scholarly journals The Clinical Features and Prognostic Factors for Treatment Outcomes of Dematiaceous Fungal Keratitis over 9 Years at a Tertiary Eye Care in Northern Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (7) ◽  
pp. 526
Author(s):  
Chulaluck Tangmonkongvoragul ◽  
Susama Chokesuwattanaskul ◽  
Napaporn Tananuvat ◽  
Monsicha Pongpom ◽  
Phit Upaphong ◽  
...  

Dematiaceous fungal keratitis is an important etiology of visual loss, particularly in an agricultural society. From a retrospective review of medical records from 2012 to 2020, 50 keratitis cases of cultured-positive for dematiaceous fungi were presented at a tertiary care hospital in Northern Thailand. The study aimed to identify the isolated causative dematiaceous species using the PCR technique and to explore their related clinical features, including treatment prognoses. Sequencing of the amplified D1/D2 domains and/or ITS region were applied and sequenced. Of the 50 dematiaceous fungal keratitis cases, 41 patients were males (82%). In most cases, the onset happened during the monsoon season (June to September) (48%). The majority of the patients (72%) had a history of ocular trauma from an organic foreign body. The most common species identified were Lasiodiplodia spp. (19.35%), followed by Cladosporium spp. and Curvularia spp. (12.90% each). About half of the patients (52%) were in the medical failure group where surgical intervention was required. In summary, ocular trauma from an organic foreign body was the major risk factor of dematiaceous fungal keratitis in Northern Thailand. The brown pigmentation could be observed in only 26%. Significant prognostic factors for medical failure were visual acuity at presentation, area of infiltrate, depth of the lesions, and hypopyon.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 475
Author(s):  
Siriporn Chongkae ◽  
Sirida Youngchim ◽  
Joshua D. Nosanchuk ◽  
Angkana Laliam ◽  
Chulaluck Tangmonkongvoragul ◽  
...  

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious ocular infection that can result in various degrees of vision loss, including blindness. The aim of the study was to identify and retrospectively review all FK cases diagnosed between August 2012 and December 2020 at a tertiary care hospital in northern Thailand with a specific focus on epidemiologic features, including season, patient sex and age, the spectrum of pathogens, and presence of certain putative virulence factors. Of 1237 patients with corneal ulcers, 294 (23.8%) were confirmed by direct microscopic examination and/or fungal culture. For the positive cases, direct examinations of Calcofluor white (CW) stains and KOH mounts were found in 97.3% (286/294) and 76.5% (225/294), respectively (p < 0.05). Of the cases diagnosed by microscopy and culture, fungi were isolated in 152 (51.7%), with Fusarium spp. being the most frequently identified (n = 69, 45.5%) followed by dematiaceous fungi (n = 45, 29.6%) and Aspergillus spp. (n = 18, 11.8%). The incidence of FK was higher in the rainy season of July to October. The mean age was 54.4 ± 14.4 (SD) years, with a range of 9–88 years. Males (75.8%) were affected significantly more than females (24.2%) (p < 0.05). Of 294 patients, 132 (44.9%) were middle-aged adults (41–60 years) and 107 (36.4%) were older than 60 years. Trauma to the eye by soil or vegetative matter were the most common preceding factors (188/294; 64.0%). We assessed two virulence factors. First, 142 of the 152 culture-positive FK cases were due to molds, indicating that hyphal morphogenesis is extremely important in disease. We also demonstrated that fungal melanization occurs in the molds during the course of FK by applying a melanin-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) that labeled fungal elements in corneal samples of patients, and melanin particles derived from the hyphae were also recovered after treatment of the samples with proteolytic enzymes, denaturant and hot concentrated acid. In summary, we demonstrate that northern Thailand has a high rate of FK that is influenced by season and males engaged in outside activities are at highest risk for disease. Moulds are significantly more commonly responsible for FK, in part due to their capacity to form hyphae and melanins. Future studies will examine models of fungal corneal interactions and assess additional factors of virulence, such as secreted enzymes, to more deeply decipher the pathogenesis of FK.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 194-197
Author(s):  
Tasnima Ahmed ◽  
Abdul Baki ◽  
Tahmina Begum ◽  
Nazmun Nahar

