Aspergillus sensitization in bronchial asthma: A separate phenotype.

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the common chronic respiratory illnesses worldwide, with a global disease burden that affects approximately 300 million individuals. It affects 5-10% of the population in developed countries. India constitutes approximately one-tenth of the global disease burden, where an estimated 7 million children are affected by this illness. Airway hyperresponsiveness or bronchial hyperreactivity in asthma is an exaggerated response to numerous exogenous and endogenous stimuli. In India, the most important endogenous stimuli is considered to be fungal antigens from the genus, Aspergillus. Positive skin reactions to Aspergillus fumigatus among individuals with atopic asthma is 10 to 20%; however, a causal relationship is yet to be established. A separate entity, termed "severe asthma with fungal sensitivity," is often used to describe milder allergic reactions to fungal aeroallergens that has fungal sensitization as the starting point of pathogenesis than allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Methods: A total of 57 patients with bronchial asthma were prospectively enrolled and evaluated for Aspergillus sensitization and its impact on asthma control. Results: Symptoms were well controlled in a majority of patients (57.89%) and partly controlled in 14.04%. Uncontrolled symptoms were observed in only 28.07% of patients. The proportion of patients with uncontrolled symptoms was higher among patients who were sensitized (45.00%) compared with patients who were not sensitized (18.92%). The proportion of patients with well-controlled symptoms was higher in individuals who were not sensitized compared with individuals who were sensitized (62.16% versus 50.00%). Conclusion: The severity of asthma was associated with fungal sensitization, with sensitization to Aspergillus as a part of the pathogenesis. Aspergillus sensitization is significantly associated with bronchiectasis, even in the absence of clinical features.

Rapid detection of drug resistance and mutational patterns of extensively drug-resistant strains by a novel GenoType® MTBDRsl assay.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a major concern in the India. The burden of XDR-TB is increasing due to inadequate monitoring, lack of proper diagnosis, and treatment. The GenoType ® Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug resistance second line (MTBDRsl) assay is a novel line probe assay used for the rapid detection of mutational patterns conferring resistance to XDR-TB. AIM: The aim of this study was to study the rapid detection of drug resistance and mutational patterns of the XDR-TB by a novel GenoType ® MTBDRsl assay. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 98 multidrug-resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis isolates for second line drugs susceptibility testing by 1% proportion method (BacT/ALERT 3D system) and GenoType ® MTBDRsl assay for rapid detection of conferring drug resistance to XDR-TB. RESULTS: A total of seven (17.4%) were identified as XDR-TB by using standard phenotypic method. The concordance between phenotypic and GenoType ® MTBDRsl assay was 91.7-100% for different antibiotics. The sensitivity and specificity of the MTBDRsl assay were 100% and 100% for aminoglycosides; 100% and 100% for fluoroquinolones; 91.7% and 100% for ethambutol. The most frequent mutations and patterns were gyrA MUT1 (A90V) in seven (41.2%) and gyrA + WT1-3 + MUT1 in four (23.5%); rrs MUT1 (A1401G) in 11 (64.7%), and rrs WT1-2 + MUT1 in eight (47.1%); and embB MUT1B (M306V) in 11 (64.7%) strains. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that the GenoType ® MTBDRsl assay is rapid, novel test for detection of resistance to second line anti-tubercular drugs. This assay provides additional information about the frequency and mutational patterns responsible for XDR-TB resistance.

Trends of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance pattern in new cases and previously treated cases of extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases in referral hospitals in northern India.

BACKGROUND: Drug-resistant tuberculosis is one of major current challenges to global public health. The transmission of resistant strains is increasing as a burden of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients in extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) cases in India. AIM AND OBJECTIVES: The aim was to study trends of anti-tuberculosis drug resistance pattern in new cases and previously treated cases of EPTB in referral hospitals in northern India. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospectively observational study and referral medical institutions in northern India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All EPTB specimens were processed for Ziehl Neelsen staining, BACTEC culture and BACTEC NAP test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. All M. tuberculosis complex isolates were performed for radiometric-based drug susceptibility pattern against streptomycin, isoniazid, rifampicin and ethambutol using the 1% proportion method. RESULTS: We found that 165/756 (20.5%) isolates were identified as M. tuberculosis complex by the NAP test. We observed that 39.9% were resistant to first-line antitubercular drugs. The resistance rate was higher in previously treated patients: H (30.3%), R (16.3%), E (15.7%) and S (16.3%). MDR-TB was observed in 13.4%, but, in new cases, this was 11.4% and 19.1% of the previously treated patients (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: MDR-TB is gradually increased in EPTB cases and predominant resistance to previous treated cases of EPTB. The molecular drug sensitivity test (DST) method can be an early decision for chemotherapy in MDR-TB patients. The International Standards of TB Care need to be used by the RNTCP and professional medical associations as a tool to improve TB care in the country.

