Analysis of the Clinical Profile in Patients with Malaria and Its Association with Parasite Density.

Background: Malaria remains a major health hazard in the modern world, particularly in developing countries. In malaria, there is a direct correlation between asexual erythrocytic stage parasite density and disease severity. Accordingly, the correlations between parasite density and various clinical presentations, severity, and outcome were examined in falciparum malaria in India.

Influence of Sickle Cell Gene on the Allelic Diversity at the msp-1 locus of Plasmodium falciparum in Adult Patients with Severe Malaria.

Although several studies have supported that sickle cell trait (HbAS) protects against falciparum malaria, the exact mechanism by which sickle gene confers protection is unclear. Further, there is no information on the influence of the sickle gene on the parasitic diversity of P. falciparum population in severe symptomatic malaria.

Low and fixed dose of hydroxyurea is effective and safe in patients with HbSβ(+) thalassemia with IVS1-5(G→C) mutation.

Background: Despite compelling evidence that hydroxyurea is safe and effective in sickle cell disease, it is prescribed sparingly due to several barriers like knowledge gaps in certain genotypes, apprehension about its safety and toxicity, and limited resources. We undertook this study to find out the efficacy and safety of HU in patients with HbSβ(+) -thalassemia with IVS1-5(G→C) mutation.

Procedure: We registered 318 patients with HbSβ(+) -thalassemia with IVS1-5(G→C) mutation.

Ultrasound monitoring of fracture healing: is this the end of radiography in fracture follow-ups?

Objective: To compare the efficacy of ultrasonography (US) versus radiography (XR) in monitoring fracture healing.

Design: Prospective diagnostic follow-up study.

Setting: Department of Orthopaedics, Level II trauma center.

Prevalence of deletional alpha thalassemia and sickle gene in a tribal dominated malaria endemic area of eastern India.

Inherited hemoglobin disorders like alpha thalassemia and sickle gene are common in the Indian subcontinent. These disorders in the heterozygous state act as malaria resistance genes and influence the susceptibility to Plasmodium falciparum malaria. There is inadequate knowledge about the epidemiology of these malaria resistance genes in the tribal dominated malaria endemic region of the state of Odisha in eastern India.

Procalcitonin as a biomarker of bacterial infection in sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis.

Sickle cell anaemia (SCA) patients with vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) have signs of inflammation and it is often difficult to diagnose a bacterial infection in them. This study was undertaken to evaluate the role of serum procalcitonin (PCT) as a biomarker of bacterial infection in acute sickle cell vaso-occlusive crisis. Hundred homozygous SCA patients were studied at Sickle Cell Clinic and Molecular Biology Laboratory, V.

The effect of hydroxyurea on compound heterozygotes for sickle cell-hemoglobin D-Punjab--a single centre experience in eastern India.

Background: Although hydroxyurea is the only effective agent for the treatment of sickle cell disease, published experience with this drug is limited to treatment of homozygous sickle cell anemia and HbS/β thalassemia. The role of hydroxyurea in the treatment of patients with HbSD-Punjab, a rare hemoglobinopathy with phenotypic expression similar to that of sickle cell anemia is unknown.

Procedure: Over a period of 10 years, we followed 42 patients with HbSD-Punjab, of which 20 presented with severe clinical manifestations (≥3 episodes of VOC and/or ≥2 units of blood transfusion in the previous 12 months).

Fetal hemoglobin and alpha thalassemia modulate the phenotypic expression of HbSD-Punjab.

Introduction: HbSD-Punjab (HbSD) is a less common form of sickle cell disease (SCD) and discrimination between HbSD and HbSS is not possible on alkaline electrophoresis because the two variants overlap in the compound heterozygous state. There are only a few publications consisting mostly of case reports. Thus, the phenotypic expression of HbSD and its modifiers has not been studied.

Misdiagnosed case of bronchial carcinoid presenting with refractory dyspnoea and wheeze: a rare case report and review of literature.

A 59-year-old male smoker presented with persistent wheezing and occasional coughing that had been ongoing for two years and had been unsuccessfully treated with an inhalational β2 agonist, an anticholinergic and an inhalational steroid in the last year. On clinical examination, a left-sided wheeze was detected. The initial chest X-ray was normal.

Clinical and molecular characterization of Hb Hofu in eastern India.

Introduction: Hb Hofu (HBB:c. 380T>A) is a rare inherited hemoglobin abnormality with few case reports in the world literature.

Methods: Screening for the sickle cell gene mutation and other hemoglobinopathies was carried out using the sickle slide test, Hb electrophoresis, and HPLC under an ongoing central government project.

Low dose hydroxyurea is effective in reducing the incidence of painful crisis and frequency of blood transfusion in sickle cell anemia patients from eastern India.

There are several questions pertaining to dosage, duration and potential long-term toxicity of hydroxyurea (HU) therapy. Use of HU is extremely limited in eastern India because of its high cost and apprehension of its toxicities. We undertook this study to assess the clinical, biochemical and hematological efficacy of minimal dose HU (10 mg/kg/day) in 118 sickle cell anemia patients (27 pediatric and 91 adults).

Clinical and molecular characterization of β(S) and (G)γ((A)γδβ)⁰-thalassemia in eastern India.

Fetal hemoglobin (Hb F) is the most studied modifier of sickle cell disease. Coinheritance of high Hb F determinants such as δβ-thalassemia (δβ-thal) and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin (HPFH) can contribute to raised Hb F concentration in these patients. One hundred and seventy-six cases of sickle cell disease with high Hb F were screened for the presence of the Asian Indian deletion-inversion (G)γ((A)γδβ)⁰-thal and HPFH-3 (Indian, 48.

β-globin gene haplotypes linked with the Hb D-Punjab [β121(GH4)Glu→Gln, GAA>CAA] mutation in eastern India.

Hb D-Punjab [β121(GH4)Glu→Gln] is prevalent in the northern states of the Indian subcontinent. Due to inadequate data from Asian countries, the origin and spread of the Hb D-Punjab mutation are uncertain. In a study of sickle cell hemoglobinopathies, we detected the Hb D-Punjab mutation in 25 subjects from 11 unrelated Agharia families.

Observations on the pattern of vomiting and morbidity in patients with acute sigmoid volvulus.

Background: Vomiting is usually a late and an infrequent symptom of colonic obstructions. Contrary to this general rule, it occurs early and more frequently in some cases of sigmoid volvulus.

Aim: To study the clinical significance of vomiting in patients with sigmoid volvulus.

Restorative resection of unprepared left-colon in gangrenous vs. viable sigmoid volvulus.

Background And Aims: Emergency resection and primary anastomosis of unprepared left-colon is a controversial subject. Although this approach has been reported in several series, there is paucity of data on the relative safety of it in viable vs. gangrenous colon especially when the gut is unprepared.

The ileosigmoid knot: new observations and changing trends.

Purpose: Ileosigmoid knot is a rare surgical emergency. Most previous publications are either retrospective reviews of hospital records or sporadic case reports. Personal experience with this condition is often limited to one or two cases.

Emptiness of the left iliac fossa: a new clinical sign of sigmoid volvulus.

Background: Diagnostic difficulties are common in sigmoid volvulus. This diagnostic delay contributes to high morbidity and mortality.

Aim: This paper recognises visible or palpable emptiness of the left iliac fossa as a new clinical sign of sigmoid volvulus.