Study on Assessing Serum Lactate as an Early Prognostic Determinant in Sepsis Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Apart from being one of the main causes of death, sepsis has recently been considered a chronic critical illness. This has resulted in the implementation of standard treatment recommendations for management, with a focus on the initial phases of treatment. Early detection of sepsis and prognostic grading are now crucial for management. Despite the fact that sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA), acute physiology, and chronic health evaluation II score (APACHE II) have been widely used in sepsis, there have been shortcomings such as feasibility and many lab parameters involved. As a result, this study was conducted to evaluate the role of serum lactate as an early marker and to compare it to current scoring systems for determining the outcome of sepsis. METHODS AND MATERIAL: This was an observational hospital-based study with 60 individuals recruited over a one-year period from July 2021 to June 2022. Serum lactate, as well as the other laboratory tests required for the computation of SOFA and APACHE II, were performed. The baseline data and the trend of lactate vs standard scores were examined in the first 48 hours, as well as their impact on outcomes in sepsis patients (as measured by mortality rates- patients were followed up for 28 days). The diagnostic accuracy of these scores was calculated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUROC). RESULTS: The study enrolled 60 people out of a total of 162 people who were screened. The mean age was 48.4 years, with the highest mortality occurring between the ages of 41 and 60 years. Of the total 60 participants, 34 (56.6%) were male, with the respiratory tract being the most common source of infection for sepsis (36.67%). In our study, 46 patients survived while 14 patients died. The mean lactate on admission was 3.1 mmol/L in survivors and 4 mmol/L in non-survivors, whereas APACHE II was 9 and 12.36, and SOFA was 3.63 and 7.79, respectively, in survivors and non-survivors. Serum lactate and prognosis scores were compared in the survivor and non-survivor groups, and the difference in diagnostic accuracy was found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Serum lactate can be used as an early recognition marker in patients with a probability of sepsis and serial lactate monitoring has a similar diagnostic accuracy in predicting outcomes as the traditional prognostic scoring systems SOFA and APACHE II.

Anti-SRP-positive necrotising myopathy concurrent with breast malignancy.

Anti-signal recognition particle (anti-SRP)-positive necrotising myopathy causes severe progressive proximal weakness with a propensity to involve pharyngeal, laryngeal and respiratory muscles. It is one of the aggressive inflammatory myopathies. First-line treatment is with high-dose steroids followed by other immunosuppressants, but this conventional therapy is often ineffective. Second-line treatment involves use of either rituximab or intravenous immunonoglobulin (IVIG). Anti-SRP-positive necrotising myopathy is frequently treated as refractory myositis due to its poor responsiveness to steroid monotherapy and conventional immunosuppressive therapies. Therefore, anti-SRP-positive necrotising myopathy differs from immune-mediated myopathy. Although anti-SRP autoantibody is found in only 4-6% of patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, the actual proportion of patients with refractory anti-SRP-positive necrotising myopathy is unknown. We describe a patient with multiple comorbidities who had subacute-onset anti-SRP-positive immune-mediated necrotising myopathy (IMNM). After failing steroids, methotrexate and IVIG therapy, she made a considerable recovery with rituximab. She was later diagnosed to have breast malignancy. Malignancy-associated anti-SRP-positive IMNM is rarely reported.

Role of real-time polymerase chain reaction in diagnosing Hepatitis E, the commonest cause of acute hepatitis in adult patients seeking institutional care.

Background: This cross-sectional study was performed with the aim of determining the prevalence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection among acute hepatitis patients attending a tertiary care teaching hospital in a developing country and to determine the relative performance of prevalent diagnostic assays in establishing its diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 46 adult patients were included in this study, all of whom presented with jaundice of <4 weeks' duration and elevation of AST and ALT above 500 U/L. The prevalence of HEV among patients with acute hepatitis was calculated on the basis of the proportion of recruited patients reacting positively in serum anti-HEV immunoglobulin M (IgM) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Results: Among the recruited patients, 11 (23.91%) and 15 (32.6%) patients were positive for anti-HEV IgM and RT-PCR, respectively. The two tests demonstrated poor inter-test agreement, thereby implying the necessity of performing both tests for reliable diagnosis of acute HEV virus infection. We also observed a significant difference in the duration of illness between RT-PCR positive and negative patients (P = 0.008). The mean (±SD) duration of illness in the two groups was 8.6 (±3.50) and 11.66 (± 5.15) days, respectively. Combining the results of IgM ELISA and RT-PCR, we observed that 23 out of 46 patients (50%) had evidence of acute HEV virus infection among our patients. Conclusion: Our study suggests that HEV is the commonest cause of acute hepatitis in adult patients attending a tertiary care teaching hospital and that the diagnostic algorithm for its confirmation should include both IgM ELISA and RT-PCR assays.

