly higher in women with GDM. Total time spent in range was significantly lower in the GDM group compared to the normoglycemia group (92.1 vs. 98.2%). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights differences in glycemic patterns between women with normoglycemia and GDM in the context of a South Asian population where burden of GDM is high but good quality data in early pregnancy are limited.

Cross-sectional Study on Vitamin D Levels in Stress Urinary Incontinence in Women in a Tertiary Referral Center in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the levels of vitamin D in patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) in gynecology clinic of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross sectional study on a total of 40 women presenting to gynecology outpatient department with stress urinary incontinence diagnosed by history and examination. The women were divided with moderate, severe and very severe SUI confirmed by incontinence severity index (ISI) and pad test. Vitamin D (serum 25 OH D) levels were measured in all cases by electrochemiluminenscene Immunoassay (ECLIA) using Roche Elecsys 2010 and levels of =30 ng/ml were taken as sufficient while levels between 20-30 ng/ml as insufficient and <20 ng/ml as deficient. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test with P value of <0.05 taken as significant. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 41.6 years. Mean parity was 2.73 and mean duration of symptoms was 4.14 years. Vitamin D levels ranged between 6-38 ng/ml with mean being 17.15±8.1 ng/ml. Levels were deficient (<20 ng/ml) in 30 (75%) women, insufficient (20-30ng/ml) in 7 (17.5%) women and sufficient (>30ng/ml) in 3 (7.57%) women. There was no significant correlation between severely of SUI and levels of vitamin D with Vit D being 19.18±5.76 ng/ml in moderate SUI, 16.96±9.03 ng/ml in severe SUI and 13.60 ± 2.09 ng/ml in very severe SUI. CONCLUSION: There was very high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in SUI patients with 75% patients showing deficient levels and 17.5% showing insufficient levels in SUI patients. There is need to provide vitamin D supplementation in such women.

Cross sectional, comparative study of serum erythropoietin, transferrin receptor, ferritin levels and other hematological indices in normal pregnancies and iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: To test the correlation of the serum erythropoietin levels, serum transferrrin receptor levels and serum ferritin levels along with other hematological parameters in normal pregnant and anemic pregnant patients. STUDY DESIGN: In a prospective study, 120 pregnant women were recruited between 18 and 36 weeks of gestation; 53 normal pregnant patients, 67 anemic pregnant patients, in which, 17 had mild, 30 had moderate anemia, 20 had severe anemia. A blood sample was taken. The various hematological parameters, hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), serum ferritin, percentage saturation of iron, serum erythropoietin (SEPO) levels, serum transferrin receptors (STfRS) were performed. For statistics, Student's 't' test, Pearson's Chi test, Mann Whitney test and Bartlett test were used as per data. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: MCV was significantly reduced in anemic pregnancies as compared to non-anemic pregnancies (80.2±9.6 vs 94.12±9.8fl, p=0.001), MCHC was also reduced in them (30.2±3.38% vs 34.2±2.33%, p=0.176), TIBC was significantly increased in anemic pregnancies (343.31±28.54% vs 322.88±23.84%, p=0.001), serum ferritin was significantly reduced (24.9±10.48µg/L vs 31.03±9.98µg/L, p=0.001), percentage saturation of iron was also reduced (53.85±13.21% vs 62.04±15.79%, p=0.0024), serum erythropoietin levels were significantly higher in anemic women (26.24±26.61mU/ml vs 18.12±19.08mU/ml, p=0.064). The levels were significantly higher in severe anemia (46.5±46.8mU/ml than in moderate anemia 27.4±28.1mU/ml and mild anemia 22.8±22.8mU/ml. Serum transferrin receptors were significantly higher in anemic pregnancies than in non-anemic pregnancies (1.40±0.0802µg/ml vs 1.08±0.641µg/ml, p=0.019) with rise being higher in severe anemia (2.28±0.986µg/ml) than in moderate (1.4±0.816µg/ml) and mild anemia (1.16±0.702µg/ml). CONCLUSION: Various hematological parameters especially sTfR, serum erythropoietin, serum ferritin and sTfR/log ferritin levels correlate with the severity of anemia.

