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Singh N, Kaur R, Zaidi A, Aulakh S, Nijhawan VS. Spectrum of Fungal Infections in a Tertiary Care Centre of North India: Pre-COVID and COVID Scenario and Implications. Cureus 2023; 15:e38616. [PMID: 37284389 PMCID: PMC10239982 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Rhino orbital mucormycosis is a rare and very aggressive entity. A sudden rise of this entity has been noticed with the insurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic both among immunocompromised and immuno-competent patients. This study was done to determine any possible correlation between these two deadly diseases. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective observational study done in the pathology department of a tertiary care center in North India over a three-year period (January 2019 - December 2021). Patient details along with relevant clinical data were retrieved from the patient's record file. Hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides of diagnosed cases were taken from the department records. Results A total of 45 patients (34 males, 11 females) were included in the study, seven of which were ophthalmic exenteration specimens. The mean age of the patients was 52.68 years. Fifteen cases showed COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) positivity. Histopathology revealed the presence of mucormycosis in all the cases. There were six cases showing granuloma formation and 14 cases revealed mixed fungal infection. Optic nerve involvement was seen in six cases of exenteration specimens. Conclusions The present study showed a sudden resurgence of secondary fungal infections, especially during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Associated co-morbid conditions and injudicious use of steroids and antibiotics have been the cause of depressed immunity leading to the infections. One must be aware of such co-infections to facilitate timely medical management to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Singh
- Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mullana, Ambala, IND
| | - Rupinder Kaur
- Pathology, Christian Medical College & Brown Memorial Hospital, Ludhiana, IND
- Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mullana, Ambala, IND
| | - Ariba Zaidi
- Pathology, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, IND
| | - Sukhpreet Aulakh
- Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mullana, Ambala, IND
| | - Vijay S Nijhawan
- Pathology, Maharishi Markandeshwar Institute of Medical Science and Research, Mullana, Ambala, IND
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Kabir A, Karim MN, Karim J, Billah B. Challenges and Strategies in Conducting Population Health Research during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience from a Nationwide Mixed-Methods Study in Bangladesh. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095629. [PMID: 37174149 PMCID: PMC10178606 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Globally, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic poses fundamental challenges in everyday life. Various controlling measures, including nationwide lockdowns, movement restrictions, travel bans, social distancing, and improved hygiene practices, have been widely introduced to curtail transmission of the disease. Notably, these measures have affected the execution of population health research that typically involves face-to-face data collection. This paper details a subjective reflective account of the challenges and mitigating strategies in conducting a nationwide study during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Challenges and strategies: The research team faced a wide range of challenges in conducting this study. The major categories of challenges were defined as follows: (i) challenges relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as insufficient access to field sites; (ii) challenges related to contextual factors, such as cultural and gender sensitivity and extreme weather events; and (iii) challenges related to data quality and validity. The key mitigating strategies to overcoming these challenges included engaging a local-level field supervisor, hiring data collectors from respective study sites, incorporating team members' reviews of literature and experts' views to develop research instruments, modifying original research instruments, organizing regular meetings and debriefing, adjusting field operation plans, building gender-sensitive teams, understanding local norms and adopting culturally appropriate dress codes, and conducting interviews in local languages. Conclusions: This paper concludes that despite several COVID-19-related challenges coupled with contextual factors, data were successfully collected through timely and successful adaptations of several mitigating strategies. The strategies adopted in this study may be useful for overcoming unforeseeable challenges in planning and conducting future population-based health research in similar circumstances elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraful Kabir
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Md Nazmul Karim
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Jahirul Karim
- Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
| | - Baki Billah
- Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
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Vashishtha C, Bhardwaj A, Diwaker A, Sharma S, Sharma MK, Sarin S. Collateral Impact on Patients of Liver Diseases in the Second COVID-19 Wave: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Cureus 2022; 14:e25542. [PMID: 35800810 PMCID: PMC9246352 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.25542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India started in April 2021. This necessitated a change in focus from chronic ailments. This wave lasted till May 2021. Its impact on liver disease patients without COVID-19 infection has not been analyzed. Methods Records of liver disease patients from the Institute database admitted from April to May 2021 were compared with that from April to May 2019 i.e., prior to the pandemic. The primary outcome was a comparison of in-hospital mortality rates. Secondary outcomes were a comparison of 30 and 90-day readmission rates and liver transplantation rates. Results Seven hundred and seventy-one patients in April-May 2019 (group 1) and 545 patients in April-May 2021 (group 2) were analyzed. Patients in group 2 were sicker with higher PT (INR), urea, creatinine, CTP, and MELD score and low serum sodium, albumin, and platelet count with a higher prevalence of variceal bleed, hepatic encephalopathy, and acute kidney injury. There was higher mortality in group 2 (128/545; 23.5%) than group 1 (124/ 771;16.1%), OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2 - 2.1, p<0.01. 30 day readmission rate was numerically higher in group1; 18.3% vs 16.9%, p=0.5. The 31-90 day readmission rate was higher in group 1; 29.4% vs 16.9%, p<0.01. There was no significant difference in the number of patients undergoing liver transplantation in two groups, 19 in group 1 and 14 in group 2 (p=0.90). Conclusion The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant collateral impact on liver disease patients even without causing infection in them. Patients were sicker at the time of admission with higher mortality.