Factors associated with unexplained sudden deaths among adults aged 18-45 years in India - A multicentric matched case-control study.

BACKGROUND OBJECTIVES: In view of anecdotal reports of sudden unexplained deaths in India's apparently healthy young adults, linking to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection or vaccination, we determined the factors associated with such deaths in individuals aged 18-45 years through a multicentric matched case-control study. METHODS: This study was conducted through participation of 47 tertiary care hospitals across India. Cases were apparently healthy individuals aged 18-45 years without any known co-morbidity, who suddenly (<24 h of hospitalization or seen apparently healthy 24 h before death) died of unexplained causes during 1 st October 2021-31 st March 2023. Four controls were included per case matched for age, gender and neighborhood. We interviewed/perused records to collect data on COVID-19 vaccination/infection and post-COVID-19 conditions, family history of sudden death, smoking, recreational drug use, alcohol frequency and binge drinking and vigorous-intensity physical activity two days before death/interviews. We developed regression models considering COVID-19 vaccination ≤42 days before outcome, any vaccine received anytime and vaccine doses to compute an adjusted matched odds ratio (aOR) with 95 per cent confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty nine cases and 2916 controls were included in the analysis. Receipt of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine lowered the odds [aOR (95% CI)] for unexplained sudden death [0.58 (0.37, 0.92)], whereas past COVID-19 hospitalization [3.8 (1.36, 10.61)], family history of sudden death [2.53 (1.52, 4.21)], binge drinking 48 h before death/interview [5.29 (2.57, 10.89)], use of recreational drug/substance [2.92 (1.1, 7.71)] and performing vigorous-intensity physical activity 48 h before death/interview [3.7 (1.36, 10.05)] were positively associated. Two doses lowered the odds of unexplained sudden death [0.51 (0.28, 0.91)], whereas single dose did not. INTERPRETATION CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 vaccination did not increase the risk of unexplained sudden death among young adults in India. Past COVID-19 hospitalization, family history of sudden death and certain lifestyle behaviors increased the likelihood of unexplained sudden death.

Takayasu Arteritis in the Pre-Pulseless Phase Presenting as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin.

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) or fever of unknown origin (FUO) is clinically challenging for a treating physician; it is also a conundrum for the patient until a definitive diagnosis is made. Despite extensive investigations, many cases of PUO may remain undiagnosed for a long time. In a resource-limited country like India, due to the limited availability of various diagnostic tests, a great many fever cases are classified as PUO. Here, we present a case report of Takayasu arteritis in its pre-pulseless phase, presented as PUO. Takayasu arteritis presenting as PUO in the absence of a pulse deficit is uncommon and rarely reported. The patient's fever responded to steroids with methotrexate. The patient didn't develop any vascular complications during the follow-up.

Iron Deficiency Anemia Presenting With Pancytopenia: A Study From India.

INTRODUCTION: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is the most common cause of anemia worldwide. IDA is commonly associated with thrombocytosis and normal or slightly decreased leukocyte count. Sometimes it can present with thrombocytopenia, but rarely present with pancytopenia. Here we are presenting six cases of severe iron deficiency presenting with pancytopenia, which responded to iron replenishment. METHODS:  This 12-month observational study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care Centre in India. All cases of pancytopenia (after exclusion of other causes) with IDA were included. IDA was established with the help of a complete blood count (CBC), peripheral smear examination, serum iron studies, and serum ferritin.  Results: In our study, CBC at four weeks later of iron transfusion without other supplementation showed significant improvement in hematological parameters. CONCLUSION:  Severe iron deficiency is a reversible etiology of pancytopenia. It should be kept as a differential diagnosis of pancytopenia if common causes of pancytopenia are ruled out.

An Assessment of Thyroid Dysfunction and Related Parameters in Patients With Systemic Autoimmune Disorders.

