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Introduction Healthcare workers (HCWs) are vulnerable to getting infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Preventing HCWs from getting infected is a priority to maintain healthcare services. The therapeutic and preventive role of ivermectin in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is being investigated. Based on promising results of in vitro studies of oral ivermectin, this study was conducted with the aim to demonstrate the prophylactic role of oral ivermectin in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among HCWs at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhubaneswar. Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, which has been providing both COVID and non-COVID care since March 2020. All employees and students of the institute who provided written informed consent participated in the study. The uptake of two doses of oral ivermectin (300 μg/kg/dose at a gap of 72 hours) was considered as exposure. The primary outcome of the study was COVID-19 infection in the following month of ivermectin consumption, diagnosed as per Government of India testing criteria (real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR]) guidelines. The log-binomial model was used to estimate adjusted relative risk (ARR), and the Kaplan-Meier failure plot was used to estimate the probability of COVID-19 infection with follow-up time. Results Of 3892 employees, 3532 (90.8%) participated in the study. The ivermectin uptake was 62.5% and 5.3% for two doses and single dose, respectively. Participants who took ivermectin prophylaxis had a lower risk of getting symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV-2 infection (6% vs 15%). HCWs who had taken two doses of oral ivermectin had a significantly lower risk of contracting COVID-19 infection during the following month (ARR 0.17; 95% CI, 0.12-0.23). Females had a lower risk of contracting COVID-19 than males (ARR 0.70; 95% CI, 0.52-0.93). The absolute risk reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection was 9.7%. Only 1.8% of the participants reported adverse events, which were mild and self-limiting. Conclusion Two doses of oral ivermectin (300 μg/kg/dose given 72 hours apart) as chemoprophylaxis among HCWs reduced the risk of COVID-19 infection by 83% in the following month. Safe, effective, and low-cost chemoprophylaxis has relevance in the containment of pandemic alongside vaccine.

Background Ivermectin is one among several potential drugs explored for its therapeutic and preventive role in SARS-CoV-2 infection. The study was aimed to explore the association between ivermectin prophylaxis and the development of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers. Methods A hospital-based matched case-control study was conducted among healthcare workers of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, India, from September to October 2020. Profession, gender, age and date of diagnosis were matched for 186 case-control pairs. Cases and controls were healthcare workers who tested positive and negative, respectively, for COVID-19 by RT-PCR. Exposure was defined as the intake of ivermectin and/or hydroxychloroquine and/or vitamin-C and/or other prophylaxis for COVID-19. Data collection and entry was done in Epicollect5, and analysis was performed using STATA version 13. Conditional logistic regression models were used to describe the associated factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results Ivermectin prophylaxis was taken by 76 controls and 41 cases. Two-dose ivermectin prophylaxis (AOR 0.27, 95% CI, 0.15–0.51) was associated with a 73% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers for the following month. Those involved in physical activity (AOR 3.06 95% CI, 1.18–7.93) for more than an hour/day were more likely to contract SARS-CoV-2 infection. Type of household, COVID duty, single-dose ivermectin prophylaxis, vitamin-C prophylaxis and hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis were not associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusion Two-dose ivermectin prophylaxis at a dose of 300 μg/kg with a gap of 72 hours was associated with a 73% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers for the following month. Chemoprophylaxis has relevance in the containment of pandemic.

Context: Spirometry is an important tool to monitor treatment response in diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. However, there is lack of evidence to support its application to evaluate response to chemotherapy in advanced lung cancer. It might be a useful adjunct to the imaging-based response evaluation which lacks functional assessment of lungs. Aims: The study was conducted to evaluate the change in spirometry in lung cancer patients after chemotherapy and to find its correlation with change in physical tumor size. Subjects and Methods: Sixty-two advanced lung cancer patients who were eligible for palliative chemotherapy were enrolled. Baseline tumor size evaluation using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumor (RECIST)-based scoring system, and spirometry was done. Four cycles of double agent (platinum doublets) chemotherapy were administered, after which treatment response was evaluated. Repeat spirometry was analyzed and correlated with changes in physical tumor size. Results: Twenty-five patients showed a response (all partial response) to four cycles of chemotherapy. Small cell carcinoma showed a better response rate than non-small cell carcinoma (78% vs. 39%). There was statistically significant improvement in forced expiratory volume in 1 (FEV1) (P = 0.01) and forced vital capacity (P = 0.03) in responders as compared to nonresponders. Change in FEV1 showed a statistically significant correlation with the change in tumor size (RECIST score) (r = –0.34; P = 0.04). Conclusions: Improvement in spirometry correlates with the tumor response as judged using RECIST criteria after chemotherapy. Further studies with bigger sample size are required to consolidate the results.

