Serosurvey For Measles, Mumps and Rubella in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Objective: Children with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) are at increased risk for vaccine-preventable diseases. The primary objective of the study was to estimate IgG antibody titers against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) in children with CKD and healthy controls who were previously immunized with measles/ MMR vaccine.

Methods: This case control study was conducted between January 2019 and January 2020.

Digital gangrene without sclerodactyly in the presence of anticentromere antibodies: A unique presentation of scleroderma.

Peripheral vascular disorders associated with anti-centromere antibody (ACA) present generally with sclerodactyly in connective tissue disorders (CTD). It is unusual for ACA-associated digital necrosis to develop without preexisting raynaud's phenomena or vascular risk factors. We report a novel case of a 60-year-old non-smoker, non-diabetic woman with ACA and isolated finger necrosis without any other features of CTD.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis in chronic kidney disease.

Pulmonary cryptococcosis is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus species, with Cryptococcus neoformans being the most common agent, affecting the lungs. While it commonly occurs in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, its presentation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is relatively rare. However, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory infections in patients with CKD, particularly in the context of immunosuppression.

Aquatic whispers: Decoding skin manifestation of Aeromonashydrophila.

The Aeromonadaceae family, comprised of gram-negative bacilli, is ubiquitously distributed across the globe. Infections by Aeromonas species encompass gastroenteritis, septicaemia, skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs), pneumonia, and peritonitis. This report delineates a case of Aeromonas hydrophila infection, manifesting as an array of pustules on the patient's lower extremities subsequent to the ingestion of marine crustaceans, specifically prawns.

Rectourethral Fistula after Posterior Urethral Valves Ablation in an Infant: A Rare Complication.

Acquired rectourethral fistula (RUF) is a rare but major complication of posterior urethral valve ablation. We present a case of a 1-year-old boy managed in a staged manner by completion of posterior urethral valves ablation, colostomy, RUF division through anterior sagittal transanorectal approach, and stoma closure. The child is continent for urine and feces.

Quality assurance of SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories during the pandemic period in India - An experience from a designated provider laboratory.

Purpose: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) initiated an Inter-Laboratory Quality Control testing (ILQC) program for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. Under this program, SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories across the country submit specimens to the assigned State Quality Control (SQCs) laboratories for ILQC testing. This study aimed to investigate the performance of public and private SARS-CoV-2 testing laboratories in Delhi and highlights the country's effort in ramping up testing facility with close monitoring of the quality of Covid-19 testing results.

Comparison of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II and American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) scoring system in predicting postoperative mortality in patients undergoing emergency laparotomy: A retrospective study.

Background And Aims: There is paucity of studies on preoperative risk assessment tools in patients undergoing emergency surgery. The present study evaluated the performance of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II, American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) surgical risk calculator and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status (PS) classification system in patients undergoing emergency exploratory laparotomy.

Methods: This retrospective study included 60 adult patients who underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy for perforation peritonitis.

Blood borne infections and Hepatitis B virus immunization levels among medical students in India.

Background: Medical students are actively involved in direct patient care during their training and subsequent medical practice, making them susceptible to acquiring blood-borne pathogens, including HBV. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of blood-borne infections and the Hepatitis B immunization status among medical students. Furthermore, it sought to identify gaps in risk assessment for blood-borne pathogens among medical students at a Medical College in New Delhi.

Diagnostic performance of saliva RT-PCR test as a diagnostic tool and its utility in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 shedding with different patient characteristics: Prospective observational study.

Background: Salivary shedding of SARS-CoV-2 is a known entity and its role has been established in transmission of the disease. The present study was performed to evaluate the duration of viral shedding in saliva in COVID-19 patients and its variation among symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with or without co-morbidities.

Methods: The present prospective observational study was conducted at the COVID-19 care hospital associated with primary to tertiary care in New Delhi, India.

Facilitating Harmonization of Variables in Framingham, MESA, ARIC, and REGARDS Studies Through a Metadata Repository.

Background: High-quality research in cardiovascular prevention, as in other fields, requires inclusion of a broad range of data sets from different sources. Integrating and harmonizing different data sources are essential to increase generalizability, sample size, and representation of understudied populations-strengthening the evidence for the scientific questions being addressed.

Methods: Here, we describe an effort to build an open-access repository and interactive online portal for researchers to access the metadata and code harmonizing data from 4 well-known cohort studies-the REGARDS (Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke) study, FHS (Framingham Heart Study), MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis), and ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study.

Can Neonatal Pull-through Replace Staged Pull-through for the Management of Anorectal Malformation? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) are managed classically in three stages - colostomy at birth, anorectal pull-through after 2-3 months, and stoma closure. Single-stage pull-through has been contemplated in neonatal age aimed to reduce the number of procedures, better long-term continence, the better psycho-social status of the child, and reduced cost of treatment, especially in resource-strained countries. We conducted a systematic review comparing neonatal single-stage pull-through with stage pull-through and did a meta-analysis for the outcome and complications.

