Keratomycosis due to Purpureocillium lilacinum: A case report from Sub-Himalayan region of Uttarakhand

The fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum previously known as Paceliomyces lilacinus is an emerging pathogen that can cause severe human infections including devastating oculomycosis. Treatment with traditional antifungals often fails, and the organism shows variable susceptibility to novel triazoles. We hereby report a case of keratomycosis caused by Pur. lilacinum in an immunocompetent male patient following trauma. The patient was successfully treated with voriconazole. The drug shows good activity against Pur. lilacinum and could be a promising therapeutic alternative to treat infections caused by this fungus, which generally shows resistance to conventional antifungal agents including novel triazoles.

An outbreak of hepatitis A virus among children in a flood rescue camp: A post‑disaster catastrophe.

We report an outbreak of acute viral hepatitis among children in a flood rescue camp at Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand State, India. In May 2013, there was a disastrous natural calamity, The Himalayan Tsunami in Himalayan and Sub‑Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. More than 5700 people were feared dead, and thousands were sheltered in different rescue camps. A linkage was hypothesised between the infected individuals and the common water sources feared of being contaminated faecally. Aetiological agent of the present outbreak was HAV that is emerging in an outbreak form in India, emphasizing a definite need for formulating mandatory vaccination and proper control strategies. The report exemplifies the basic problems encountered after a natural calamity.

A Rare Case of Idiopathic Congenital Complete Heart Block in a Neonate.

Congenital complete heart block in utero has become diagnosed more frequently with the clinical use of fetal echocardiography. Autoimmune-associated congenital complete heart block (CHB) is a rare but important disease that can now be diagnosed in utero using fetal echocardiography1,2,3,4. The overall incidence of isolated CHB has been reported to be approximately 1:15,000 to 20,000 live births5. Several reviews have shown that children diagnosed prenatally have an increased mortality compared to those diagnosed immediately after birth or later in childhood1,2,3,4. At birth, some neonate with complete heart block may remain asymptomatic and may not require a pacemaker but majority require pacemaker to increase the heart rate. We report a rare case of idiopathic congenital complete heart block in a newborn male.

A Rare Association of Hydrops of Gall Bladder with Hepatitis E Infection.

Gall bladder distension with acute viral acalculous cholecystitis is an extremely rare event especially with Hepatitis E infection in paediatric cases with a high incidence of perforation, gallbladder necrosis and mortality. We report a four year old male child presenting with fever, vomiting, pain abdomen, mild hepatosplenomegaly and tenderness in right hypochondrium. Laboratory investigations revealed hyperbilirubinemia and elevated liver enzymes, but there was no evidence of bacterial or parasitic infection. Serology for viral hepatitis suggested acute Hepatitis E infection. Ultrasonographically distended inflamed gallbladder without calculous was observed. Finally acute acalculous cholecystitis due to Hepatitis E virus was diagnosed and the child responded to the conservative management.

Reverse passive haemagglutination (RPHA) test for detection of mycobacterial antigen in the cerebrospinal fluid for diagnosis of tubercular meningitis.

BACKGROUND: Various serological techniques have been developed to detect antibodies and antigens in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for diagnosis of tubercular meningitis. Most of the serological assays are ELISA based. Attempts have been made to use much simpler antigen detection techniques like the reverse passive haemagglutination (RPHA)which is simple and cost-effective. AIMS: To evaluate the reverse passive haemagglutination (RPHA) test for detection of mycobacterial antigens in the CSF for diagnosis of tubercular meningitis. METHODS: In the present study, we have made the use of polyclonal antiserum against heat killed whole Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli to sensitize the RBCs in RPHA to detect antigens in clinically suspected cases. A total of 46 cases (clinically suspected TBM 24, culture proven TBM 2, non- TBM cases 20) were included in the present study for detecting M. tuberculosis antigen in the CSF specimens. RESULTS: Of the 26 test CSF specimens, 13 CSF specimens were positive by RPHA while 4 of the 20 control CSF specimens were also reactive. Two culture positive specimens included in the study were positive by RPHA. Of the 4 control CSF specimens positive by RPHA, 3 were culture proven cases of pneumococcal meningitis and 1 was a case of cryptococcal meningitis. The RPHA is found to be 50% sensitive and 80% specific; and showed a 76.4 % positive predictive value and a 55.2 % negative predictive value. CONCLUSION: The RPHA is a simple test that could be used as an adjunct in diagnosing TBM. It does not require any special equipment or technically trained or skilled manpower. It is economical and can be afforded for use in community where TBM is more prevalent. Even though the present study showed a poor sensitivity and specificity, further identification, characterization and evaluation of better immuno-dominant and specific antigens or epitopes, and the usage of antibodies developed against such mycobacterial antigens might improve the sensitivity and specificity of this test.

Comparison of Siriraj and Guy's Hospital score to differentiate supratentorial ischaemic and haemorrhagic strokes in the Indian population.

In India, 70% of the population does not have access to computerised brain scanning. Siriraj score is a safe and reliable clinical method to asses acute stroke syndrome. 160 patients with acute stroke were analysed by Siriraj and Guy's hospital stroke score simultaneously. CT Scan was performed in all and subarachnoid haemorrhage was excluded. Ninety two patients (57.5%) had infarction and 68 (42.5%) had haemorrhage. Siriraj score formula revealed haemorrhage in 53 (80%) and infarction in 78 (83%), while in the rest the results were equivocal or incorrect. Guy's hospital score revealed haemorrhage in 45 (66%) and infarction in 59 (69%). Clinical features are also helpful in differentiating infarction from haemorrhage, but the accuracy is not as high as with Siriraj score and secondly Siriraj score is a very simple formula in comparison to Guy's score.

Effect of light and exhaustive ergometric exercise on blood sugar, total cholesterol and pH in untrained young human subjects.

Light and exhaustive ergometric exercise in untrained male and female medical students in the age group 18-21 years resulted in significant lowering of the blood sugar, cholesterol and pH. Females exhibited hypoglycemia of slightly greater magnitude as compared to male subjects and during both the exercises, however, such sex differences were not observed for changes in cholesterol and pH.