Establishing a diagnosis of melioidosis based on clinical grounds is difficult in hospitalized patients with sepsis or community acquired pneumonia (CAP). We aimed to ascertain the prevalence, clinico-epidemiological and laboratory profile of melioidosis in hospitalized patients with sepsis or CAP, and to evaluate the diagnostic utility of rapid lateral flow immunoassay (LFI) and PCR in comparison with culture. In all patients with sepsis or CAP, blood, sputum/throat swab, and urine sample were subjected to culture along with other samples based on clinical presentation. In addition, PCR assay targeting the type III secretion system 1 (TTS1) and LFI was performed. Thirty-three (33/196, 17%) out of the total 196 cases were diagnosed as melioidosis by culture. The prevalence of melioidosis in patients who had only sepsis without CAP, had both sepsis and CAP, had CAP without sepsis was 31% (26/84), 22 % (4/18) and 3%(3/94) respectively. All the LFI or PCR positive cases were culture positive from at least one or more samples (blood/sputum/urine/pus). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TTS1 PCR was 78% (18/23 melioidosis patients), 100% (34/34 non-melioidosis patients), 100% (18/18 melioidosis patients) and 87% (34/39 non-melioidosis patients). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of Rapid LFI was 91% (21/23 melioidosis patients), 100% (22/22 non-melioidosis patients), 100% (21/21 melioidosis patients) and 91% (22/24 non-melioidosis patients). On sample wise stratification of LFI and TTS1 with respect to culture, plasma/serum samples showed the highest discordance by PCR (9/55, 16.3%) and LFI (11/35, 31.4%). The lowest discordance was noted in respiratory tract samples (2/32, 6.2%) by PCR and pus/body fluids samples (2/14, 14.2%) by LFI and these findings are in line with previous published literature. The clinical utility of PCR and LFI needs to be further validated in a large scale study for early diagnosis of septicaemic melioidosis.

ROS1-rearrangement occurs in 1-2% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This mutation is predominantly seen in relatively young, non-smoker, female with adenocarcinoma. Association of pulmonary embolism with ROS1-rearranged NSCLC has been suggested. We report a case of a 22-year-old woman with ROS1-positive NSCLC and pulmonary embolism. This case possibly represents the youngest patient in the literature.

Background: Uncontrolled asthma is known to impair sleep and quality of life. However, influence of poor sleep quality on asthma control is little known. Objectives: To assess whether poor sleep quality is a predictor of uncontrolled asthma. Methods: Single-center cross-sectional study in adults (≥18 years) with physician diagnosed asthma of at least six months. Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) cut off ≥5 was considered as poor sleep. Asthma Control Questionnaire-6 (ACQ6, cut off ≥1.5) and Standardized Asthma-related Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ-S) were used to assess asthma control and quality of life respectively. Chi Square test and logistic regression were performed as applicable. Relationships between PSQI, ACQ6 and AQLQ-S scores were assessed by Spearman correlation. Data was analysed using software ‘R’ with significance set at p Results: A total of 136 (64 males) patients [median age 39(IQR 26.75-47.25) years, mean BMI 24.72±3.93] were enrolled. The median PSQI and ACQ6 scores were 5 (IQR 3-7) and 1.33 (IQR 0.5-2.04) respectively. Mean AQLQ-S score was 5.25 ±1.03. Overall, 64 patients had uncontrolled asthma and 69 were poor sleepers. Poor sleep quality was associated with four times increased risk of uncontrolled asthma (OR 4.14, CI 2.02-8.48, p=0.0001). Further, 35% of controlled asthma patients reported poor sleep. The adjusted odds for uncontrolled asthma was 1.43 (p Conclusions: Poor sleep quality is independently associated with uncontrolled asthma and poor quality of life. Poor sleep is not uncommon among patients with controlled asthma.

