Bone marrow negative visceral leishmaniasis in an adolescent male

Visceral Leishmaniasis or Kala Azar is endemic in certain regions of India. In endemic areas, the constellation of fever, progressive weight loss, weakness, pronounced splenomegaly, anemia, leukopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia is highly suggestive of visceral leishmaniasis. Demonstration of the parasite in liver, splenic or bone marrow aspirates is confirmatory. We present a case in which Leishmania donovani (LD) bodies were demonstrated on splenic aspirate. We were unable to demonstrate LD bodies on bone marrow aspiration.

Risk of cancer other than breast or ovarian in individuals with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations

The risks of cancers other than breast and ovarian amongst BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers are based on relatively few family based studies with the risk of specific cancers tested in population based samples of cancers from founder populations. We assessed risks of "other cancers" in 268 BRCA1 families and 222 BRCA2 families using a person years at risk analysis from 1975 to 2005. Cancer confirmations were overall higher than in previous family based studies at 64%. There was no overall increase in risk for BRCA1 carriers although oesophagus had a significant increased RR of 2.9 (95% CI 1.1-6.0) and stomach at 2.4 (95% CI 1.2-4.3), these were based mainly on unconfirmed cases. For BRCA2 increased risks for cancers of the pancreas (RR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-7.8) and prostate (RR 6.3, 95% CI 4.3-9.0) and uveal melanoma (RR 99.4, 95% CI 11.1-359.8) were confirmed. Possible new associations with oesophagus (RR 4.1, 95% CI 1.9-7.8) and stomach (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.3-4.8) were detected but these findings should be treated with caution due to lower confirmation rates. In contrast to previous research a higher risk of prostate cancer was found in males with mutations in the BRCA2 OCCR region. The present study strengthens the known links between BRCA2 and pancreatic and prostate cancer, but throws further doubt onto any association with BRCA1. New associations with upper gastro-intestinal malignancy need to be treated with caution and confirmed by large prospective studies.

Early diagnosis of typhoid fever by nested PCR for flagellin gene of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES

Typhoid fever caused by Salmonella Typhi continues to be a major health problem in spite of the use of antibiotics and the development of newer antibacterial drugs. Inability to make an early laboratory diagnosis and resort to empirical therapy, often lead to increased morbidity and mortality in cases of typhoid fever. This study was aimed to optimize a nested PCR for early diagnosis of typhoid fever and using it as a diagnostic tool in culture negative cases of suspected typhoid fever.

METHODS

Eighty patients with clinical diagnosis of typhoid fever and 40 controls were included in the study. The blood samples collected were subjected to culture, Widal and nested PCR targeting the flagellin gene of S. Typhi.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of PCR on blood was found to be 100 per cent whereas the specificity was 76.9 per cent. The positive predictive value (PPV) of PCR was calculated to be 76.9 per cent with an accuracy of 86 per cent. None of the 40 control samples gave a positive PCR.

INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS

Due to its high sensitivity and specificity nested PCR can be used as a useful tool to diagnose clinically suspected, culture negative cases of typhoid fever.

1,3,4-oxadiazole: a biologically active scaffold

There has been considerable interest in the development of novel compounds with anticonvulsant, antidepressant, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antipsychotic, antimicrobial, antimycobecterial, antitumour, antiviral and antitubercular activities. 1,3,4-oxadiazoles constitute an important class of compounds for new drug development. Therefore, many researchers have synthesized these compounds as target structures and evaluated their biological activities. These observations led to the development of new 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives. This review article describes the various biological activities associated with 1,3,4-oxadiazole ring system and is useful in guiding the researchers across the world working on this moiety and consequently have been instrumental in the advancement of 1,3,4-oxadiazole chemistry.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols - compliance and variations in practice during routine colorectal surgery

AIM

Although there are numerous studies on the efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols in reducing length of stay, the long-term compliance to such protocols in routine clinical practice has not been well documented. The aim of this study was to review the published literature on compliance to ERAS in patients undergoing colorectal surgery in routine clinical practice.

