Sankalp Yadav

Mucormycosis (MCR) involving paranasal sinuses is a rare life-threatening opportunistic infection in immunocompromised  individuals. In humans, MCR is considered as one of the most rapidly progressive lethal forms of fungal infection with a high mortality rate of 70–100%. During the second wave of COVID-19 in India, the cases of MCR have increased rapidly. We herein report a case of a 70-year-old Indian male with an uncontrolled diabetes diagnosed as maxillary and ethmoid sinus MCR. Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Paranasal sinus, Mucormycosis.

Background: Tuberculosis is a public health problem. In the present scenario, the disease burden lies in the low-income countries where a majority of the total population of the world lives. However, the disease is also reported from the developed world. In the present paper, authors aimed at analyzing the Directly Observed Treatment Short-course (DOTS) strategy under the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program at one of the largest district of the national capital Delhi, by determining the strengths, weakness, opportunities, and threats to the program. Also, the paper gives insights into the various issues associated with it and suggests probable solutions for these issues. Methodology: A qualitative analytical study using structured questionnaires designed specifically for service recipients and service providers was done at the Chest Clinic, Moti Nagar, New Delhi, and its DOT centers and DMC’s. The data collection involved one to one interviews of study subjects and analysis of quarterly reports available at the CCMN and on the internet. The study was conducted from 19th January 2016 to 1 April 2016. Results: A total of 65 subjects were randomly selected and interviewed. Service providers-35, service recipients- 30 (patients taking Category–I treatment under the DOTS of the RNTCP). Conclusions: The study highlights various issues at a large center related directly or indirectly into DOTS and suggest possible solutions for the same. The data could be used to study in detail various other districts of India and other high TB burden countries. Keywords: Analysis, DOTS, RNTCP, TB.

Background: Hepatic hydrothorax is characterized by the presence of moderate to massive transudative pleural effusion seen in patients with cirrhosis of the liver without overt cardiopulmonary and pleural diseases. Patients who presents with massive pleural effusion leads to respiratory distress and failure which further increases morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. Indwelling tunneled pleural catheters (IPCs) plays a major role in palliative treatment for patients with stage IV malignancy who present with recurrent massive pleural effusion. IPC helps in reducing the symptoms of dyspnoea, chest pain etc. by therapeutic pleural drainage either by themselves or with help of their caregivers. In recent days usage of IPC is increased in non-malignant benign causes of recurrent pleural effusion. The present study aimed to study the feasibility of usage of indwelling pleural catheters in hepatic hydrothorax presenting with recurrent pleural effusions. Methodology: This study was a retrospective analysis of medical records of patients who underwent IPC insertion for hepatic hydrothorax with cirrhosis /decompensated liver disease was done. Results: 18 patients with hepatic hydrothorax were placed with indwelling pleural catheters. Mean age of patients was 52.5 years, and the most common etiology for underlying liver disease is Alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Almost all patients were male.16 IPC (88.8%) were placed for right sided effusion only 2(11.1%) were placed for left sided effusion. Spontaneous pleurodesis was achieved in 10 of 18 patients (55.5%) and IPCs were removed in these patients. Mean time in which pleurodesis achieved was 120.8 days (range, 15–290 d). Conclusion: Thus indwelling catheters are useful in patients with hepatic hydrothorax with refractory pleural effusion. It also improves the quality of life and alleviates dyspnoea in those patients. However further studies are needed with larger sample size. Keywords: Hepatic hydrothorax; Indwelling pleural catheters; Recurrent pleural effusion.

Background: Tuberculosis is a global problem. However, the impact on the countries of Africa and Asia is really devastating. The countries like India which comes under high burden countries with TB, the prevalence of TB in the nation’s capital and at a large district in the west Delhi has not been reported so far in the medical literature. The present study is a retrospective study and data will serve as a tool to formulate new or modify already existing guidelines and devise methods to control and eradicate TB from the urban population. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study at the Chest Clinic Moti Nagar from 2010 to 2015. The data were obtained from the quarterly reports freely available on the internet. Results: There has been a steady rise in the diagnosis of various types of TB cases falling under DOTS and DOTS-Plus strategies of the Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme. Conclusions: The RNTCP is the best solution to the problem of TB. The role of well trained and dedicated staff inclined to solve the various problems associated with the TB patients is very important. Keywords: Aerosol; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; TB; WHO.

The infectious diseases have taken a toll on the rapidly multiplying population of the developing countries. The top three killers being HIV AIDS, TB and malaria. The total number of deaths due to TB is really a cause of concern since a well laid national program is running in most of these countries. However, even in the presence of clear guidelines to treat TB, there has always been a gradual rise in the new cases with few exceptions in some of these resource-constrained countries. The issue becomes graver when the problem of drug-resistant TB also comes into the picture. In the present article, the authors highlight the introduction of the new drug i.e., Bedaquiline in India to counter the problem of multidrug-resistant TB. Keywords: Bedaquiline, Drug; Drug-resistant, TB; Tuberculosis

The recent reports of Nipah virus (NiV) infection resulting in a number of deaths have created panic and fear among the general public. The resource poor overpopulated countries like Bangladesh, India and Malaysia are hit by this virus infection a number of times in the past. The turmoil resulted due to the deadly infection has affected the tourism industry and has instilled fear among the local population. The infection was localized to the western part of India in the two past outbreaks, but this time it has affected the southern tip of India. The NiV is spread by the fruit eating bats either through aerosol mode or by consumption of the fruits infected with the bat saliva/urine. In the current paper the authors highlight this relatively new viral infection and emphasize on the proactive efforts to fight the spread of such deadly infections. Keywords: Nipah virus; Viruses; Pteropus; Zoonoses.