Candidatus Dirofilaria Hongkongensis Infections in Humans During 2005 to 2020, in Kerala, India.

We tried to determine the epidemiology and species of human dirofilariasis observed at two tertiary care hospitals in Kerala. We searched the hospital database to identify cases of dirofilariosis from January 2005 to March 2020. Along with human isolates, one dog Dirofilaria isolate was also subjected to PCR and sequencing of pan filarial primers cytochrome oxidase subunits 1 and 12S rDNA.

One-year clinical outcome of patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Insights from KERALA-AF registry.

Background: We report patient characteristics, treatment pattern and one-year clinical outcome of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) from Kerala, India. This cohort forms part of Kerala Atrial Fibrillation (KERALA-AF) registry which is an ongoing large prospective study.

Methods: KERALA-AF registry collected data of adults with previously or newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation (AF) during April 2016 to April 2017.

Effect of a quality improvement intervention for acute heart failure in South India: An interrupted time series study.

Background: Although quality improvement interventions for acute heart failure have been studied in high-income countries, none have been studied in low- or middle-income country settings where quality of care can be lower. We evaluated the effect of a quality improvement toolkit on process of care measures and clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure in 8 hospitals in Kerala, India utilizing an interrupted time series design from February 2018 to August 2018.

Methods: The quality improvement toolkit included checklists, audit-and-feedback reports, and patient education materials.

Cardiac Involvement in Vasculotoxic and Neurotoxic Snakebite - A not so Uncommon Complication.

Background: Cardiac toxicity following snakebite envenomation has been previously observed, but not studied in detail, especially the involvement in neurotoxic bites. This prospective observational case study evaluates the incidence of cardiac toxicity along with the difference between vasculotoxic and neurotoxic bites and analysing the predictors for development of cardiotoxicity.

Method: 96 patients who had snake bite envenomation were evaluated for features of cardiotoxicity with clinical features, ECG, echocardiogram and troponin-I levels.

Ethnic and geographic diversity of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

East Asians, Asian Indians and Amerindians have a five to ten-fold lower age-adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) compared with persons of predominately European descent. The data we review suggest a genetic rather than environmental basis for this discordance. All these populations arose from a common African Black ancestor but different clades have different admixture with archaic hominins including Neanderthals, Denisovans and Homo erectus, which may explain different CLL incidences.

Voluntary perioperative colorectal cancer registry from Kerala-An initial overview.

Background: Although colorectal cancer (CRC) may not be uncommon in India, accurate data regarding its demographics and surgical outcomes is sparse.

Methods: With an aim to assess demographics and perioperative outcomes of CRC in Kerala, all members of Association of Surgical Gastroenterologists of Kerala (ASGK) were invited to participate in a registry. Data of operated cases of CRC were entered on a web-based questionnaire by participating members from January 2016.

Proteomic Analysis of Human Blister Fluids Following Envenomation by Three Snake Species in India: Differential Markers for Venom Mechanisms of Action.

Skin blistering as a result of snakebite envenomation is characteristic of some bites, however little is known regarding the mechanism of blister formation or the composition of the blister fluid. In order to investigate if blister fluid proteomes from humans suffering snakebite envenomation could provide insights on the pathophysiology of these skin alterations, blister fluid was collected from six patients upon presentation at a clinic in India bitten by three species of snakes, (3), (2), or (1). Standard clinical data were recorded throughout the treatment.

Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Analysis of 27 Cases and Updated Review of Pathophysiology & Management.

 Vocal cord dysfunction is characterized by unintentional paradoxical vocal cord movement resulting in abnormal inappropriate adduction, especially during inspiration; this predominantly manifests as unresponsive asthma or unexplained stridor. It is prudent to be well informed about the condition, since the primary presentation may mask other airway disorders.  This descriptive study was intended to analyze presentations of vocal cord dysfunction in a tertiary care referral hospital.

Morning glory disc anomaly and facial hemangiomas in a girl with moyamoya syndrome.

Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a chronic progressive, occlusive cerebrovascular disease in the circle of Willis and the feeding arteries. Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) is characterized by an abnormal excavated optic disc with radial emergence of blood vessels from the rim of the disc. We describe a case of moyamoya syndrome (MMS), a rare entity among Indian ethnicity, associated with MGDA and regressed facial capillary hemangiomas, which are relatively less reported presentations of MMD.