Background: Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is common among preterm infants as many of them survive with the advancements in neonatal care. Severe IVH may lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The objective of our study is to find out the significant clinical signs of IVH in preterm neonate for early detection by ultrasonography.Methods: This prospective observational study was done in special care baby unit (SCABU), Bangladesh Institute of Research & rehabilitation of Diabetic, Endocrine & metabolic Disorder (BIRDEM) for a period of one year. Eighty five preterm neonates were included in this study. Clinical features of IVH like- convulsion, lethargy, irritability, bulged fontanelle, recurrent apnea, sudden onset of respiratory distress, sudden pallor and bradycardia were observed. Cranial ultrasound studies were done within 7 days of life in all cases to identify IVH.Result: Mean gestational age of these neonates was 31.31(±2.2) weeks & mean birth weight was 1413.42 (±330.55) gm. Among 85 preterm neonates 21(24.7%) developed IVH, confirmed by ultrasonography of brain. Clinical features like convulsion, bulged fontanel, repeated apnea & sudden pallor were significantly present in IVH group.Conclusion: Intraventricular Hemorrhage constitutes an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonate. This study showed that clinical features like convulsion, bulged fontanel and sudden pallor had a significant relationship with intraventricular hemorrhage which will help for its early detection.Birdem Med J 2017; 7(3): 194-197


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Zeeshan Jamil ◽  
Muhammad Luqman Ali Bahoo

Purpose: To find the visual outcome of ocular trauma presenting in a tertiary care hospital in Sahiwal. Study Design: Descriptive observational study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at District Headquarter Teaching Hospital affiliated with Sahiwal Medical College, Sahiwal from January 2016 to June 2019. Material and Methods:  Four hundred and thirty five patients were included in the study by convenient sampling technique. Patient’s age, gender, occupation, activity at the time of injury, nature of object causing trauma, duration of trauma, visual acuity at the time when patient reported to hospital, the time delay before coming to the hospital were recorded. Ocular injuries were classified according to Birmingham ocular trauma terminology. Detailed ocular examination was performed. Patients were managed and post-management visual acuity at three months was recorded. Results: Mean age of patients was 29.07 ± 12.53 years. There were 219 (50.3%) closed globe and 216 (49.7%) open globe injuries. In 59 (13.6%) cases, cause of injury was metal object. In 146 (33.6%) cases injury was classified as contusion. In 164 (37.7%) cases cornea was involved. Majority of the patients were male. Eighty-seven patients presented within 1 day after trauma. In 154 (35.4%) patients, visual acuity at the time of presentation was 6/12 or better while in 171 (39.3%) cases it was less than 6/60. Chi-square test was used to calculate the difference between pre and post-management visual acuity. This difference was statistically significant with p-value less than 0.05 Conclusion:  Ocular trauma cases, if properly and timely managed, have a statistically significant increase in visual acuity.


Author(s):  
Shashidhar S. Suligavi ◽  
Mallikarjun N. Patil ◽  
S. S. Doddamani ◽  
Chandrashekarayya S. Hiremath ◽  
Afshan Fathima

<p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Background:</span></strong>Tracheo- bronchial foreign bodies have always posed a challenge to the ENT surgeon as they present with varied symptomatology ranging from a simple cough and fever to more grave respiratory distress. It requires a strong suspicion, early diagnosis and timely intervention to reduce the overall morbidity and mortality .This study was undertaken to highlight our experiences in handling cases of tracheo- bronchial foreign bodies (FB) at our setup.</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Methods:</span></strong>It is a retrospective case series study conducted in S. Nijalingappa Medical College between January 2011 and January 2015.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Results:</span></strong>Most commonly affected were children between 1year to 3years of age. Chronic cough and wheeze were the commonest presenting symptoms. Vegetative foreign body was found to be the commonest variety of foreign body. The mortality rate in our study was 4.7% (n=3).</p><p class="abstract"><strong><span lang="EN-US">Conclusions:</span></strong>A good clinical acumen, team work, early diagnosis and timely intervention are all needed to reduce the overall mortality and morbidity associated with tracheo- bronchial foreign bodies.</p>


