Isoniazid resistance in Rifampicin sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis in children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Isoniazid (INH) and Rifampicin (RIF) are two crucial drugs used in antitubercular therapy. INH is known for its potent bactericidal effects and has a relatively higher prevalence of resistance compared to RIF. However, RIF resistance has been the subject of more extensive research. On the other hand, Ethambutol (EMB) and Streptomycin (STR) resistance have not been thoroughly studied, particularly in the context of children and adolescents. To address this knowledge gap, a study was designed to investigate the resistance patterns of INH, EMB, and STR in RIF-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases among children and adolescents. METHODS: Seventy-five newly diagnosed RIF sensitive PTB cases up to 18 years of age were enrolled. Retreatment cases were excluded. Sputum/gastric aspirate sample of these patients were sent for culture in Mycobacterium Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) followed by drug susceptibility testing and Line Probe Assay. RESULTS: INH, EMB and STR resistance among RIF sensitive PTB cases was found to be 5.7%, 0% and 0.7% respectively. RIF resistance detected by CBNAAT was found to be 8.4%. CONCLUSION: Detection of INH resistance is as important as detecting RIF resistance as prevalence of INH resistance in RIF sensitive PTB among children and adolescents up to 18 years is around 6%.

Adverse drug reactions in children and adolescents on daily antitubercular regimen: An observational longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVES: Subsequent to introduction of daily fixed dose combination (FDC) regimen with increased dosages and inclusion of ethambutol in continuation phase of antitubercular therapy (ATT) in India, this study was done to evaluate adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in children and adolescents. METHODS: Longitudinal observational study conducted in tertiary teaching hospital. Children (1 month-18 year), with newly diagnosed drug sensitive tuberculosis, started on daily FDC regimen of ATT, were included. Participants were followed up at 2 weeks, 8 weeks and 6 months. Division of AIDS (DAIDS) severity grading and World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre (WHO-UMC) causality assessment was done. RESULTS: In 99 participants, 29 experienced ADRs. Most commonly ADRs involved hepatobiliary (11.1%) and gastrointestinal (8.1%) systems. Grade 3 severity noted in 35.5% ADRs. Certain causality classified in 19.3%. Presence of ADRs was significantly higher in participants with vs without malnutrition [40.5% vs 21.1% (p = 0.036)]. Tendency for more severe ADRs noted in participants with vs without malnutrition [Grade 3 ADRs out of all ADRs: 64.7% vs 0% (p < 0.001)]. CONCLUSION: Incidence and severity of ADRs has increased after introduction of daily FDC of ATT. Most common ADR observed were hepatobiliary. Malnutrition and less weight for age were risk factors for occurrence and severity of ADRs.

Implementation of tuberculosis preventive therapy with INH-Rifapentine (3HP) for latent tuberculosis infection management in household tuberculosis contacts in India: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to ascertain the acceptance, initiation, implementation and treatment completion rates of tuberculosis (TB) preventive therapy (TPT) using 3HP (INH-Rifapentine) among household contacts of microbiologically confirmed drug sensitive TB cases on anti-tubercular treatment under programmatic real-world settings. The secondary objectives were to estimate the prevalence and predictors of latent TB infection (LTBI) in household contacts of the index TB cases. We also ascertained the safety profile of the 3HP TPT regimen in the household contacts. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at 10 TB chest clinics in Delhi, India during 2022-2023. Household contacts aged 14 and older who tested positive for TB infection on a Tuberculin Skin test were initiated on the 3HP regimen. Logistic regression was performed by including statistically significant independent variables in multiple prediction models. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. STATA, version 15.1, was used to compute all analyses. RESULTS: A total of 1067 (84.68%) eligible contacts of microbiologically confirmed, drug sensitive TB cases underwent screening with tuberculin skin test (TST), 614 (95.6%) LTBI positive contacts accepted the initiation of TPT, and 564 (91.8%) of those initiated on TPT completed the treatment. The major reason for refusal of screening was the lack of perception of risk of TB disease due to asymptomatic status. The prevalence of LTBI positivity through TST was 61.5% (95% CI, 58.5%, 64.4%). Adverse events were reported by 195 (31.8%) contacts initiated on 3HP of which 20 participants discontinued TPT. None of the sociodemographic factors showed a significant association with LTBI positivity (except age) or TPT completion rates. CONCLUSION: LTBI management with 3HP is feasible among adolescent and adult household contacts in India with high rates of adherence from initiation until treatment completion. The maximum attrition of participants occurred at the time of screening for LTBI using TST.

Non-Surgical Lower Face Contouring in an Indian Patient: A Case Study.

A 31-year-old Indian female patient presented with a ptotic face with signs of lower face ageing. She was concerned about sagging, an older look, and blunting of the jawline. She wished to have a more oval and narrow face contour. After the evaluation of the patient, we decided to perform a sequential treatment. Initially, the lower face was debulked with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Following that, the jawline reshaping (JR) and malar reshaping (MR) techniques were performed with Definisse double needle 12 cm poly-ε-caprolactone-co-l-lactic acid (PCLA) threads. Lower-face hyaluronic acid (HA) filler injections were given for final contouring. Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS) and subject level of satisfaction scores showed consistent improvement with the sequential procedures and at the six-month follow-up. Overall, the treatment procedures were uneventful and without any major adverse events. The current case of an Indian patient with a ptotic face and evident signs of lower face ageing showed improvement with a combination of procedures including Definisse threads.

