Lipohypertrophy due to HAART: a case series

A subset of HIV-1 infected patients undergoing Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) develops a lipodystrophy syndrome. It is characterised by loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue (face, limbs and buttocks) visceral fat accumulation and lipomatosis especially in dorsocervical area. In addition these patients show metabolic alteration implicative of metabolic syndrome particularly dyslipidaemia and insulin resistance. These alterations lead to enhanced cardiovascular risk and favour the development of diabetes in such patients. A complex combination of HIV infection, drug treatment related events and lipotoxicity appears to contribute to the development of lipodystrophy syndrome. Active lipolysis in subcutaneous fat combined with impaired storage capacity in subcutaneous depot leads to ectopic deposition of lipids either in visceral or in non-adipose sites. Lipotoxicity, a pathogenic factor in the lipodystrophy syndrome should be considered in the strategies for treating and /or preventing the morphological alterations and systemic metabolic disturbances associated with lipodystrophy

A case series of cefixime induced Steven’s Johnson Syndrome

Drug induced adverse reactions are a major health problem. Drug hyper sensitivity reactions manifest themselves in many diseases, of which some are very severe. The most common allergic reactions occur in the skin. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is mainly caused by drugs (antimicrobials e.g.: penicillin’s, sulphonamides and cephalosporin’s e.g.: cefixime, antiepileptic’s, NSAIDS), infections and also by other risk factors not yet identified. The most common allergic reactions occur in the skin. These reactions ranging from simple pruritic eruptions to potentially life threatening events are a significant cause of iatrogenic morbidity and mortality. Identification of the cause, withdrawal of the trigger and supportive management is crucial to improve the patient state. Despite of all therapeutic efforts, mortality is high and increases with disease severity, patient’s age and underlying medical conditions. Survivors may suffer from long-term squeal such as strictures of mucous membranes including severe eye problems

New Tools for Dengue Diagnostics

Dengue caused by four antigenically distinct serotype remains a serious health concern around the world, particularly in the tropical areas. Clinical signs and symptoms of this disease are indistinguishable from other infectious disease; therefore, laboratory diagnosis is very crucial for confirming the disease that will be useful for the patient’s management. In laboratory, dengue can be confirmed using cell culture, RNA detection, and serological detection based on ELISA and immunochromatographic test. However, each of these methods has certain practical limitations. Therefore, researchers from all over the world have been working to address these limitations. In this chapter, we will highlight the current research toward the development of novel point-of-care test for the diagnosis of dengue in acute and convalescent phase

A concise review on preparation methods used for the development of solid lipid nanoparticles

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) are in submicron size range nanoparticles and are made of biocompatible and biodegradable materials (mainly composed of lipids and surfactants) capable of incorporating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. SLNs are also considered as substitute to other colloidal drug systems, also used as controlled systems and targeted delivery. SLNs can be considered as an alternative for oral drug delivery vehicle to improve the oral bioavailability of drugs, associated reduction of drug toxicity and stability of drug in both GIT and plasma. There are different techniques used for the preparation of SLNs. Generally, the preparation of SLNs and any other nanoparticle system necessitates a dispersed system as precursor; otherwise particles are produced through the use of a particular instrumentation. This review provides the summary on the techniques or methods used for the development of SLNs of poorly water soluble drugs for improved drug delivery. Keywords: Solid lipid nanoparticles, controlled delivery, precursor, techniques

Excipients, drug release mechanism and physicochemical characterization methods of Solid lipid nanoparticles

From last thirty years, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) gain much importance as drug delivery vehicle for enhanced delivery of the drugs, proteins, nutraceuticals and cosmetics. SLNs defined as a submicron size range nanoparticle with below 1000 nm and are mainly composed of lipids and surfactants, capable of incorporating both lipophilic and hydrophilic drugs. SLNs also used as controlled systems, targeted delivery and altered therapeutic efficacy purpose. A wide variety of methods such as double emulsion, solvent evaporation, ultra sonication, high-pressure homogenization and microemulsion used for SLNs production. This review provides the significance of SLNs in drug delivery with highlighting on selection of excipients, drug release mechanism, principles and limitations associated with their physicochemical and surface morphological characterization. Keywords: Solid lipid nanoparticles, enhanced delivery, preparation, characterization, application