Background and objective Systemic autoimmune disorders involve abnormal immune responses leading to tissue damage. Dysfunction of the thyroid gland due to autoimmune mechanisms is common in such disorders, which can cause either hypofunctioning or hyperfunctioning of the gland. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction among patients with various systemic autoimmune disorders. Material and methods This cross-sectional observational study included 110 adult patients either diagnosed with or having clinical/biological features of systemic autoimmune diseases. The patients underwent a detailed clinical history assessment, physical examination, and necessary investigations. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26.0. (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY). Results Among the 110 autoimmune disorder patients, 22.7% had thyroid dysfunction, specifically hypothyroidism, while 77.3% were euthyroid. Hypothyroidism was prevalent among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 20.3%), systemic sclerosis (SSc, 20%), ankylosing spondylitis (AS, 15.8%), and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, 54.5%). Moreover, 60% of patients were anemic, and the prevalence of anemia was higher among female patients and younger individuals. Conclusions This study showed a higher prevalence of thyroid dysfunction, particularly hypothyroidism, in patients with systemic autoimmune disorders. Female patients and younger individuals were more susceptible to autoimmune disorders, thyroid dysfunction, and anemia. These findings highlight the need for simultaneous screening and evaluation for thyroid dysfunction and anemia in systemic autoimmune disease patients, particularly in female patients and those of younger age groups.

Melioidosis as a Mystique Infection: A Study From Central India.

INTRODUCTION: Melioidosis is caused by the Gram-negative bacilli Burkholderia pseudomallei, which is found in contaminated water and soil and spreads via inhalation, inoculation, and ingestion. Melioidosis manifests diversely in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening respiratory distress, septic shock, localized tissue infection, necrotizing pneumonia, and soft organ abscesses.  Methods: An 18-month observational study was conducted at a tertiary center in central India among various confirmed melioidosis cases, with data gathered and analyzed. Aerobic culture and sensitivity were performed in all studied cases, either in blood/body fluid/localized collection - using blood agar media for the culture and disc diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar for sensitivity. Other tests, such as radiological imaging, were conducted according to symptoms and signs of localized infection. RESULTS: The melioidosis cases under study were compared on various clinical/presenting parameters. Melioidosis has a variety of risk factors, but we found that, in India, diabetic patients are at a higher risk of this infection, particularly fatal forms, as all of the patients in our study were diabetic. Melioidosis is known to have joint involvement, either as a source of infection or later in the course of the disease. All cases were successfully treated with antibiotics and surgical procedures, demonstrating the significance of determining disease etiology, early diagnosis, and rapid early management. CONCLUSION:  Melioidosis is a potentially fatal disease, particularly in diabetics, with a wide range of symptoms and complications. Physicians face a variety of challenges, including clinical symptoms resembling other chronic illnesses, such as tuberculosis, delays in laboratory confirmation, underdiagnosis, reduced reporting, and a lack of suspicion. Because there are very little data and it is a seldom reported infection from central India, we are publishing a study on seven melioidosis patients.

An Immunocompetent Adult Male Presented with a Liver Abscess Caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis: A Case Report from India.

A liver abscess is a collection of purulent fluid in the liver parenchyma caused by a variety of etiological organisms such as bacteria, protozoa, and in rare occasions fungi. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is a frequent and widespread infection in underdeveloped nations such as India, which can manifest in many ways. Tuberculosis mostly affects the lungs, although it can also affect any organ in the body. We are reporting a case of liver abscess caused by MTB infection in order to raise general awareness among physicians about the importance of suspecting and ruling out tuberculosis as a cause of liver abscess. To the best of our knowledge, there have been very few such cases reported from India/the rest of the world.