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Chatterjee S, Ghosh R, Vardhan B, Ojha UK, Kalra S. An epidemic of iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome in anticipation in post-COVID era. J Family Med Prim Care 2022; 11:412-413. [PMID: 35309640 PMCID: PMC8930165 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1523_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Subhankar Chatterjee
- Department of General Medicine, Patliputra Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
| | - Ritwik Ghosh
- Department of General Medicine, Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India
| | - Bhagya Vardhan
- Department of General Medicine, Patliputra Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
| | - Umesh Kumar Ojha
- Department of General Medicine, Patliputra Medical College and Hospital, Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Department of Endocrinology, Bharti Hospital, Karnal, Haryana, India
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Jayasinghe S, Misra A, Hills AP. Post-COVID-19 syndrome and type 2 diabetes: Primacy of exercise in prevention and management. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2022; 16:102379. [PMID: 34974328 PMCID: PMC8714239 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Sisitha Jayasinghe
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia.
| | - Anoop Misra
- Fortis-C-DOC Centre of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases and Endocrinology, New Delhi, India; National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation (N-DOC), New Delhi, India; Diabetes Foundation (India) (DFI), New Delhi, India
| | - Andrew P Hills
- School of Health Sciences, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Launceston, TAS, Australia
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Arora R, Goel R, Khanam S, Kumar S, Shah S, Singh S, Chhabra M, Meher R, Khurana N, Sagar T, Kumar S, Garg S, Kumar J, Saxena S, Pant R. Rhino-Orbito-Cerebral-Mucormycosis During the COVID-19 Second Wave in 2021 - A Preliminary Report from a Single Hospital. Clin Ophthalmol 2021; 15:3505-3514. [PMID: 34429582 PMCID: PMC8380130 DOI: 10.2147/opth.s324977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To list the clinico-epidemiological profile and possible risk factors of COVID-19 associated rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (CA-ROCM) patients presenting to a COVID dedicated hospital during the second wave of COVID-19 in India. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cross-sectional, single-center study was done on 60 cases of probable CA-ROCM based on clinical features and supportive diagnostic nasal endoscopic findings and/or radiologic findings. Patients with recent or active COVID-19 were included. The demographic profile, clinical features, possible risk factors and diagnostic workup (microbiological, pathological and radiological) were analysed to identify the triggering factors for CA-ROCM. RESULTS The age of patients ranged from 29 to 75 years and male-female ratio was 3:1. The duration between the first positive COVID report and onset of CA-ROCM was 0 to 47 days. Forty-nine (81.66%) patients had a recent COVID infection and 11 (18.33%) had active COVID infection at presentation. Thirty-five patients (58%) had ocular/orbital involvement at presentation. In the affected eye, 10 had no perception of light and in the rest visual acuity ranged from log MAR 0 to +1.5. Ocular manifestations were ptosis (29), ophthalmoplegia (23), periocular tenderness and edema (33), proptosis (14), black discoloration of eyelids (3), facial palsy (3), endophthalmitis (4), retinal artery occlusion (8), disc edema (4) and disc pallor (5). Twenty-two (25%) patients had neither received steroids nor oxygen. Thirty patients (50%) were managed with oxygen while 38 patients (63.3%) with systemic steroids. The most common risk factor was diabetes in 59 patients. The average glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 10.31 ± 2.59%. Systemic Amphotericin B was started in all the patients. Radical surgical debridement was performed in 12 patients and the remaining were planned. CONCLUSION SARS-CoV-2 variant with accompanying glycaemic dysregulation was found to be the triggering factor for the epidemic of CA-ROCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Arora
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Ruchi Goel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Samreen Khanam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Sumit Kumar
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Shalin Shah
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonam Singh
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohit Chhabra
- Department of Ophthalmology, Guru Nanak Eye Centre, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Ravi Meher
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Nita Khurana
- Department of Pathology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Tanu Sagar
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Suresh Kumar
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sandeep Garg
- Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Jyoti Kumar
- Department of Radiodiagnosis, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Sonal Saxena
- Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India
| | - Rashmi Pant
- Society for Health Education and Allied Research, New Delhi, India
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Pal R, Yadav U. Resurgence of COVID-19 in India: time for introspection. Postgrad Med J 2021; 98:e86-e87. [PMID: 37066531 DOI: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2021-140410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rimesh Pal
- Endocrinology, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India
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