Statement of the Problem: Healthcare workers (HCW) are the most vulnerable group for contracting SARS-CoV-2. Assessment of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among HCW, thus can provide important data on pathogen exposure, infectivity, and adherence to personal protective equipment (PPE). The present study aimed at assessing SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among HCW and exploring associations with demographics, category of exposure to COVID-19 patients, preventive measures taken and relation with COVID-19 symptoms. Method of Study: HCWs with a minimum gap 2 weeks from last duty were eligible to participate in the study. The enrolled HCW were categorized into high-risk and low-risk category based on work in COVID-19 areas. HCWs SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG and IgM antibodies were detected using rapid immunochromatography test. Results: Out of 821 randomly selected HCWs, either IgM or IgG antibody was detected in 32 HCWs (32/821, 3.9%). Only IgM antibodies were detected in 14 (1.7%), only IgG was detected in 9 (1.0%), and both IgM and IgG antibodies were present in 9 HCWs. Seropositivity was significantly higher in high-risk category (5.7% vs. 2.2.%), HCWs who ever had COVID-19 related symptoms in last 3 months (5.6% vs. 2.8%), and those who had earlier tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (36.6% vs. 3.5%). Seroprevalence was highest (6.9%) among housekeeping and sanitation staff. Conclusions: Overall, low seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in our HCWs is an indicator of effective infection control practice. HCW posted in dedicated COVID ward need more stringent implementation of infection prevention measures.

Pulmonary strongyloidiasis is an uncommon presentation of Strongyloides infection, usually seen in immunocompromised hosts. The manifestations are similar to that of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Therefore, the diagnosis of pulmonary strongyloidiasis could be challenging in a COPD patient, unless a high index of suspicion is maintained. Here, we present a case of Strongyloides hyperinfection in a COPD patient mimicking acute exacerbation, who was on chronic steroid therapy.

A 39-year-old never smoker male with a 3-month history of progressive dyspnea was found to have a heterogeneously enhancing right lung mass with multiple [...]

A 40-year-old male presented with progressive breathlessness and hoarseness of voice. He denied any history of chest pain, cough, haemoptysis, palpitations or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea. He was a smoker with 10 pack-year of smoking. His medical illness includes long-standing hypertension of 10 years duration controlled with oral amlodipine and atenolol. Previous echocardiography showed dilated and hypertrophied left ventricle with severe systolic dysfunction. At presentation, he was fully conscious with vitals as follows: heart rate 124/min, respiratory rate 34/min and blood pressure 110/70 mm Hg. All peripheral pulses were well felt. Chest examination revealed diminished movement of left hemithorax, reduced vocal resonance and breath sound with shift of mediastinum to right. Posteroanterior chest radiograph showed an opaque left hemithorax and a large retrocardiac opacity (arrows) with contralateral shift of mediastinum (figure 1A). Ultrasonography of thorax showed a large mixed echogenic lesion …

Salfinger and Migliori [1] discussed some important issues of bedaquiline, the most promising drug for treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) in the early twenty-first century. I am afraid of some issues that could be detrimental to the future of TB control. Bedaquiline should be used with caution, bacause of some methodological flaws in a few of the published landmark studies. In one study, Diacon et al. [2], the authors, without doing drug-sensitivity testing on isoniazid and rifampicin (criteria of MDR-TB), firmly concluded the effectiveness of their new regimen on MDR-TB patients. By using a regimen containing bedaquiline for susceptible patients to the tested drug does not predict bedaquiline's effectiveness in MDR-TB patients, as the pharmacokinetics and probability of pharmacodynamic target attainment (area under the time curve minimum inhibitory concentration ratio) are likely to be altered in MDR patients [3]. We need a better drug to control drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB)

1have undertaken a most needed study with a new treatment regimen for tuberculosis: PA-824, bedaquiline, pyrazinamide, and moxifl oxacin. How ever, sputum sensitivity testing was done only for these four drugs. The sensitivity to isoniazid and rifampicin was not known. Without including patients resistant to isoniazid and rifampicin, the eff ectiveness of the new regimen in patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis can only be guessed at. The pharmacokinetics and probability of pharmacodynamic target attainment (ratio of area under the time curve to minimum inhibitory concentration) are likely to be altered in patients with MDR tuberculosis. 2

Aluminium phosphide (ALP) is a common agrochemical pesticide poisoning with high mortality rate. Primary manifestations are due to myocardial and gastrointestinal involvement. Pleural effusion in ALP poisoning is occasionally reported. We report a case of pleural effusion that developed after ALP ingestion and resolved along with recovery from poisoning.