Predictors for a positive QuantiFERON-TB-Gold test in BCG-vaccinated adults with a positive tuberculin skin test

SummaryBackgroundPrevention of tuberculosis (TB) in the United States usually involves testing for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with a tuberculin skin test (TST), followed by offering therapy to those who have a positive test result. QuantiFERON-TB Gold assay (QFT-G) is more specific for infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis than the TST, especially among persons vaccinated with bacillus Calmette-Guérin, thereby reducing the number of false positive tests.MethodsAdults referred to a pulmonary clinic for a positive TST result were tested with QFT-G. We assessed factors for having a positive QFT-G.ResultsAmong 100 adults who were BCG-vaccinated and had a positive TST result, 30 (30%) had a positive result using QFT-G. Persons from high-incidence countries were 8.2 times more likely to have a positive QFT-G result compared with persons from low-incidence countries (46% versus 9%). Using logistic regression to assess QFT-G positivity, strong predictors included having an abnormal chest radiograph consistent with healed TB, a TST induration of ≥16mm, and birth in a high-incidence country.ConclusionUse of QFT-G assay following a positive TST result further identifies persons who would most benefit from treatment for LTBI

Molecular characterization of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) genotypes using SSR markers

An experiment was conducted during winter (rabi) seasons of 2019–20 and 2020–21 at the research farm of CCS Haryana Agricultural University to study the genetic diversity of 80 bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes, using 43 polymorphic SSR markers. A total of 84 alleles were discovered, with an average of 3 alleles amplified per locus. The average value of the allelic PIC varied from 0.26 to 0.82. Primers, viz. Xgwm 129, Xgwm 131, TaGST, CFA2147, Xwmc48, Xbarc 1165 and Xwmc169 may be deemed particularly informative given their high PIC values. Indices of dissimilarity varied from 0.14 to 0.42. Eighty wheat genotypes were clustered into two main groups with 35 and 45 genotypes each using the dendrogram constructed on the basis of molecular data of polymorphic markers. Using STRUCTURE, genotypes were classified into 4 major sub-populations having Fst values 0.351, 0.363, 0.508 and 0.313, respectively. Future breeding operations in wheat cultivars for tolerance to abiotic stress should consider genotypes clustering into different groups. Assessing the molecular genetic diversity is a reliable approach to identify cultivars by analyzing of specific regions of the cultivars DNA based on their unique genetic profiles

Steroid unresponsive case of ulcerative Mucha-habermann disease (Febrile Ulcernecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease) treated with methotrexate

A 20 year old male presented with fever associated with eruption of papules, plaques and vesiculobullous lesions on the chest, back, extremities, palms, soles, and genital mucosa of 20 days duration. Histopathological examination revealed epidermal clefts, edema and vacuolar degeneration of keratinocytes, basal cell degeneration, and dermal perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate. On the basis of clinical features and histology, a diagnosis of febrile ulceronecrotic Mucha-Habermann disease (FUMHD) was made. Treatment with doxycycline (100 mg BD for 4 weeks) and oral prednisolone 60 mg/day tapered to 25 mg in 4 weeks led to initial response that was followed by a relapse on tapering steroid. Addition of methotrexate (7.5 mg increased to 15 mg in 2 weeks) led to a dramatic response

Minimally invasive vitrectomy surgery – the new era

<p>Minimally invasive vitrectomy surgery – the new era: Koushik Tripathy, MD; Pulak Agarwal, MBBS, Yog Raj Sharma, MS; Rohan Chawla, MD; Harsh Inder Singh,MD; Ravi Bypareddy,MD, Babulal Kumawat, MD, Rajpal Vohra, MD<br>DOS times, Vol. 20, No. 5</p> <p> </p

Management of magnetic intraocular foreign body in inferior sulcus in a case of repaired corneal perforation

<p>Management of magnetic intraocular foreign body in inferior sulcus in a case of repaired corneal perforation. Harsh Inder Singh, Koushik Tripathy, Yog Raj Sharma, Pradeep Venkatesh, Rajpal Vohra, Rohan Chawla, Tarun Arora, Laxman Vekaria, Jayanand Urkude<br>Ocutron, 2014. The annual conference of Ocular Trauma Society of India<br>2014-10 | conference-paper</p> <p> </p

Clinical profile of Medicolegal cases presenting to eye casualty in a tertiary care centre in India

<p>Clinical profile of Medicolegal cases presenting to eye casualty in a tertiary care centre in India. Koushik Tripathy, Harsh Inder Singh, Subodh Kumar Singh, Yog Raj Sharma, Pradeep Venkatesh, Rajpal Vohra, Rohan Chawla, Alkananda Behera, Rashmi Singh<br>Ocutron, 2014; The annual conference of Ocular Trauma Society of India<br>2014-10 | conference-paper</p> <p> </p