Guillain-Barre syndrome following COVID-19 vaccination: a study of 70 case reports.

Background and objective: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) has been found to have some interesting association with vaccinations. This paper mainly focuses on exploring different associations between COVID-19 vaccination and GBS. Methods: Electronic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane, and Embase were searched using MESH terms for case reports published till 1 August 2023 from which 70 case reports were documented involving 103 individuals from 23 different countries. Result and discussion: The case reports were from a wide range of individuals aged from 13 to 87 years with an average age of 53±20 interquartile range years along with male predominance. The average time between receiving the vaccine and the onset of symptoms was 13.08±2.14 days. Prominent clinical features included back pain, facial diplegia, weakness, and paraesthesia whereas the main diagnostic studies were cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis and electromagnetic studies. The principal diagnostic clue was albumin-cytological dissociation in CSF while being negative for anti-ganglioside antibodies or SARS-CoV-2. Available treatment options consisted of intravenous immunoglobulin and Plasmapheresis. Patients with comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, permanent atrial fibrillation, hypothyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, asthma, osteoporosis, migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, seizures, bipolar disorder, endometriosis, multiple sclerosis, bell's palsy, squamous cell carcinoma, prostate cancer were included in our study. Conclusion: Overall, this review evaluated innovative and clinically relevant associations between COVID-19 vaccination and GBS. Understanding of this uncommon potential side effect of COVID-19 vaccination is crucial for prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Importantly, GBS should not be considered a contraindication to vaccination. This underscores the importance of ongoing research to enhance the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccination efforts.

Traumatic Bilateral Femoral Fracture And Concurrent Vascular Injury In A 2-Year-Old Child - A Rare Case Report.

Fractures are an ordinary consequence of trauma. Paediatric fractures are rather uncommon because the bony framework is still in its growth phase and therefore compliant to such traumas. The incidence of vascular injuries is also low lying (<1%) in this age group. Nevertheless, management and recovery continue to be a challenge. In this case report, we discuss a 2-year-old child with a traumatic bilateral femoral fracture, a tibial fracture with added vascular injury. Delayed management may give rise to a variety of complications in such a peculiar case. Fortunately, this child is healthy, leading a normal life with no complications.

Early post-transplant cutaneous bacillary angiomatosis in a kidney recipient: Case report and review of the literature.

Bacillary angiomatosis (BA) is an uncommon systemic disease caused by Bartonella henselae (BH) or Bartonella quintana (BQ) that occurs primarily in immunocompromised hosts. Few cases of BA recipients have been reported in adult solid transplant recipients over the years, with most cases presenting years after transplant. We describe a case of a kidney transplant recipient who developed cutaneous BA very early in the post-transplant period despite not having any exposures. Retrospective testing of donor and recipient's serum was performed and raised the concern for possible donor-derived infection. A literature review encompassing 1990 to present was also performed in order to better understand the clinical presentation, diagnostics and therapeutic approach of this unusual disease. Combined serology, histopathology and molecular testing (polymerase chain reaction [PCR]) were useful in diagnosing BA in our patient as serology alone might be unreliable. Macrolides or doxycycline for at least 3 months is the recommended therapeutic strategy; however, the optimal duration of treatment is not well established in transplant recipients. In our patient, we decided to use doxycycline for 1 year due to gradual resolution of lesions and ongoing immunosuppression. Patient responded successfully without any documented relapse.

The Pattern of Psychiatric Morbidity in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional, Case-Control Study from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kashmir, North India.

INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric morbidity has an increased prevalence in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Patients overall psychosocial status plays an important role in the development of depression which, when major, is said to occur in 19%-42% of cases of COPD. We aimed to study patterns of psychosocial issues in patients with COPD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted over a period of 6 months in an Outpatient Department of Government Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar. A total of 100 COPD patients and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were included in this study and compared. The diagnosis of COPD was assessed by spirometry. Patterns of psychiatric morbidities were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. RESULTS: The frequency of psychiatric comorbidities was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in COPD patients (47%) as compared to controls (12%). The highest frequency of psychiatric morbidities in COPD patients was major depressive episode in 28% in comparison to 9% of controls. Other morbidities include panic disorder, dysthymia, generalized anxiety disorder, and suicidality. CONCLUSION: The frequency of psychiatric morbidities is increased in COPD patients as compared to controls. We recommend that all patients with COPD should be screened for psychiatric morbidity as there is enough scope for psychiatric services to be made available to these patients.

Maternal nutrition: how is Eastern and Southern Africa faring and what needs to be done?

BACKGROUND: The progress in key maternal health indicators in the Eastern and Southern Africa Region (ESAR) over the past two decades has been slow. OBJECTIVE: This paper analyzed available information on nutrition programs and nutrition-specific interventions targeting maternal nutrition in the ESAR and proposes steps to improve maternal nutrition in this region. METHODS: Search was conducted in relevant databases. Meta-analysis was done where there was sufficient data, while data from the nutrition programs was abstracted for objectives, settings, beneficiaries, stakeholders, impact of interventions and barriers encountered during implementation. RESULTS: Findings from our review suggest that multiple nutrition programs are in place in the ESAR; including programs that directly address nutrition indicators and those that integrate corresponding sectors like agriculture, health, education, and water and sanitation. However, their scale and depth differ considerably. These programs have been implemented by a diverse range of players including respective government ministries, international agencies, non government organisations and the private sector in the region. Most of these programs are clustered in a few countries like Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia while others e.g. Comoros, Somalia and Swaziland have only had a limited number of initiatives. CONCLUSION: These programs have been associated with some improvements in overall maternal health and nutritional indicators; however these are insufficient to significantly contribute to the progress in the region. Efforts should be prioritized in countries with the greatest burden of maternal undernutrition and associated risk factors with a focus on existing promising interventions to improve maternal nutrition.