Incidence of infections in patients with pemphigus vulgaris

Background:Pemphigus is a rare, chronic autoimmune blistering disease of skin and mucous membranes. Autoimmune process and immunosuppressive therapy of pemphigus vulgaris would predispose the patients to infections. Therefore, the objective of this study was to isolate and identify the pathogens in admitted patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris.Methods:This was a retrospective observational study based on 68 diagnosed cases of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) admitted during January1999 to April 2018 in SRN hospital, MLN medical college Prayagraj. Patients who had PV and required admission owing to development of severe symptoms were included while patients with mild symptoms were excluded from the study. These admitted patients, along with routine and radiological examination, were also examined for microbiological examinations of sputum, throat swab, blood, body fluids, skin scrapings, stool and urine when necessary.Results:Out of the 68 patients, 66.17% patients developed bacterial infections while 33.83% developed fungal infections. The prevalence of bacterial and fungal pathogens in urinary tract is 72.42% and 27.58%, pneumonitis is 29.42% and 70.58%, septicaemia is 81.82% and 18.18% and skin and soft tissue is 87.50% and 12.50% respectively. In meningitis and pulmonary tuberculosis no traces of fungi were recorded. Mortality was seen in 7.35% patients, which wasdue to bacterial meningitis, septicaemia and fungal pneumonitis.Conclusions:The present study clearly states that the occurrence of the disease is uncommon but secondary infections are associated with worse prognosis. Therefore, the best regimen for each type of patients should base on the extent of disease and patient’s comorbidities.

Prognostic utility of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin in cardiac ICU: A prospective study

Our study aims to evaluate the role of neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) as an early surrogate marker in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) and mortality in cardiac ICU patients. The study was conducted at SRN Hospital, excluding those with known renal diseases. Out of 152 patients, 56 developed AKI (cases) and 96 were our controls. Higher NGAL was associated with increased mortality rates (P ¼ 0.0201 and 0.0255 for serum and urinary NGAL respectively). Our study concluded that NGAL measurement at admission may be a boon in improving the outcome of cardiac ICU patients

Paronychia: incidence during Magh Mela

Background: Prevalence of complications in malaria continues to grow even with reducing number of malaria cases. Complications associated with malaria can involve multiple organs. There is paucity of literature on factors associated with multi organ dysfunction in different types of malaria.Methods: Our aim was to study the clinical profile of complications in different types of malaria with specific focus on multi-organ dysfunction (MODS). In this cross-sectional study confirmed cases of malaria were enrolled.Results: Plasmodium vivax malaria was the predominant type seen in 74.1% cases. The overall prevalence of thrombocytopenia was 61.5%, hepatic dysfunction 58%, cerebral malaria 16.1%, Hypoglycemia 7.5%, bleeding 34.5%, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) 5.7% and acute kidney injury (AKI) 49.4%. Hypoglycemia was significantly higher in mixed malaria (0.025, p = 0.025). Hepatic dysfunction and hyperbilirubinemia were significantly higher in mixed malaria (p=0.001). Mortality was seen in mixed malaria (p = 0.007). Only those with mixed malaria died (13%). Patients with MODS had higher prevalence of rashes (p <0.0001) and cerebral malaria (p = 0.000). Serum levels of urea, creatinine, Bilirubin, Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) and Serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) were significantly higher in patients with MODS (p<0.0001 for all variables). On evaluating factors associated with multi-organ dysfunction presence of cerebral malaria [OR: 6.4 (95% CI): 2.4 to 17.4; p<0.0001], type of malaria (Vivax or Falciparum or both) [1.77 (1.03 to 3.03); p=0.0038], and hypoglycemia [4.4 (1.08 to 17.8); p=0.038] were statistically significant on multivariate analysis.Conclusions: The present study demonstrates the factors associated with multi organ dysfunction and its impact on clinical outcome in different types of malaria.

Renal resistivity index is inversely proportional to estimated glomerular filtration rate in chronic kidney disease

Background: Renal resistive index (RRI) measured by Doppler ultrasonography has been associated with severity, rate of progression and mortality in chronic renal failure. Parameters like renal vascular resistance, filtration fraction and effective renal plasma flow have been associated with renal resistivity index in chronic kidney disease patients.Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2016 to August 2017. 100 patients with chronic kidney disease were enrolled. RRI was calculated from the blood flow velocities observed during Doppler examinations of the segmental arteries and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using the chronic kidney disease epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Spearman Rank-Order Correlation Coefficient was used.Results: A Significant inverse correlation was observed between RRI and eGFR (r= -0.347, p =0.0004). It was also observed that older age (r= 0.297), higher systolic blood pressure (r= 0.365), lower levels of hemoglobin (r= -0.34 for males and r= -0.353 for females) were observed to correlate with higher values of RRI in advanced CKD stages.Conclusions: RRI correlated inversely with eGFR in chronic kidney disease and hence was directly related to the severity of the disease.

Comparison of the efficacy of triple blockade, double blockade and single blockade of RAAS in non diabetic chronic kidney disease

Background: Although dual blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system with the combination of an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor and angiotensin II receptor blocker is generally well established as a treatment for nephropathy, this treatment is not fully effective in some patients.Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 600 chronic kidney disease patients during July 2012 to August 2014 to compare the efficacy of triple blockade, double blockade and single blockade of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in non diabetic chronic kidney disease.Results: At the end of the study, 24 hours urinary protein excretion rate of group I and group III were compared by using student t-test and p value (0.0268) was found significant. Similarly, on comparing group II and group III, p value (0.0160) was again found significant.Conclusions: Triple blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was effective for the treatment of proteinuria in patients with non-diabetic nephropathy whose increased urinary protein had not responded sufficiently to a dual blockade.

