Natl Med J India
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Herpes zoster is a viral infection caused due to the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus that is localized to a single dermatome unilaterally. The factors responsible for its reactivation are increasing age, immunosuppressive drugs, malignancies, chronic liver and renal diseases. ⋯ Various skin manifestations post-vaccination are being reported, which include injection site urticarial, maculopapular rash and positive dermographism. We report a patient of herpes zoster triggered by the viral vector (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) coronavirus vaccine (recombinant).
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Historical Article
The Epidemic Diseases Act (1897): A study of international and domestic pressures on British epidemic policy formation in India.
The Epidemic Diseases Act (EDA) was enacted in February 1897 by the Government of India to prevent and control the spread of the plague. Since then, the Act has become a key legal tool for the control of epidemics/pandemics in India. We attempted to understand the international and domestic pressures that led to the adoption of the EDA in three ways. ⋯ Third, we analyse the discussions of the Council of the Governor General of India on the bill titled 'A Bill to Provide for the better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases', which later became the Epidemic Diseases Act No. III of 1897. We situate the EDA in an international context of International Sanitary Conferences, quarantine, trade concerns, and pilgrimage to Mecca in order to understand the pressures that impacted British epidemic policy formation in colonial India.
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Observational Study
The association between Behçet disease activity and elevated systemic immune-inflammation index: A retrospective observational study in a tertiary care hospital.
Background The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) is a novel marker for predicting the prognosis in patients with various diseases and cancers. We aimed to investigate the relationship between SII and disease activity in patients with Behçet disease (BD). Methods Our retrospective study included 513 patients with BD aged ≥18 years. ⋯ Pearson correlation coefficient (r) demonstrated a significant positive correlation between SII, and the C-reactive protein level (r=0.427, p<0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.422, p<0.001), platelet- lymphocyte ratio (r=0.711, p<0.001), and neutrophil- lymphocyte ratio (r=0.672, p<0.001). According to binary logistic regression analysis, the SII (odds ratio [OR] 1.003; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.001-1.004; p=0.002) was an independent risk factor for active BD. Conclusion The SII can be considered a novel predictor of BD activity.
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Background Membranous tonsillitis is one of the most common forms of acute tonsillitis in childhood. Although many different microorganisms may cause this disease, clinicians generally consider bacterial agents as a possible cause and prescribe a penicillin-group of antibiotic. This study aimed to determine the aetiology of membranous tonsillitis and prescribing errors. ⋯ Only 7% of patients with a positive throat culture were started on appropriate antibiotics. Conclusion EBV and group A beta-haemolytic streptococcus were the most common causes of membranous tonsillitis. Throat culture and peripheral blood smears are the most useful tests for paediatric emergency clinicians; these are fast and can help ensure correct diagnosis and guide treatment in almost all patients.
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In October 2022, the launch of first year MBBS books in Hindi language in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India kick started the debate on the introduction of Hindi/local language in medical education, which is currently being imparted in English. Opinions have been divided among the supporters of Hindi and local languages as well as opponents of this move. ⋯ Right from infrastructure, human resource, economic impact, academic impact, international effects to legal issues have to be kept in mind and stakeholders must discuss these before implementation. A subsequent reversal of this policy, either through executive orders or judicial intervention, could lead to irreparable loss to students enrolled and trained in Hindi/local language.