Liver function tests in COVID 19: A retrospective record-based study from a tertiary care centre in urban Maharashtra, India.

Background: COVID-19 is a multi system disorder and causes various abnormalities in liver function tests. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of abnormal liver function tests in patients of COVID-19 and to describe the association of liver function tests with clinical features and disease severity in these patients. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated and analyzed the liver function tests of all real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positive COVID-19 patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Western Maharashtra. The Institutional Ethics Committee of our hospital approved the study. Results: Of the 533 patients included in our study, 50% had abnormal albumin levels while 40.1%, 43.5%, 9.3%, and 6.3% patients had deranged alanine transaminase (ALT) aspartate transaminase (AST), total protein and bilirubin levels, respectively. Hepatocellular injury was observed in 21 (3.9%) patients, and cholestatic liver injury was observed in seven (1.3%) patients. Abnormal liver function test (LFT) was significantly associated with disease severity but not with mortality. Conclusion: Abnormal LFT in patients of COVID-19 is associated with severe disease but not mortality. Liver injury is common in patients of COVID-19.

Hepatitis B vaccination in Indian children: Seroprotection and age-related change in antibody titres.

BACKGROUND: Childhood immunization against hepatitis B is one of the most effective strategies for reducing the global burden of chronic hepatitis B infection and its sequelae. There are limited data from India on both the anti-Hep B antibody titres in children after vaccination and the age-related decline in the titres. This study was planned to estimate the proportion of children in the age group of 1-10 years who develop protective levels of anti-hepatitis B antibodies after childhood vaccination and to examine the change in antibody titres with age in these children. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in children admitted to the hospital for various ailments. Basic demographic data, vaccination history and HBsAg status of the mother were recorded. All the enrolled children were evaluated for HBsAg and anti hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBS) titres. Institutional ethical clearance was obtained, and informed consent from the parents of the children was taken before drawing samples. RESULTS: We found that 68.86% Confidence Interval ((CI): 59.8-76.8%) of the children showed protective antibody titres after vaccination, while 31.14% (CI: 23.1-40.2%) of the children had titres less than 10 IU/L. Although 100% of children in the age group from birth to three years had titres more than 10 IU/L, this percentage showed a decline across the age groups, and 60% of children aged 9-10 years had titres less than 10 IU/L. CONCLUSION: Childhood vaccination against hepatitis B is effective in 68% children, and the antibody levels showed a steady decline with increasing age.

Prehospital shock index, modified shock index, and pulse pressure heart rate ratio as predictors of massive blood transfusions in modern warfare injuries: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Massive hemorrhage is the leading preventable cause of death in modern warfare injuries. Early and accurate detection of source of hemorrhage and massive blood transfusions remain the mainstay of management in such cases. Hemodynamic indices like shock index (SI), modified shock index (MSI), and pulse pressure heart rate (PP/HR) ratio have shown promising results in predicting massive transfusion in trauma patients. The present study aimed at assessing the accuracy of SI, MSI, and PP/HR ratio to predict the requirement of massive blood transfusions. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was done from 1st January 2016 to 31st December 2016 of the data taken from the trauma register of our hospital. Data were analyzed, and scores of SI, MSI, and PP/HR ratio were evaluated using area under receiver operating curves (AUROCs). Massive transfusion was defined as requirement of ≥10 packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in the first 24 hours or ≥4 PRBCs in first hour of hospital admission. RESULTS: Of the 326 warfare casualties received, a total of 254 patients were enrolled, and 51(23%) patients required massive transfusion on arrival. SI had an AUROC value of 0.798 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.739-0.848) which is comparable to MSI at 0.787 (95% CI = 0.728-0.839) and PP/HR ratio with a value of 0.744 (95% CI = 0.681-0.800), (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: SI, MSI, and PP/HR ratio are equally efficient in predicting massive transfusion in warfare injuries and can be used as rapidly available marker for prediction of massive transfusion in warfare injuries which can be lifesaving and time-saving.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of liver.

Nodular regenerative hyperplasia of the liver (NRHL) is a very rare cause of portal hypertension and liver failure. The condition is characterized by diffuse micronodular transformation of hepatic parenchyma without fibrous septa between the nodules. We present our experience with a 32-year-old woman who presented with recurrent episodes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with massive splenomegaly who was subsequently found to have NRHL. This article considers the salient aspects of this rare condition, how it affects the patients and the options available in its management. A plea is made for the need for liver biopsy for all patients with portal hypertension especially those being considered for surgery.

Celiac disease: variations of presentations in adults.

