Hypersensitivity pneumonitis: clinical, radiological and pathological profile of 103 patients from North India.

Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease, commonly occurring due to exposure to various inciting agent related to occupation. Few studies have shown that it can also occur without any occupation exposure. In this study we are presenting clinical, radiological and bronchoscopic finding of 103 HP patients. We retrospective analysis of 5½ years HP patient's data from a chest institute of India. The diagnosis of HP was considered with following criteria: i) known exposure to an inciting antigen; ii) presence of respiratory symptoms; iii) radiologic evidence of diffuse lung disease; iv) no other identifiable cause; v) lung biopsy specimen that demonstrated features of HP; and vi) bronchoalveolar lavage lymphocytosis (≥30%). The mean ±SD age was 47±12.8 years; 67% were female. The common symptoms were cough (97%) and dyspnea (91%). History of exposure to inciting agent was present in 61% with pigeon exposure being the most common (56%). Majority of patients (86%) were having chronic symptoms for >6 months. On 6MWT oxygen desaturation >4% was seen in 57% patients. Centrilobular nodules (61%) and ground glass opacity (47.5%) were common finding on HRCT chest. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) lymphocytosis >30% was present in 48.5% and histopathological diagnosis HP on transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) and/or endobronchial lung biopsy (EBLB) was in 50% patients. HP is exposure related environmental disease, as it can occur without any occupational history. Bronchoscopy with BAL and lung biopsy should do in all suspected cases to confirm diagnosis in our country as it is less invasive, day care procedure with less complication.

Profile of adverse drug reactions in drug resistant tuberculosis from Punjab.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to elucidate the profile of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with second-line anti-tubercular treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ADR profile of diagnosed drug-resistant tuberculosis cases on supervised second-line anti-tubercular drug regimen under Programmatic Management of Drug-resistant Tuberculosis under Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme, were studied over two years' period. Adverse reactions were categorised into mild, moderate and severe types with subsequent systematic data-analysis. RESULTS: Out of total 207 patients in the study, 81.16% reported with adverse drug reactions. Out of total 195 adverse events, 63.58%, 18.46% and 17.94% were of mild, moderate and severe types respectively. Gastrointestinal events, hepatitis, hearing impairment, arthralgia, psychosis, hypothyroidism, visual disturbances, giddiness, peripheral neuropathy, skin reactions, swelling or pain at injection site, anorexia and sleep disturbances were important amongst these. High proportion of drug and/or alcohol abuse was an important observation. The offending drug(s) had to be terminated in 12.08% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Early detection, management and pharmaco-vigilance reporting of ADRs remain key factors in the management of drug-resistant tuberculosis with remarkable relevance of the need for early diagnosis and treatment of 'drug-sensitive tuberculosis', to prevent emergence of drug-resistant tuberculosis.