Consensus statement on the management of invasive candidiasis in Indian scenario

Invasive fungal infections in critically ill patients are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Candida species are among the most common causes of nosocomial bloodstream infections and of invasive infections in intensive care units (ICUs). The high mortality mandates early identification of invasive candidiasis which is vital to initiate appropriate and timely treatment and improve outcomes. Delaying the initiation of treatment could result in an increase in mortality which can be avoided by usage of more rapid diagnostic techniques. There are multiple diagnostic tests including culture and non-culture tests like 1,3-β-D-glucan and newer techniques like MALDI-TOF which are available to diagnose candidemia but each with their drawbacks. Additionally, there are various guidelines like IDSA and ESCMID on treatment which aim to minimize death, late complications from deep-seated candidiasis and rise of drug- resistant Candida strains. Through this consensus statement prepared by a panel of experts, all of whom are senior intensivists, infectious disease specialists and microbiologists, we aim to address the major aspects of management of invasive candidiasis in the Indian population as per the authors opinions, backed by published evidence and supported by the latest clinical guidelines.

Ademetionine in patients with liver disease: a review

The aim of the present review is to have an in-depth analysis of the published scientific literature relating to the clinical use of ademetionine in various etiologies of liver disease. Literature search was performed using electronic databases like Pubmed/Medline/others to identify studies on ademetionine in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, drug induced liver injury and viral hepatitis. Ademetionine has been studied in various etiologies of liver disease with varying dosing and durations. In patients with chronic and alcoholic liver disease, ademetionine was found to be beneficial in improving liver enzyme levels, increasing glutathione levels, improving signs and symptoms of fatigue, pruritus and jaundice. Positive effects of ademetionine therapy have also been documented in multiple studies in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with improvements observed in triglyceride, total cholesterol, alanine transaminase and asprtate transaminase levels and ultrasound grading of fatty change. In patients with drug induced liver injury, improvements were observed in liver biochemical markers and symptoms such as pruritus, fatigue and jaundice. Ademetionine has also been studied in patients with viral hepatitis with improvement in laboratory markers and signs and symptoms. Published data suggest that there is clinical evidence to substantiate the use of ademetionine across indications. Its use has resulted in sustained improvement in biochemical markers; signs and symptoms of liver disease has been observed in both acute and chronic liver disease. Further data is warranted through clinical studies to focus on specific end points of therapy areas, in existing and new indications.

Mycophenolate mofetil-induced colitis with graft versus host disease-like features in a liver transplant recipient.

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a commonly used immunosuppressive drug in the management of transplant recipients. Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity (diarrhea) is the most frequently reported adverse event in MMF-treated transplant patients. MMF-induced Graft versus Host Disease has rarely been reported in literature. We report a case of MMF-induced colitis with Graft versus Host Disease-like features, to highlight the importance of high clinical suspicion for its diagnosis, and that appropriate management in such a setting can reduce morbidity and mortality. We also review the relevant literature.

Isolated tuberculosis of the pancreas: a report of two cases and review of the literature.

We report two cases of pancreatic tuberculosis. The first patent (who tested positive for HIV) presented with abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, anorexia and tender epigastric lump. The CT scan revealed multiple small abscesses in the pancreas. The second patients, who had no evidence of immunodeficiency, presented with constitutional symptoms and obstructive jaundice. The CT scan revealed a mass in the pancreatic head with peripancreatic lymph nodes and dilatation of the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tree. None of the patients had Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection of the lung or any other organ. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy clinched the diagnosis in both the patients, with caseation necrosis and plenty of acid-fast bacilli in the first patient, and characteristic granulomatous inflammation of the pancreas in the other. The first patient died during the index hospitalization, while the other responded well to antitubercular treatment with improvement in symptoms and radiological clearance of the initial lesions.

Profile of asymptomatic chronic HBV infection in India.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: In India, horizontal transmission in early childhood has been shown to be a significant mode of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV). This prospective, cross-sectional study was undertaken to study the biochemical, serological and histological profile of incidentally detected asymptomatic HBsAg positive subjects (IDAHS) picked up at a tertiary care referral centre. METHODS: In 157 (M:F::123:34) HBsAg positive subjects, clinical, biochemical, virological and histological assessment was done. The histological activity index (HAI) of > 3 was considered as chronic hepatitis. Serum was tested for HBsAg, HBeAg, HBeAb, HBV DNA and alanine transaminase (ALT). RESULTS: Seventy (45%) subjects were HBeAg and 83 (53%) anti-HBe positive. While 71 per cent of the subjects with elevated ALT had an HAI > 3, only 36 per cent with normal ALT showed significant histological changes (P < 0.001). Significant histopathological lesions in the liver biopsy were seen in 92 (59%) subjects, with moderate to severe lesions in 14. IDAHS who were HBeAg +ve were more likely to have significant histological lesion than those who were anti-HBe +ve (P < 0.01). In the anti-HBe +ve group, 35 of 57 (61%) subjects for whom HBV-DNA was available, were HBV-DNA positive. Anti-HBe+ve, HBV-DNA+ ve IDAHS with elevated ALT were more likely to have chronic hepatitis vis-a-vis those subjects in this group who had a normal ALT (P < 0.001). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: ALT is a reliable discriminant of significant histological lesion in IDAHS. The relatively young mean age of Anti-HBe +ve IDAHS suggests an early age of infection and hence, early seroconversion or mutant virus infection in this cohort. A significant proportion of these IDAHS have HBV-DNA positivity and HAI > 3. Our results clearly demonstrate ongoing liver disease in asymptomatic, so-called "HBV carriers". We propose that the term hepatitis B 'carrier' should be abandoned and replaced by 'chronic HBV infection'.