METHOD

Medline, Embase and PubMed databases were searched to identify studies that focused on compliance to ERAS protocols during routine clinical practice. Fourteen studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and a total of 19 perioperative ERAS modalities were identified across these studies.

RESULTS

None of the studies used all 19 ERAS modalities within their ERAS protocols. Compliance to the various modalities varied considerably between studies and, in general, was poorest during the postoperative period. The use of epidural had the highest compliance (between 67 and 100%), whereas the use of transverse incisions (25%) had the lowest compliance. Length of stay in hospital ranged from 2 to 13 days. Higher compliance was associated with a reduced length of hospital stay. However, reduced length of hospital stay was associated with a high rate of readmission.

CONCLUSION

There is significant variation in the components of, as well as in compliance to, ERAS protocols in daily practice. This may contribute to the observed variation between the studies in length of hospital stay. A standardized and practically feasible ERAS protocol should be established in order to improve the implementation and optimal outcome.

Content validity of the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII); a measure of how urinary trouble and problems associated with BPH may impact the patient

AIMS

The objective of this qualitative interview study was to assess the content validity of the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Impact Index (BII) in a sample of men with signs and symptoms of Benign Prostatic Obstruction believed to be caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH lower urinary tract symptoms/BPH-LUTS) using concept elicitation (CE) and cognitive interviewing (CI) methods.

METHODS

Fifty men with BPH-LUTS participated in the study; 27 completed CE interviews and 23 completed cognitive interviews.

RESULTS

Patient's average age was 69 years with a mean duration of BPH-LUTS of 6.5 years. IPSS scores ranged from 8 to 33 (higher scores indicating greater symptom severity). Overall, the most frequent symptoms (prevalence of ≥ 75%) reported spontaneously or after further explanation were awakening from sleep, increased daytime voiding (frequency), urgent desire to void (urgency), slow stream, and feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. Symptoms primarily recognized in response to follow up probe questions with a prevalence of ≥ 40% included terminal dribble, splitting of urinary stream, intermittent stream, straining and post-micturition dribble. Especially bothersome [> 5 on the numerical rating scale (NRS) of 0-10] and frequent symptoms included urgency and awakening at night to void. Discomfort or pain while urinating and post-micturition dribble were equally bothersome though less frequent. Five BPH symptom-related impact themes were identified: coping, daily responsibilities, emotion, lifestyle and relationships, and sleep.

CONCLUSIONS

The BII was found to be easily understood, does capture clinically relevant BPH impacts related to urinary trouble and problems, and does capture most of the important symptom-related impacts as described by participants in this study.

Lutetium-labelled peptides for therapy of neuroendocrine tumours

Treatment with radiolabelled somatostatin analogues is a promising new tool in the management of patients with inoperable or metastasized neuroendocrine tumours. Symptomatic improvement may occur with ¹⁷⁷Lu-labelled somatostatin analogues that have been used for peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT). The results obtained with ¹⁷⁷Lu-[DOTA⁰,Tyr³]octreotate (DOTATATE) are very encouraging in terms of tumour regression. Dosimetry studies with ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE as well as the limited side effects with additional cycles of ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE suggest that more cycles of ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE can be safely given. Also, if kidney-protective agents are used, the side effects of this therapy are few and mild and less than those from the use of ⁹⁰Y-[DOTA⁰,Tyr³]octreotide (DOTATOC). Besides objective tumour responses, the median progression-free survival is more than 40 months. The patients' self-assessed quality of life increases significantly after treatment with ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE. Lastly, compared to historical controls, there is a benefit in overall survival of several years from the time of diagnosis in patients treated with ¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTATATE. These findings compare favourably with the limited number of alternative therapeutic approaches. If more widespread use of PRRT can be guaranteed, such therapy may well become the therapy of first choice in patients with metastasized or inoperable neuroendocrine tumours.

