Contiguous squamous proliferations in syringocystadenoma papilliferum: A retrospective study of 14 cases

Background: Syringocystadenoma papilliferum is a benign adnexal neoplasm. Contiguous squamous proliferation has been rarely described in syringocystadenoma papilliferum. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the spectrum and pathogenesis of contiguous squamous proliferation in syringocystadenoma papilliferum. Materials and Methods: All cases of syringocystadenoma papilliferum diagnosed over the past 12 years were screened for contiguous squamous proliferation. Cases with associated nevus sebaceous were excluded from the study. Immunohistochemistry for GATA3, CK7, BRAFV600E and p16 was performed. PCR for human papilloma virus, type 16 and 18, was carried out. Results: Of a total of 30 cases, 14 cases showed associated contiguous squamous proliferation which included four cases of verrucous hyperplasia, six cases with papillomatosis, two cases with mild squamous hyperplasia and one case each of Bowen’s disease and squamous cell carcinoma. In the cases with non-neoplastic contiguous squamous proliferations, the squamous component did not express CK7 or GATA3. However, the squamous component of premalignant and malignant lesions expressed CK7 and GATA3 concordant with the adenomatous component. BRAF was positive in adenomatous component in five cases while the contiguous squamous proliferation component was negative for BRAF in all but one case. p16 was negative in both components of all cases and PCR for human papilloma virus was negative in all cases. Limitations: Due to the rarity of disease, the sample size of our study was relatively small with two cases in the 2nd group, that is, syringocystadenoma papilliferum with malignant contiguous squamous proliferation. Detailed molecular studies such as gene sequencing were not performed. Conclusion: Syringocystadenoma papilliferum with contiguous squamous proliferation is underreported, and most commonly displays verrucous hyperplasia. The premalignant and malignant contiguous squamous proliferations likely arise from syringocystadenoma papilliferum while the hyperplastic contiguous squamous proliferations likely arise from the adjacent epidermis. Relationship with high-risk human papilloma virus is unlikely. However, further molecular analysis of larger number of cases is required to establish the pathogenesis.

Epidemiology, Clinical Profile, Intensive Care Needs and Outcome in Children with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Admitted to a Tertiary Hospital During the First and Second Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic in India

Objectives To compare the epidemiological, clinical profle, intensive care needs and outcome of children hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the frst and second waves of the pandemic. Methods This was a retrospective study of all children between 1 mo and 14 y, admitted to a dedicated COVID-19 hospital (DCH) during the frst (1st June to 31st December 2020) and second waves (1st March to 30th June 2021). Results Of 217 children, 104 (48%) and 113 (52%) were admitted during the frst and second waves respectively. One hundred ffty-two (70%) had incidentally detected SARS-CoV-2 infection, while 65 (30%) had symptomatic COVID-19. Comorbidities were noted in 137 (63%) children. Fifty-nine (27%) and 66 (30%) children required high-dependency unit (HDU) and ICU care respectively. Severity of infection and ICU needs were similar during both waves. High-fow oxygen (n=5, 2%), noninvasive ventilation [CPAP (n=34, 16%) and BiPAP (n=8, 5%)] and invasive ventilation (n=45, 21%) were respiratory support therapies needed. NIV use was more during the second wave (26% vs. 13%; p=0.02). The median (IQR) length (days) of DCH stay among survivors was longer during the frst wave [8 (6–10) vs. 5.5 (3–8); p=0.0001]. Conclusions Disease severity, associated comorbidities, PICU and organ support need and mortality were similar in the frst and second waves of the pandemic. Children admitted during the second wave were younger, had higher proportion of NIV use and shorter length of COVID-19 hospital stay.

Hydroxychloroquine in Treatment of Asymptomatic and Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19: A Multi-Centre Cohort Study

Background: Although hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) lacks benefit in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19, its role in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic disease needs better elucidation. Methods: This multi-centre cohort study included asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic, RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 cases between 30 March and 20 May, 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups (HCQ-treated and untreated) based on exposure to HCQ. Dose of HCQ used was 400 mg twice daily (day one) followed by once daily for seven days. HCQ-untreated patients were managed supportively without any active antiviral or immunomodulatory therapy.h Nasopharyngeal SARS-CoV-2 clearance by RT-PCR (primary outcome) was compared between HCQ-treated and untreated patients using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional-hazards regression. Clinical efficacy and safety profile of HCQ were assessed (secondary outcomes). Results:162 patients [84 (51·9%) males; mean age 38·2 (15·2) years] were included. Forty-four (27·2%) patients had mild disease, rest 118 (72·8%) were asymptomatic. Seventy-five (46·3%) patients received HCQ. Median time to virological negativity was lesser in HCQ-treated (13 days) versus untreated patients (15 days) (log- rank<0·001) in both asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic patients. Treatment with HCQ was the only independent predictor of virological negativity (hazard- ratio=2·24; adjusted p-value<0·001). Two (5·4%) mildly symptomatic patients progressed to severe disease within 24 hours (two doses) of HCQ initiation, compared to none in the HCQ-untreated group. Five HCQ-treated patients developed minor gastrointestinal side effects, not requiring drug discontinuation. Conclusion: HCQ reduced the time to virologic negativity (by 2 days) in asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic COVID-19, without any serious adverse events. However, no obvious clinical benefit was noted.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in a Young Child.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a multisystem disorder mediated by cytokine storm and is characterized by fever, pancytopenia and organomegaly coupled with laboratory features like hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypofibrinogenemia and transaminitis. Etiology can be genetic or acquired such as infections, malignancy and autoimmune disorders. Diagnosis, identification of underlying etiology and management of HLH remain tough clinical puzzles to sort out for the managing physician. We report a clinico-pathological conference of a three-year-old boy who had such a presentation and succumbed during the hospital stay.

