ABSTRACT
Objective To detail clinical profle and outcome in children infected with SARS-CoV-2. Methods This retrospective study was undertaken at a tertiary care pediatric teaching hospital in Northern India. The data on clinical characteristics and outcome of children (<18 y) with COVID-19 illness from April 2020–October 2020 were reviewed and analyzed. Results A total of 2919 children with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) illness were tested for novel COVID-19 virus in the fu emergency (n=1744), severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) ward (n=825), and non-COVID area (n=350) of the hospital. 8.73% (255/2919) children tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 255 positive cases, 144 (56.47%) were managed on an outpatient basis and 100 (59 boys) required admission in COVID ward. The mortality rate of patients with SARS-CoV-2 was 11.4% (29/255). Majority of children admitted with COVID-19 had severe to critical illness due to the presence of malnutrition and underlying comorbidities. Conclusions Children of all age groups were susceptible to COVID-19 illness with a slight male preponderance. Amongst infected, two-third were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms that required outpatient management and home isolation. The adverse outcomes were more commonly seen in infants and children>10 y of age with malnutrition and comorbid illness.
ABSTRACT
Carcinosarcoma (true malignant mixed tumor) is an extremely rare tumor of the salivary gland. It is a biphasic tumor and is composed of both malignant epithelial and malignant mesenchymal component. Commonly, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma forms the epithelial component and chondrosarcoma forms the mesenchymal component. We, hereby, report a parotid lesion in a 47 year old female that contained adenocarcinoma as epithelial component and chondrosarcoma as mesenchymal component. We report this unusual case of carcinosarcoma of parotid gland due to its rarity. It mimics benign lesions on ultrasonographic examination. On fine needle aspiration, the diagnosis of carcinosarcoma can be missed, as was in our case where it was reported as pleomorphic adenoma with atypical features. Histopathology only gives confirmatory diagnosis. In addition, a short review of literature along with possible pathogenesis of malignant mixed tumor of salivary gland is also presented.
ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Trichinellosis is a parasitic infection caused by Trichinella nematodes, acquired from consumption of raw meat. However, data from Indian subcontinent are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and biochemical profile of a suspected trichinellosis outbreak in a village in Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state in north India. Methods: Three index cases presenting as acute febrile myalgia syndrome with eosinophilia, after consumption of uncooked pork in a common feast, were confirmed as trichinellosis on muscle biopsy. A detailed epidemiological survey was carried out in the affected community and all the people who participated in the feast were investigated for clinical and biochemical profile. Results: A total of 54 patients were evaluated in the study. The type of pork consumed included uncooked in 24 per cent (n=13), open fire roasted in 39 per cent (n=21) and fried in 37 per cent (n=20). Clinical symptoms were found in those who consumed pork in uncooked or open fire roasted form (n=34). These included fever with chills and myalgia (100%), periorbital oedema (67%), dyspnoea (9%), and dysphagia (3%). Laboratory parameters studied in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients showed eosinophilia in 90 per cent (n=41), raised ESR in 98 per cent (n=45), and an elevated creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) level in 85 per cent (n=39). All symptomatic patients were treated with a short course of oral steroids and albendazole therapy. Conclusions: Trichinella infection is not uncommon in India, and should be suspected in case of acute febrile myalgia especially in areas, where habits of consumption of raw meat is more prevalent.