Follow-up study of COVID-19 sequelae (FOSCO study).

INTRODUCTION: We undertook the first study from India to evaluate the long-term health effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: The patients enrolled in our post-COVID-19 clinic were followed up for assessment at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after recovery from acute disease prospectively. RESULTS: 200 patients with mean age of 50.72 years and 57.5% males were analysed. 42.5% had severe and 17% had moderate disease at the time of diagnosis. The persistence of symptoms beyond 1 month of diagnosis was seen in 72.5% (145/200) patients. 8% (16/200) of the patients had post-COVID-19 complications that required rehospitalisation after discharge or recovery from acute COVID-19. The complications included respiratory failure (2%), lung cavities (3.5%), fungal infection, pericardial effusion, pneumothorax and death. The symptoms were persistent beyond 3 months in 51% (102/200) and beyond 6 months in 17.5% (35/200) of cases. The patients with persistent symptoms beyond 3 months and 6 months had significantly higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission during acute COVID-19, severe disease during acute COVID-19, and higher prevalence of comorbidities compared to the recovered patients. The clinical recovery was attained in 95.5% (91/200) patients, and the radiological recovery was attained in 97.92% patients at 1 year. The mean duration to clinical recovery was 174.2 days. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 recovery takes longer time. However, clinico-radiological recovery is attained in >95% cases by one year.

Comparison of dehulling efficiency and grain nutritional parameters of two cultivated barnyard millet species (Echinochloa spp.).

Due to increased awareness regarding the health-promoting profile of millets, inclination towards their consumption has increased considerably. In the Himalayan region of India, cultivars of the two species of barnyard millet, namely Indian (Echinochloa frumentacea) and Japanese barnyard millet (E. esculenta), are grown. To compare the dehulled grain recovery, grain physical parameters, nutritional profile and antioxidant activity, an experiment was carried out at ICAR-VPKAS, Almora, Uttarakhand hills for two years using released and popular cultivars of Indian barnyard millet (VL 207 and VL 172) and Japanese barnyard millet (PRJ-1). The results indicated that the whole grain yield of Japanese barnyard millet cultivar PRJ-1 was significantly higher than Indian Barnyard millet cultivars VL 172 and VL 207; however, the dehulled grain recovery was considerably higher in VL 172 and VL 207 than PRJ-1. Similarly, the physical grain parameters were significantly higher in PRJ-1, but most dehulled grain parameters were at par in cultivars of both species. The nutritional estimation of dehulled grains of both species did not show remarkable differences for most traits. Still, crude fibre, Mn, and Zn were high in PRJ-1, while total digestible nutrients and phosphorous were high in VL 172 and VL 207. Dehulled grains exhibited much more crude protein, ash, minerals, and total digestible nutrients, but the husk accumulated significantly higher crude fibre and total polyphenols.

Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) secondary to miliary tuberculosis.

HLH is a rare, life-threatening, hematologic disorder resulting from prolonged and excessive activation of antigen presenting cells (macrophages, histiocytes) and CD8+ T cells. It is characterized by fever, pancytopenia,splenomegaly and haemophagocytosis in bone marrow,liver or lymph node. This hyperinflammatory condition is often triggered by a variety of agents or events, mostly genetic or infectious. HLH secondary to TB, have 100 % mortality in absence of anti-tubercular treatment .Since it mimics other disorders, its timely diagnosis remains a challenge. We report a case of hemophagocytic syndrome associated with disseminated tuberculosis in an immunocompetent man managed with anti-tubercular treatment and corticosteroid as immune modulator.

Invasive Aspergillus Pseudomembranous and Obstructive Tracheo-bronchitis in an Immuno-competent Patient.

A 19 year female, presented with life threatening haemoptysis and cough with minimum expectoration for 3 months. Bronchoscopy showed multiple nodules in airway. The direct microscopy and culture of sputum revealed fungal elements and Aspergillus flavus respectively. Serum Galactomannan was positive. Thus diagnosis of invasive aspergillus tracheo-bronchitis made. She responded to voriconazole. Aspergillus tracheo-bronchitis is a rare form of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immuno-competent host. Aspergillus spp in respiratory samples should not be routinely discarded as colonization.