BACKGROUND: Patients with celiac disease, who remain undiagnosed or asymptomatic in childhood, may present in adulthood with either typical or atypical features. METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, we reviewed the case records of 45 consecutive patients with celiac disease diagnosed in adulthood. The diagnosis of celiac disease was made on the basis of the modified European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition criteria. The modes of presentation, clinical manifestations, endoscopic features and histological features were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of these patients at diagnosis was 28.7 (11.2) years. The median duration of symptoms before diagnosis was 2.5 years (range: 6 months to 40 years). Chronic diarrhea was the presenting manifestation in 20 (44%) patients only. Twenty-two (49%) patients were referred to us by hematologists, endocrinologists or gynecologists for evaluation of refractory anemia in 10 (2.2%), short stature in 6 (13.3%), metabolic bone disease in 2 (4.4%) and secondary infertility or delayed menarche in 4 (8.8%). Intestinal mucosal folds were scalloped in 31 (69%), attenuated in 34 (76%) and normal looking in 11 (24%) of them. Mild, moderate and severe villous abnormalities on intestinal mucosal biopsies were present in 10 (22.2%), 15 (33.3%) and 19 (42.2%) patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of adult patients with celiac disease present with atypical manifestations. A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosing variant forms of celiac disease in adults.

Solitary myofibroma of the breast: a case report.

Solitary myofibromas are relatively rare neoplasms but one of the most common fibrous neoplasms occurring in infancy and childhood. Adult cases have also been reported in the literature. We describe here a case report of an eighteen-month-old child who presented with a gradually enlarging nodule in the right breast. The case is presented for an insight into contemporary knowledge about its histogenetic origin, behaviour and prognosis.

Angiosarcoma of pericardium: a report of two cases.

Angiosarcomas are uncommon malignant neoplasms characterized by rapidly proliferating extensively infiltrating anaplastic cells derived from blood vessels and lining irregular, blood-filled spaces. The cells manifest many of the functional and morphological properties of normal endothelium. They are collectively one of the rarest forms of soft tissue neoplasms. Here we present two cases of pericardial angiosarcoma, one of them showing widespread dissemination, which caused considerable diagnostic dilemma and the diagnosis could only be established very late in their course of disease.

Spectrum of microscopic colitis in a tertiary care centre in India.

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of microscopic colitis has recently increased. Although collagenous colitis and lymphocytic colitis are the two main subtypes of microscopic colitis, many patients may not fit into either category and are thus included under the header nonspecific colitis. Of late, the spectrum of microscopic colitis has widened to include minimal change colitis, microscopic colitis not otherwise specified and microscopic colitis with giant cells. There is a lack of information concerning the spectrum of microscopic colitis in Asia. METHOD: In a retrospective analysis, case records of 29 patients diagnosed with microscopic colitis between 1999-2005 were analysed. Drug use parasitic infection and common bacterial infections were excluded. Colonoscopic/ sigmoidoscopic examination was done and multiple colonic mucosal biopsies were stained serially with haematoxylin and eosin for detailed histological examination and Masson trichrome for sub-epithelial collagen band. Based on histological criteria, patients were categorised into five subtypes: collagenous colitis (presence of collagenous thickening of surface epithelium basement membrane > 10 microm), lymphocytic colitis (intra-epithelial lymphocytes more than 20 per 100 colonocytes), minimal change colitis (crypt architectural abnormality in the form of cryptitis and crypt dilatation in the absence of increase in intraepithelial lymphocytes and subepithelial collagenous band), microscopic colitis not otherwise specified (increased inflammatory cell infiltrates in the lamina propria in the absence of other abnormalities) and microscopic colitis with giant cells. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was 38.59 years (range 12-62). Of 29 patients with microscopic colitis, 7 (24.1%), 4 (13.8%), 7 (24.1%) and 11 (37.9%) were classified as collagenous colitis, lymphocytic colitis, minimal change colitis and microscopic colitis not otherwise specified, respectively. None of these patients had giant cells. There was no significant correlation between disease type and clinical manifestations. CONCLUSION: Microscopic colitis has a wide histological spectrum. Cases reported as non-specific colitis, may be categorised into definite subtypes of microscopic colitis.

Placental site trophoblastic tumour--a case report.

Placental site trophoblastic tumour is a rare form of gestational trophoblastic disease, which seldom metastasizes. It is chemoresistant though has an excellent prognosis after complete resection of the tumour. Its characterization is thus important for treatment and further management. We present an unusual case who presented with ascites of non-neoplastic origin and was found to have metastases to the lymph node.