Aetiologies of Acute Complications in Autoimmune Rheumatologic Diseases: A Hospital-Based Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) present unique challenges in clinical practice. Many of them present in medical emergencies in an unstable state and need immediate evaluation for further plans of action. The clinical conundrum is to distinguish between sepsis, disease flare, or Addisonian crisis (AC) (secondary to steroid withdrawal). This may be further complicated by overlapping clinical features like shock/fever and the coexistence of a combination of the above pathophysiologic mechanisms (e.g. AC with sepsis or AC with disease flare). The known biomarkers may not perform optimally to distinguish them and additional supportive investigations like imaging, cultures, autoimmune serological markers, etc. are needed. Ultimately the boundaries between "the art of medicine" and "the science of medicine" may get blurred, as the established literature evidence falls short and the expert opinion is needed in a time-sensitive manner. In this pragmatic study, researchers have attempted to explore the presentation of rheumatologic emergencies on the above three differentials (sepsis, disease flare, and AC). MATERIALS AND METHODS:  In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, adult patients (age >18 years) with ARD who had unplanned hospital admission due to acute worsening were enrolled. This study was conducted over one year, after getting the Institutional Human Ethics Committee's approval. All relevant hematological, immunological, and hormonal parameters (specifically morning cortisol) were collected and analyzed. The aim was to find the individual and combined prevalence of sepsis, disease flare, or AC in this study group. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were analyzed, with females in the majority (95%) and the dominant age group being 26-49 years (56.1%). A majority had a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) (56.1%) or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) (31.7%); the rest were other connective tissue diseases (12.2%). High-risk Quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (qSOFA) score 2-3 was present in 29.3% while the rest had low-risk scores (qSOFA score 0-1). Thirty-two percent had severe disease activity, 46% had mild to moderate disease activity, and 22% of patients had no disease activity. While 78% of patients had low procalcitonin (PCT) values <0.5 microgm/L (low risk of sepsis), 15% had <20 microgm/L, and 7% percentage of patients had serum levels >20 microgm/L (high risk of sepsis). A total of 73.2% of patients had no evidence of infection while 26.8% had either microbiological/radiological evidence of infection. Only 7% of all patients had the presence of an AC. qSOFA scores didn't statistically correlate with a diagnosis of infection or AC but positively correlated with PCT and C-reactive protein (CRP) values. Serum PCT didn't correlate with the presence of infection with statistically significance (p-value 0.217). CONCLUSION: Infections and sepsis are the most important considerations in the emergency presentations of ARDs. Disease flare and AC are also important differentials. Current inflammatory biomarkers like serum CRP and PCT may be less valuable for discriminating between infectious and non-infectious sepsis, especially in chronic inflammatory diseases like ARDs. qSOFA scores may have a prognostic role with less discriminant value. Management of ARD emergencies needs better biomarkers and more research is warranted.

Prevalence, Metabolic Profile, and Associated Risk Factors of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in an Adult Population of India.

Introduction Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD refers to a group of diseases that includes simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Unfortunately, there aren't many studies on NAFLD conducted in India. The majority of research involved specific populations, such as diabetics, pregnant women with gestational diabetes, and obese or non-obese people. When the current study was being planned, there were few population-based studies available. In almost all of the research, ultrasound was employed to identify NAFLD, and the whole spectrum of NAFLD was not assessed. The full spectrum of NAFLD in India must have been considered, including all stages of steatosis as well as hepatic damage as shown by high alanine aminotransferase levels and fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, spectrum, and metabolic determinants of NAFLD as assessed by FibroScan® (FibroScan® expert 630 machine; Echosens, Paris, France) in adults of Central India. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted among 236 adults aged 18 years and above in three localities of Bhopal, India from March 2022 to October 2022. The study included males and females who provided informed consent and fulfilled inclusion criteria. One research assistant and one staff nurse solicited people to participate in the FibroScan® test during the community screening and shared information about the programme. All participants were subjected to the FibroScan® test. Results A total of 322 healthy adults were approached for possible inclusion in the study. Data from 236 subjects were available for analysis after meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to this study, 43.6% of the study population had NAFLD as detected by FibroScan®. Out of the total, 12.7% of subjects had steatosis grade 1 (S1), 12.3% of subjects had steatosis grade 2 (S2), and 18.6% of subjects had steatosis grade 3 (S3). High body weight, high waist circumference, high waist-to-hip ratio, high fasting sugar, high serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), high triglyceride levels and high very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were significantly associated with NAFLD. Conclusion In conclusion, 43.6% of the adult population of Bhopal, India is suffering from NAFLD. NAFLD is a severe burden in the Indian community despite being historically associated with the western world. Obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with NAFLD.

Potential Association of Hypernatremia With Mortality in Patients With Acute Kidney Injury and COVID-19.