Association of cytokines levels with epidermal growth factor receptor mutation in lung cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is one of the most frequent types of cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) being highly expressed in lung cancers. Activation of EGFR through oncogenic mutations leads to upregulation of gene expression that may heighten the inflammatory response in certain situations. EGFR acts as a key regulator and a cellular hub for inflammatory cytokine signaling, thereby promoting tumor cell proliferation, invasion, migration, metastases, and survival. The aim of the present study is to determine the serum cytokines levels and EGFR mutation status in lung cancer patients to investigate the association between the EGFR mutation status and cytokines levels with lung cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood and tissue samples of lung cancer patients were collected. The EGFR mutations of lung cancer patients were determined by the immunohistochemistry (IHC) and serum cytokines levels of lung cancer patients were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: Statistically significant association of EGFR mutations with adenocarcinoma subtypes and non-smokers were found (P < 0.05). Lung cancer patients with EGFR mutations had significantly higher tumor necrosis factor-alpha levels when compared to lung cancer patients without EGFR mutations (P < 0.01), and EGFR mutation status was not significantly associated with interleukin-6 levels (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: EGFR mutation detection by the IHC method is a potentially useful tool to guide clinicians for personalized treatment of lung cancer patients of adenocarcinoma subtype, and cytokines are good biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, and prediction of treatment responses in lung cancer patients as well as act as therapeutic targets. This study will provide biomarkers for lung cancer diagnosis and treatments.

Bilateral chylothorax in a child after mild trauma.

Chylothorax is a life-threatening form of pleural effusion with a varied aetiology. In this report, we describe the case of a child who developed bilateral chylothorax following minor trauma which responded well to conservative management.

EGFR Mutation Detection and Its Association With Clinicopathological Characters of Lung Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide with an estimation of 1.82 million new cancer cases diagnosed; and it is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase identified as being highly expressed in cancer cells including lung cancers. The aim of the study is to determine the EGFR mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients to investigate the association between the EGFR mutation status and clinicopathological characters of patients. METHODS: The tissue samples of the lung cancer patients were collected bronchoscopically. The EGFR mutations of 70 NSCLC patients were determined by the immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: EGFR mutations were present in 24 cases (34.29%), including 19 (79.13%) cases of exon 19 and five (20.83%) cases of exon 21 mutation. EGFR mutations were frequently associated with adenocarcinoma and non-smoker. Statistically significant association of EGFR mutations with adenocarcinoma subtypes and non-smokers was found (P < 0.05); and no significant association of EGFR mutation with the age of the patient (P = 0.4647) and the stage (P = 0.4578) of the tumor was found. When we compared between these two mutations, no significant association with age (P=0.614) and smoking status (P=0.127) was found in this study. CONCLUSIONS: EGFR mutations were significantly associated with female sex, non-smoker and adenocarcinoma subtypes. The analysis of EGFR mutation by the IHC method is a potentially useful tool to guide clinicians for personalized treatment of NSCLC patients of adenocarcinoma subtype.

Multiple abdominal abscesses - A not so common presentation of NTM.

Non-tuberculous Mycobacteria/Mycobacterium other than tuberculosis (MOTT) are ubiquitous organisms. They are acid fast bacilli often giving trouble to the physician to distinguish it from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These organisms are a menace for the treating physician as when to treat and when not to treat. They are often difficult to diagnose and may present in a variety of forms with propensity to cause number of infections of different body parts and organs. They are more common in immunocompromised individuals e.g. HIV infection. Here we are reporting a not so common manifestation of NTM which presented as multiple abdominal abscesses in a middle aged female probably secondary to surgical site infection, however she responded dramatically to the designed treatment.

Two cases of eyelid tuberculosis - An uncommon presentation of ocular tuberculosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis apart from being the causative agent of pulmonary tuberculosis is also notorious to cause tuberculosis at various sites in the human body and ocular tuberculosis is one of the extra pulmonary manifestations of this organism. The most common presentation of ocular tuberculosis is anterior uveitis or choroiditis caused by hematogenous infection or hypersensitivity after another organ infection. Eyelid involvement by tuberculosis is most of the times secondary to orbital involvement and often seen in the form of drainage sinus. Isolated eyelid tuberculosis is however uncommon. Here we report two such cases of eyelid tuberculosis in different age groups; first case in a young female and second case of an old aged female with different presentation. Fortunately both of them responded well to the antitubercular treatment.

