Exacerbation of ulcerative colitis due to Edwardsiella tarda infection

Infectious gastroenteritis can lead to exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis, which warrants appropriate and timely control with the initiation of specific antibacterial therapy. Herein, we discuss a patient who had presented with an exacerbation of ulcerative colitis due to an infectious gastroenteritis caused by Edwardsiella tarda and had responded to the appropriate antibacterial therapy. This study outlines the importance of a culture of stool samples in all cases of IBD with acute exacerbations

Socioepidemiologic Profile and Treatment-seeking Behaviour of HIV/AIDS Patients in a Tertiary-care Hospital in South India

India has the third largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. Provision of free antiretroviral therapy (ART) for eligible persons living with HIV (PLHA) has been scaled up significantly both in terms of facilities for treatment and number of beneficiaries. This study aimed at describing the profile of HIV/AIDS patients on ART from a tertiary-care hospital and to explore the factors associated with treatment-seeking behaviour, family support, and perceptions regarding HIV and ART. This is a descriptive study conducted at the ART centre in a tertiary-care hospital in Puducherry. Study population consisted of 130 HIV-positive patients aged more than 18 years on free firstline ART for at least 6 months. Data on sociodemographic details, clinical details, treatment-seeking behaviour, family support, and perceptions regarding HIV and ART were collected using a pretested questionnaire. Data are presented as percentages. In total, 130 patients on ART for at least 6 months were included in the study\u201461% were males (n=79), 39% were females (n=51); half of them belonged to the age-group of 36-50 years. Half of the participants were diagnosed to have HIV/AIDS between 1 and 3 year(s); two-thirds had one or more co-infection(s). The majority were aware of the side-effects of ART. After advice to start ART, there was a delay in starting treatment in one-fifth of the subjects due to depression, fear of stigma, disclosure to family, and side-effects. More than two-thirds of the patients travelled more than 30 km distance. Families of HIV-positive subjects were supportive in accompanying to the ART centre, collecting drugs, reminders to take medication, and motivation to complete the treatment. Alcohol (50%) and tobacco consumption (39%) was common among the subjects. Half of the respondents stated stigma, death, and pain as the main fears, and all of them stated high levels of trust and rapport with their doctors. This study reveals several positive aspects among ART beneficiaries. However, issues, like tobacco and alcohol consumption, travelling long distance for drug collection, fear of stigma and death, and concerns regarding the future, need to be addressed

Increased protein carbonylation and decreased antioxidant status in anemic H. pylori infected patients: Effect of treatment

Background/Aim: Collective evidences suggest the causal association of Helicobacter pylori infection with iron deficiency anemia. Generation of free radicals against this bacterium can lead to turbulence in oxidative-antioxidative system. This study was undertaken to evaluate the marker of oxidative protein injury, protein carbonylation, and total antioxidant status in anemic H. pylori0-infected patients and to observe the alteration in them after treatment for 1 month with oral ferrous sulfate and anti-H. pylori therapy. Twenty anemic H. pylori-infected patients were randomly divided into 2 groups. The H. pylori-infected patients in Group I received both iron supplementation and anti-H pylori therapy, whereas patients in Group II received only the iron supplementation. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as controls. All the study parameters were estimated after 1 month of the treatment. Materials and Methods: Protein carbonylation and total antioxidant status were estimated using colorimetric method. Hematologic parameters were evaluated using Sysmex-K-100 automated cell counter. Results: In anemic H. pylori-infected patients, the protein carbonyls (PCOs) were significantly increased, whereas the total antioxidant status, iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels were significantly decreased compared with the controls. In Group I, while the PCOs level decreased significantly, there was a significant increase in the total antioxidant status, iron, hemoglobin, and ferritin levels after 1 month. No significant alterations were noted in the levels of PCOs, total antioxidant status, iron, hemoglobin, or ferritin in Group II patients after 1 month of the treatment. Conclusions: The findings from this study indicate that treatment for both anemia and H. pylori infections is required for lowering the oxidative stress markers, which synergistically bring about an appropriate correction of anemia soon in these patients

Quality of life and its determinants in people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection in Puducherry, India

Context: With anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV) coming into picture, quality of life (QOL) has gained importance. Knowledge on the factors affecting QOL would be helpful in making important policy decisions and health care interventions. Aims: The aim of this study is to assess the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLWH) and to identify the factors influencing their QOL. Materials and Methods: The study was done among 200 PLWH attending a tertiary care hospital, and three Non Governmental Organizations at Puducherry, India, from November 2005 to May 2007. QOL was assessed using HIV specific World Health Organization Quality Of Life scale (WHOQOL-HIV) - BREF questionnaire which has six domains (physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationships, environment and spirituality/religiousness/personal belief). Social support and stigma were measured using "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support" and "HIV Stigma Scale," respectively, using Likert Scale. Factors influencing QOL were identified using backward stepwise multiple linear regression with the six domain scores as the dependent variables. Results: Male: Female ratio was 1:1 and 58% were in early stage of the disease (stage I/II). Psychological and SRPB (Spirituality Religiousness and Personal Beliefs) domains were the most affected domains. All the regression models were statistically significant (P<0.05). The determination coefficient was highest for the social relationship domain (57%) followed by the psychological domain (51%). Disease stage and perceived social support significantly influenced all the domains of WHOQOL. Younger age, female gender, rural background, shorter duration of HIV, non-intake of ART and greater HIV related stigma were the high risk factors of poor QOL. Conclusion: Interventions such as ART, family, vocational and peer counseling would address these modifiable factors influencing QOL, thereby improving the QOL of PLWH

Turner′s syndrome presenting as metabolic bone disease

Turner′s syndrome is a genetic disorder with a complete or partial absence of one X chromosome with characteristic phenotypic features. The prevalence of renal anomalies in turner syndrome is 30-40%. However, the renal function is usually normal. We report a case of Turner′s syndrome presenting with chronic kidney disease and renal osteodystrophy

Localised tetanus mimicking incomplete transverse myelitis

No abstract available

Radioiodine therapy in patients with Graves′ disease and the effects of prior carbimazole therapy

The use of radioiodine as the first line of treatment in Graves′ disease is restricted in India because of its limited availability and an unrealistic risk perception associated with it. Additionally, the effectiveness of radioiodine ablation in Graves′ disease is influenced by many factors. Prior medical antithyroid therapy is one such important factor. Aims: To analyze the efficacy of low dose radioiodine therapy (5 mCi) in treatment of naive patients of Graves′ disease in comparison to that in which it was already primed with an antithyroid drug, carbimazole. Settings and Design: A non-randomized, interventional study conducted in the Department of Medicine and Endocrinology of a tertiary care institute in South India. Materials and Methods: The study had two groups; Group A (36 treatment naive, uncomplicated Graves′ disease patients) and B (34 Graves′ disease patients on carbimazole prior to radioiodine therapy). Both groups had baseline clinical, biochemical evaluation and were reassessed at 3 and 6 months for evaluating the clinical status for possible documentation of cure. Results: The cure rate was 61.1% in drug naive group and 58.8% in pretreated group at 6 months following radioiodine (P = 0.845). Higher baseline 999m technicium (99m Tc) uptake, male gender, BMI and higher baseline free thyroxine (fT4) level predicted treatment failure following radioiodine therapy. Conclusions: Administration of carbimazole prior to low dose radioiodine therapy does not alter the efficacy of radioiodine. Low fixed dose (5 mCi) of radioactive iodine may be a safe and effective primary therapeutic option in Graves′ disease patients pretreated with antithyroid drugs