Comparison between the efficacy of double blockade and single blockade of RAAS in diabetic kidney disease

Background: Diabetic kidney disease is associated with high morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. A number of guidelines and recommendations have been issued over the years recommending the use of renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade in the management of diabetic kidney disease.Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 750 diabetic chronic kidney disease patients during July 2012 to August 2014 to compare the efficacy of double blockade and single blocked of renin angiotensin aldosterone system in diabetic kidney disease.Results: At the end of 24 months urinary protein excretion rate of group I and group III were compared by using student t-test and p value (0.0268) was found significant. Similarly, on comparing group II and group III, p value (0.0278) was again significant. Mean arterial blood pressure of group I and group III were statistically significant (0.0496) while comparing group II and group III, p value (0.0419) was again significant.Conclusions: The study concludes that the use of double renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade therapy is more effective than mono-therapy at reducing albuminuria and proteinuiria, and in decreasing blood pressure at the same time not causing significant deterioration in glomerular filtration rate in diabetic kidney disease patients. Novel potassium-lowering therapies are shown to effective compensate the hyperkalemia risk associated with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade use in people with diabetic kidney disease, offering promise for more adequate therapy and greater renal and cardiovascular risk protection in the future.

Tinea: Incidence during Magh Mela

Background: Dermatophytosis refer to superficial fungal infection of keratinized tissues caused by keratinophilic dermatophytes. It is common in tropics and may present in epidemic proportions in areas with high rates of humidity.Methods: The retrospective study was carried out from January 2018 to February 2018 at Allahabad. Gram stain, KOH examination and culture were carried out in 300 cases.Results: Out of the 300 suspected cases authors identified, 263 cultures tested positive. The macroscopic examination of the scalp, skin and the nails of these 36 patients further revealed 50.20% Tinea corporis, 17.87% Tinea cruris, 11.02 % Tinea mannum, 8.74% Tinea pedis, 7.99% onychomycosis, 3.42% Tinea versicolor and 0.76% Tinea capitis. Culture examinations revealed 52.47% Trychophyton mentagrophyte, 34.98% Trichyopyton rubrum, 3.80% Trychophyton violaceum, 3.43% Malessesia, 2.28% Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, 1.52% Trichophyton verrucosum, 0.76% Microsporum canis and 0.76% Epidermophyton flucossum.Conclusions: The study concludes that in a short period of Magh Mela authors got a large number of skin patients because of their belief that the holiness Ganga water will cure skin problems by itself. Some of the patients were found infected from the beginning and some gather infections during their stay in the mela period. Therefore, a prompt recognition of skin lesions and the identification of these superficial fungi are required for judicious management.

Nephro protection property of double blockade versus single blocked of RAAS in delaying the progression of CKD

Background: Dual renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade using angiotensin receptor blockers in combination with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors is reported to improve proteinuria in non-diabetic patients.Methods: A prospective observational study was done on 810 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease patients during July 2012 to August 2014 to compare the nephro protection property of double blockade and single blocked of renin angiotensin aldosterone system in delaying the progression of chronic kidney disease.Results: At the end of 24 months urinary protein excretion rate of group I and group III were compared by using student t-test and p value (0.0001) was found significant. Similarly, on comparing group II and group III, p value (0.003) was again significant. Mean arterial blood pressure of group I and group III were statistically significant (<0.0496) while comparing group II and group III, p value (0.0419) was again significant.Conclusions: The study concludes that the use of double renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade therapy is more effective than monotherapy at reducing albuminuria and proteinuiria, and in decreasing blood pressure at the same time not causing significant deterioration in glomerular filtration rate. Newer potassium lowering therapies can effectively and safely correct hyperkalemia and maintain normokalemia in patients receiving background treatment with renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade. However, the use of new potassium binders for cardiovascular and renal risk reduction with combined renin angiotensin aldosterone system blockade therapy will require phase III trials.

Incidence of tuberculosis in nondialysis-requiring CKD patients

Background: Tuberculosis is a common infection of chronic kidney disease patients in developing countries.Methods: A retrospective study of 2960 non-dialysis requiring chronic kidney disease patients was made to determine the incidence and understand the demographic features of patients that lead to the development of tuberculosis on the basis of cell count, routine, ADA estimation, ZN stain, culture and PCR.Results: Between Jan 2000 and March 2017, the incidence of tuberculosis in no dialysis-requiring chronic kidney disease group was 10.3% in which pulmonary tuberculosis was 3.9% while extrapulmonary tuberculosis was 6.4%. Among extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 52% positivity was seen in pleural effusion, 16.40% in ascetic fluid, 10.10% in lymphnodes, 7.4% in urinary tract, and 3.7% in CSF, 2.6% in pericardial fluid, 1.6% in adrenal tissue and 1.1% in spine. ZN stain was positive in 48.6%, culture isolated mycobacterium 98.3%, PCR 93.4%, the mean ADA levels was 22.90+11.24 IU/ml and 60.49+07.24 IU/ml in CSF and body fluids respectively. Outcome analysis revealed 15.4% mortality rate in diagnosed tuberculosis cases while maximum loss of life was seen in diabetic patients.Conclusions:In the present study we observed 10.3% incidence of tuberculosis among nondialysis-requiring chronic kidney disease patients. Extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis predominates over pulmonary form. Unusual presentation and lococalization of symptoms should not be overlooked. Prompt and early diagnosis of tuberculosis is especially required in endemic areas.

Emergence of Resistance in Community-acquired Enteric Fever.

We present a retrospective analysis of 225 blood culture-proven pediatric patients with the sensitivity pattern represented in the Antibiogram obtained by Vitek-2 Systems. Resistance to typhoid fever with commonly used oral antibiotics (Ciprofloxacin 41.4%, Amoxy-clavulonic acid 44.1% and Cotrimoxazole 32.7%) was common.