Treatment challenges in the management of difficult-to-treat gram-positive infections: A consensus view apropos therapeutic role of novel anti-MRSA antibiotics, levonadifloxacin (IV) and alalevonadifloxacin (oral).

Purpose: Treatment of antibiotic-resistant Gram-positive infections (GPIs), including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in patients with multiple co-morbidities who require antibiotics with greater safety and a consistent pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) profile. Such difficult-to-treat GPIs are often associated with poor outcomes, extended hospital stay and increased expenditure. This can be partly attributed to the limited safety and aberrant PK/PD profile of existing anti-MRSA antibiotics.

India-discovered levonadifloxacin & alalevonadifloxacin: A review on susceptibility testing methods, CLSI quality control and breakpoints along with a brief account of their emerging therapeutic profile as a novel standard-of-care.

Background: Levonadifloxacin (intravenous) and alalevonadifloxacin (oral prodrug) are novel antibiotics based on benzoquinolizine subclass of fluoroquinolone, licensed for clinical use in India in 2019. The active moiety, levonadifloxacin, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic with a high potency against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus. aureus, multi-drug resistant pneumococci and anaerobes.

Safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma as a therapy for SARS-CoV-2: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: The safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) in SARS-CoV-2 is promising but intriguing due to heterogeneity of published studies. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis of convalescent plasma use in COVID-19 to identify its safety and efficacy.

Material And Methods: We comprehensively searched the databases - PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for journal papers published between December 2019 and January 2021 about the use of CPT in SARS-CoV-2, and performed a meta-analysis using random effects models and assessed the quality of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach.

An Observational Study on the Effects of Delayed Initiation of End-of-Life Care in Terminally ill Young Adults in the Intensive Care Unit.

Introduction: The early initiation of end-of-life (EOL) care in terminally ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) offers distinct advantages but requires the consent and cooperation of the patients or their relatives. The terminally ill young adults pose distinct set of challenges. The present study was conducted to measure the prevalence and identify and compare the risk factors for the delayed initiation of EOL in terminally ill young adults.

The efficacy and safety of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in treatment of COVID19 -a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: The treatment of SARS CoV2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome corona virus 2) also known as COVID-19 (corona virus disease 2019) continues to remain an enigma even after six months of the pandemic. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) has been one of the most widely tested drugs for SARS CoV2 on account of its antiviral properties. However the results so far have been far from categorical.

A survey of physicians' appreciation and knowledge about airway safety measures in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Aims: The implementation of safety measures during airway management is a major concern to prevent COVID-19 transmission during pandemic. Various guidelines and advisories are in vogue to ensure safe practices. However, their success depends on the caregivers' knowledge and understanding.

A Comparison of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II Score and Serum Procalcitonin Change for Predicting Mortality in Acute Pancreatitis.

Introduction: The prediction of mortality in acute pancreatitis (AP) is a useful estimate for effective treatment. Scoring systems such as acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II, computed tomography (CT) severity index (CTSI), bedside index of severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP), etc., are used for prediction.

Epidemiology and risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacteria in critically ill patients with liver disease.

Background And Aims: The critically ill patients with liver disease are vulnerable to infections in both community and hospital settings. The nosocomial infections are often caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The present observational study was conducted to describe the epidemiology, course, and outcome of MDR bacterial infection and identify the risk factors of such infection in critically ill patients with liver disease.

Epidemiology and characteristics of nosocomial infections in critically ill patients in a tertiary care Intensive Care Unit of Northern India.

Background And Aims: The prevalence of nosocomial infection is higher in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) than other areas of the hospital. The present observational study was undertaken to describe the epidemiology and characteristics of nosocomial infections acquired in a tertiary care ICU and the impact of the various risk factors in their causation.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on the prospectively collected data of 153 consecutive patients admitted in a tertiary care ICU between July 2014 and December 2015.

Influence of Admission Source on the Outcome of Patients in an Intensive Care Unit.

Aim Of The Study: The admission in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) occurs from various sources, and the outcome depends on a complex interplay of various factors. This observational study was undertaken to describe the epidemiology and compare the differences among patients admitted in a tertiary care ICU directly from the emergency room, wards, and ICUs of other hospitals.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 153 consecutive patients admitted from various sources in a tertiary care ICU between July 2014 and December 2015.

Predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications after liver resection: Results from a tertiary care intensive care unit.

Background: Postoperative pulmonary complication (PPC) is a serious complication after liver surgery and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the intensive care unit (ICU). Therefore, the early identification of risk factors of PPCs may help to reduce the adverse outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the predictors of PPCs in patients undergoing hepatic resection.

Influence of non-surgical risk factors on anastomotic leakage after major gastrointestinal surgery: Audit from a tertiary care teaching institute.

Context: The occurence of anastomotic leakage after gastointestinal resection and anastomosis is associated with significant mortality and morbidity.

Aims: There is dearth of evidence in the literature on the influence of various non-surgical factors in causing anastomotic leakage although many studies have identified their possible role.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective audit of all the anastomotic leakages occurring between September 2009 and April 2012 in our institute was performed to identify the potential non-surgical factors that can influence anastomotic leakage.

Predictors of septic shock following anastomotic leak after major gastrointestinal surgery: An audit from a tertiary care institute.

Background: Anastomotic leak is a serious complication after major gastrointestinal surgery and majority of deaths occur due to septic shock. Therefore, the early identification of risk factors of septic shock may help reduce the adverse outcomes.

Objective: The aim of this audit was to determine the predictors of septic shock in patients with anastomotic leak after major gastrointestinal surgery.

Palliative care for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current perspectives.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory illness with a myriad of disabling symptoms and a decline in the functional parameters that affect the quality of life. The mortality and morbidity associated with severe COPD is high and the patients are mostly housebound and in need of continuous care and support. The uncertain nature of its prognosis makes the commencement of palliative care and discussion of end-of-life issues difficult even in the advanced stage of the disease.

A comparison between intravenous paracetamol plus fentanyl and intravenous fentanyl alone for postoperative analgesia during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Purpose: our study compared the effect of fentanyl alone with fentanyl plus intravenous Paracetamol for analgesic efficacy, opioid sparing effects, and opioid-related side effects after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Materials And Methods: eighty patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized into two groups, who were given either an IV placebo or an IV injection of 1g paracetamol just before induction. Both groups received fentanyl during induction and IM diclofenac for pain relief every 8 hourly for 24 h after surgery.