Comparison of Knowledge and Practices among University Students of Allied Health Sciences and Engineering Departments in University of Lahore, Pakistan about Corona Virus Disease

Background: Corona Viruses is a group of viruses that cause diseases in both humans and mammals and are known to cause chronic respiratory diseases. The viruses among them include SARS, MERS and COVID-19. The most recent pandemic was a result of COVID-19. Older people and those with underlying medical problems are more likely to develop serious illness. Objective(s): To compare the knowledge and practices of Allied Health and Engineering students of the University of Lahore about Corona Virus Disease. Methodology: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was conducted on 326 students studying in Allied health Sciences and Engineering departments of UOL. The data was compiled in SPSS, version 24 for analysis. Result(s): The students of Allied Health Sciences had a better understanding and were more aware of COVID-19, its percussions and the methods to prevent its spread than of the Engineering Students. More than half of the Engineering students have found to have less understanding about the causative agent of the COVID-19 and similar trend was found in other categories. Health sciences students showed higher tendency towards hands hygiene practices than engineering students. Practical implication: Lessons learned from different outbreaks of infectious diseases suggested that knowledge and practices towards infectious diseases are associated with level of panic emotion among the population, which can further complicate attempts to prevent the spread of the disease. To facilitate outbreak management of COVID-19 in Lahore, Pakistan, there is an urgent need to understand the public's awareness of COVID-19. Keeping these considerations in mind this research was kicked-off to gauge the knowledge and practices of these medical and engineering students about Corona virus disease. Conclusion(s): The study shows that educational background plays a vital role in disease control and it will help in successful uptake of control interventions for prevention of COVID-19.Copyright © 2023 Lahore Medical And Dental College. All rights reserved.

Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) secondary to norovirus infection in a 4 year old patient

Case Report: Protein losing enteropathy (PLE) occurs when proteins leak from the gastrointestinal (GI) system more rapidly than they are produced. Inflammation of the GI tract facilitates increased membrane permeability of gastric mucosa, leading to excess protein leakage. 1 PLE in children has been associated with CMV, rotavirus, COVID-19, HIV, C. difficile, and autoimmune diseases like Crohn's Disease. 2-6 Norovirus is a known cause of PLE in immunocompromised pediatric patients. 7-8 However, to our knowledge, there are no case reports about PLE precipitated by norovirus in immunocompetent pediatric patients. The purpose of this case report is to present a case of PLE precipitated by a norovirus infection in a 4- year-old previously healthy child. While the above gastrointestinal viruses have been proposed as precipitators for this disease, PLE precipitated by norovirus infection has not been well described. This case also highlights the importance of early diagnosis and management to avoid complications. Method(s): Our patient initially presented with two days of abdominal pain, diarrhea, emesis, reduced urine output, and swelling of the lower extremities. He was exposed to several sick family members-his sister had upper respiratory symptoms and his grandmother had gastrointestinal symptoms. Physical exam was notable for diminished breath sounds in the right lower lobe, abdominal distension with diffuse tenderness and dullness to percussion, significant scrotal and penile edema, and bilateral lower extremity pitting edema. Laboratory results revealed leukocytosis, hypoalbuminemia, hyponatremia, elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and elevated serum alpha-1-antitrypsin, as well as low Immunoglobulins G and M. CD3 and CD4 levels were low reflecting cellular immune dysregulation seen in patients with PLE. IgA and Tissue Transglutaminase (TTF) were within normal limits. Ebstein Barr Virus and cytomegalovirus IgM antibodies were negative. COVID IgG was negative as well. His Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) gastrointestinal panel was positive for norovirus. A chest X-ray showed a large right pleural effusion. Abdominal CT revealed large ascites slightly more predominant in the upper abdomen, mesenteric lymphadenitis, and bilateral pleural effusions. Echocardiogram showed small anterior and apical pericardial effusions. Result(s): Based on the patient's elevated serum alpha-1 antitrypsin levels, hypoalbuminemia, low levels of immunoglobulins and lymphocytes, and clinical manifestations of ascites, bilateral pleural effusions, pericardial effusion, and dependent edema, along with a positive PCR for norovirus, the diagnosis of PLE secondary to Norovirus was made. Conclusion(s): This case demonstrates the importance of recognizing viruses like Norovirus as potential causes of PLE to avoid a delay in diagnosis and initiation of therapy, and to avoid unnecessary additional testing. Copyright © 2023 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation.

iApp: An Autonomous Inspection, Auscultation, Percussion, and Palpation Platform.

