Hantavirus infection among children hospitalized for febrile illness suspected to be dengue in Barbados

SummaryEmerging picture of hantavirus infection in the South America is characterized by greater proportion of childhood infection and wider spectrum of disease from mild asymptomatic to lethal cardiopulmonary disease. Barbados is endemic for dengue and leptospirosis, both of which share clinical features with hantavirus infection and in many cases neither of these diagnosis could be confirmed. We investigate whether some of the children hospitalized with suspected dengue could indeed have been hantavirus infections. In this prospective study children hospitalized with suspected dengue were tested for hantavirus infection using ELISA for the IgM antibodies. Thirty-eight children tested positive for hantavirus infection. They presented with fever, headache and mild respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms and signs. None of them had features suggestive of hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome. Blood count values ranged from low to normal to high for their age. There were no deaths. Hantavirus infection is prevalent in this Caribbean country. It predominantly presents with milder disease and is responsible for some of the nonspecific febrile illnesses in children

Personal protective equipment (PPE) related adverse skin reactions among healthcare workers at the main COVID-19 isolation center in Barbados

Background: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) reduces the risk of transmission of infectious agents significantly among healthcare workers (HCWs). The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of PPE-related adverse skin reactions among HCWs working at the main COVID-19 isolation center in Barbados. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based online survey was conducted during April to June 2021 which recorded demographic information, details of PPE use and adverse skin reactions including severity and duration of onset of symptoms. Results: Most of the respondents used PPE for consecutive days (77.9%), 1–6 h/day (59.2%), and more than a year (62.5%). Fewer than half of the participants (45.6%) experienced adverse skin reactions from the use of PPE. The reactions were mostly observed in the cheeks (40.4%) and nose bridges (35.6%). Females had more reactions than their male counterparts (p = 0.003). The use of N95 masks and a combination of surgical and N95 masks produced adverse effects predominantly in the ears (60%) and cheeks (56.4%). Binary logistic regression showed that female HCWs (OR = 5.720 95% CI: 1.631, 20.063), doctors (OR = 5.215 95% CI: 0.877, 31.002), and longer duration of PPE use (>1 year) (OR = 2.902 95% CI: 0.958, 8.787) caused a significantly higher prevalence of adverse skin reactions. Conclusion: The PPE-related skin reactions were common among HCWs which mainly occurred due to prolonged use. Preventive measures inclusive of appropriate training of HCWs on the use of PPE are recommended to minimize these adverse event

Effect of vitamin D on blood glucose and lipid profile in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Introduction and Objectives: One of the vital nutrients, vitamin D, has a role in fat metabolism and other metabolic processes in addition to its direct impact on calcium and bone metabolism. This study intends to look at how vitamin D intake affects the levels of lipids, glucose, and insulin in rats with experimentally induced diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: 24 male albino Wistar rats, weighing between 250 to 300 g, were placed into four groups at random ( n=6). Group 1 served as the control group, while the other three groups were given an i.p. injection of 35 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes and a high-fat diet for three weeks. Then, for the following three weeks, groups III and IV received treatment with vitamin D (400 IU/kg) and Vitamin D + Glimepiride (50 mcg/kg). Results: Vitamin D supplementation was observed to dramatically lower lipid profile, raise insulin, and decrease HbA1c concentration. Additionally, when Vitamin D and Glimepiride were administered together, a substantial decrease in the serum concentrations of blood glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profile was seen (p 0.05).&nbsp

Benefits of gamification in medical education

10.1002/ca.23916CLINICAL ANATOMY356795-80