Viral Load-based Evaluation of the Sensitivity of Antigen-based Rapid Detection Assay for SARS-CoV-2

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global public health problem. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. However, the assay requires hours to get the final results. Therefore, antigen-based rapid assays are being used extensively to reduce the time. We have evaluated the performance of the antigen-based rapid test for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus in comparison with RT-PCR. Materials and methods: Nasopharyngeal and throat swabs were collected from 366 suspected patients of COVID-19 visiting our institute and subjected to qualitative RT-PCR and antigen-based rapid assays to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. The sensitivity and specificity of the antigen-based assay were calculated in comparison with RT-PCR. Results: Compared with RT-PCR, sensitivity and specificity of the antigen-based rapid assay were observed to be 70.5% and 98.6%, respectively, in comparison with RT-PCR. However, the sensitivity of antigen-based rapid assay varied significantly with decreasing viral load. The sensitivity of the rapid antigen assay was equivalent to RT-PCR (23/23, 100%) at a higher viral load (Ct value 15�). In contrast, the antigen assay could only detect 3/21 (14.28%) samples with Ct value >30. Conclusion: The antigen-based assay could assist in the rapid screening of a large population. However, the rapid antigen assay might not detect early stages of infection represented by low viral load. Therefore, the antigen-based assay could not replace RT-PCR testing. The study reiterates that all antigen-based negative tests should be confirmed by RT-PCR.

Ocular manifestations in patients attending antiretroviral therapy centre at a tertiary care hospital in Himachal Pradesh, India

Background & objectives: Ocular manifestations in HIV/AIDS patients range from adnexal disorders to the posterior segment disease. This study was aimed to evaluate the ocular manifestations, including vision-threatening manifestations in HIV-positive patients attending an antiretroviral therapy centre (ART) of a tertiary care hospital in north India and its association with the CD4+ cell count. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the department of Ophthalmology in collaboration with the ART centre. An equal number of patients were selected from each year i.e., 30 patients each from those registered in the year 2010 till 2015. These patients were selected randomly from the register using systematic randomization. Hence, a total of 150 patients were examined for ocular manifestations. All the patients included in this study were on highly active ART. Results: Of the 150 patients examined, 53 per cent were females and 47 per cent were males. Heterosexual transmission was the most common mode of transmission in 126 (84%) patients. Maximum number of patients was in the age group of 31-40 yr. Ocular manifestations were present in 53 [35.3%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 28-43%] patients. Twelve (8%; 95% CI: 4-12%) patients had lid and adnexal manifestations. Anterior-segment manifestations were present in 20 (13.3%; 95% CI: 8-19%) patients. Posterior-segment manifestations were present in 21 (14%; 95% CI: 8-20%) and vision-threatening posterior-segment ocular lesions were present in 14 per cent of the patients. Univariate logistic regression showed a significant (P<0.001) inverse association of CD4+T-cell count with the vision-threatening posterior-segment ocular lesions. Interpretation & conclusions: Routine ocular examination may be done in all the HIV/AIDS patients to detect and treat vision-threatening ocular lesions at the earliest.

Ascariasis as a cause of hepatic abscess: A report of 3 cases.

We receive around 60 cases of hepatic abscess in a year. The commonest diagnosis reached at the time of discharge is amoebic liver abscess. The diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess is mostly presumptive and thus the patients are usually given a mixed treatment with injection ceftriaxone and tablet metronidazole. Here we report three cases of hepatic abscess diagnosed recently, where ascariasis was the probable etiology. Ascariasis may be a much commoner cause of hepatic abscesses in this region than we think.

MRI imaging of ulnar leprosy abscess.

Leprosy is a chronic granulomatous infection, caused by mycobacterium leprae, primarily affecting the peripheral nerve trunks and cutaneous nerves. It classically presents with neural or dermal signs and symptoms. The indolent course of leprosy may manifest as erythema nodosum (appearance of tender inflamed subcutaneous nodule) and reversal reaction (inflammation in the previous skin lesion, appearance of new skin lesions, neuritis and abscess). Ulnar nerve is most commonly involved. This report illustrates the MR imaging appearance of ulnar nerve abscess. ©

Hyperammonemic coma presenting as Hashimoto's encephalopathy.

Hyperammonemia is commonly encountered in active liver disease. Evaluation of patients having hyperammonemia with normal liver function is difficult. We present a case referred to us as undiagnosed hyperammonemic coma with normal liver function, who was subsequently diagnosed to have Hashimoto's encephalopathy. In patients with hyperammonemia without hepatic dysfunction, one must search for the presence of hypothyroidism. Hashimoto's encephalopathy though described to be rare in literature, is often underlooked. In patients with undiagnosed coma, one must look for it as it is easy to diagnose and treat.

Enalaprilat induced acute parotitis.

Drug induced acute parotitis is a very uncommon complication reported with a few drugs only. There is no case of acute bilateral parotitis reported previously with i.v. enalaprilat. We present here a female patient who developed acute bilateral parotitis within minutes of i.v. enalaprilat injection and recovered within 24 hours of stopping the drug and with symptomatic treatment.

Abdominal compartment syndrome--an old syndrome, a new perspective.

