Indian J Med Res
-
Proper identification of the infection causing microbe in diabetic foot infections (DFIs) is essential for starting appropriate treatment. The objectives of this study were to compare fine-needle aspiration microbiology (FNAM) with wound swab as methods of sample collection in isolating microorganisms causing DFIs and also to compare the microbiological profile and sensitivity pattern of the infecting organisms. ⋯ In diabetic wound infections, wound swabs were sufficient to identify organisms in all grades of infection. However, in deeper infections (grade 3 and 4), FNAM would be a reliable investigation than wound swab.
-
Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are ubiquitously present in the environment, but NTM diseases occur infrequently. NTM are generally considered to be less virulent than Mycobacterium tuberculosis, however, these organisms can cause diseases in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. As compared to tuberculosis, person-to-person transmission does not occur except with M. abscessus NTM species among cystic fibrosis patients. ⋯ Treatment response in NTM-PD is variable and depends on isolated NTM species and severity of the underlying PD. Surgery is reserved for patients with localized disease with good pulmonary functions. Future research should focus on the development and validation of non-culture-based rapid diagnostic tests for early diagnosis and discovery of newer drugs with greater efficacy and lesser toxicity than the available ones.
-
Observational Study
Potential of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio in predicting sustained remission in rheumatoid arthritis compared to other immune activation markers.
Cells and cell proportions may indicate the equilibrium status of the immune system. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of cytokines and the immunocompetent cells as biomarkers of remission in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients intended to withdraw or reduce disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) treatment. ⋯ The present preliminary study highlighted the potential of NLR in predicting sustained remission in RA patients with a cut-off <2. Further study with a large sample size should be done to confirm this finding.
-
Several studies have shown a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients in the age group of 30-74 yr, but there is a paucity of data in young patients below 30 yr. We analyzed the clinical and coronary angiographic profile of patients <30 yr of age with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) and also assessed their intermediate and long-term outcomes. ⋯ Decreasing EF and multivessel involvement were found to be the strong correlates for long-term mortality in young patients below 30 yr of age with CAD. High long-term mortality rates and poor risk factor control suggest the vast scope for the improvement of outcomes in these patients with aggressive risk factor control.
-
Patients with thalasssaemia are at a risk of alloimmunization and the presence of RBC alloantibodies further complicates transfusion therapy. Matching for the critical antigens of Rh, Kell, Kidd and Duffy blood group systems has been shown to minimize alloimmunization. The aim of the present study was to create a database of extensively typed donors for clinically significant and common blood group antigens of Rh, Kidd, Kell and Duffy systems for transfusion therapy of multitransfused thalassaemic patients. ⋯ A database of 500 regular blood donors phenotyped for common antigens of Rh, Duffy, Kell and Kidd blood group systems was created, which would be useful in providing extended antigen-matched RBCs for thalassaemia patients. This will improve the quality and effectiveness of transfusion therapy.