Disease symptoms often contain features that are not routinely recognized by patients but can be identified through indirect inspection or diagnosis by medical professionals. Telemedicine requires sufficient information for aiding doctors' diagnosis, and it has been primarily achieved by clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) utilizing visual information. However, additional medical diagnostic tools are needed for improving CDSSs. Moreover, since the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has garnered increasing attention, and basic diagnostic tools (e.g., classical examination) have become the most important components of a comprehensive framework. This study proposes a conceptual system, iApp, that can collect and analyze quantified data based on an automatically performed inspection, auscultation, percussion, and palpation. The proposed iApp system consists of an auscultation sensor, camera for inspection, and custom-built hardware for automatic percussion and palpation. Experiments were designed to categorize the eight abdominal divisions of healthy subjects based on the system multi-modal data. A deep multi-modal learning model, yielding a single prediction from multi-modal inputs, was designed for learning distinctive features in eight abdominal divisions. The model's performance was evaluated in terms of the classification accuracy, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and F-measure, using epoch-wise and subject-wise methods. The results demonstrate that the iApp system can successfully categorize abdominal divisions, with the test accuracy of 89.46%. Through an automatic examination of the iApp system, this proof-of-concept study demonstrates a sophisticated classification by extracting distinct features of different abdominal divisions where different organs are located. In the future, we intend to capture the distinct features between normal and abnormal tissues while securing patient data and demonstrate the feasibility of a fully telediagnostic system that can support abnormality diagnosis.

TUBERCULOUS PLEURAL EFFUSION MASQUERADING AS DRUG-INDUCED LUPUS

SESSION TITLE: Critical Care Presentations of TB SESSION TYPE: Rapid Fire Case Reports PRESENTED ON: 10/18/2022 12:25 pm - 01:25 pm INTRODUCTION: TNFα plays a pivotal role in inflammation and maintenance of immune response against tuberculosis. The use of TNF inhibitors (TNFi) is associated with a significant increase in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB). TNFi may cause drug-induced lupus (ATIL) presenting as constitutional symptoms, rashes, pericardial and pleural effusions with positive autoantibodies. We present a case of pleural TB masquerading as drug-induced lupus. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68y/o woman with a history of ulcerative colitis (on infliximab, mesalamine), hypertension, T2DM, CAD, complained of low-grade fever, rashes, left-sided chest pain, dyspnea, and arthralgias for two weeks. Chest pain- worse with inspiration and cough. She emigrated from India to the USA 40 years ago. Six months before infliximab therapy, Quantiferon gold was negative. Exam: faint hyperpigmentation over shins, minimal swelling of MCPs and ankles, dullness to percussion over the left chest with decreased breath sounds. Labs: CRP 101 mg/dL, Hb 10.8 iron deficient, rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP negative, ANA 1:40, dsDNA 1:640, a reminder of ENA negative, anti-histone negative, C3/C4 normal, UA bland, protein/Cr 0.4 mg/gm, negative blood cultures, SPEP and LDH normal. CXR: opacification of the left lung up to midfield. CT chest: moderate left and small right pleural effusions, enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. COVID and Quantiferon: negative. Thoracentesis: 850 ml of exudative fluid (2 out of 3 Light's criteria), lymphocytic predominance (76% of 4148 nucleated cells), adenosine deaminase (ADA) 42 U/L, gram stain, culture, acid-fast and MTB PCR negative, cytology negative. Thoracoscopy with biopsy of the parietal pleura: necrotizing granulomatous pleuritis with acid-fast bacilli. Sensitivity: pan-sensitive M. tuberculosis. Sputum: negative for TB. She was discharged on RIPE treatment for reactivation of TB. DISCUSSION: The incidence of infliximab-induced lupus is approximately 0.19% and confirming the diagnosis is challenging. The immunogenicity of infliximab is high, 66% of patients develop positive ANA. Anti-histone antibodies are less commonly associated with ATIL as opposed to classic drug-induced lupus and dsDNA is positive in up to 90% of cases of ATIL. Renal involvement is rare. The diagnostic usefulness of ADA (over 40 U/L) in lymphocytic pleural effusions for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in an immunosuppressed individual is demonstrated here. In countries with low TB burden, such as the USA, the positive predictive value of ADA in pleural fluid declines but the negative predictive value remains high. CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous pleuritis is not always easily diagnosed since AFB smears and sputum may remain negative. When ADA level in lymphocytic pleural fluid is not low thorough search for TB with thoracoscopy and biopsy is justified. Reference #1: Shovman O, Tamar S, Amital H, Watad A, Shoenfeld Y. Diverse patterns of anti-TNF-α-induced lupus: case series and review of the literature. Clin Rheumatol. 2018 Feb;37(2):563-568. Reference #2: Benucci, M., Gobbi, F. L., Fossi, F., Manfredi, M. & Del Rosso, A. (2005). Drug-Induced Lupus After Treatment With Infliximab in Rheumatoid Arthritis. JCR: Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, 11 (1), 47-49. Reference #3: Valdés L, San José ME, Pose A, Gude F, González-Barcala FJ, Alvarez-Dobaño JM, Sahn SA. Diagnosing tuberculous pleural effusion using clinical data and pleural fluid analysis A study of patients less than 40 years-old in an area with a high incidence of tuberculosis. Respir Med. 2010 Aug;104(8):1211-7. DISCLOSURES: No relevant relationships by Adam Adam No relevant relationships by Moses Bachan No relevant relationships by Chen Chao No relevant relationships by Zinobia Khan No relevant relationships by Milena Vukelic

