White Families' Communications About and Around Race: Conversations Between white Adolescents and Their Mothers.

Though there is substantial research on racial socialization in families of color, there is less on such socialization in white families. To investigate racial socialization in white families, the current study analyzed mixed-methods data from 46 mother-adolescent dyads. Though white parents and their adolescent children largely claimed to not talk about race, they in fact communicated about and around race through various strategies that in effect, maintained white privilege and failed to challenge systems of racial oppression. Very few families in our sample discussed racial discrimination or white privilege, and fewer rooted both at the systems level. Our results highlight situations that prompt conversations about race as well as the ways white families talk about and around race and white privilege.

Lessons of Resistance from Black Mothers to their Black Sons.

In negotiating the anti-Black oppression, Black mothers communicate lessons of resistance in their racial socialization messages to their Black adolescent boys. We investigate whether distinct strategies of resistance for survival, characterized by individual-focused immediate strategies of resistance, and resistance for liberation, strategies of resistance that disrupt systems of anti-Black oppression rooted in furthering collective Black empowerment, are employed in Black mothers' messages to their sons. In this manuscript, we use longitudinal data of Black mothers' of adolescent boys interviews (N = 31) across three time points (6th-11th grade). Our findings indicate the presence of various strategies of resistance for survival and resistance for liberation within Black mothers' preparation for bias socialization.

Utility of positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the evaluation of fever of unknown origin in a resource-limited tropical nation.

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) has been used as an imaging modality in workup of fever of unknown origin (FUO). The aim of our study is to evaluate the diagnostic utility of PET-CT in FUO workup in a resource-limited setting. We also looked at laboratory parameters as predictors of contributory PET-CT scans and propose an algorithm for evaluation of FUO in resource-limited tropical regions. This retrospective observational study included patients admitted for FUO workup under general medicine in a teaching hospital in South India from June 2013 to May 2016. PET-CT was done when the patient remained undiagnosed after a detailed clinical assessment and first- and second-tier investigations. Among 43 patients included in our study, a definite diagnosis was established in 74% (32). Noninfectious inflammatory diseases, infections, malignancies, and miscellaneous diseases were diagnosed in 37.2% (16/43), 23.3% (10/43), 9.3% (4/43), and 4.7% (2/43), respectively. Tuberculosis was the single most common disease seen in 20.9% (9/43). PET-CT scans were contributory toward establishment of final diagnosis in 90.7% (39/43). High C-reactive protein (CRP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were associated with contributory PET-CT scans (P = 0.006 and 0.011, respectively). PET-CT delineating organ/tissue for diagnostic biopsy was associated with final diagnosis of infectious disease (P = 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive value of PET-CT scans were 76.9% (20/26), 33.3% (2/6), 83% (20/24), and 25% (2/8), respectively. High CRP and AST were predictors of contributory PET-CT scans. PET-CT scans have high sensitivity and positive predictive value when used in evaluation of FUO. Although it is a useful tool in FUO workup, especially in the diagnosis of tropical infections, PET-CT should be done after a comprehensive clinical assessment and basic investigations.

Case report of infective spondylodiscitis due to nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella paratyphi A.

Spondylodiscitis due to typhoidal Salmonella presents a therapeutic challenge for clinicians. Factors that complicate treatment include drug-resistant strains, poor antibiotic bone penetration, potential for neurological compromise and lack of established protocols and guidelines. We discuss a 57-year-old man with Salmonella paratyphi A spondylodiscitis involving lower thoracic vertebrae and discuss various aspects of management.

Spotted fever rickettsiosis presenting with bilateral anterior uveitis and retinitis: A case report.

Spotted fever is a common rickettsial disease in India. It is caused by Rickettsia conorii, which demonstrates vascular tropism and causes endothelial injury. Ocular manifestations include multifocal retinitis and disc edema. Anterior uveitis as a presenting feature of spotted fever is uncommon. We present a 32-year-old man with spotted fever and bilateral anterior uveitis.

Acanthamoeba encephalitis in immunocompetent hosts: A report of two cases.

Acanthamoeba are ubiquitous free-living amoeba. Acanthamoeba infections cause necrotizing vasculitis, resulting in vessel thrombosis and cerebral infarction. Acanthamoeba CNS infections, though uncommon, are associated with high mortality. Diagnosis is difficult and often delayed. Here, we present two immunocompetent hosts with Acanthamoeba encephalitis with good outcomes.

Organising pneumonia in Rhupus syndrome.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is seen in 17% of patients with Rhupus syndrome. Organising pneumonia (OP), a subtype of connective tissue disease-associated ILD, is rare but associated with good outcomes. Here, we present a patient with Rhupus who developed OP.

Atypical presentation of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma---Fever and ascites in a postpartum lady.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is an uncommon malignancy which usually occurs in the 7th decade. Here we present a postpartum patient with fever, hepatomegaly, and ascites, who was diagnosed to have metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Predictors of Major Bleeding and Mortality in Dengue Infection: A Retrospective Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Centre in South India.

