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Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a rare multisystem disorder with a female preponderance, has a high cost for the care; however, there is no evidence relevant to the Indian setting. The primary objective of our study was to determine the financial burden of the index admission (IA) and subsequent costs during follow-up and ascertain the proportion with a catastrophic health expenditure (CHE). Methodology: This was an observational retrospective cohort study where inpatients of a general medicine ward were recruited from January 2019 to October 2020. Clinical details and costs were obtained from the hospital's electronic records and bills. Patients were telephonically interviewed for follow-up clinical details and costs incurred. A patient-family payer perspective was used. Linear regression analysis was used. Results: Of the 73 patients recruited during the study period, 96% were females and the majority (71%) were admitted through casualty, with 59% of patients having high disease activity (SLE Disease Activity Index >12). The hospital mortality was 9.6%. After a median follow-up of 12 months, there was good quality of life with no difference between the two severity groups. The total cost of the IA was 135,768 INR (94,053-223,954) and it was higher for the severe disease group (P = 0.038). The direct medical costs compromised 83% of admission costs. In the multivariate regression, the duration of hospital and intensive care unit stay were predictors of high cost. The median 6 months follow-up cost was 32,978 (14,240-80,940) and the total calculated annualized cost was 202,124 (136,188-331,508), which was not statistically different between the two groups. There was a CHE among 86% of patient-families. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that there is high morbidity and cost involved in the management of a flare of SLE. However, with appropriate care, there are reasonably good outcomes and quality of life beyond six months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute infectious purpura fulminans is a serious, potentially fatal condition. We present a case series of 11 patients from March 2005 to March 2017, whose clinical symptoms were fever (100%), confusion (63.6%) and headache (55%), and whose common laboratory abnormalities were thrombocytopenia (100%), elevated alkaline phosphatase (70%) and anaemia (63.6%). Three patients (27%) developed gangrene and two presented in shock. Only one grew Neisseria meningitidis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and another confirmed by latex agglutination and polymerase chain reaction in CSF. Five others had serology confirmed spotted fever rickettsioses (SFG). All received broad spectrum antibiotics; in 9/11 patients, this included doxycycline or azithromycin. The mean hospital stay was 10.2 days and overall mortality was 18.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global pandemic involving severe acute respiratory syndrome--coronavirus-2 (SARS-COV-2) has stretched the limits of science. Ever since it emerged from the Wuhan province in China, it has spread across the world and has been fatal to about 4% of the victims. This position statement of the Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine represents the collective opinion of the experts chosen by the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the bacterium Orientia tsutusgamushi in India from September 2010 to August 2012. The study identified its genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology by collecting eschar samples from patients with scrub typhus who were submitted to 56-kDa type-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing in three regions, such as Northeast, Northern and South India. Findings suggest that it could enhance region-specific diagnostic studies and vaccine development.

Context: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is associated with a myriad of metabolic complications which are potential cardiovascular risk factors. Early detection of these risk factors could help in alleviating morbidity and mortality in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients on ART. Aims: To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in patients on a combination of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and non-NRTIs (NNRTIs) - the standard combination first line ART regimen used in tertiary referral center. Settings and Design: The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in HIV infected subjects with stage 1t disease on standard first line ART for at least 1 year, HIV infected subjects with stage 1 disease and not on ART and HIV negative subjects was assessed. The study was a cross-sectional study design. Materials and Methods: Basic demographic data was collected and patients were examined for anthropometric data and blood was collected for analysis of blood glucose, serum lipids, and fasting insulin levels. Statistical Analysis: Chi-square test was used to calculate significance. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0 was used for data analysis. Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was higher in the patients on ART when compared to patients not on ART (P<0.001). There was no difference in the prevalence of abnormal glycemic status, obesity, abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperinsulinemia between patients on ART and those not on ART. Conclusions: First line ART is associated with increased prevalence of dyslipidemia. Early detection and treatment of dyslipidemia should help in reducing the cardiovascular morbidity in patients on ART. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Information about the Clinical Infectious Disease Society's symposium entitled "A Roadmap to Tackle the Challenge of Antimicrobial Resistance" held in Chennai, India in August 24, 2012 is presented. The symposium aims to gain a range of opinions from healthcare professionals to guide the formation of the roadmap. It is noted that the increasing trend of antimicrobial resistance in the country has prompted medical societies to hold the joint meeting.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Bilateral Massive Pleural Effusion--A Rare Presentation of Sarcoidosis" published in a previous issue.

Penicillium marneffeiis a dimorphic fungus endemic to northeast India. This is the first report of penicilliosis from a hospital in south India. Three patients with diverse clinical manifestations who presented to a tertiary care hospital are described. High index of clinical suspicion and knowledge of‘local’ microbiology is paramount in early diagnosis and timely treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]