Massive Pleural Effusion with Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Test Positive and COVID-19 Confirmed: A Case Report

A 26-year-old man complained of shortness of breath for 3 days before the hospital admission. The patient had a history of coughing up blood and had consumed alcohol and drugs. Decreased vesicular auscultation and dull percussion in the left lateral pulmo. Laboratory result showed increased neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio C-reactive protein, D-dimer, procalcitonin, ferritin, and decreased albumin level. Pleural fluid analysis indicated the presence of exudate, SARS-CoV-2 PCR positive, and increased ADA level to 43 U/L. Based on the examination results, we suspected that the etiology of the massive pleural effusion was tuberculous pleurisy, particularly due to increased ADA levels. The patient was diagnosed with COVID-19 pneumonia with massive pleural effusion and tuberculous pleurisy. Massive pleural effusion in SARS-CoV-2 infection is rare. Thus, laboratory modalities for massive pleural effusion diagnosis are needed to determine the etiology and effective treatment for the patient. ADA analysis could be considered as an initial examination in patients with pleural effusion during the wait for pleural fluid culture results.

NECROTIZING PNEUMONIA WITH HYDROPNEUMOTHORAX CAUSED BY MYCOBACTERIUM TUBERCULOSIS WITH IN A HEALTHY YOUNG WOMAN

CASE: Patient is a 21-year-old Guatemalan female with no significant past medical history was hospitalized with worsening productive cough for the last 4 weeks, with greenish sputum associated with pleuritic chest pain, shortness of breath and low appetite. Patient denies any fever, night sweating, weight loss. She states that she came from Guatemala around 3 years ago. Denies any nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, falls or injuries. She works in the poultry industry. No sick contact. No recent travel. She denies any family members with similar symptoms. No reported history of TB in the family. On admission, she was alert, vitals were stable except for mild tachycardia, and was saturating well on room air. Physical examination revealed dullness on percussion, diffuse crackles, and decreasing breath sound bilaterally. Cell blood count with white blood cells 8.6G/L (72.4% neutrophil and 15% lymphocyte) and hemoglobin ad hematocrit 10.5/34.7 and mildly elevated liver transaminase level were recorded. Chest X-ray showed, Severe bilateral basilar pneumonitis worse on left. Moderate-sized left pleural effusion and the first contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT)revealed severe multifocal necrotizing pneumonia with bilateral pleural effusions. The left pleural effusion raised the question of a loculated infected pleural effusion, and she also developed small apical hydropneumothorax. Patient was started on broadspectrum antibiotic coverage as well as pigtail placement on the left for drainage of pleural effusion. Fungal serologies, QuantiFERON gold assay, pleural fluid studies and sputum series for AFB stain were sent. COVID PCR negative. Cryptococcal negative. HIV negative. Sputum culture showing gram- negative rods Serratia marcescens and positive acid-fast bacilli for mycobacterium tuberculosis, pleural fluid is strongly exudative and sputum AFB smear showed positive PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. She started on Rifampin, INH, Pyrazinamide and Ethambutol. IMPACT/DISCUSSION: Necrotizing pneumonia is a serious complication of community acquired Pneumonia, it's a rare but severe condition of lung parenchyma destruction commonly caused by bacterial pathogens. Necrotizing Pneumonia with M.tuberculosis have been reported in children and several cases of pulmonary gangrene in adults but very few cases of necrotizing pneumonia have been reported.The destruction of pulmonary parenchyma induced by M. tuberculosis usually develops from months to years but there are a few cases (necrotizing pneumonia and pulmonary gangrene) in which this destruction may progress rapidly causing severe respiratory failure. The pathogenic mechanism can be explained by the intensive tuberculous inflammation causing the widespread vascular thrombosis and arteritis. CONCLUSION: Our case report highlights the rarity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis causing necrotizing pneumonia and physicians should be aware of this rare presentation which develops rapidly causing severe respiratory failure.

