22 research outputs found
Anemia and growth failure among HIV-infected children in India: a retrospective analysis
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Anemia and poor nutrition have been previously described as independent risk factors for death among HIV-infected children. We sought to describe nutritional status, anemia burden and HIV disease correlates among infected children in India.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyzed retrospective data from 248 HIV-infected children aged 1–12 years attending three outpatient clinics in South India (2004–2006). Standard WHO definitions were used for anemia, HIV staging and growth parameters. Statistical analysis included chi square, t tests, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall prevalence of anemia (defined as hemoglobin < 11 gm/dL) was 66%, and 8% had severe anemia (Hb < 7 gm/dL). The proportion of underweight and stunted children in the population was 55% and 46% respectively. Independent risk factors of anemia by multivariate analysis included the pre-school age group (age younger than 6 years) (OR: 2.87; 95% CI: 1.45, 5.70; p < 0.01), rural residence (OR: 12.04; 95% CI: 5.64, 26.00; p < 0.01), advanced HIV disease stage (OR: 6.95; 95% CI: 3.06, 15.79; p < 0.01) and presence of stunting (Height-for-age Z Score < -2) (OR: 3.24; 95% CI: 1.65, 6.35; p < 0.01). Use of iron/multivitamin supplementation was protective against risk of anemia (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.22, 0.90; p = 0.03). Pulmonary tuberculosis was an independent risk factor in multivariate analysis (OR: 3.36; 95% CI: 1.43, 7.89; p < 0.01) when correlated variables such as HIV disease stage and severe immunodeficiency, and nutritional supplement use were not included. Use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) was associated with a reduced risk of anemia (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.53; p < 0.01). No significant association was found between anemia and gender, cotrimoxazole, or ART type (zidovudine versus stavudine).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The high prevalence and strong interrelationship of anemia and poor nutrition among HIV-infected children in India, particularly those living in rural areas underscores the need for incorporating targeted nutritional interventions during national scale up of care, support and treatment among HIV-infected children.</p
Immunodeficiency-Associated Lymphoid Hyperplasia As a Cause of Intussusception in a Case of Activated PI3K-δ Syndrome
A noisy airway: Varying causes for upper airway obstruction in a child
Noisy breathing is a common symptom in infancy and childhood. It can sometimes be intimidating to the parents and a diagnostic challenge to the treating physician. Causes for a noisy airway include congenital and acquired conditions. They can vary in etiology from self-resolving conditions like laryngomalacia to more sinister entities like malignant tumors. We present a 3-year-old girl who presented with noisy breathing since the age of 6months associated with poor weight gain and chest deformity. Due to persistence of her symptoms, she underwent upper airway evaluation at different time points and was found to have varied causes for her noisy respiration that included airway malacia, pharyngeal wall inspiratory collapse and later adenoidal hypertrophy which was complicated by symptoms suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea. The above three conditions are known to co-exist and can manifest at varied points of time. Since it is unusual to encounter varied causes of upper airway obstruction in the same patient, this case is being presented for its rarity and to highlight the importance of evaluating the upper airway repeatedly if symptoms are persistent, variable or progressive
Prevalence of food allergies in South Asia.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the published medical literature on the prevalence and types of food allergies in South Asia.
DATA SOURCES: A PubMed search was performed using the keywords India and food allergy, Asia and food allergy, and South Asia and food allergy for any period. Articles cited in selected studies were reviewed for their appropriateness of inclusion into this review.
STUDY SELECTIONS: Publications were included that were original research and fit the topic of food allergy and South Asia. South Asia is defined as region inclusive of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
RESULTS: A total of 169 articles were initially identified, and 47 were reviewed in detail for inclusion in this review. The primary focus was placed on 10 studies that consisted of case reports of newly reported or documented food allergy, survey studies that investigated food allergy prevalence in specific demographics, and prospective and cross-sectional studies with case controls, all of which investigated food allergy prevalence by allergy testing in a selected population.
CONCLUSION: The medical literature on the prevalence and types of food allergy in South Asia indicates that there is a variety of unusual and unique allergens and an overall low incidence of food allergy. There is also an association of increased food allergy prevalence in individuals who live in metropolitan regions or who migrate to communities that have adopted westernization
Mycobacterium tuberculosis secretory proteins CFP-10, ESAT-6 and the CFP10:ESAT6 complex inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced NF-kB transactivation by downregulation of reactive oxidative species (ROS) production
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) causes death of 2-3 million people annually and is considered one of the most successful intracellular pathogens to persist inside the host macrophage. Recent studies have implicated the role of RD-1 region of Mtb genome in the mycobacterial pathogenesis. The role of RD-1-encoded secretory proteins of Mtb in modulation of macrophage function has not been investigated in detail. Here we show that RD-1 encoded two major secretory proteins, namely, culture filtrate protein-10kDa (CFP-10) and early secreted antigenic target-6kDa (ESAT-6), and their 1:1 CFP-10:ESAT6 complex inhibit production of reactive oxidative species (ROS) in RAW264.7 cells. These proteins also downregulated the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ROS production, which, in turn, downregulated LPS-induced nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB) p65 DNA-binding activity, as well as inhibited the NF-kB-dependent reporter gene (chloramphenicol acetyl transferase) expression in the treated macrophages. Moreover, addition of N-acetyl cysteine, which is a scavenger of ROS, also inhibited LPS-induced reporter gene expression by scavenging the ROS, thereby preventing NF-kB transactivation. These studies indicate that the secretory proteins CFP-10, ESAT-6 and the CFP10:ESAT6 complex of Mtb can inhibit LPS-induced NF-kB-dependent gene expression via downregulation of ROS production