Background The outcome of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19 and the factors associated with its outcome, including mortality, are understudied among the Indian population. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the outcome of AKI in a cohort of patients with COVID-19 admitted to medical wards and associated intensive care unit (ICU) and the factors associated with its outcome, including mortality. Method This is a retrospective study of patients with COVID-19 and AKI admitted to a tertiary care hospital. A total of 1765 patients were admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 between March 23, 2021, and June 30, 2021, during the second wave of the pandemic chiefly attributed to SARS-Co-V-2 lineage B.1.617. Patients with AKI for whom a nephrology call was sought for management (N=60) were included. Measurements carried out were the stage of AKI, co-morbidities, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, lab parameters, and mortality. We classified AKI by comparing the highest to lowest recorded serum creatinine in hospital and staged AKI based on the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) system. We further developed stepwise logistic regression models to find independent factors associated with mortality.  Results Out of the 1765 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, a total of 60 (3.4%) patients with AKI were referred to nephrology for management. The observed mortality in this cohort was 41/60 (68.3%). AKI stage 3 was observed to be the most common (78.3%). Based on a univariate analysis of association, age, chronic kidney disease, admission to ICU, the requirement for vasopressor and ventilation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) DH, liver function tests (LFT), hypernatremia, and leucocytosis were associated with the mortality of patients (p<0.05) with AKI and COVID-19 infection. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression led to the identification of hypernatremia (OR 5.24 {0.95-42.31}) and multiple co-morbidities (OR 2.59 {1.03-8.75}, p<0.07) as potential factors independently associated with mortality. Conclusion The study indicates the potential association of hypernatremia with mortality in AKI, along with the simultaneous presence of multiple co-morbidities with COVID-19. As the statistical power of the association is weak, we are claiming the association as potential only. It needs to be confirmed in other larger studies.

Cameron lesion with severe iron deficiency anemia and review of literature.

Background: Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in many developing countries including India. Inadequate iron in diet, poor iron absorption, excessive bleeding, or chronic blood loss in the stool/ urine may be the cause. Cameron lesions are mucosa injuries of gastric body or fundus in the background of hiatal hernia. Case Presentation: Here we describe a case report of a 50-year-old female who presented to hospital with pain in abdomen. During laboratory workup she had severe anemia due to iron deficiency. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy revealed a large hiatal hernia with a superficial ulcer present in the hiatal pouch, the GE junction being 35 cm from the incisors. So, a hiatus hernia with a Cameron ulcer was identified as the culprit of iron deficiency anemia. Conclusion: The diagnosis of a Cameron lesion is difficult and sometimes ignored. In patients with anemia/bleeding, thorough surveillance of all stomach folds is essential, especially if a significant hiatal hernia is present.

Unmasking Hypoxia in Cirrhosis Patients: Six-Minute Walk Test as a Screening Tool for Hepatopulmonary Syndrome.

Background: Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is one of the complications of advanced cirrhosis which has a serious impact on prognosis of patient. Finding arterial deoxygenation early and initiating higher-level treatment is one of the most critical strategies in the therapy of HPS. In this study, we aimed to assess the utility of six-minute walk test (6MWT) in the diagnosis of HPS. Materials and Methods: We have enrolled 100 consecutive cirrhosis patients referred to the Liver Clinic of a tertiary care centre of India for >1 year. The Child-Pugh score and the MELD score were used to determine the severity of cirrhosis. All the patients underwent transthoracic contrast echocardiography, arterial blood gas measurements on room air, 6MWT, and chest imaging. Results: A total of 100 patients were included in the study after fulfilling the inclusion criteria. HPS was present in 21 out of 100 patients (21%). Median (twenty fifth to seventy fifth percentile) MELD score in patients with HPS was 29 (26-33), which was significantly higher as compared to patients without HPS 22 (14.5-26); P <.0001. The 6MWT was positive in 20 (95.23%) HPS patients, while only 1 patient (4.77%) of HPS had negative 6MWT. If 6MWT is positive, then there was 76.92% probability of HPS and if 6MWT is negative, then 98.65% chances of no HPS. Conclusion: The 6MWT is a simple and effective screening test for HPS, it helps in identifying the patients early who have a potential to deteriorate. This simple intervention would help in prioritizing patients for liver transplantation as liver transplant is the only effective treatment for HPS.

On Admission, Microcirculation Abnormality is an Independent Predictor of Sepsis and Sepsis-related Mortality: A Hospital-based Study.