An Immunohistochemical Study of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Mutation in Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer related death. Targeted treatment for specific markers may help in reducing the cancer related morbidity and mortality. AIM: To study expression of Anaplastic Lymphoma Kinase (ALK)and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) mutations in patients of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer NSCLC, that are the targets for specific ALK inhibitors and EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 69 cases of histologically diagnosed NSCLC were examined retrospectively for immunohistochemical expression of EGFR and ALK, along with positive control of normal placental tissue and anaplastic large cell lymphoma respectively. RESULTS: Of the NSCLC, Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) accounted for 71.0% and adenocarcinoma was 26.1%. ALK expression was seen in single case of 60-year-old female, non-smoker with adenocarcinoma histology. EGFR expression was seen in both SCC (59.18%) and adenocarcinoma in (77.78%) accounting for 63.77% of all cases. Both ALK and EGFR mutation were mutually exclusive. CONCLUSION: EGFR expression was seen in 63.77% of cases, highlighting the importance of its use in routine analysis, for targeted therapy and better treatment results. Although, ALK expression was seen in 1.45% of all cases, it is an important biomarker in targeted cancer therapy. Also, the mutually exclusive expression of these two markers need further studies to develop a diagnostic algorithm for NSCLC patients.

Patients' perceptions about the implementation of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme of India.

INTRODUCTION: Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) was launched by the Government of India in 1993. The present study has attempted to analyze the perceptions of patients regarding the implementation of RNTCP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was done in a teaching hospital in North India. All patients attending the hospital between March 2014 and July 2014 were included. The study design was cross-sectional using a pre-designed and tested questionnaire. The patients were questioned by personal interviews after obtaining an informed verbal consent. RESULTS: 74.5% patients were not aware about the kind of disease they were suffering from. 80% patients said that they were not talked in detail about their disease. 64.79% patients said that their doctor was the source of knowledge regarding DOTS prior to treatment. Despite an average distance of 4.75km between their home and DOTS centre, 90.5% patients said that they did not have any problem in travelling to the DOTS centre for medications. 91.5% and 93.5% patients felt the DOT provider behaviour was supportive and satisfactory respectively. CONCLUSION: 64% patients said that they were completely satisfied with the treatment under DOTS, 28.5% were partially satisfied and 7.5% were not satisfied with the treatment.

High correlation of clinical criteria in the diagnosis of drug-resistant TB and prevalence of ofloxacin resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To study the drug resistance profile of patients with suspected multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a prospective study conducted among patients with suspected MDR-TB attending the Department of Respiratory Medicine, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, India, from August 2014 to April 2015. Sputum samples obtained from 50 such patients were subjected to drug susceptibility testing against first- and second-line drugs. Data on baseline characteristics were obtained from the patients and their previous medical records. RESULTS: Mycobacterium tuberculosis was detected in 47/50 (94%) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in 3/50 (6%). Of the 47 patients with M. tuberculosis, 36 (76.6%) had MDR-TB: 24 (66.7%) of these had pre-extensively drug-resistant TB (pre-XDR-TB) and 4 (11.1%) had XDR-TB. CONCLUSIONS: Among proven MDR-TB cases, approximately two thirds were pre-XDR-TB cases and more than 10% were XDR-TB cases. These form a sizeable proportion and may result in the failure of second-line treatment.

Correlation between clinical characteristics, spirometric indices and high resolution computed tomography findings in patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the airways, leading to significant morbidity and mortality throughout the world. There is a need to have a holistic evaluation of COPD patients, other than just measuring the level of obstruction as performed by spirometry. High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of thorax partly fulfills this requirement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients of COPD (confirmed on spirometry as per the GOLD guidelines 2014 guidelines) were enrolled, out of which 35 patients got a HRCT done. Complete clinical evaluation was done. The Philips computer program for lung densitometry was used with these limits (-800/-1, 024 Hounsfield unit [HU]) to calculate densities, after validating densitometry values with phantoms. We established the area with a free hand drawing of the region of interest, then we established limits (in HUs) and the computer program calculated the attenuation as mean lung density (MLD) of the lower and upper lobes. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between smoking index and anteroposterior tracheal diameter (P = 0.036). Tracheal index was found to be decreasing with increasing disease severity which was statistically significant (P = 0.037). Mean upper lobe MLD was -839.27 HU, mean lower lobe MLD was -834.91 HU and the mean MLD was -837.08 HU. The lower lobes MLD were found to be decreasing with increasing disease severity. A mild linear correlation of pre forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) was observed with lower lobe and total average MLD while a mild linear correlation of Post-FEV1 was observed with both coronal (P = 0.042) and sagittal (P = 0.001) lower lobes MLD. In addition, there was a linear correlation between both pre (P = 0.050) and post (P = 0.024) FEV1/forced vital capacity with sagittal lower lobe MLD. A predictive model can be derived to quantify obstruction severity (FEV1). CONCLUSION: HRCT may be an important additional tool in the holistic evaluation of COPD. HRCT can well be correlated with the spirometric and clinical features and the level of obstruction can be indirectly derived from it by measuring the MLD.