The abdominal compartment syndrome is a life threatening condition resulting from pathologic elevation of the intraabdominal pressure. Prompt diagnosis is required to avoid significant sequelae. Diagnosis of this syndrome is based on clinical findings and intra abdominal pressure monitoring. Treatment consists of decompressive laparotomy, which corrects the pathology. Various surgical techniques are described to manage the open abdomen. Despite considerable attention accorded to this disorder, it is still associated with high morbidity and mortality. This review article deals with the identification of risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of critically ill patients with the abdominal compartment syndrome.

ARDS complicating scrub typhus in Sub-Himalayan region.

Scrub typhus is a febrile illness widely endemic in Asia caused by Rickettsiae tsutsugamushi in which humans are accidental hosts. If there is delay in the initiation of the appropriate antimicrobial therapy patient may present with serious complications. We report three cases that presented in emergency with acute respiratory distress syndrome and history of fever for more than one-week duration. On investigation all the three patients were positive for Weil Felix reaction and showed dramatic response to doxycycline.

Importance of age in outcome of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy in open access endoscopy: a profile of patients in Sub-Himalayan region of North India.

The Oesophago-Gastro-Duodenoscopy (OGD) is done in patients received by either open access system or the conventional system. The presenting complaints and OGD findings may differ among patients with age < 45 yrs and those who are more than 45 yrs old. The referral diagnosis, age, sex, and environmental factors have important implications on the chances of finding and objective abnormality on endoscopy in a patient. This study was aimed to evaluate to evaluate the profile of 1186 patients divided into younger (<45 yrs) and older age (45 or > 45 yrs) groups presenting for oesophago gastroduodenoscopy through open access referral system in sub-Himalayan region of North India. This is a retrospective study carried out on patients who underwent the OGD from Jan, 2004-Dec, 2004. The study was conducted in Indira Gandhi Medical College situated at a moderate altitude in North India. All patients presenting in Medical College during the study period for OGD were taken into study. The patients were divided into two groups based on age; less than 45 yrs and 45 yrs or more than 45 yrs. Their presenting complaint, age, sex, and OGD findings were recorded. The profile was compared between the two groups. A total of 1186 patients underwent OGD; the females were 451(38%) and males were 735(62%); 616(52%) were < 45 yrs old and 570(48%) of the patients were 45 yrs or older. In the group I 431(70%) had a normal endoscopy and 185(30%) showed abnormal endoscopic findings. In group II 302(53%) had a normal endoscopy, and 268(47%) had abnormal findings on endoscopy. Gastric ulcers, mass lesion/new growth were more common in elderly group, Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) was more common in younger group. The presenting complaints were similar in both groups. It is concluded that for the same presenting diagnosis the yield of OGD was more in patients > 45 yrs old. The positivity rate increased from 30% in < 45 yrs to 47% in the elderly cohort. So, all people >45 yrs should go for endoscopy at the first hint of upper GI pathology, or appearance of alarm symptoms.

Bioactivity of marine organisms: Part VIII--Screening of some marine flora of western coast of India.

Methanolic extracts of 31 botanically identified species of marine flora, collected from Gujarat Coast, have been screened for a wide range of biological activities. Of these, 3 extracts showed anti-implantation, 2 had antiviral, 2 showed hypotensive, 1 had anti-inflammatory while 12 extracts showed diuretic activities. The antiviral activity; against EMCV, was confirmed in one alga. The active principles and results of these studies are reported.

Leprosy deformities. II. As parameters to monitor the effectivity of leprosy control programme.

Leprosy deformities have been considered as the main reason for dehabilitation and social ostracism. Prevention of deformities is considered as one of the most important objectives of leprosy control programme. In present work based on deformity status, efforts have been made to evolve new parameters and their possible application in assessment of leprosy control programme.

Leprosy deformities. I. An epidemiological study in a rural area of Rajasthan.

Leprosy deformities have been the cause of dehabilitation, destitution and social ostracism. Present study was planned and conducted in a rural area situated in eastern districts of Rajasthan. Out of 426 cases of leprosy, ninety cases were found suffering with deformities. The influences of various host factors and disease factors, in causation of deformities have been discussed.

Leprosy in eastern region of Rajasthan.

Total population survey covering 28055 persons living in 34 villages of eastern Rajasthan was carried out. Out of 28055 persons 20276 (72.27%) were actually examined and 218 cases of leprosy were detected. Prevalence of leprosy was found to be 10.75/1000, which is very high and contrary to earlier observations regarding leprosy prevalence in Rajasthan. Leprosy problem in Rajasthan has been discussed.

Interaction of two LAC repressor protein segments with polynucleotides.

The interaction of the oligopeptides Ala-Gln-GIn-Leu-Ala-Gly-OH and Gln-Leu- Ala-Gly-OMe corresponding, respectively, to the sequence 53–58 and 55–58 of lac repressor protein with four polynucleotides was studied. The two peptides did not interact with poly dA. poly dT, poly d(A-T).poly d(A-T) or poly d(A-G).poly d(C-T). But they interacted in a characteristic way with poly d(A-C). poly d (G-T), the sequences of which are in abundance in the lac operator region. Both the peptides stabilised the melting of poly d (A-C). poly d (G-T) at a peptide to nucleotide ratio (P/N) of 4; at lower ratios, they destabilised the DNA slightly. The circular dichroism of the alternating polynucleotide with CAC/GTG sequences was perturbed by both the oligopeptides. The hexapeptide at a P/N of 4 caused the transformation of the Bform circular dichroism spectrum to a new state, characterised by strong 220 and 240 nm bands, and a rather weak long wavelength spectrum.