Non-surgical Brachioplexy Using Polydioxanone Threads and Onabotulinum Toxin Type A in an Indian Female Patient: A Case Report.

Background: Polydioxanone (PDO) threads have been used to improve face sag and laxity; however, they are seldom used for body laxity. Similarly, onabotulinum toxin type A has rarely been reported for intradermal use in skin tightening. Materials and Methods: We discuss use of PDO threads in combination with intradermal onabotulinum type A for the treatment of bilateral arm laxity after significant weight loss. Results: Bilateral skin laxity of arm was substantially corrected with two sessions of combination treatment with PDO threads and onabotulinum type A. Conclusion: A somewhat easy, significant, and effective technique leading to modest correction of arm laxity in this patient with PDO threads and onabotulinum toxin type A may suggest this method as an option for patients seeking non-surgical options with minimal downtime.

Early implementation challenges in electronic referral and feedback mechanism for patients with tuberculosis using Nikshay - A mixed-methods study from a medical college TB referral unit of Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis, notification and timely initiation of treatment is an important cornerstone for the elimination of tuberculosis (TB). The referral and feedback mechanism under National Tuberculosis Programme of India has been changed from paper-based to web-based electronic system (Nikshay) since 2018. The current study was carried out to assess the effect of Nikshay in referral and receipt of feedback on treatment initiation and to understand the early implementation challenges. METHODS: A mixed-methods study was conducted in a medical college referral unit (MCRU) of Delhi, India. The electronic TB notification data for July 2018-March 2019 were abstracted from Nikshay portal and analysed. Unadjusted and adjusted relative risk (aRR) was calculated to assess the factors associated with the receipt of feedback. Themes and subthemes were generated from qualitative data obtained through key-informant interviews of healthcare providers. RESULTS: Of the total 4395 patients handled by MCRU during the study period, 3315 (75.4%) were referred out within and outside Delhi for treatment. Feedback was received among 797 (24.0%) of the patients who were referred out. Patients with extrapulmonary TB (aRR: 1.3, confidence interval (CI): 1.1-1.8), previously treated (aRR: 1.2, CI: 1.2-1.3) and registered for drug-resistant TB care (aRR: 1.4, CI: 1.1-1.8), had high chance of receiving feedback. Four broad themes emerged, namely, (a) awareness of programme and Nikshay; (b) tracking of patients; (c) user-friendly portal and (d) workload. CONCLUSION: The low feedback on treatment initiation of patients with TB needs further research after health system-level quality improvement interventions. Real-time tracking of patients is the need of the hour towards the path for TB elimination.

A comparison of patient treatment pathways among multidrug-resistant and drug-sensitive TB cases in Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The delay in the diagnosis and treatment initiation of patients with MDR-TB worsens individual prognosis and increases the risk of disease transmission in the community. These delays have been attributed to delay in treatment-seeking by the patient and shifting to multiple healthcare facilities before being tested and diagnosed through India's National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP). OBJECTIVE: to identify treatment pathways in patients with MDR-TB from the time of onset of symptoms and treatment seeking until diagnosis at a PMDT site and subsequent treatment initiation. We also compared these characteristics with those of patients with DS-TB. METHODS: We recruited a total of 168 patients with MDR-TB and DS-TB each, in Delhi. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Version 25. RESULTS: The mean (SD) patient delay for initial treatment-seeking was 20.9 (15.9) days in patients with MDR-TB, and 16.1 (17.1) days in patients with DS-TB (p < 0.001). The median time from visit to the first healthcare facility (HCF) until confirmation of MDR-TB diagnosis was 78.5 days, and until treatment initiation was 102.5 days. Among patients with DS-TB, the time interval from a visit to the first HCF until the initiation of ATT-DOTS was 61.5 days.. Patients diagnosed with DS-TB, whose first source of treatment was a private facility (n = 49), reported a significant delay in the initiation of ATT-DOTS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the introduction of universal drug sensitivity testing in individuals having presumptive MDR-TB, a significant delay in the diagnosis and initiation of effective MDR-TB treatment persists as a major public health challenge in India.

First reported cases of gyrate atrophy of the choroid from Nepal.

Two sisters previously diagnosed as having retinitis pigmentosa presented with complaints of frequent change of glasses. On ocular examination, the fundus showed the appearance of confluent arcuate equatorial full thickness lesions of the choroid and retina, sparing some of the large choroidal vessels, and separated from one another by thin margins of pigment, in both the sisters. Serum analysis was done for ornithine levels, which showed hyperornithinaemia (741 and 462 µmol/l in the elder and younger sister, respectively) consistent with gyrate atrophy (GA) of the choroid. Both the sisters were prescribed vitamin B(6) and a restricted protein diet to which they responded very well. This case highlights the importance of correct diagnosis and prompt management in diagnosed cases. These are the first reported cases of GA of choroid from Nepal.

Spontaneous resolution of grade 2 macular hole observed with optical coherence tomography.

A 56-year-old woman presented with decreased vision and metamorphopsia in her left eye for 3 months. She received a diagnosis of stage 2 idiopathic macular hole in her left eye, which was made with a tomographic image of a full-thickness dehiscence of the neurosensory retina at the fovea. The posterior hyaloid membrane was adhering to the edge of the dehiscence. After a 6-month follow-up period, spontaneous resolution of the macular hole was observed with good visual recovery; all of this clearly demonstrated by optical coherence tomography. The posterior hyaloid membrane was fully separated from the fovea with restoration of almost normal foveal contour.