Background: Microcirculatory derangement is the primary cause of organ dysfunction in patients with sepsis. Assessment of the microcirculation is usually done by means of indirect parameters (SvO2 transcutaneous PO2 serum lactate.) The aim of our study is to understand microcirculatory abnormalities in patients with sepsis by directly visualizing the tiny vessels using hand-held video microscopes (HVMs) and determining the role of this modality in the prediction of sepsis-related mortality. Methods: A longitudinal prospective hospital-based study was carried out in medical ward and ICU of a tertiary care hospital. Patients admitted with the presumed infectious disease were included. Evaluation of sublingual microcirculation was done in these patients from Day 1 to Day 5 Clinical and laboratory variables and microcirculation variables were compared between patients with or without sepsis and between survivors and non-survivors of sepsis. Chi-square test for categorical and Student's t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables were applied. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed using the Cox-proportional hazard model. Results and discussion: On admission, microcirculation assessment measure, PPV (small), was significantly reduced in those with sepsis, as compared to those without sepsis. Multivariable models indicate the inverse relationship of PPV small with mortality. How to cite this article: Panda A, Revadi G, Sharma JP, Pakhare A, Singhai A, Joshi R, et al. On Admission, Microcirculation Abnormality is an Independent Predictor of Sepsis and Sepsis-related Mortality: A Hospital-based Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2022;26(3):294-301.

Mucormycosis following COVID-19 infection-An epidemic developing in a pandemic, a case series from a tertiary care hospital of India.

When the world is still struggling to fight the Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic, an epidemic of mucormycosis following the COVID-19 infection is increasing in India. Mucormycosis is a rare life-threatening fungal infection with a high mortality rate. Is this increase due to the rampant usage of corticosteroids, some immune dysfunction in COVID-19, uncontrolled blood sugar, increased ferritin, use of industrial oxygen, use of unsterile mask, or use of unsterile water as a humidifier in oxygen delivery systems? This remains a question. In this case series, we present five cases of rhino-orbito-cerebral mucormycosis which followed after the COVID-19 infection in these patients. We have included patients' clinical, laboratory, and radiological data in this case series and reviewed the literature.

Assessment of liver fibrosis using non-invasive screening tools in individuals with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

Despite its rising prevalence, and its potential to lead to life threatening complications, there are no recommendations in the current guidelines for screening individuals with diabetes mellitus or high BMI for NAFLD(non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)/NASH (non alcoholic steatohepatitis),mainly due to the uncertain performance and feasibility of currently available screening tools. This research was carried out to assess the diagnostic accuracy of non-invasive screening tools in predicting liver fibrosis in individuals with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome. MATERIAL: 140 patients with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, identified between March 2020 and October 2021 were studied. Liver stiffness measurement by point shear wave elastography was considered the gold standard. 5 non-invasive scores, AST/ALT (aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase) Ratio, Aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio (APRI)Score, FIB-4 Index, BARD Score and NAFLD Fibrosis Score were determined in all of the study participants. Using receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV) and positive predictive value (PPV) were calculated for each of these scores. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was used to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of these scores. OBSERVATION: Out of the140 participants in the study, (83 males (59.29%)), 30 (21.43%) had liver fibrosis as per liver stiffness measurement by point shear wave elastography. The mean age and mean BMI were 54.53±12.42 and 27.37±2.73 respectively in the 'Fibrosis' group and 56.20 ±11.76 and 27.10±4.22 in the 'No fibrosis' group. The major finding of our study was that all these scores had relatively high NPV (>85 %) for predicting liver fibrosis in our cohort. The AST/ALT Ratio had the highest negative predictive value (90.28 %) followed by APRI Score (88.94 %). The AUROC (for FIB-4 Score, NAFLD-Fibrosis Score, APRI Score, AST/ALT Ratio, BARD Score were 0.6669, 0.657, 0.655, 0.637 and 0.599 respectively. FIB-4 Index(p = 0.005) had the highest AUROC, followed by NAFLD-Fibrosis Score(p =0.009) .But, all the scores had relatively low specificity(<60 %), PPV(<35 %) and accuracy(<63 %). CONCLUSION: FIB- 4 Index and NAFLD-Fibrosis Score can be used to reliably exclude liver fibrosis in individuals with diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome in the Indian population, but may not be useful in accurately diagnosing liver fibrosis. Utilization of these non-invasive and cost-effective screening tools in routine practice, may have promising results in predicting liver fibrosis in 'at risk' populations.