Recurrent ectopic pregnancies with secondary infertility: a case report

Infertility is defined as 1 year of unprotected sexual intercourse without pregnancy. It is further classified as primary and secondary. Secondary infertility is one in which prior pregnancy not necessarily live birth has occurred. Pelvic infections as a cause for infertility are seen in 12% cases while genital tuberculosis contribute 10-15%. Various studies have well established a relationship between subclinical infection and infertility with the two most potential pathogens being: Chlamydia trachomatis and mycoplasma species. Authors are presenting two cases one of a 30yr female, P0+5, with class 2 obesity with previous three ectopic pregnancies with LSO done 1 year back i/v/o left ruptured ectopic now presenting with secondary infertility for 1 year and another case of a 21 years female, P0+2, with previous two ectopic with LSO done 2 years back now presenting with infertility. These cases emphasize that infections are important causes for recurrent ectopic pregnancies and infertility.

Sevoflurane versus Isoflurane in Patients Undergoing Valvular Heart Replacements: A Comparative Study

Introduction: Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic agent, which is non-irritant with low solubility and lack of arrhythmogenicity, which makes it an ideal agent for ambulatory anesthesia. The aim of our study is to compare the cardiovascular effects at equivalent minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) doses and the recovery profile of sevoflurane and isoflurane, in patients undergoing valvular replacement surgery. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital-based, randomized, interventional, comparative study with sample size of seventy participants divided into two groups. Group A (35) received sevoflurane (1MAC) and Group B (35) received isoflurane (1MAC). Patients were of the American Society of Anesthesiologists Grade 2–4. The age group was 20–25 years with body weight of 30–65 kg, undergoing valvular heart surgery. The primary outcomes are to compare the changes in heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, cardiac output (CO), cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), and stroke volume variable, during maintenance of anesthesia. The secondary outcomes are the time taken for eye opening on verbal commands and extubation. Results: There was a decrease in blood pressure, CO, and SVRI with both agents (statistically insignificant, P > 0.05), but comparatively hemodynamics was more stable along with early recovery with sevoflurane (statistically insignificant). Conclusions: Sevoflurane and isoflurane can safely be used for fast-track anesthesia in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery. Sevoflurane provided a better hemodynamic profile, early awakening, and extubation as compared with isoflurane, even though the difference was insignificant. Thus, sevoflurane with opioids may be preferred in patients undergoing valvular heart surgery

Association Between Serum Uric Acid And Hba1c In Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Control Study In Indian Population

Background and Aim:Uric acid is a pro-oxidant molecule that might be implicated in increasing oxidative stress and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess serum uric acid and HbA1clevel (an indicator of glycemic control) in these patients and speculate the association between the two. Meth-ods:40 newly diagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (20 males and 20 females) with age ranging between 35-70 years were statistically compared against 40 age and sex-matched healthy subjects with respect to their uric acid and HbA1c levels. Demographic data like the height and weight of patients was also recorded and statistically compared. Results:No statistical difference in age, height and weight were observed in type 2 diabetes cases vs. controls indicat-ing that the groups were comparable. HbA1c and uric acid levels of males and females with type 2 diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in comparison to normal males and females (controls). Correlation analysis showed a posi-tive and significant correlation between HbA1c and uric acid levels in male and female cases of type 2 diabetes melli-tus. Conclusion:Uric acid might have a role in the development or worsening of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, further studies are required with a larger sample size to clearly establish the relationship between uric acid and glyce-mic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus since studies in the literature have shown conflicting results and hence the un-derstanding of the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus remains poorly understood with respect to uric acid

Clinical presentation and outcome of ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary care rural hospital

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is the commonest cause of the maternal morbidity and mortality in the first trimester of the pregnancy. The aim of this study was to see the clinical presentation, associated risk factors, mode of treatment and outcome.Methods: Retrospective study conducted in a tertiary care rural hospital. Women with diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy admitted between August 2016 to September 2018 were studied. Medical record files were scrutinized to get the details. Data was analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel (version 2007). Numerical data were subjected to descriptive analysis, with mean±standard deviation (SD) and categorical data as frequency and percentage.Results: Forty cases of ectopic pregnancy were included who were unbooked, non-smokers, married and belonged to rural areas. Eighty percent were in the age group of 20 to 30 years.  Maximum were gravida 3 or 4 with commonest presentation was pain, site was tubal. Laparotomy was done in 95% of women salpingectomy was the commonest surgical procedure done in 32 (80%) women. Salpingoophrectomy was done in one woman and lifesaving hysterectomy in 2 (5%) women for cervical and ruptured interstitial ectopic pregnancy one each. Blood transfusion was required in 28 (70%) women. No mortality was seen.Conclusions: Women of reproductive age group with pain abdomen and menstrual complaints, even without amenorrhoea, ectopic pregnancy should be ruled out. Treating reproductive tract infections / PID and offering contraceptives will decrease the incidence of ectopic pregnancy. Medical and paramedical staff should do the timely referral to higher centres.