Gut Microbiome and Posttraumatic Epilepsy: Biomarker and Mechanistic Implications

The project examines the role of gut dysbiosis in post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Using a rat model of PTE - lateral fluid percussion injury (LFPI), the project tests the hypothesis that natural premorbid variations and/or post-LFPI perturbations of gut microbiome contribute to PTE. The goals Year 1 were to (i) obtain administrative approvals (Task 1);(ii) generate rats with LFPI and sham LFPI (iii) collect samples for, and perform longitudinal analysis of microbiome, blood and brain biomarkers of inflammation, biomarkers of intestinal barrier (IB) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability (iv) gather and analyze data of chronic epilepsy after LFPI;(v) collect microbiome samples for subsequent microbiome transfer to recipients for Aim 2/Task 3 (ii-v - Task 2). According to plan, by the end of Year 1, Task 2 is to be 66 percent completed. By the end of the reporting period, generating of experimental subjects and sample collection is on schedule. Sample processing is behind schedule due to the COVID-19 - related research shutdown. Analysis of samples and specimens processed up to-date shows that after LFPI (i) 1/3 of experimental subjects develop PTE;(ii) there are robust changes in microbiome composition (i.e., dysbiosis);(iii) there is significant increase of plasma inflammatory cytokines, which points to peripheral inflammation;(iv) there are disruptions of intestinal and blood-brain barrier;(v) there is pronounced of microglia activation which points to central inflammation. Overall the results confirm the hypothesis on the dysbiosis-PTE connection.

A build-at-home student laboratory experiment in mechanical vibrations.

The Covid-19 pandemic has caused many university educators to redesign their teaching to online delivery. This can be an effective approach for theoretical and conceptual teaching, but it is challenging to provide practical laboratory experiences. The objective here is to design a hands-on laboratory experience that can safely be undertaken by students remotely and that has substantial educational content. A new experiment was designed featuring a bifilar pendulum that students build themselves from readily available low-cost materials. This simple vibrating system has a surprisingly rich set of interesting physical characteristics that provide several important learning points. Initial trials indicate good student experience with the new experiment, notably an appreciation for the "do-it-yourself" aspect of the apparatus construction. The self-directed features and multiple learning features of the new student experiment make it attractive for use during Covid-19 times and beyond.

Application of an evidence-based, out-patient treatment strategy for COVID-19: Multidisciplinary medical practice principles to prevent severe disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated individuals, families, and institutions throughout the world. Despite the breakneck speed of vaccine development, the human population remains at risk of further devastation. The decision to not become vaccinated, the protracted rollout of available vaccine, vaccine failure, mutational forms of the SARS virus, which may exhibit mounting resistance to our molecular strike at only one form of the viral family, and the rapid ability of the virus(es) to hitch a ride on our global transportation systems, means that we are will likely continue to confront an invisible, yet devastating foe. The enemy targets one of our human physiology's most important and vulnerable life-preserving body tissues, our broncho-alveolar gas exchange apparatus. Notwithstanding the fear and the fury of this microbe's potential to raise existential questions across the entire spectrum of human endeavor, the application of an early treatment intervention initiative may represent a crucial tool in our defensive strategy. This strategy is driven by evidence-based medical practice principles, those not likely to become antiquated, given the molecular diversity and mutational evolution of this very clever "world traveler".