Critical role of biobanks in COVID-19 pandemic

The collection of infectious biosamples is critically important for developing a better understanding of the disease pathogenesis and health. These precious samples are stored in biobanks. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the recently discovered novel coronavirus named SARS-COV-2. Currently, specific drugs and vaccines are not available against this virus. Limited knowledge about the pathogenesis mechanism is a critical gap in developing intervention options. Access of COVID-19 biosamples for research could provide more insight into the disease. The Indian council of Medical Research (ICMR) designated National Liver Disease Biobank (NLDB) as one of the dedicated facility for the collection and storage of COVID-19 biosamples for research purposes. Samples are collected, processed, and stored with proper security at NLDB.

Critical role of biobanks in COVID-19 pandemic

7-10Proper collection of infectious biosamples is critically important for better understanding of the disease pathogenesis and health. These precious samples are stored in biobanks. COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the recently discovered novel coronavirus named SARS-COV-2. Currently, specific drugs are not available against this virus though efforts on development of vaccines by various agencies have shown some positive results. Limited knowledge about the pathogenesis mechanism is a critical gap in developing intervention options. Access of COVID-19 biosamples for research could provide more insight into the disease. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) designated National Liver Disease Biobank (NLDB) as one of the dedicated facilities for collection and storage of COVID-19 biosamples for research purposes. Samples are collected, processed, and stored with proper security at NLDB. In this minireview, we have made an attempt to provide comprehensive coverage on the role of biobanking in Covid-19 pandemic

The emergence of the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant in India: a brief report on clinical presentation of a few cases

Despite the three years spent navigating the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists are still having to react to the disease due to the constant evolution of novel variants/subvariants. Over the last few months, a global plummet in COVID-19 cases has suggested we are transitioning towards endemic COVID-19. However, the new omicron offshoots (XBB variants) are driving a new surge of cases around the world. A few preliminary research findings suggest that the XBB.1.5 subvariant is more immune-evasive and displays higher binding to ACE2 human receptor than its other related omicron subvariants in circulation. In this first-of-its-kind report, we discuss a few XBB.1.5 cases and its clinical characteristics reported in Delhi State, North India

Early cirrhosis in a young female with protein C deficiency: An extremely unusual case report with review

Protein C deficiency is a well recognized risk factor for development of venous thromboembolism but has never been reported to be associated with development of liver cirrhosis .We report a case of a 26 years old female who presented with multiple thrombosis involving superior mesenteric vein ,main portal vein and multiple cerebral veins. Liver biopsy done was reported as cirrhosis possibly due to Wilson's disease. However no improvement was seen with D penicillamine and patient's condition detiorated. Further, work up of patient revealed absence of Protein C levels in the plasma. So finally the case was diagnosed as Cirrhosis liver with Protein C deficiency as the likely etiology. We conclude that Protein C deficiency should be investigated in patients with cirrhosis with thrombotic lesions of unknown etiology

The occurrence of sieve-like duodenum due to Helicobacter pylori infection in a cirrhotic patient: Current insights, management, and the importance of H. pylori infection and its associations with cirrhosis

Helicobacter pylori infection is prevalent world-wide. Involvement of H. pylori in the etiopathogenesis of liver diseases are a matter of debate. Treatment options vary widely between different regions with regards to microbial sensitivity patterns. In this short review, we present the case of an alcoholic cirrhosis patient, who presented with a rare ‘sieve-like’ appearance of the duodenum secondary to multiple ulcers, due to H. pylori infection. We review briefly, but concisely, the different associations and strengths of H pylori with liver disease and recent guidelines and recommendations on treatment of this widely present infection

Steroid-responsive IgG4-related disease with isolated prostatic involvement: An unusual presentation with elevated serum PSA

Autoimmune prostatitis is known to occur as a part of multisystem fibro-inflammatory disorder known as IgG4 related disease (IgG4 RD). The usual presentation is with symptoms of gastro-intestinal disease with prostatic involvement presenting as lower urinary tract symptoms. The disease responds to corticosteroids. We report an asymptomatic young man who was diagnosed to have IgG4 related prostatitis on TRUS-guided prostate biopsy done for elevated serum PSA, in the absence of any other systemic involvement. The treatment with steroid resulted in normalization of S PSA levels

Postinfantile Giant Cell Hepatitis: An Etiological and Prognostic Perspective

Giant cell hepatitis is common manifestation in pediatric liver diseases, but quite uncommon in adults, only about 100 cases reported in the English literature in the last two decades. Data for the present review were identified by a structured PubMed/MEDLINE search from 1963 to December 2012, using keywords postinfantile giant cell hepatitis (PIGCH), adult giant cell hepatitis, and syncytial giant cell hepatitis in adults and liver. We report a case of postinfantile giant cell hepatitis along with the review related to the etiology and respective outcome, as the literature in the last 20 years suggests. This condition is probably due to idiosyncratic or cytopathic response of individual to various hepatocytic stimuli. It is purely a histomorphological diagnosis and does not establish the etiology. Autoimmune liver diseases are most common etiology, in around 40% of cases, but various viruses, drugs, posttransplant condition, and other causes also have been reported. Prognosis depends upon the etiology. In this paper, we emphasized various causative factors of PIGCH and their respective outcome in patients affected by them. We also highlighted the possible pathogenesis and histopathological spectrum of this entity on the basis of description given in various studies and our limited experience of few cases