Occurrence of linezolid induced thrombocytopenia and its association with the risk factors: a review article

Linezolid is the oxazolidinone group of antibiotic with wide range of activity against the gram positive bacteria including methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus and penicillin resistant pneumococci and vancomycin resistant enterococci. Patients who are on linezolid were reported to have reversible myelosuppression especially thrombocytopenia and anaemia. Since there are less number of studies regarding the occurrence of thrombocytopenia and the risk factors associated with it, this study was undertaken to evaluate the occurrence of linezolid induced thrombocytopenia and its association with risk factors. It was a systematic review with synthesis of available literature in English language. Articles were retrieved using search terms included “linezolid”, “and”, “or”, “thrombocytopenia” from Clinical key and PubMed, published during 2000 - 2017. Out of 16 studies retrieved, only 7 studies were analysed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria; of them, 3 were found to be prospective and retrospective cohort each and only one was retrospective cross-sectional study. The occurrence of linezolid induced thrombocytopenia range from 18-50% with normal renal function and 57% of incidence associated with renal insufficiency patients. The risk factors were found to be dose of linezolid >18-27mg/kg, body weight of subjects <55kg, creatinine clearance <88.39 to 60ml/min/1.73m2 and baseline platelet count <200*103/mm3, serum albumin concentration, serum creatinine, concomitant caspofungin therapy and duration of linezolid therapy.

Anti-diabetic effect of Costus pictus leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Costus pictus D. Don, commonly known as 'insulin plant' is a member of Zingiberacea family and is used as a munching dietary supplement for the treatment of diabetes in Southern India. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of Costus pictus leaves in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The oral feeding of aqueous leaf solution of this plant in diabetic rats for 28 days at a dosage of 2gm/kg body weight exhibited a significant [p < 0.001] reduction in fasting blood glucose level and a remarkable increase in serum insulin level. There was a significant reduction [p < 0.001] in serum parameters like SGOT, SGPT, lipids, triglycerides, total cholesterol, urea, TBARS, and albumin in diabetic rats treated with leaf solution. The body weight of diabetic rats was restored to normal state when treated with the C. pictus. Morphometric analysis of C. pictus-treated rat pancreatic islets showed a significant [p < 0.001] increase in the number and area of islets when compared with normal and diabetic control rats. Histopathology studies in liver and kidney of diabetic rats treated with aqueous solution did not show any marked difference from normal which revealed the non-toxic effect of this plant. Estimation of trace elements using particle induced X-ray emission analysis in the leaf was also determined to find the antidiabetic potential elements in this plant. Based on the above results it is evident that the leaves of C. pictus have antidiabetic effect and must be considered as a potential candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus

Newborn screening in India.

Expanded newborn screening (NBS) is aimed for early detection and intervention of treatable inborn errors of metabolism and also to establish incidence of these disorders in this part of the globe. The first expanded NBS programme initiated in the capital city of Andhra Pradesh to screen all the newborns born in four major Government Maternity Hospitals in Hyderabad by heel prick capillary blood collected on S&S 903 filter paper. Chromatographic (TLC and HPLC), electrophoretic (cellulose acetate and agarose) and ELISA based assays have been employed for screening of common inborn errors of metabolism. This study has shown a high prevalence of treatable Inborn errors of metabolism. Congenital hypothyroidsm is the most common disorder (1 in 1700) followed by congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (1 in 2575) and Hyperhomocystenemia (1 in 100). Interestingly, a very high prevalence of inborn errors of metabolism to the extent of 1 in every thousand newborns was observed. The study reveals the importance of screening in India, necessitating nation wide large-scale screening.