Isolated cerebral mucormycosis masquerading as a tumor in an immunocompetent patient

Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal disease that commonly presents as cutaneous or rhinocerebral infections associated with immunocompromised states. It may exceptionally present as isolated involvement of the brain with a varied clinical presentation, which may be difficult to diagnose early, leading to increased mortality. Herein, we report the case of a 42-year-old immunocompetent female with left-sided limb weakness and a history of recurrent vomiting and headache for the last two years. Clinically, glioma was suspected, but histopathological examination revealed a few broad aseptate fungal hyphae. As no other organ was involved, the diagnosis of isolated cerebral mucormycosis was rendered. Reporting this case, we show an unusual presentation of a central nervous system mucormycosis masquerading a tumor in an immunocompetent patient. The case also highlights the importance of a careful histopathological examination to avoid missing the presence of occasional fungal hyphae. Ideally, recognition of fungal hyphae in the brain, during intraoperative consultation, can prompt brain tissue culture for definitive diagnosis and early empirical antifungal therapy, which may prove life-saving.

Correlational study of interleukin-6 with albuminuria in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Individuals with type 2 diabetes display features of low-grade inflammation. Mediators of inflammation such as IL-6 have been proposed to be involved in the events causing as well as progression of diabetes. Diabetic nephropathy is one of the commonest causes of chronic kidney failure throughout the world. Although diabetic nephropathy is traditionally considered a non-immune disease, accumulating evidence now indicates that immunologic and inflammatory mechanisms play a significant role in its development and progression.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the department of medicine, UPUMS, Saifai. The study was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019. A total of 80 type 2 diabetes patients were included in the study. After informed consent, patients were recruited. FBS, PPBS, HbA1C, 24 Hrs Urinary protein and interleukin-6 levels were measured. The data was analysed using SPSS 23. Pearson co relation co efficient was determined between IL -6, HbA1c and Urinary protein.Result: A total of 80 type 2 diabetes patients were studied. The study subjects were divided into 3 groups based on the urinary protein level into normo-albuminuria, Micro- albuminuria and macro- albuminuria. FBS, PPBS, HBA1c, 24 Hrs Urinary protein and Interleukin – 6 were significantly associated with proteinuria (p<0.001). Urinary protein was positively correlated with IL-6 (R2=0.57, p<0.01). The blood glucose was positively correlated with IL-6 (R2=0.413, p-0.01).Conclusion: Raised IL-6 levels in diabetics revealed the presence of inflammation. Our study showed positive correlation between IL-6, HBA1c and Urinary protein.

A case control study to determine the role of vitamin D in the risk of coronary artery disease among type 2 diabetic individuals

Background: Diabetes Mellitus comprises a group of metabolic disorder leading to hyperglycaemia. Vitamin D deficiency plays a role in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus pathogenesis. Vitamin D appears to affect several metabolisms that have been associated with coronary artery disease. Vitamin D level has been recently considered as an adjustable risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, in individuals with type 2 Diabetes.Methods: This case control study was conducted in the Department of Medicine, UPUMS. 100 diabetic individuals with low Vitamin D level were taken as cases and 100 diabetic individuals with normal vitamin D level as control. History and examination with necessary investigations were done. Patients with positive history were subjected to investigations to diagnose CAD.Results: The proportion of case and controls had no significant difference in age distribution. The risk of coronary artery disease was 2.76 times higher among diabetes mellitus patients with vitamin D deficiency (1.36-5.59). The risk of CAD was adjusted for various risk factors (age, sex, hypertension, smoking, physical activity, and lipid profile) Odds ratio was found to be 2.8 (95% CI-1.19-6.94, p-0.018).Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency among diabetes patients was found to be an independent risk factor for CAD after adjusting other risk factors emphasizing that vitamin D can be a potential risk factor for development of coronary artery disease.

Cerebral Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report.

Objective: Cerebral Hydatid disease (CHD) is very rare manifestation of echinococcosis, representing only 2% of all celebral space occupying lesion even in the countries where the disease in is endemic. The aim of this paper is to describe the characteristic features of cerebral hydatid disease in computed tomography, magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) and to report a multiloculated cyst (more than 100 loculi) along with its management. Case Presentation: In this paper we have reported a young boy of 20yrs with primary CHD without associated extracranial lesions with focal neurological deficits and intracranial hypertension. The extracranial investigations were found to be negative. CT and MRI of the patient suggested it to be a multiloculated Hydatid cyst. The patient was managed surgically and more than 100 daughter cysts were recovered, antihelminthic medications were given to the patient was discharged successfully. Conclusion: Multilocular Hydatid cyst is a rare SOL of Brain. When present the patient remains asymptomatic for long followed mostly by symptoms of headache and vomiting. Patients may also present with focal deficit or seizures‑Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment with careful evacuation of the cysts alongwith the medications for the causative agent (Echinococcus granulosus or multilocularies). Prevention of the disease should be given utmost emphasis.

Heparin Co-factor II Thrombin Complex as a Biomarker for Mucopolysaccharidosis: Indian Experience.

Background: Serum heparin cofactor II-thrombin complex (HCII-T) is an emerging biomarker for mucopolysaccharidosis disease (MPS I and MPS II). Methods: Seventeen cases (6 MPS I and 11 MPS II) and sixty healthy controls were enrolled in study, conducted from September 2008 to December 2012. The mean ± SD age of MPS1 (n=6, 5 males) and MPS II was 7.02 ± 3.25 and 5.2 ± 2.15 years, respectively. Disease status was confirmed by clinical features and enzyme assay. Urinary glycosaminoglycans were measured in spot urine samples and expressed in relation to creatinine content. HCIIT measurement was done using sandwich ELISA at enrolment and after 12 and 24 months of recruitment. Results: Urinary glycosaminoglycans and HCIIT were elevated in all patients compared to their healthy controls. Both markers could not discriminate between the type of mucopolysaccharidosis. Conclusion: Heparin Cofactor II Thrombin Complex is a good biomarker for mucopolysaccharidosis I and II.

