Idiopathic Mixed Cryoglobulinemia: A Diagnostic Challenge.

Mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC) is commonly associated with chronic hepatitis C infection. Symptoms usually present as a clinical triad of purpuric rash, arthralgia, and generalized weakness. There have been several case reports establishing the relationship between hepatitis C and MC.

Troponinemia in Patients With Diabetic Ketoacidosis Without Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Ischemic myocardial injury in a diabetes mellitus (DM) patient can be a trigger or a complication of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). This case series examines the phenomenon of elevated troponin levels in patients with DKA in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Two out of three cases showed ST-segment elevation on electrocardiogram (EKG).

Development of a Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay for Mycobacterium bovis BCG and Validation in a Clinical Laboratory.

Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a live attenuated vaccine which can result in local or disseminated infection, most commonly in immunocompromised individuals. Differentiation of BCG from other members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) is required to diagnose BCG disease, which requires specific management. Current methods for BCG diagnosis are based on mycobacterial culture and conventional PCR; the former is time-consuming and the latter often unavailable.

Limited window for donation of convalescent plasma with high live-virus neutralizing antibody titers for COVID-19 immunotherapy.

Millions of individuals who have recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection may be eligible to participate in convalescent plasma donor programs, yet the optimal window for donating high neutralizing titer convalescent plasma for COVID-19 immunotherapy remains unknown. Here we studied the response trajectories of antibodies directed to the SARS-CoV-2 surface spike glycoprotein and in vitro SARS-CoV-2 live virus neutralizing titers (VN) in 175 convalescent donors longitudinally sampled for up to 142 days post onset of symptoms (DPO). We observed robust IgM, IgG, and viral neutralization responses to SARS-CoV-2 that persist, in the aggregate, for at least 100 DPO.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycobacterium orygis Strain 51145.

We report the complete 4,352,172-bp genome sequence of strain 51145 assembled into a single circular chromosome. Comparative genomic analyses with other lineages of the complex can provide insights into the biology, evolution, and epidemiology of this important group of pathogenic mycobacteria.

Convalescent plasma anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike protein ectodomain and receptor-binding domain IgG correlate with virus neutralization.

The newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) highlights the urgent need for assays that detect protective levels of neutralizing antibodies. We studied the relationship among anti-spike ectodomain (anti-ECD), anti-receptor-binding domain (anti-RBD) IgG titers, and SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization (VN) titers generated by 2 in vitro assays using convalescent plasma samples from 68 patients with COVID-19. We report a strong positive correlation between both plasma anti-RBD and anti-ECD IgG titers and in vitro VN titers.

Relationship between Anti-Spike Protein Antibody Titers and SARS-CoV-2 Virus Neutralization in Convalescent Plasma.

Newly emerged pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2 highlight the urgent need for assays that detect levels of neutralizing antibodies that may be protective. We studied the relationship between anti-spike ectodomain (ECD) and anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG titers, and SARS-CoV-2 virus neutralization (VN) titers generated by two different assays using convalescent plasma samples obtained from 68 COVID-19 patients, including 13 who donated plasma multiple times. Only 23% (16/68) of donors had been hospitalized.

brain abscess: A report of two cases treated with voriconazole.

Cerebral phaeohyphomycosis is an infection caused by a number of dematiaceous fungi, characterised by the presence of melanised hyphae in the invaded tissue. Cladophialophora bantiana is the most common species affecting the humans, which has a predilection for causing the central nervous system infections resulting in high mortality. We hereby report a success story of two cases of brain abscess caused by C.

Corynebacterium species causing breast abscesses among patients attending a tertiary care hospital in Chennai, South India.

Background: Corynebacterium species other than Corynebacterium diphtheriae were mostly considered contaminants in the past, but there are reports of their association with wide variety of human infections lately. In this study, we look into Corynebacterium species isolated from breast abscess patients and assess their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and treatment outcomes.

Material And Methods: Pus samples from suspected breast abscess cases were examined from October 2014 to September 2015.

Susceptibility profile of Gram-negative bacteremic isolates to beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitor agents in comparison to other antibiotics.

Background: Comprehensive understanding about the local antibiogram is an essential requirement for preparation of hospital or unit based antibiotic policy. Bacteremic isolates are the most useful ones for this purpose, representing invasive disease.

Objective: To analyze susceptibility pattern of bacteremic Gram-negative isolates in our center, to various antibiotics, including beta lactam-beta lactamase inhibitor (BL-BLI) agents and carbapenem.

Job Perception of Counselors Employed at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers for HIV in a District of South India.

Background: The counselors' form the backbone of HIV/AIDS control program, and for voluntary counseling and testing services to be effective counselors' opinions are crucial.

Purpose: To assess the perceptions of integrated counseling and testing center (ICTC) counselors with respect to the training received, problems faced in providing services, and job satisfaction.

Methods: Qualitative methods such as 1 focus group discussion and 7 in-depth interviews were conducted among 14 counselors employed at 13 ICTCs in a costal district of south India.