We conducted a retrospective observational study to describe the clinical profile and outcomes of patients admitted with a diagnosis of dengue fever in a tertiary hospital in South India. A total of 159 patients admitted from April 2014 to October 2018 were included in the study. Vomiting (70.4%), myalgia (60.4%), headache (42.1%), abdominal pain (38.4%), bleeding (38%), and rash (37.1%) were the most common symptoms at presentation. The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.9 days (SD ± 2.4), and the median cost was INR 19,708 ($285) (IQR INR 12,968-32,056 ($188-$305)). Major bleeding was associated with elevated SGOT and SGPT, severe dengue, and secondary dengue. Mortality was associated with elderly age; elevated total leukocyte count, serum bilirubin, serum creatinine, SGOT, and SGPT; and high SOFA score. In view of these observations, we recommend stratifying patients according to the WHO classification of dengue and avoiding the use of thrombocytopenia as a single marker of the severity of the illness.

Clinical characteristics and complications of skull base osteomyelitis: A 12-year study in a teaching hospital in South India.

CONTEXT: Skull base osteomyelitis (SBO) is an uncommon disease with substantial morbidity and mortality. AIMS: The aim of this study is to characterize clinical features, outcomes, and complications of SBO. We also looked at differences in clinical profile in otogenic and non-otogenic SBO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a single-center retrospective observational study. Patients aged more than 15 years of age with clinical and radiological diagnosis of SBO admitted in general medicine department in a teaching hospital in South India from March 2006 to February 2018 were recruited. RESULTS: A total of 41 patients with SBO were identified and included. Mean age was 56.9 ± 10.7 years. In all, 90% of patients (37/41) had diabetes mellitus and 29% (12/41) had recent head/neck surgery. Only 19% (8/41) needed ICU care, and mortality was 21% (9/41). Most common symptom was headache seen in 73% (30/41) of patients. Majority, 61% (25/41), had otogenic infections. Otogenic infections were associated with longer duration of diabetes mellitus (mean = 11.5 vs. 5 years, P = 0.01), higher creatinine levels (mean = 1.66 vs. 0.9 mg/dL, P = 0.014, odds ratio [OR] = 3.8), and higher incidence of cranial nerve palsy (92% vs. 56%; OR = 8.9) compared to non-otogenic SBO. Cranial nerve palsy (78%), meningitis (63%), and cerebral venous thrombosis (43%) were frequent complications of SBO in this study. The causative organisms for SBO in our cohort was bacterial in 60% (15/25) and fungal in 40% (10/25) of the patients. Surgical debridement for source control was done in 54% of patients (22/41) and was associated with survival at discharge (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial infections are the most common cause of SBO. Otogenic SBO is associated with longer duration of diabetes mellitus and higher incidence of cranial nerve palsy. Therapeutic surgical debridement plays an important role in treatment of SBO and is associated with improved survival.

Acute parvovirus B19 infection presenting as rheumatoid arthritis mimic.

Acute parvovirus B19 infection can cause acute symmetric polyarthritis indistinguishable from polyarticular rheumatoid arthritis. Most cases of acute arthritis due to parvovirus B19 are self-limiting and resolve with symptomatic treatment. We present a 65-year-old lady from Southern India who presented with history of fever and joint pain for 10 days. Clinical examination revealed symmetric inflammatory arthritis involving the appendicular skeleton with predominant involvement of bilateral metacarpophalageal joints. Laboratory investigations revealed elevated inflammatory markers with negative serology for rheumatoid arthritis. Parvovirus B19 IgM antibody tested positive. She was initiated on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with which her symptoms resolved completely.

Bilateral renal aspergillosis in an immunocompetent host.

Bilateral primary renal aspergillosis is rare in immunocompetent hosts. The clinical presentation of Aspergillus pyelonephritis is similar to that of bacterial pyelonephritis. Here, we present an immunocompetent patient with primary bilateral renal abscesses due to Aspergillus fumigatus.

Scrub typhus presenting as an acute abdomen.

Scrub typhus is a mite-borne infectious disease caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, which presents as an acute febrile illness with headache, myalgia, breathlessness, and an eschar, a pathognomonic sign, in a varying proportion of patients. However, this illness can present unusually with fever and severe abdominal pain mimicking acute abdomen. A careful search for an eschar in all patients with an acute febrile illness would provide a valuable diagnostic clue and avoid unnecessary investigations and surgical exploration.

Intra-aural Route of Insecticide Poisoning.

Organophosphate (OP) compounds are commonly ingested with the intention of deliberate self-harm. Parenteral route of OP compound exposure is an uncommon yet significant source of toxicity. Deliberate injections via intravenous, intramuscular, and subcutaneous routes and accidental dermal absorption due to occupational exposure have been described earlier. We report an unusual case of intentional insecticide poisoning by pouring the OP compound into both ears. This was successfully treated with aural irrigation using normal saline and prompt administration of the antidote.