Prevalence of nontuberculous mycobacteria among extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases in tertiary care centers in Northern India.

The reports of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) associated with extrapulmonary diseases are increasing in tertiary care hospitals. Despite a significant increase in knowledge about NTM infections, they still represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. The aim of this study is to know the prevalence of NTN among extrapulmonary tuberculosis cases in tertiary care centers in Northern India. A total of 227 culture positive isolates from 756 cases were tested for niacin production and catalase assay. BIO-LINE SD Ag MPT64 TB test and final identification and differentiation between MTBC and different species of NTM were further confirmed by GenoType Mycobacterium CM/AS assay. 71 cases (9.3%) were positive for AFB by ZN staining and 227 cases (30.1%) were positive for mycobacteria by culture. Niacin production and catalase activity were negative in 62/227 (27.4%) strains and after using a panel of different biochemicals and final confirmation by GenoType Mycobacterium CM assay. Out of 227 cultures tested, 165 (72.6%) strains were confirmed as M. tuberculosis complex, and 62 (27.4%) were confirmed as NTM. The most common NTM species identified were M. fortuitum 17 (27.5%) and M. intracellulare 13 (20.9%). The rapid identification of NTM species may help in targeted therapy and management of the diseases.

Viral aetiology of acute lower respiratory tract illness in hospitalised paediatric patients of a tertiary hospital: one year prospective study.

CONTEXT: Acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRI), ranked as the second leading cause of death are the primary cause of hospitalisation in children. Viruses are the most important causative agents of ALRI. AIM: To study the viral aetiology of ALRI in children at a tertiary care hospital. SETTING AND DESIGN: One year prospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital of King George's Medical University, Lucknow. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Nasopharyngeal aspirate (NPA) was collected from children admitted with signs and symptoms of ALRI who were aged 0-14 years. Samples were transported to the laboratory at 4°C in viral transport media and processed for detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) A and B, influenza virus A and B, adenovirus (ADV), human Boca virus (HBoV), human metapneumo virus (hMPV) and parainfluenzavirus 1, 2, 3 and 4 using mono/multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). STATA was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In one year, 188 NPAs were screened for respiratory viruses, of which 45.7% tested positive. RSV was most commonly detected with 21.3% positivity followed by measles virus (8.5%), influenza A virus (7.4%), ADV (5.3%), influenza B virus (1.6%), hMPV (1.1%) and HBoV (0.5%). Month wise maximum positivity was seen in December and January. Positivity rate of RSV was highest in children aged < 1 year, which decreased with increase in age, while positive rate of influenza virus increased with increasing age. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of viral predominance in ALRI is highlighted.

Changing patterns and trends of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis at referral centre in Northern India: a 4-year experience.

PURPOSE: India has a high burden of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB), although there is little data on multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Although MDR-TB has existed for long time in India, very few diagnostic laboratories are well-equipped to test drug sensitivity. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of MDR-TB, first-line drug resistance patterns and its changing trends in northern India in the 4 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study from July 2007 to December 2010. Microscopy, culture by Bactec460 and p-nitro-α-acetylamino-ß-hydroxypropiophenone (NAP) test was performed to isolate and identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) complex (MTBC). Drug sensitivity testing (DST) was performed by 1% proportional method (Bactec460) for four drugs: Rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol and streptomycin. Various clinical and demographical profiles were evaluated to analyse risk factors for development of drug resistance. RESULTS: We found the overall prevalence rate of MDR-TB to be 38.8%, increasing from 36.4% in 2007 to 40.8% in 2010. we found that the prevalence of MDR-TB in new and previously treated cases was 29.1% and 43.3% ( P < 0.05; CI 95%). The increasing trend of MDR-TB was more likely in pulmonary TB when compared with extra-pulmonary TB ( P < 0.05; CI 95%). CONCLUSIONS: we found a high prevalence (38.8%) of MDR-TB both in new cases (29.1%) and previously treated cases (43.3%).This study strongly highlights the need to make strategies for testing, surveillance, monitoring and management of such drug-resistant cases.