Rubella seronegativity among health care workers in a tertiary care north Indian hospital: Implications for immunization policy.

Background: Rubella is traditionally considered a childhood disease but has the potential to cause outbreaks in hospital set ups. It is important to know the susceptibility status of health care workers (HCWs) as to frame guidelines for their immunization and thus prevent hospital outbreaks. Participants: The rubella susceptibility status of 313 HCWs working in the institute was assessed. This study was initiated after we reported an outbreak due to rubella among HCWs of our institute. Materials and Methods: The serum samples were tested to determine Rubella IgG titres by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Overall, 48 (15.3%) subjects were found to be negative, thereby indicating their susceptibility to infection. Out of them, 29 (60.5%) were in contact with pregnant women during the course of their employment. There is a risk of nosocomial transmission of rubella from affected HCWs to their contacts especially pregnant women as many of the rubella infections are asymptomatic. Conclusion: Hence, we stress the need for vaccinating the HCWs at the start of their employment to contain the spread of infection and also to reduce the risk of outbreaks in work place.

Congenital rubella and cytomegalovirus infections in and around Chandigarh.

AIMS: This study has analyzed the role of rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) in infections of children and pregnant women. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. Data from blood samples from pregnant women (asymptomatic and also women with obstetric problems) and children (suspected of intrauterine infections) that were received in the laboratory over a period of 8 years were analysed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The samples were tested for rubella- and CMV-specific IgM antibodies by capture enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In children, the overall positivity for rubella- and CMV-specific IgM antibodies was 2.8% and 12.5%, respectively. In asymptomatic pregnant females, rubella positivity was 0.7% while in women with obstetric complications it was 3.4%. IgM antibody positivity in cases of CMV was 7.8% in both asymptomatic pregnant women and also in women with obstetric complications. CONCLUSIONS: The study indicated that infection with CMV is more common than the rubella virus. The incidence of rubella has reduced over the past few years. Hence, screening for rubella infection may be reserved for women with obstetric complications only. The routine screening for CMV among all antenatal cases is a debatable issue.

Re-emergence of multi-drug resistant Shigella dysenteriae with added resistance to ciprofloxacin in north India & their plasmid profiles.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Multi drug resistant Shigellae pose a major threat in control of shigellosis with. Shigella dysenteriae being the most prevalent species at our centre before 1994. A gradual decrease in S. dysenteriae occurred over the years with a corresponding increase in S. flexneri which became the predominant serotype. From May to November 2003, an increase in number of patients admitted with clinical diagnosis of dysentery was noted in comparison to previous years, with a corresponding increase in the isolation of multi drug resistant S. dysenteriae. We report here the re-emergence of multi drug resistant S. dysenteriae at our tertiary care centre in north India after a gap of about 10 yr. Plasmid analysis of S. dysenteriae was also performed to study the origin and clonality of the isolates. METHODS: Stool samples were collected in Cary-Blair medium and processed by standard methods. Shigellae were confirmed by serotyping. Minimum inhibitory concentration was done by agar dilution method and E-test. Plasmid profiling of 18 isolates (16 S. dysenteriae 1 and 2 S. dysenteriae 2) was performed by modified alkali lysis method. Clinical details of patients were noted. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients with dysentery were admitted during the study period. Patients presented with unusually severe symptoms and six developed complications. Treatment failure with ciprofloxacin occurred in six patients who received cefotaxime and amikacin. There were 38 children below 5 yr of age. S. dysenteriae (18 isolates of S. dysenteriae 1 and 2 isolates of S. dysenteriae 2) were isolated from 20 of the 64 (31.2%) stool samples. S. dysenteriae re-emerged as the commonest isolate after a gap of nearly 10 yr. Fourteen of the 20 S. dysenteriae isolates were multi drug resistant; 12 were resistant to ciprofloxacin with MIC of 8-32 mug/ml. Plasmid profile analysis revealed that 6 of 11 ciprofloxacin resistant S. dysenteriae 1 had similar profiles. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Emergence of a clone of ciprofloxacin resistant S. dysenteriae 1 in north India is disturbing as treatment options in our geographic area are limited in view of already existing high drug resistance to nalidixic acid, co-trimoxazole and amoxycillin. A close monitoring of shifts in serogroup distribution and antibiotic resistance is required to guide clinicians for treatment of shigellosis.