Author(s):  
Sonia Sandeep Barve ◽  
Srujana Prabhala ◽  
Tanuja Bakul Javadekar ◽  
Sandeep Om Nanda

Introduction: Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae (V.cholerae). Based on antigenic differences of O antigen, O1 serogroup can be divided into three serotypes. In addition, by performing various biochemical reactions, O1 Serogroup can be differentiated into two biotypes. Outbreaks of Cholera occur seasonally. It is associated with monsoon season, warm temperature, heavy rainfall and increased plankton population. Aim: The aim was to determine the trends in resistance pattern and phenotypic Pattern of Vibrio cholerae. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted during the period from June 2019-December 2019. Culture of Stool specimens were done on different agar media. Biotyping was done by conventional methods. Serotyping and phage typing was also done along with the Antibiotic susceptibility testing. Descriptive analysis was used and presented in terms of percentage. Results:V.cholerae was isolated in 72 patients and they belonged to serogroup O1 and biotype El Tor. The most common serotype was Ogawa. The predominant phage type were T2 by old scheme and T27 by new scheme of phage typing. The maximum number of V. cholerae isolates was seen in the month of November, 2019 followed by October, 2019. Conclusion: The phenotypic pattern and fluctuating seasonal trend of V. cholerae and antimicrobial resistance encourage the continued epidemiological and microbiological surveillance of the disease.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 851
Author(s):  
Ravikumar Tenali ◽  
Naveen Kumar Badri ◽  
Jithendra Kandati ◽  
Munilakshmi Ponugoti

Background: TB remains as the one among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. In 2016, 10.4 million people fell ill with TB, and 1.7 million died from the disease with 0.4 million with HIV. At least 1 million children become ill with TB each year. Children represent about 10-11% of all TB cases. Having knowledge of the risk factors for tuberculosis infection in children is important to evaluate the level of ongoing transmission of infection and to help adapt activities within national TB control programs. The main objective is to study the risk factors and their association and variable clinical features in cases of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: The main objective is to study the risk factors and their association and variable clinical features in cases of pulmonary and extra pulmonary tuberculosis.Results: 98 cases of TB were confirmed out of total 628 with a prevalence of 17.07% in the   study with 78 PTB cases and 20 EPTB. Females were more with male to female ratio of 0.7:1.5-9 years was the most common age group in the study. Statistically significant association was found between old history of ATT, HIV positivity, contact with an open case of TB and malnutrition (p value<0.05). TB meningitis was the most common EPTB (10/20 cases) followed by tuberculous lymphadenitis (5/20). 69.39% (68/98 cases) were smear positive, radiologically 59.18% of cases were positive and Tuberculin skin test was positive in 46.94%.Conclusions: Childhood tuberculosis is a neglected entity in developing countries due to underreporting and difficulties in diagnosis due to variable clinical picture in children. Hence epidemiological surveillance studies in children are required to determine the actual prevalence of pulmonary and extra pulmonary cases of tuberculosis. Increased efforts are required to isolate TB bacilli from body fluids to identify early the childhood cases and manage them to prevent disease burden in the community.


2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (12) ◽  
pp. 1701-1704
Author(s):  
Farhan Zahoor ◽  
Bushra Madni ◽  
Muhammad Imran ◽  
Muhammad Naveed ◽  
Fazal ur Rehman ◽  
...  

