Canine Distemper Virus in Tigers (Panthera tigris) and Leopards (P. pardus) in Nepal

From wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Serengeti to tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in the Russian Far East, canine distemper virus (CDV) has been repeatedly identified as a threat to wild carnivores. Between 2020 and 2022, six Indian leopards (P. pardus fusca) presented to Nepali authorities with fatal neurological disease, consistent with CDV. Here, we report the findings of a serosurvey of wild felids from Nepal. A total of 48 serum samples were tested, comprising 28 Bengal tigers (P. t. tigris) and 20 Indian leopards. Neutralizing antibodies were identified in three tigers and six leopards, equating to seroprevalences of 11% (CI: 2.8–29.3%, n = 28) and 30% (CI: 12.8–54.3%, n = 20), respectively. More than one-third of seropositive animals were symptomatic, and three died within a week of being sampled. The predation of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) has been posited as a potential route of infection. A comparison of existing diet studies revealed that while leopards in Nepal frequently predate on dogs, tigers do not, potentially supporting this hypothesis. However, further work, including molecular analyses, would be needed to confirm this

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Severe liver dysfunction in an infant with cystic fibrosis masquerading as metabolic liver disease

We present a rare presentation of cystic fibrosis with neonatal cholestasis. Histological features of mucoviscidosis were present in liver involving the biliary tract, intestinal mucosa, pancreas, and lung. Besides, there was a rare association with autosomal dominant type of polycystic renal disease

Probiotic and Lifestyle Modification in Obese Pediatrics with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background: Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is an upcoming causes of chronic liver disease in pediatric population in Asia. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the potential of probiotic VSL#3 and Lifestyle modification in obese pediatrics with Non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Material & Methods: we conducted clinical trial in 106 obese children in age group of 5 to18 years and divided in to four groups;VSL#3 plus lifestyle intervention (n=26), VSL#3 (n=27), Lifestyle intervention (n=26) and Placebo (n=27) received interventions for four months. To identify NAFLD by ultrasonography, Body mass index (BMI), mid arm circumference (MAC), waist circumference (WC) and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) were done. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, fasting blood glucose(FBG), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (HSCRP), uric acid, obesity hormones were measured along with their dietary intake at baseline and post trial. Results: VSL#3 plus lifestyle intervention significantly the most pronounced therapy for reducing fatty liver grades, anthropometric with biochemical parameters and beneficial impact on obesity hormones (p<0.001) as compared to single therapy of VSL#3 and lifestyle intervention alone. Conclusion: Combined therapy of VSL#3 plus lifestyle intervention is promising treatment for management of NAFLD in Indian obese children

Probiotic and Lifestyle Modification in Obese Pediatrics with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

In the article, “Probiotic and Lifestyle Modification in Obese Pediatrics with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease” [1] which appears in Volume 31, Issue 1 of Indian J Community Health, there is a correction in the disclosure of the name of the drug used in the article. At the time of the publication, we were not aware of any legal issues related to the product and the brand, otherwise we would have taken due care and would have mentioned about the “De Simone Formulation” in the article instead of the VSL#3 product. Also, the references we provided in the published article on the usage of VSL#3 in several indications should have been attributed to the De Simone Formulation. We used the original probiotic formulation (containing De Simone Formulation) in our study that was invented by Prof. Claudio De Simone,(2) and not the new VSL#3 which is a quite different product, as ruled by the US Federal Court. (3) This change does not affect the study of the paper. The authors would like to apologize for any inconvenience caused

Solitary Peutz–Jeghers polyp of jejunum: A rare cause of childhood intussusception

An extremely rare case of solitary jejunal Peutz–Jeghers polyp causing intussusception in an 8-year-old boy is reported. The polyp was excised by laparoscopic-assisted surgery. This appears to be only the fourth and the youngest patient with such a polyp reported in the indexed English language literature

Molecular characterization of hepatitis A virus strains in a tertiary care health set up in north western India

Background & objectives: Hepatitis A virus usually causes acute viral hepatitis (AVH) in the paediatric age group with a recent shift in age distribution and disease manifestations like acute liver failure (ALF). This has been attributed to mutations in 5′non-translated region (5′NTR) which affects the viral multiplication. The present study was aimed to carry out the molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of hepatitis A virus strains circulating in north western India. Methods: Serum samples from in patients and those attending out patient department of Pediatric Gastroenterology in a tertiary care hospital in north India during 2007-2011 with clinically suspected AVH were tested for anti-hepatitis A virus (HAV) IgM antibodies. Acute phase serum samples were subjected to nested PCR targeting the 5′NTR region followed by sequencing of the representative strains. Results: A total of 1334 samples were tested, 290 (21.7%) were positive for anti-HAV IgM antibody. Of these, 78 serum samples (< 7 days old) were subjected to PCR and 47.4% (37/78) samples showed the presence of HAV RNA. Children < 15 yr of age accounted for majority (94%) of cases with highest seropositivity during rainy season. Sequencing of 15 representative strains was carried out and the circulating genotype was found to be III A. The nucleotide sequences showed high homology among the strains with a variation ranging from 0.1-1 per cent over the years. An important substitution of G to A at 324 position was shown by both AVH and ALF strains. The cumulative substitution in AVH strains Vs ALF strains as compared to GBM, Indian and prototype strain in the 200-500 region of 5′ NTR was comparable. Interpretation & conclusion: Our results showed hepatitis A still a disease of children with III A as a circulating genotype in this region. The mutations at 5′NTR region warrant further analysis as these affect the structure of internal ribosomal entry site which is important for viral replication