Seroprevalence of brucellosis among animal handlers in West Bengal, India: an occupational health study.

Brucellosis is a highly contagious zoonotic disease and a major human health problem worldwide. Due to its ways of transmission, direct or indirect contact with infected animals or their contaminated biological products, the disease exhibits strong occupational association with animal handlers comprising a significant population at risk. This study was undertaken to estimate the seroprevalence of brucellosis in animal handlers and to understand the epidemiological and serological aspects of the same. The animal handlers from the state of West Bengal, India were included in this study. It was a prospective and observational cohort study from November 2021 to March 2022. A total of 669 sera samples were collected from animal handlers and tested using various serological tests for Brucella antibodies. All serum samples were tested using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), standard tube agglutination test (STAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 106 (15.8%) patients were diagnosed with brucellosis among the total number of patients tested. Most of the patients affected with brucellosis belonged to the age group 51-60 years (23.5%). The seropositivity rate in male animal handlers was higher than female animal handlers in this study. More studies are needed to understand the occupational association of this disease. Awareness programs, safe livestock practices, and prevention of the disease by timely diagnosis must be implemented in order to control human brucellosis.

Case Report: A Series of Three Meningoencephalitis Cases Caused by Acanthamoeba spp. from Eastern India.

Acanthamoeba spp. are rare etiological agents of meningoencephalitis with high mortality. We present three cases of Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis in immunocompetent individuals from Eastern India. The first patient presented with fever and headache; the second with headache, visual disturbance, and squint; and the third presented in a drowsy state. The cases presented on March 3, 18, and 21, 2023 respectively. The first two patients had concomitant tubercular meningitis for which they received antitubercular therapy and steroid. Their cerebrospinal fluid showed slight lymphocytic pleocytosis and increased protein. The diagnosis was done by microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction. They received a combination therapy comprising rifampicin, fluconazole, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. The first patient additionally received miltefosine. She responded well to therapy and survived, but the other two patients died despite intensive care. Detection of three cases within a period of 1 month from Eastern India is unusual. It is imperative to sensitize healthcare providers about Acanthamoeba meningoencephalitis to facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

Entomophthoramycosis: An unusual cause of facial disfigurement.

Entomophthoramycosis is a rare fungal infection of nose, paranasal sinuses and subcutaneous tissues found in tropical and subtropical region. From India very few cases have been reported. Here we report a case of Entomophthoramycosis due to Conidiobolus coronatus from the eastern India who presented with slowly growing rhinofacial swelling and right sided nasal obstruction due to intranasal mass. The case was diagnosed by typical histopathological findings of broad aseptate hyphae with surrounding eosinophilic granular material (Splendore Hoeppli phenomenon) on microscopy of nasal biopsy material and confirmed by PCR assay of DNA and sequencing from biopsy tissue. Treatment with saturated solution of potassium iodide and itraconazole was successful and clinical cure was attained in 8 months.

PrEP in India's HIV Prevention Policy in the Era of Social Media and Sex Positivity.

Introduction: The global revolution of online social media and connectivity had a tremendous effect on sexual behavior in both developed and developing countries. This global change is influencing the societal structure and existing social principles. Moreover, it has a significant impact on the epidemiology of different infectious diseases, especially HIV. Discussion: India is one of the most diverse democratic countries that has undergone a social-cultural transition in the last decade. However, having the second-highest HIV infection rate in the world, India does not have any other new prevention tools in their national HIV prevention strategy. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), a boon of HIV prevention widely used in different countries, is still not implemented in India. The concept of "Digital India" by the Government of India is giving wide access of internet to the people of India. Furthermore, people are exposed to social media, and that is impacting their sex seeking behavior. Interestingly, recent legal changes in India promotes sex positivity. It also calls for introspection on existing HIV preventive strategies. Conclusions: Given the current scenario of PrEP and other existing preventive measurements of HIV, further research is needed to determine the acceptance and efficacy of PrEP and improve engagement in care for individuals in India. Various international studies recommend effective implication of PrEP to reduce the rate and economic burden of HIV infection.