Autoimmune encephalitis: A diagnostic enigma.

Autoimmune encephalitis with anti-NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor encephalitis is the most common type. This condition can be associated with underlying malignancy, making appropriate screening essential. Prompt identification and intervention of autoimmune encephalitis is essential for a successful outcome and full recovery from this serious and potentially fatal condition.

Is Omicron really mild? - Comparative analysis of comorbidities and disease outcomes associated with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants.

Purpose: Multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 from Alpha to Omicron have an estimated 6.1 million deaths globally till date. These variants have been found to vary in transmissibility and severity.

Umbilical Cord Blood IgA Levels and Bacterial Profile in Preterm Neonates Born with Maternal Risk Factors for Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis.

Objectives: To investigate the IgA levels and bacterial profile in umbilical cord blood (UCB) samples of mothers with risk factors compared to those without risk factors; and to understand the link between UCB culture positivity and neonatal outcomes [early-onset sepsis (EOS) or death within 7 d of life].

Methods: This is a pilot prospective case-control study. Mothers with preterm deliveries (gestational age <34 wk) were enrolled in two groups- Cases: Those with antenatal risk factors (prolonged duration of rupture of membranes of ≥24 h or chorioamnionitis) and controls: Those without these two risk factors.

Proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections among the Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre attendees of a tertiary care hospital.

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) affects the immune system of the body, causing a breakdown in its normal defenses and leaving it vulnerable to a host of life-threatening diseases. High-risk behaviors and routes of transmission for sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are identical with HIV. This study was conducted to assess the proportion of syphilis and hepatitis B and C virus infections in HIV-positive and HIV-negative individuals, and their association with socioeconomic and other factors in Integrated Counselling and Testing Centre (ICTC) attendees, and to determine the association of absolute CD4+ T-lymphocyte count with these co-infections in HIV-positive individuals.

Virological profile of upper respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age- a cross sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in North India.

Objective: To study the virological profile of URI among children under 5 years of age. Since, it is very difficult to distinguish between various viral etiologies solely on the basis of symptoms, this study was attempted to generate evidence that majority of URI are caused due to viral illness and no antibiotics should be prescribed in the management of the same.

Methods: This observational study was conducted over a period of one year (June 2021-May 2022) in a tertiary care teaching hospital in New Delhi.

To Compare Short-term Surgical Outcome among Patients given Continuous Postoperative Antibiotic Prophylaxis and those given no Postoperative Antibiotics after Urethroplasty for Hypospadias: A Pilot Study.

Introduction: There is no well-accepted guideline or uniform practice for the usage of prophylactic antibiotics along with urethroplasty for hypospadias. As antibiotic resistance is growing, it is imperative to rationalize the usage of antibiotics when a patient is operated for hypospadias.

Aims And Objectives: The study is aimed at finding if there is any difference in outcome if prophylactic antibiotics are given after urethroplasty for hypospadias.

COVID-19 detection using AIE-active iridium complexes.

The highly contagious COVID-19, caused by the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is commonly diagnosed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). However, despite being highly sensitive, RT-PCR is also time consuming and quite complex, which limits its use for point-of-care (POC) testing. We have developed a simple single-step fluorescence assay for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection based on the principle of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) using iridium complexes.

Microbial profile from peritoneal fluid and surgical wounds in patients with perforation peritonitis - A cross-sectional study from New Delhi.

Surgical site infection (SSI) remains one of the most common complications of perforation peritonitis, contributing not only to morbidity but also mortality. We studied the culture and sensitivity of intra-peritoneal fluid and post-operative laparotomy wounds, and found consistency in pathogen and sensitivity between the intra and post-operative samples in 25 cases (80.6%).

Female with two perineal openings: Do not forget rectovaginal fistula.

Anorectal malformations (ARM) in females are identified by abnormal location of the anal opening. Management is guided by clinical examination to find the number of perineal openings. Two openings in the perineum of a female may be seen in cases of imperforate anus without fistula, vaginal agenesis with vestibular fistula or imperforate anus with recto-vaginal fistula (RVF).

Comparison of clinical outcome and anal manometry following laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty and posterior sagittal anorectoplasty in patients with high and intermediate anorectal malformation: A randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: High and intermediate types of anorectal malformations (ARMs) may be managed by either open posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) or by laparoscopic-assisted anorectoplasty (LAARP). Most of the literature favours one approach over the other based on retrospective analysis. We performed this study with the aim to compare the short-term outcomes of both procedures.