Six months versus nine months anti-tuberculous therapy for female genital tuberculosis: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare six months versus nine months anti-tuberculous therapy in patients of female genital tuberculosis. STUDY DESIGN: It was a randomized controlled trial in a tertiary referral center teaching institute on 175 women presenting with infertility and found to have female genital tuberculosis on clinical examination and investigations. Group I women (86 women) were given 9 months of intermitted anti-tuberculous therapy under directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) strategy while Group II (89 women) were given 6 months of anti-tuberculous therapy under DOTS. Patients were evaluated for primary end points (complete cure, partial response, no response) and secondary end points (recurrence rate, pregnancy rate) during treatment. All patients were followed up further for one year after completion of therapy to assess recurrence of disease and further pregnancies. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between two randomized groups. There was no difference in the complete clinical response rate (95.3% vs 97.7%, p=0.441) between 9-months and 6-months groups. Four patients in 9-months group and two patients in 6-months group had recurrence of disease and required category II anti tuberculous therapy (p=0.441). Pregnancy rate during treatment and up to one year follow up was also similar in the two groups (23.2% vs 21.3%, p=0.762). Side effects occurred in 27(31.4%) and 29(32.6%) in 9-months and 6-months of therapy and were similar (p=0.866). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in complete cure rate, recurrent rate and pregnancy rate for either 6-months or 9-months of intermittent directly observed treatment short course anti-tuberculous therapy in female genital tuberculosis. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial was registered in clinicaltrials.gov with registration no: CTRI/2009/091/001088.

Current Diagnosis and Management of Female Genital Tuberculosis.

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is an important cause of significant morbidity, short- and long-term sequelae especially infertility whose incidence varies from 3 to 16 % cases in India. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the etiological agent for tuberculosis. The fallopian tubes are involved in 90-100 % cases, endometrium is involved in 50-80 % cases, ovaries are involved in 20-30 % cases, and cervix is involved in 5-15 % cases of genital TB. Tuberculosis of vagina and vulva is rare (1-2 %). The diagnosis is made by detection of acid-fast bacilli on microscopy or culture on endometrial biopsy or on histopathological detection of epithelioid granuloma on biopsy. Polymerase chain reaction may be false positive and alone is not sufficient to make the diagnosis. Laparoscopy and hysteroscopy can diagnose genital tuberculosis by various findings. Treatment is by giving daily therapy of rifampicin (R), isoniazid (H), pyrazinamide (Z) and ethambutol (E) for 2 months followed by daily 4 month therapy of rifampicin (R) and isoniazid (H). Alternatively 2 months intensive phase of RHZE can be daily followed by alternate day combination phase (RH) of 4 months. Three weekly dosing throughout therapy (RHZE thrice weekly for 2 months followed by RH thrice weekly for 4 months) can be given as directly observed treatment short-course. Surgery is rarely required only as drainage of abscesses. There is a role of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in women whose fallopian tubes are damaged but endometrium is healthy. Surrogacy or adoption is needed for women whose endometrium is also damaged.

A cross-sectional study of tumor markers during normal and high-risk pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To determine tumor marker concentrations during normal and high-risk pregnancies. METHODS: The present cross-sectional study included women attending the gynecology outpatient department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, between November 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013. Their serum was assayed for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), cancer antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), and cancer antigen 15-3 (CA15-3). RESULTS: A total of 251 pregnant women and 31 nonpregnant women were included. Median CEA value was lower among pregnant women than among nonpregnant women (1.2µg/L vs 1.4µg/L; P=0.006), whereas that of CA15-3 was higher (16.7U/mL vs 12.3U/mL; P=0.03). CA19-9 concentration was higher among pregnant women aged 25-29years (7.0U/mL) or 30-34years (7.2U/mL) than among those aged 20-24years (4.2U/mL; P=0.01 for both). The CA15-3 level was increased during the second (13.0U/mL) and third (60.5U/mL) trimesters compared with the first trimester (9.5U/mL) (P≤0.01 for both comparisons). It was also raised in high-risk pregnancies (33.7U/mL), specifically pregnancies complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus (39.7U/mL), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (64.3U/mL), or heart disease (54.0U/mL) (P<0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: CA15-3 concentrations rise during pregnancy, but whether this increase can be attributed to physiological changes in breast tissue needs to be investigated further.

A prospective, partially randomized study of pregnancy outcomes and hematologic responses to oral and intramuscular iron treatment in moderately anemic pregnant women.

BACKGROUND: Daily oral iron supplementation during pregnancy fails to reduce the prevalence of anemia. However, 2 or 3 intramuscular doses of iron given at monthly intervals were recently found to be effective. OBJECTIVE: We compared the safety and efficacy in treating pregnancy anemia of 3 intramuscular doses of iron given at monthly intervals with those of daily oral iron supplementation. DESIGN: In a prospective, partially randomized study, 148 pregnant women received daily oral doses of 100 mg elemental Fe and 500 micro g folic acid, and 106 pregnant women received 3 intramuscular doses of 250 mg elemental Fe as iron dextran at 1-mo intervals and oral doses of 5 mg folic acid twice weekly. One hundred women in each group completed the study. Changes in hemoglobin, iron indicators, pregnancy outcomes, and birth weight were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: Hemoglobin and iron indicators improved significantly with both treatments. The increase in serum ferritin concentration after parenteral iron treatment was significantly higher than that after oral iron treatment. No significant differences between the 2 groups in pregnancy outcomes and birth weight were observed. Systemic side effects were more common in the parenteral iron group, whereas gastrointestinal side effects were more common in the oral iron group. CONCLUSIONS: The intramuscular administration of 3 doses of 250 mg Fe at monthly intervals appears to have good compliance and efficacy and may be used in women who cannot tolerate oral administration of iron. However, intramuscular administration of iron is appropriate only in hospital settings well equipped to treat anaphylactic crises.