Fibrinogen levels during trauma hemorrhage, response to replacement therapy, and association with patient outcomes

BACKGROUND

Low fibrinogen levels are known to occur in trauma. However, the extent of fibrinogen depletion during trauma hemorrhage, the response to replacement therapy and association with patient outcomes remain unclear.

OBJECTIVES

The study aims were to: characterize admission fibrinogen level and correlate it with factors associated with injury; describe the time course of fibrinogen depletion and response to replacement therapy; determine the correlation of fibrinogen level with rotational thromboelastography (ROTEM) parameters; evaluate the effect of fibrinogen supplementation ex vivo; and establish the association between fibrinogen level and clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This was a prospective cohort study of 517 patients. Blood samples were drawn on admission and after admistration of every 4 units of packed red blood cells. Fibrinogen levels were determined with the Clauss method, and global hemostatic competence was assessed with thromboelastometry. The effect of fibrinogen supplementation was assessed in a subgroup of coagulopathic patients.

RESULTS

Low admission fibrinogen level was independently associated with injury severity score (P < 0.01), shock (P < 0.001), and prehospital fluid volume (P < 0.001). Fibrinogen supplementation during transfusion maintained but did not augment fibrinogen levels. Administration of cryoprecipitate was associated with improved survival. ROTEM parameters correlated with fibrinogen level, and ex vivo fibrinogen administration reversed coagulopathic ROTEM parameters. Fibrinogen level was an independent predictor of mortality at 24 h and 28 days (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Fibrinogen level is decreased in injured patients on admission and is associated with poor outcomes. ROTEM is a rapid means of assessing hypofibrinogenemia. Earlier administration of specific fibrinogen replacement may improve outcomes, and prospective controlled trials are urgently needed.

Shifting attitudes: the National Education Programme for work and health

BACKGROUND

Evidence suggests that general practitioners (GPs) find fitness for work certification and work- related consultations challenging. The Royal College of General Practitioners was commissioned in 2009 to develop and roll out a National Education Programme (NEP) funded by the Department for Work and Pensions for a period of 2 years.

AIMS

To develop and evaluate a face-to-face educational programme that shifts GPs' attitudes to the management of the consultation about work and health.

METHODS

A 3 hour interactive programme that addressed both knowledge and skills for the management of the health and work consultation using behaviour-change principles was developed. Evaluation focused on delegates' confidence in managing the work and health consultation and the importance (priority) they gave to the subject. Questionnaires at three time points were constructed: pre, immediately post and 3 months post training.

RESULTS

A total of 152 workshops were evaluated across the UK between July 2009 and March 2011. A total of 2865 GPs attended the workshops. Questionnaire response rates were 78% pre workshop, 80% post workshop and 14% 3 months post workshop. Evaluation showed a significant increase in GPs' confidence in managing the consultation regarding work and health, and GPs gave higher priority to these types of consultations after the training.

CONCLUSIONS

The NEP has brought the training about health and work to prominence in general practice, and has also influenced policy and practice in other medical specialties.

Development of genetic markers for Ochradenus arabicus (Resedaceae), an endemic medicinal plant of Saudi Arabia

Some species of the genus Ochradenus are difficult to identify based on morphological markers. Similar limitations are found for biochemical markers. We developed genetic markers based on DNA sequences for Ochradenus arabicus, which is an endemic plant to Saudi Arabia, locally utilized as a medicinal shrub. The internal transcribed spacer sequence of nuclear ribosomal DNA and chloroplast (rpoB and rpoC1) markers were more informative than other chloroplast DNA markers. Based on these markers, we were able to discriminate this species from another species of the same genus (O. baccatus) that is widely distributed in Saudi Arabia, despite a high degree of morphological similarity. These genetic markers facilitate its identification, even when acquired in a dried state from local markets.