Objective: To find out characteristics and clinical features of children presenting with acute myocarditis at a tertiary care hospital. Study Design: Observational Study. Setting: Department of Pediatrics, Sughra Shafi Medical Complex, Sahara Medical College, Narowal, Pakistan. Period: February 2020 to February 2021. Material & Methods: A total of 71 children aged 1 month to 15 years admitted with acute myocarditis were enrolled. Acute myocarditis was labeled as short history of illness in otherwise healthy child, echocardiography evident of left ventricular dysfunctioning, cardiac biomarkers showing cardiac damage as well as electrocardiography showing acute myocarditis. Age was represented as mean and standard deviation whereas qualitative variables like gender, area of residence and clinical features were shown as frequency and percentages. Results: Out of a total of 71 children, there were 38 (53.5%) were male. Median age was recorded to be 16.6 months. Majority of the cases, 42 (59.2%) belonged to rural areas of residence. Tachycardia was the commonest clinical feature noted in 65 (91.5%) children, irritability was seen in 50 (70.4%), tachypnea in 48 (67.6%) while poor feeding was noted 44 (62.0%) children. Hepatomegaly was noted in 39 (54.9%) children. Hypotension was recorded in 35 (49.3%) children. Conclusion: Male predominance was seen among children presenting with acute myocarditis. Tachycardia, irritability, tachypnea and poor feeding were the commonest clinical features observed.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arushi Gahlot Saini ◽  
Sameer Vyas ◽  
Amrit Kaur ◽  
Prabhjyot Singh ◽  
Muralidharan Jayashree ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Variable neurological manifestations and imaging findings have been described in children with severe hypernatremia. We aimed to describe the spectrum of neuroimaging changes in infants with severe hypernatremia. Methods This retrospective study included infants with severe hypernatremia (serum sodium >160 mEq/L), abnormal neurological examination, and an abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain over a period of 2 years in a tertiary care hospital. Relevant clinical data, including the feeding practices, clinical features, complications, and biochemical and radiological parameters, were entered in a structured pro forma. MRI findings were classified as vascular (hemorrhages and cerebral sinus venous thrombosis), osmotic demyelination syndrome (pontine and extrapontine myelinolyses), and white matter changes. Results The common clinical features in the neonates were poor feeding (n = 4) and decreased urine output (n = 4); the older infants presented with gastrointestinal losses (n = 5). All cases had dehydration with encephalopathy. The patterns of radiological injury were vascular (hemorrhages, n = 5 and venous thrombosis, n = 3), osmotic demyelination (n = 8), and white matter changes (n = 7). Coagulopathy was correlated with the vascular complications (r = 0.8, p < 0.0001); the degree of dehydration was correlated with the venous thrombosis (r = 0.7, p < 0.04) and acute kidney injury (r = 0.8, p < 0.001). Neurological sequelae were seen in four cases and correlated with hypernatremia (r = 0.6, p = 0.03) and hyperosmolarity (r = 0.6, p = 0.03). Conclusion Characteristic neuroimaging findings are vascular changes in the form of venous thrombosis and hemorrhages, osmotic demyelination and white matter tract injury, and/or mostly combinations of these findings. Severe hypernatremia and resulting hyperosmolarity frequently cause neurological sequelae in neonates and infants.


2021 ◽  
pp. 36-38
Author(s):  
Jibachh Prasad Sah ◽  
Pramanand Jha ◽  
R. S. Prasad ◽  
Debarshi Jana

Background: Chromoblastomycosis, a chronic subcutaneous mycosis, is caused by several dematiaceous Fungi, the most common being Fonsecaea pedrosoi. A majority of cases from India have been reported from the sub-Himalayan belt and South India. Aim: The aim was to study chromoblastomycosis in around Darbhanga reason of Bihar including demographic and clinicomycological prole. Materials and Methods: This report is a retrospective hospital record-based analysis of all cases of chromoblastomycosis who presented to the dermatology outpatient department of our tertiary care hospital during the past 3 years. Results : A total of 11 cases of chromoblastomycosis were diagnosed during the above period. The disease was seen predominantly in middle-aged male. The lower extremity (72.7%) was more commonly affected. Verrucous and nodular lesions are the common clinical presentation. Sclerotic bodies are demonstrated in potassium hydroxide mount and histopathological section in 81.8% and 90.9% cases, respectively. The causative fungus was isolated in 90.9% and cass with F. pedrosoi, as the most common species


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