Use of GenoType® MTBDRplus assay to assess drug resistance and mutation patterns of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis isolates in northern India.

PURPOSE: The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a major public health problem. The diagnosis of MDR-TB is of paramount importance in establishing appropriate clinical management and infection control measures. The aim of this study was to evaluate drug resistance and mutational patterns in clinical isolates MDR-TB by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 350 non-repeated sputum specimens were collected from highly suspected drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cases; which were processed by microscopy, culture, differentiation and first line drug susceptibility testing (DST) using BacT/ALERT 3D system. RESULTS: Among a total of 125 mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) strains, readable results were obtained from 120 (96%) strains by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay. Only 45 MDR-TB isolates were analysed for the performance, frequency and mutational patterns by GenoType® MTBDRplus assay. The sensitivity of the GenoType® MDRTBplus assay for detecting individual resistance to rifampicin (RIF), isoniazid (INH) and multidrug resistance was found to be 95.8%, 96.3% and 97.7%, respectively. Mutation in codon S531L of the rpoB gene and codon S315T1 of katG genes were dominated in MDR-TB strains, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The GenoType® MTBDRplus assay is highly sensitive with short turnaround times and a rapid test for the detection of the most common mutations conferring resistance in MDR-TB strains that can readily be included in a routine laboratory workflow.

Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis: an iatrogenic problem.

The occurrence of resistance to drugs used to treat tuberculosis (TB), and particularly multi-drug resistant TB (MDR-TB) defined as resistance to at least rifampicin and isoniazid, has become a significant public health dilemma in a number of countries and an obstacle to effective global TB control. HIV-associated MDR-TB understanding is vital in providing strategies for treatment of HIV and drug-resistant TB. Better understanding on the basis of drug action and resistance is a key to development of diagnostic strategies, novel drugs, and treatment programs, and to find an approach to study the pathogenicity of drug resistant strains. The effectiveness of strategies such as DOTS-Plus in the management of MDR-TB patients under program conditions should be tested in operational field clinical trials following strictly standardized definitions and nomenclature.

Pulmonary and nodal multiple myeloma with a pleural effusion mimicking bronchogenic carcinoma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by the occurrence of plasma cell tumor within the bone marrow. Extramedullary plasmacytomas form a small percentage of plasma cell tumors, and although 80-90% of extramedullary lesions occur in the head and neck, pulmonary plasmacytomas are found to be a very uncommon clinical entity. Hereby, we describe a case of a patient with pulmonary plasmacytoma, who developed nodal and pulmonary MM with a pleural effusion, the radiological appearance of which mimicked bronchogenic carcinoma.

A study of skin sensitivity to various allergens by skin prick test in patients of nasobronchial allergy.

OBJECTIVE: To study skin sensitivity to various allergens in patients of nasobronchial allergy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 2880 skin prick tests with 60 allergens were performed in 48 patients of nasobronchial allergy. RESULTS: Most common offending allergens were insects (21.2%), followed by dusts (12.0%), pollens (7.8%), animal dander (3.1%), and fungi (1.3%). The common insect antigen were locust female (33.3%) followed by locust male (25%), grasshopper (20.8%), cricket (16.7%), cockroach female (16.7%) and cockroach male (14.6%). Common dust allergens were house dust, wheat dust, cotton mill and paper dust. Among pollens, Amaranthus spinosus, Argemone mexicana, Adhatoda vasica, Ailanthus and Cannabis were found to be common allergens. In animal danders common offending allergens were cow dander and dog dander. Among fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria teneis and Fusarium sodani were common allergens. Patients of bronchial asthma had associated allergic rhinitis in 80% cases. CONCLUSION: Common allergens in patients of nasobronchial allergy were identified. The data may prove useful in of allergen avoidance and immunotherapy in these patients.

Isolated metacarpal bone tuberculosis-a case report.

SUMMARY: Tuberculous involvement of the metacarpals and phalanges is a rare presentation of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in adult. Here is a case of tubercular dactylitis in a 27 year old female presenting as discharging sinus over proximal part of third metacarpalbone of left hand.