Discordance of 3rd and 4th generation QuantiFERON-TB Gold assays by pregnancy stages in India.

Background: Pregnancy and HIV affect CD4+ T lymphocytes and impact performance of QuantiFERON-TB Gold (QFT). We compared the results of QFT with QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus), which also measures CD8+ responses to TB antigens, during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods: We screened 516 pregnant women for TB infection (TBI) with IGRA.

Risk Factors and Predictive Accuracy of the Rotterdam Risk Index for Wound Dehiscence Following Abdominal Surgery.

Background Wound dehiscence (WD) is a major postoperative complication following abdominal surgeries, particularly exploratory laparotomy. Identifying preoperative risk factors and using predictive tools, such as the Rotterdam Risk Index (RRI), are crucial for early intervention and improving patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors associated with WD and assess the predictive accuracy of the RRI in a cohort of patients undergoing abdominal surgeries.

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Fractional CO2 Laser Versus Microneedling in Atrophic Acne Scars in the Skin of Color: A Split Face Study.

Background: Post-acne scarring causes severe physical and psychological distress. Multiple treatment modalities are available with no single gold standard treatment.

Aim And Objectives: To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of fractional CO2 laser and microneedling in atrophic acne scars and corelate with variables like scar type, duration, and Fitzpatrick skin types.

Predictive metabolite signatures for risk of progression to active TB from QuantiFERON supernatants of household contacts of TB patients.

The identification of individuals with the greatest risk of progression to active tuberculosis (TB) disease from the huge reservoir of () infected individuals continues to remain an arduous ascent in the global effort to control TB. In a two-year prospective study, we analysed metabolic profiles in the unstimulated and TB antigen stimulated QuantiFERON supernatants of 14 healthy household contacts (HHCs) who progressed to TB disease (Progressors) and 14 HHCs who remained healthy (Non-Progressors). We identified 21 significantly dysregulated metabolites in the TB antigen-stimulated QuantiFERON supernatants of Progressors, of which the combination of Malic acid and N-Arachidonoylglycine had maximum AUC of 0.

Study of Complete Surgical Response of Stage III Oral Carcinoma Patients in Comparison to Primary Surgery Versus Neoadjuvant Methotrexate With Surgery.

Objective This study aims to compare the efficacy of neoadjuvant methotrexate therapy followed by surgery versus primary surgical management in patients with stage III oral carcinoma. Methods Thirty patients diagnosed with stage III oral carcinoma were enrolled in this prospective study at a tertiary cancer research center. The patients were divided into two groups: 15 patients received neoadjuvant methotrexate therapy followed by surgery, while 15 underwent primary surgical management.

3HP preventive treatment among children and adolescents with HIV and child household contacts of TB patients.

Introduction: India's National TB Elimination Programme plans to roll out short-course TB preventive therapy (TPT) using 3 months of rifapentine and isoniazid (3HP). Understanding the feasibility and safety of children in programmatic settings is critical for widespread implementation. We present the findings of a targeted scale-up of 3HP among children and adolescents living with HIV (CALHIV) and child household contacts (>2 to <6 years) of pulmonary TB patients (CHHC).

Tracking KP.2 SARS-CoV-2 Variant in India and the Clinical Profile of KP.2 Cases in Maharashtra, India.

Background:  Following the emergence of the JN.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant, variants with key mutations in the spike protein, such as L455F, F456L, and R346T, were identified. In early January 2024, the KP.

Pharmaceutical cost dynamics for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis in children and adolescents in South Africa, India, and the Philippines.

Rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis (TB) in children is a major global health concern but is often neglected in economics research. Accurate cost estimations across the spectrum of paediatric RR-TB treatment regimens are critical inputs for prioritisation and budgeting decisions, and an existing knowledge gap at local and international levels. This normative cost analysis was nested in a Phase I/II pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and acceptability trial of TB medications in children in South Africa, the Philippines and India.

Factors Associated With Unfavorable Treatment Outcomes Among Persons With Pulmonary Tuberculosis: A Multicentric Prospective Cohort Study From India.

In this prospective cohort of 2006 individuals with drug-susceptible tuberculosis in India, 18% had unfavorable treatment outcomes (4.7% treatment failure, 2.5% recurrent infection, 4.

Implications of subclinical tuberculosis for vaccine trial design and global effect.

Tuberculosis is a leading cause of death from an infectious agent globally. Infectious subclinical tuberculosis accounts for almost half of all tuberculosis cases in national tuberculosis prevalence surveys, and possibly contributes to transmission and might be associated with morbidity. Modelling studies suggest that new tuberculosis vaccines could have substantial health and economic effects, partly based on the assumptions made regarding subclinical tuberculosis.

Drug resistance and epidemiological success of modern Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages in western India.

Background: Transmission is contributing to the slow decline of tuberculosis (TB) incidence globally. Drivers of TB transmission in India, the country estimated to carry a quarter of the World's burden, are not well studied. We conducted a genomic epidemiology study to compare epidemiological success, host factors and drug resistance (DR) among the four major Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) lineages (L1-4) circulating in Pune, India.

Listening to patients, for the patients: The COVAD Study-Vision, organizational structure, and challenges.

Background: The pandemic presented unique challenges for individuals with autoimmune and rheumatic diseases (AIRDs) due to their underlying condition, the effects of immunosuppressive treatments, and increased vaccine hesitancy.

Objectives: The COVID-19 vaccination in autoimmune diseases (COVAD) study, a series of ongoing, patient self-reported surveys were conceived with the vision of being a unique tool to gather patient perspectives on AIRDs. It involved a multinational, multicenter collaborative effort amidst a global lockdown.

Appearance and Prevalence of JN.1 SARS-CoV-2 Variant in India and Its Clinical Profile in the State of Maharashtra.

Background: In August 2023, the BA.2.86 SARS-CoV-2 variant, with over 30 spike protein mutations, emerged amidst the global dominance of XBB sub-lineages.

Metabolic causes of liver disease among adults living with HIV from low- and middle-income countries: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Liver disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among persons living with HIV (PLHIV). While chronic viral hepatitis has been extensively studied in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), there is limited information about the burden of metabolic disorders on liver disease in PLHIV.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data collected between October 2020 and July 2022 from the IeDEA-Sentinel Research Network, a prospective cohort enrolling PLHIV ≥40 years on antiretroviral treatment (ART) for ≥6 months from eight clinics in Asia, Americas, and central, East, southern and West Africa.