A study to assess the relationship between vitamin D3 levels and the risk of acute exacerbation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the top three causes of mortality worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency in COPD has been associated with poor lung function and decreased muscle power, which further increases the risk of exacerbations. The role of vitamin D in preventing acute exacerbations of COPD has conflicting results in the literature.

Evaluation of spirometry as a parameter of response to chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer patients: A pilot study.

Context: Spirometry is an important tool to monitor treatment response in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. However, there is lack of evidence to support its application to evaluate response to chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer. It might be a useful adjunct to the imaging-based response evaluation which lacks functional assessment of lungs.

Association between gene polymorphism and the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the north Indian population.

Interleukin-6 (IL6) is encoded by the gene in human and acts as pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Recent studies established that substantially contribute in the diagnosed of systemic inflammation for the patients suffering from lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Thereof, this work aimed to investigate the protagonist of (-174 G/C) genotypes as an essential risk factor for COPD in north Indian population.

Joint Indian Chest Society-National College of Chest Physicians (India) guidelines for spirometry.

Although a simple and useful pulmonary function test, spirometry remains underutilized in India. The Indian Chest Society and National College of Chest Physicians (India) jointly supported an expert group to provide recommendations for spirometry in India. Based on a scientific grading of available published evidence, as well as other international recommendations, we propose a consensus statement for planning, performing and interpreting spirometry in a systematic manner across all levels of healthcare in India.

A lipidated bi-epitope vaccine comprising of MHC-I and MHC-II binder peptides elicits protective CD4 T cell and CD8 T cell immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Background: The clinical trials conducted at Chingleput India suggest that BCG fails to protect against tuberculosis (TB) in TB-endemic population. Recent studies advocate that non-tuberculous mycobacteria and latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection interferes in the antigen processing and presentation of BCG in inducing protective immunity against Mtb. Thereby, indicating that any vaccine that require extensive antigen processing may not be efficacious in TB-endemic zones.

An Accord of Nuclear Receptor Expression in M. tuberculosis Infected Macrophages and Dendritic Cells.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis instigates interactions with host factors to promote its survival within the host inimical conditions. Among such factors, nuclear receptors (NRs) seem to be promising candidates owing to their role in bacterial pathogenesis. However, only few members of NR superfamily have been implicated in M.

A lipidated peptide of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resuscitates the protective efficacy of BCG vaccine by evoking memory T cell immunity.

Background: The current BCG vaccine induces only short-term protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), suggesting its failure to generate long-lasting memory T cells. Previously, we have demonstrated that a self-adjuvanting peptide of Mtb (L91), successfully generated enduring memory Th1 cells. Consequently, we investigated if L91 was able to recuperate BCG potency in perpetuating the generation of memory T cells and protection against Mtb infected mice.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and leprosy: An unsolved mystery.

Tuberculosis (TB) and leprosy are two age-old infections, which we are facing even today. With drug-resistant TB on the rise, we report a case of multidrug-resistant TB with leprosy, which has never been reported previously. The peculiar course of this case forces us to rethink about the upcoming challenges due to their cooccurrence.

Causing Pulmonary Infection in a Patient with Metastatic Small Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature on Pleuro-Pulmonary Infections.

Lactobacilli are normal commensals of the gastrointestinal and female genital tract. Due to its low virulence these bacteria are known to cause opportunistic infections. They cause mostly bacteraemia with or without endocarditis and rarely cause pleuro-pulmonary infection.

Antibody response against PhoP efficiently discriminates among healthy individuals, tuberculosis patients and their contacts.

Tuberculosis continues to be one of the most devastating global health problem. Its diagnosis will benefit in timely initiation of the treatment, cure and therefore reduction in the transmission of the disease. Tests are available, but none can be comprehensively relied on for its diagnosis; especially in TB-endemic zones.

Interstitial Lung Disease with Chilaiditi Syndrome.

Chilaiditi sign is the peculiar radiographic presentation of interposition of colon between diaphragm and liver. When associated with symptomatology, it is called as chilaiditi's syndrome. Though rare, respiratory symptoms may be present.

Adenocarcinoma of Lung Presenting as Interstitial Lung Disease.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) presenting as lung cancer have been reported rarely from India. The present case describes a possibly primary lung cancer in a non-smoker who presented radiologically as a case of ILD. The possible mechanisms available in the literature are discussed.

Pulmonary nocardiosis revisited: A case series.

Pulmonary nocardiosis is a rising bacterial infection, with a high propensity for misdiagnosis. On account of a paucity of prospective studies, there is limited understanding on various aspects of its diagnosis and treatment. We present three patients with pulmonary nocardiosis, with emphasis on the predisposing factors, variable disease course, and treatment issues.

Gender disparities in retreatment patients of tuberculosis: A north Indian study.

Background: 'Retreatment' for tuberculosis (TB) has long been a neglected area in global TB control India. However India disproportionately accounts for nearly half of retreatment TB cases notified globally. Sex differences vary in different age groups and in different parts of the world.

Pulmonary tuberculosis and mucormycosis co-infection in a diabetic patient.

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus is associated with a variety of infections which pose management difficulties. Herein, we report a case of diabetic patient who developed combined pulmonary tuberculosis and mucormycosis. The case illustrates management of this rare co-infection which despite being potentially fatal was treated successfully.

Reasons for interruption of anti-tubercular treatment among the retreatment patients in category II of RNTCP in Chandigarh, north India.

Introduction: More re-treatment TB patients are notified in India than any other country in the world, and default among this group is a serious public health problem. Adherence to the long course of TB treatment is a complex, dynamic phenomenon with a wide range of factors impacting on treatment taking behaviour. The main aim of the study was to study the basic clinical and demographic profile of the defaulters and the reasons for discontinuation of treatment among these retreatment patients in category II of RNTCP.

Outcome of pulmonary rehabilitation in patients after acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an evidence-based intervention in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which improves the exercise capacity and quality of life (QoL).

Methods: We studied 60 patients after an episode of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). They were randomised to receive conventional treatment without pulmonary rehabilitation (CTWPR) (n=30) or, standard treatment plus a 12-week post-exacerbation pulmonary rehabilitation (PEPR) programme in addition.

Quality of life impairment in patients of obstructive sleep apnea and its relation with the severity of disease.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated considerable impairment of quality of life (QOL) in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, but its relation with severity of OSA is yet unclear.

Study Objectives: To investigate the effects of OSA on the QOL and its association with the disease severity.

Design And Setting: Observational, prospective case-control study.

Hemoptysis in patients of celiac disease with disproportionately severe anemia: tip of the iceberg?

Idiopathic Pulmonary Hemosiderosis (IPH) is characterized by the triad of iron deficiency anemia, pulmonary infiltrates and haemoptysis with no recognizable cause. Since the first description of its association with Celiac Disease (CD) by Lane and Hamilton in 1971, only a few isolated cases have been reported in literature. Although it has been considered an uncommon association of two disease entities, recent reports indicate that prevalence of celiac disease is as high as one percent.