Sporotrichosis in Sub-Himalayan India

Sporotrichosis is endemic in the Sub-Himalayan belt, which ranges from the northern to the north-eastern Indian subcontinent. Similar to many parts of the developing world, sporotrichosis is commonly recognized clinically in this region however consolidated epidemiological data is lacking. We report epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data from a hundred culture positive cases of sporotrichosis. Out of 305 clinically suspicious cases of sporotrichosis, a total of 100 isolates were identified as Sporothrix schenckii species complex (S. schenckii) on culture. Out of the culture proven cases 71% of the cases presented with lymphocutaneous type of lesions while 28% had fixed localized type and 1% had disseminated sporotrichosis. Presentation with lesions on hands was most frequently seen in 32% with arm (23%) and face (21%) in that sequence. The male to female ratio was 1∶1.27. Age ranged from 1 ½ years to 88 years. Mean age was 43.25 years. Disease was predominantly seen in the fourth to sixth decade of life with 58% cases between 31 and 60 years of age. Since the first report from the region there has been a steady rise in the number of cases of sporotrichosis. Seasonal trends reveal that most of the patients visited for consultation in the beginning of the year between March and April. This is the first study, from the most endemic region of the Sub-Himalayan belt, to delve into epidemiological and clinical details of such a large number of culture proven cases over a period of more than eighteen years which would help in the understanding of the local disease pattern of sporotrichosis

The rK39 Immunochromatic Dipstick Testing: A Study for K39 Seroprevalence in Dogs and Human Leishmaniasis Patients for Possible Animal Reservoir of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis in Endemic Focus of Satluj River Valley of Himachal Pradesh (India)

Background: The newly recognized endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Satluj river valley of Himachal Pradesh (India) has both localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) predominantly caused by Leishmania donovani. Rapid rK39 immunochromatographic dipstick test detects circulating antibodies to recombinant K39 antigen of L. donovani-infantum complex and is highly specific/sensitive in diagnosing symptomatic or asymptomatic infection in humans and dogs. Methods: The sera from two VL patients and 13 LCL patients, and 31 dogs were subjected to rK39 immunochromatographic dipstick testing with an aim to identify possible animal reservoir for leishmaniasis in this endemic focus. Results and Conclusion: The positive rapid rK39 immunochromatographic dipstick test in 100% VL and 31.8% LCL patients, and 6.5% dogs suggests that both VL and LCL in this focus are apparently being caused by L. donovani-infantum and that reservoir infection is perhaps being chiefly maintained in asymptomatic dogs. However, it needs corroborative evidence in the form of in-vitro parasite cultivation and/or PCR studies for confirmation. A more elaborate study is recommended

The changing trend of syphilis: Is it a sign of impending epidemic?

Background: Syphilis is a treatable bacterial infection caused by Treponema pallidum. There has been a change in incidence of syphilis in various nations over the years. Aim: To study the epidemiological trends, demographic profile, high-risk behaviour, clinical pattern, and stage of syphilis over the last ten years in patients presenting to an STD clinic in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective observational study over ten years. Records of all confirmed syphilis cases were analysed in relation to demography and clinical profile. Results: There were a total of 3,110 STD patients among whom 31 cases (accounting for 0.99%) of confirmed syphilis were seen. There was a significant increase in cases in the last five years of study, especially in the last year. An increase in primary (PS) and secondary syphilis (SS) was observed. Males outnumbered females (3:1). Mean age of patients was 35.0 ± 11.53 years. Professionals were most common (22.6%) having syphilis followed by farmers (19.35%). A significant proportion (45.1%) of our patients were at least graduates. Unprotected sex was seen in all the patients followed by extramarital/premarital sex (71.35%). There were 16.12% of cases who had a history of paid sex and 9.7% were homosexuals. SS and latent syphilis were more common (38.7% each) than PS (19.35%). In PS single chancre and in SS truncal asymptomatic rash was the commonest clinical presentation. Limitation: Single-centre study, including only self-reported patients leading to a small sample size, is the major limitation of the study. Conclusion: The increased trend of primary and secondary syphilis in recent years highlights that there is a risk of an impending epidemic

The Sandflies of the Satluj river valley, Himachal Pradesh (India): some possible vectors of the parasite causing human cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases in this endemic focus

Background & objectives: The recently recognized endemic focus of leishmaniasis in Satluj rivervalley in Himachal Pradesh (India) lies in north-western Himalayas (30°N, 70°E). This endemicfocus of leishmaniasis appears peculiar where localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL) co-existswith visceral leishmaniasis (VL), and Leishmania donovani is predominant pathogen for LCLwhereas only a few cases have been due to Leishmania tropica. This study was carried out to collectsandflies, identify and delineate their habitat and role in transmission of human leishmaniasis inthis endemic focus.Methods: During June 2003 to September 2007, 142 (M–22, F–120) sandflies were collected withaspirators from 10 endemic villages of Kinnaur and Shimla districts.Results & conclusion: Sixty-two of the identified sandflies caught belonged to the genus Phlebotomusspecies, including some species that are known to act as vectors of the parasites causing humanleishmaniasis. The Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus (Parrot), 1928 (28 sandflies), P.major (8 sandflies), P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi (Lewis), 1967 (8 sandflies) were identified.The identification of the main species of vector sandfly in the region is complicated because it isstill uncertain which Leishmania species cause(s) the local human leishmaniasis. Circumstantiallyit seems likely, however, that Phlebotomus (Adlerius) chinensis longiductus is the main vector.Other species found, such as P. major and P. (Larroussius) kandelakii burneyi, may also be responsiblefor some cases. A more elaborate study is recommended

Nocardial Mycetoma: Diverse Clinical Presentations

Nocardia spp are gram-positive, aerobic, acid-fast bacteria which exist as saprophytes in nature. Invasive disseminated infections are particularly common in immunocompromised or debilitated hosts. Superficial infections with Nocardia spp occur as a result of local trauma and contamination of the wound. Clinically, it presents as acute infection (abscesses or cellulitis), mycetoma, or sporotrichoid infection. Differential diagnosis includes eumycetoma, chromomycosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, sporotrichosis, tuberculosis, botryomycosis, syphilis, yaws, and neoplasia. Its diagnosis is confirmed by demonstrating the causative organism in exudates (as granules), tissue specimens, or cultures. Early diagnosis will obviate need for drastic surgical measures as early institution of chemotherapy is effective in most patients. However, its diagnosis is often delayed due to diverse clinical presentations and for want of clinical suspicion, particularly in non-endemic areas. This paper presents 4 clinical forms of this not so uncommon disease, emphasizing the importance of high index of clinical suspicion, especially in non-endemic regions; and the significance of repeated examination of exudates for Nocardia granules for an early diagnosis

Fixed cutaneous type of lesions in cases of sporotrichosis.

<p>The figure shows lesions on the (a) wrist (b) arm (c) pinna and adjoining face and (d) dorsum of foot.</p

Characteristics of growth in isolates of <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i>.

<p>Characteristics of growth in isolates of <i>Sporothrix schenckii</i>.</p

Abstracts of National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020

This book presents the abstracts of the papers presented to the Online National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020 (RDMPMC-2020) held on 26th and 27th August 2020 organized by the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Science in Association with the Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, India. Conference Title: National Conference on Research and Developments in Material Processing, Modelling and Characterization 2020Conference Acronym: RDMPMC-2020Conference Date: 26–27 August 2020Conference Location: Online (Virtual Mode)Conference Organizer: Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, National Institute of Technology JamshedpurCo-organizer: Department of Production and Industrial Engineering, National Institute of Technology Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, IndiaConference Sponsor: TEQIP-