Utility of adenosine deaminase (ADA), PCR & thoracoscopy in differentiating tuberculous & non-tuberculous pleural effusion complicating chronic kidney disease.

Background & objectives: Pleural effusion is a common occurrence in patients with late-stage chronic kidney disease (CKD). In developing countries, many effusions remain undiagnosed after pleural fluid analysis (PFA) and patients are empirically treated with antitubercular therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of adenosine deaminase (ADA), nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) and medical thoracoscopy in distinguishing tubercular and non-tubercular aetiologies in exudative pleural effusions complicating CKD. Methods: Consecutive stage 4 and 5 CKD patients with pleural effusions underwent PFA including ADA and PCR [65 kDa gene; multiplex (IS6110, protein antigen b, MPB64)]. Patients with exudative pleural effusion undiagnosed after PFA underwent medical thoracoscopy. Results: All 107 patients underwent thoracocentesis with 45 and 62 patients diagnosed as transudative and exudative pleural effusions, respectively. Twenty six of the 62 patients underwent medical thoracoscopy. Tuberculous pleurisy was diagnosed in six while uraemic pleuritis was diagnosed in 20 subjects. The sensitivity and specificity of pleural fluid ADA, 65 kDa gene PCR, and multiplex PCR were 66.7 and 90 per cent, 100 and 50 per cent, and 100 and 100 per cent, respectively. Thoracoscopy was associated with five complications in three patients. Interpretation & conclusions: Uraemia remains the most common cause of pleural effusion in CKD even in high TB prevalence country. Multiplex PCR and thoracoscopy are useful investigations in the diagnostic work-up of pleural effusions complicating CKD while the sensitivity and/or specificity of ADA and 65 kDa gene PCR is poor.

Association of interleukin-10 with hepatitis B virus (HBV) mediated disease progression in Indian population.

Background & objectives: Interleukin (IL)-10, an anti-inflammatory Th2 cytokine, is one of the key coordinators of the inflammatory responses involved. The present study was designed to evaluate the impact of IL-10 (-819/-592) genotypes, haplotypes, mRNA and the protein levels with risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in India. Methods: A total of 390 subjects (145 controls, 62 inactive HBV-carriers, 64 chronic-active HBV patients, 60 HBV related cirrhotics and 59 HBV- HCC subjects) were enrolled in the study. Allele specific (AS)-PCR, ELISA and RT-PCR methods were used for assessing polymorphism, spontaneous blood levels and the mRNA expression, respectively of IL-10. Results: The study revealed that the CC/TA genotype acted as a risk factor for cirrhosis (ORa=2.02; P<0.05) and the subsequent HCC development (ORa=2.20; P<0.05), with controls as reference. However, no significant association was found between the two haplotypes (CC and TA) observed and HCC risk. Moreover, the IL-10 protein and mRNA levels in peripheral blood mono nuclear cells (PBMCs) showed a significant elevation as the disease progressed to cirrhosis. But, no variation was observed in the IL-10 levels in subjects with different IL-10 genotypes. Interpretation & conclusions: These preliminary results suggest a strong association of IL10 (-819/-592) with the HBV infection mediated disease progression, from inactive carrier state to malignancy, in Indian population.

Immune responses to mycobacterial antigens in sarcoidosis: A systematic review.

From the time sarcoidosis has been described, there has always been a viewpoint that the disease is in some way related to tuberculosis (TB). Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease, which is likely a result of continued presentation of a poorly degradable antigen. Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been a very strong contender for this antigen. Besides the molecular studies demonstrating mycobacterial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the sarcoid tissue, assessment of immune responses against mycobacterial antigens provides a useful tool to study the role of mycobacteria in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis. We reviewed the studies focussing on T-cell and B-cell responses to tubercular antigens in patients with sarcoidosis. Pooled data from various studies does provide a suggestive, though not unequivocal evidence in favour of mycobacteria as a cause of sarcoidosis. These findings not only reinforce the possible pathogenic role of mycobacterial antigens in sarcoidosis, but at the same time also limit the clinical utility of molecular and serological studies based on mycobacterial antigens in the differential diagnosis of TB from sarcoidosis, particularly in a country with high endemicity for TB.

Nonspecificity of 35 kDa protein: A proposed marker for the differential diagnosis of M. avium infection in the Indian population.

