ROLE OF SUBSTANCE P IN PANCREATITIS AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES

Substance P (SP) is a neuropeptide that has its place in the tachykinin family and helps in the transmission of neurogenic signals. SP is also a neuromodulator that plays a crucial part in pain during inflammatory processes. It is produced by the capsaicin-sensitive unmyelinated C fibers sensory neurons by the central and peripheral nervous systems. Substance P is known as a critical primary responder to most of the extreme stimuli, i.e., specifically those with the ability to destabilize the biological integrity. Hence, SP can be considered as an instantaneous system for defense, stress, healing, etc. SP is known to perform a vital role in neurogenic inflammation and the pathophysiology of acute pancreatitis. Out of these, neurogenic inflammation is responsible for acute interstitial pancreatitis as a result of oedema. SP binds itself to the G-protein coupled neurokinin-1 receptor and causes plasma leakage, cell proliferation, and invasion resulting in pancreatic cancer. SP along with comparable neuropeptides seems to be crucial targets with the capability of satisfying several unfulfilled medical requisites. This review article mainly focuses on compiling the available evidence to show that SP could be a novel therapeutic target for pancreatic diseases, and more exploration into the SP signaling pathways is the call of the hour

A rare occurrence of Serratia rubidaea in a patient with ear discharge

Serratia species are not as frequent as with more virulent members of the Enterobacteriaceae. However, when infections do arise, they are largely associated with Serratia marcescens. Presently, about 10 species of Serratia are recognized and infections caused by the remaining Serratia species are seldom recorded in literature, as they are not often isolated from clinical specimens. This is a case report of Serratia rubidaea isolated from ear discharge of a 35-year old female patient with no co-morbidities and with known history of chronic otomastoiditis for which the patient had undergone left modified radical mastoidectomy. Isolation of this bacterium from clinical specimens is rare; however, it can be an etiological agent for infections in patients who have undergone invasive procedures. The patient was managed with antibiotics and on otoendoscopy at follow-up, no discharge was observed

Ear infection in a child due to Kodamaea ohmeri, an emerging pathogen: A rare case report from South India

This is a report of Kodamaea ohmeri isolated from a 2-year-old febrile child with stable vitals. Frank discharge of pus was present. Microbial culture testing revealed the presence of K. ohmeri. Antifungal susceptibility was performed along with intravenous antibiotic administration and antifungal ear drops in view of the discharge