Intellectual Disability in Indian Children: Experience with a Stratified Approach for Etiological Diagnosis.

Objective: To study the clinico-etiological profile of children with intellectual disability using an algorithmic approach. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary care centre in Northern India. Participants: Consecutive children aged 3 months to 12 years, presenting with intellectual disability, confirmed by Developmental Assessment Scale for Indian Infants, Binet Kulshreshtha Test and Vineland Social Maturity Scale. Method: All children were assessed on an internally validated structured proforma. A targeted approach included thyroid function tests, Brainstem evoked response audiometry, electroencephalogram, neuroimaging and metabolic screen done as a pre-decided schema. Genetic tests included karyotyping, molecular studies for Fragile X, Multiplex Ligation Dependent Probe Amplification and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridisation. Results: Data of 101 children (median age 22 months) was analyzed. The etiological yield was 82.1% with genetic causes being the most common (61.4%) followed by perinatal acquired (20.4%), CNS malformations (12%), external prenatal (3.6%), and postnatal acquired (2.4%). Mild delay was seen in 11.7%, moderate in 21.7%, severe in 30.6% and profound in 35.6%. Conclusion: It is possible to ascertain the diagnosis in most of the cases of intellectual disability using a judicious and sequential battery of tests.

Evaluation of C677T polymorphism of the methylenetetra hydrofolate reductase gene and its association with levels of serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 as maternal risk factors for Down syndrome.

Aims and Objective: Evaluation of C677T polymorphisms of the methylenetetra hydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and its association with level of serum homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 as possible maternal risk factors for Down syndrome. Design: This was a case-control study. Material and Methods : Fifty-two mothers (mean age 27.6 years) with babies having free trisomy 21 of North Indian ethnicity and 52 control nonlactating mothers (mean age 24.9 years) of same ethnicity attending services of genetic lab for bloodletting for other causes were enrolled after informed written consent. Fasting blood was collected and was used for determination of plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate (serum and RBC), and for PCR amplification of the MTHFR gene. Results: The prevalence of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in north Indian mothers of babies with trisomy 21 Down syndrome was 15.38% compared to 5.88 % in controls. The difference between two groups was not statistically significant ( P = 0.124). Low serum folate was demonstrated in 34.62% of cases vs. 11.54% in controls, which was significant ( P = 0.005). Low RBC folate was found in 30.7% of cases versus 11.53% in controls, which was not significant ( P = 0.059), when analyzed independently. But on multiple regression analysis the difference was statistically significant. Low serum vitamin B12 was found in 42.31% of cases versus 34.62% in controls, which was not significant ( P = 0.118). The mean serum homocysteine in cases was 10.35 ± 0.68 while controls were 9.02 ± 0.535. Conclusion: Serum levels of folate were low in cases. The RBC folate levels were comparable in both groups. However the combined serum folate and RBC folate were low in cases compared to control groups. Homocysteine levels in our study were higher in Down syndrome mothers compared to controls; however high-serum level of Homocysteine had no association with MTHFR polymorphism. No association of serum vitamin B12 with MTHFR polymorphism in occurrence of Down syndrome births was found. Peri- or preconceptional folate supplementation may therefore lead to a decline in DS births, if supported by larger studies.

Characterization of two metal resistant Bacillus strains isolated from slag disposal site at Burnpur, India.

Two strains of Bacillus sp. resistant to arsenate and lead designated as AsSP9 and PbSP6, respectively were isolated from the slag disposal site. They were identified to be related to Bacillus cereus cluster on the basis of 16S rDNA based sequence analysis and phenotypic characteristics. Both were rod-shaped (AsSP9, 2-5 μm and PbSP6, 2-4 μm), aerobic, salt tolerant (2-8% NaCl), endospore forming bacteria with minor differences like the AsSP9 showed sporangial bulging and PbSP6 had positive lipase activity. The temperature range for their growth was 20-40oC and pH range 6.0-9.0 with an optimum temperature of 37oC and pH of 7 for both strains. The principal nitrogen sources for AsSP9 and PbSP6 were DL-Tryptophan and L-Phenylalanine, respectively. The suitable carbon source for AsSP9 was lactose and for PbSP6 sucrose. The heavy metal accumulation efficiency was found to be 0.0047 mg g-1 of dry mass for AsSP9 and 0.686 mg g-1 of dry mass for PbSP6.

Involvement of Leishmania donovani major surface glycoprotein gp63 in promastigote multiplication.

The major surface glycoprotein gp63 of the kinetoplastid protozoal parasite Leishmania is implicated as a ligand mediating uptake of the parasite into, and survival within, the host macrophage. By expressing gp63 antisense RNA from an episomal vector in L. donovani promastigotes, gp63-deficient transfectants were obtained. Reduction of the gp63 level resulted in increased generation times, altered cell morphology, accumulation of cells in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, and increased numbers of binucleate cells with one or two kinetoplasts. Growth was stimulated, and the number of binucleate cells reduced, by addition to the culture of a bacterially expressed fusion protein containing the fibronectin-like SRYD motif and the zinc-binding (metalloprotease) domain of gp63. These observations support an additional role of gp63 in promastigote multiplication; the fibronectin-like properties of gp63 may be important in this process