Objective: The subunit vaccine strategies and development of various diagnostic reagents for Mycobacterium avium infection relies on the presence of secreted, species-specific mycobacterial antigens. The M. avium 35 kDa protein has been suggested as a candidate for vaccine/diagnostic reagent, specifically for M. avium infection. The present study was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic specificity of the M. avium 35 kDa protein in the Indian population. Materials and Methods: Culture filtrate proteins were isolated by growing the bacilli in modified Youman's medium. The 35 kDa protein was purified by high-resolution preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and a blast search was carried out. Western blotting was performed with either monoclonal antibody CS-38 or serum samples of tuberculosis (TB) patients. The 35 kDa-specific immunoglobulin G antibody titer was estimated in the sera of TB patients and healthy individuals by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Despite the absence of gene for the 35 kDa protein, the sera of TB patients and TB patient's contacts nonspecifically recognize it. Of 109 TB patients tested, the sera of 84 patients in ELISA (percentage recognition = 87.5%) and 27 of 29 TB patients tested in western immunoblotting (percentage recognition = 93.10%) recognized the M. avium 35 kDa protein, while with sera of TB patient's contacts, the recognition was 50%. Conclusion: Contrary to Western studies, the M. avium 35 kDa protein does not seem to be a good candidate for the specific diagnosis of M. avium infection in the Indian population.

Evaluation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific RD antigens for delayed type hypersensitivity responses in guinea pig.

Tuberculin skin test (TST), an age old method is based on measuring delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) response to purified protein derivative (PPD). However, inspite of simplicity, ease and cost effectiveness, the usefulness of PPD test is limited due to its inability to distinguish among a protective immune response, latent infection and active tuberculosis disease. On the other hand, a skin test based on RD antigens would add advantages of a high specificity of antigens with the logistics of a skin test. However, except few reports, in vivo data of intradermal use of RD antigens for skin testing is limited. Therefore, in the present study, four M. tuberculosis (Mtb) specific antigens (ESAT6, CFP10, CFP21 and MPT64) were evaluated for their diagnostic utility based on DTH response. These antigens alone and their multiple combinations induced strong DTH response in Mtb infected guinea pigs and the response was negligible in BCG vaccinated and sham immunized animals.

Homocysteine – Risk factor for ischemic stroke.

The present study was undertaken to compare the homocysteine levels in patients of ischemic stroke with controls. Our study included 117 patients of ischemic stroke and 101 controls. The mean homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic stroke were 16.80±6.71 umol/L while in controls it was 12.30±4.68 umol/L, the difference being statistically significant (P<0.01). The increased homocysteine levels in patients with ischemic stroke are independent of diabetes mellitus, age and sex. The homocysteine levels were higher in hypertensive subjects than non-hypertensive (P<0.05).

Liposomes as adjuvant for anti-mycobacterial vaccine development.

Mycobacteria are intracellular pathogens that invade and reside inside the macrophages. Recent advances in controlled delivery systems for vaccines such as liposomes have sparked a renewed interest in their potential application for the prevention of mycobacterial infections. The versatility of liposomes in the incorporation of hydrophilic/hydrophobic components, their non-toxic nature, biodegradability, biocompatibility, adjuvanticity, induction of cellular immunity, property of sustained release and prompt uptake by macrophages, makes them attractive candidates for the delivery of antigens. This review focuses on liposome research in the area of mycobacterial diseases and highlights how the various mycobacterial components may be exploited as powerful antigens with liposomes as adjuvants.

Immunoprophylactic studies on cell wall associated proteins of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra.

The cell wall protein peptidoglycan complex (CW-PPC) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra was isolated through sequential extraction of lipids, carbohydrates and soluble proteins. CW-PPC emulsified in FIA was found to induce significant protection in mice against challenge with LD50 dose of M. tuberculosis H37Rv. To identify the immunoprotective components of CW-PPC, the proteins in avid association with peptidogican were dissociated by chemical treatment with trifluoromethanesulthonic acid (CF3CO3H): anisole (2:1). Immunoreactivity of total (CW-Pr) as well as its component proteins i.e., 71, 60 and 45 kDa proteins of cell wall was studied in animals immunized with CW-Pr-FIA. The 71 kDa protein was found to be most immunoreactive giving higher T-cell sensitization and humoral responses. Further, immunization of mice with 71 kDa-FIA demonstrated enhanced T- and B-cell responses. Mice immunized with 71 kDa-FIA gave significantly higher protection (P ≤ 0·05) against intravenous challenge with LD50 dose of M. tuberculosis H37Rv, than BCG immunized animals. The results indicate the potential of 71 kDa cell wall protein as a suitable candidate for Cthe subunit vaccine.