Current concepts in voiding dysfunction and dysfunctional voiding: A review from a urogynaecologist's perspective.

BACKGROUND: Female voiding dysfunction is a complex disorder, lacks definition, and is poorly understood and difficult to manage. CAUSES OF FEMALE VOIDING DYSFUNCTION: As there is no agreed classification of female voiding dysfunction, it is important to identify the several potential factors that might cause voiding dysfunction, namely anatomic, neurogenic, pharmacologic, endocrine, pharmacological and other causes. PRESENTATION AND CLINICAL EVALUATION: Traditional and novel techniques are available and the importance and diagnostic dilemma related to these conditions need to be understood. We conclude by emphasizing the need to simplify the diagnosis and nomenclature of these conditions from a more clinical point of view as against an investigational perspective.

Genital tuberculosis: an important cause of ectopic pregnancy in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of genital tuberculosis as an etiological factor for ectopic pregnancy. METHOD: A total of eighteen women of ectopic pregnancy with concomitant female genital tuberculosis and a total of one hundred thirty six patients of ectopic pregnancy over a period of three years were enrolled. RESULTS: Mean age of patients with ectopic pregnancy and concomitant female genital tuberculosis was twenty-six and mean parity was 0.7. Most of these patients were in poor socio-economic group. Diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis was made by presence of granuloma in histopathological examination of endometrial aspirate or tubal specimen, positive acid fast bacilli in microscopy or culture, positive polymerase chain reaction in endometrial tissue and positive findings of genital tuberculosis during laparoscopy or laparotomy. Genital tuberculosis was responsible for 13.2% of all cases of ectopic pregnancy in the present study. CONCLUSION: Genital tuberculosis appears to be an important cause of ectopic pregnancy in India.

The effect of tuberculosis on ovarian reserve among women undergoing IVF in India.

OBJECTIVE: To assess ovarian reserve in infertile women with genital tuberculosis planning to undergo in vitro fertilization and in women of proven fertility, and compare the findings. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at an outpatient gynecology unit with 104 women with genital tuberculosis and 104 healthy controls. In each group, ovarian reserve tests consisted in estimating serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol, and inhibin B on day 3 of a natural menstrual cycle. On the same day ovarian volume, number of antral follicles, and ovarian stromal blood flow were also estimated. RESULTS: The mean FSH and LH levels were significantly higher, and the mean inhibin B levels were significantly lower, among the participants with genital tuberculosis than among the controls. Conversely, the mean ovarian volume and the mean number of antral follicles were significantly lower among the participants with genital tuberculosis, as were the mean peak systolic velocity and pulsatility index for each ovary. CONCLUSION: There is no single absolute predictor of ovarian reserve, but combining the current assessment methods provides a close estimation of a woman's reproductive capability. Values for the studied markers showed that ovarian reserve was compromised in women with genital tuberculosis.

Comparison of PET/CT with other imaging modalities in women with genital tuberculosis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare findings with 2-deoxy-2-((18)F)fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET/CT) with findings obtained using ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and CT in patients with proven tubercular tubo-ovarian masses. METHODS: Seventeen patients with proven tubercular tubo-ovarian masses underwent (18)F-FDG-PET/CT imaging and the findings were compared with US (for all patients), MRI (for 9 patients), CT (for 4 patients), and laparotomy or laparoscopic findings (for 14 patients). RESULTS: Eleven patients (64.7%) had unilateral tubo-ovarian masses, with activity in 6 masses (35.3%); 4 patients (23.5%) had bilateral tubo-ovarian masses, with activity in all masses; and 2 patients (11.76%) had unilateral space-occupying lesions, with activity in 1 lesion. The detection rates of tubo-ovarian masses with (18)F-FDG-PET/CT were similar to, but the characterization of adnexal masses was less than, those obtained with CT or MRI. Finally, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT was equally accurate as laparoscopy or laparotomy in detecting the presence, laterality, and activity of tubo-ovarian masses. CONCLUSION: Imaging with (18)F-FDG-PET/CT is noninvasive and appears to be clinically useful for the diagnosis of tubercular tubo-ovarian masses.