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Background: Typhoid fever is a systemic infection caused by Gram-negative bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar typhi ( S. typhi ). It is a major health problem in India. It carries significant morbidity and mortality. Antimicrobial therapy is critical for the management of typhoid fever. Emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and nalidixic acid-resistant (NAR) strains of S. typhi has complicated therapy by limiting treatment options. Hence, this study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety profile of ceftriaxone and azithromycin combination therapy in uncomplicated typhoid fever. Methods: Adults patients of blood culture proven uncomplicated typhoid fever admitted in the medicine ward of Teerthanker Mahaveer Medical College and Research Centre were treated with ceftriaxone intravenously (2 g daily for 14 days) and azithromycin orally (500 mg daily for 7 days). Patients were clinically and bacteriologically evaluated during the study period and follow-up. Results: 96% cure rate was observed. No relapse was recorded. Conclusion: Ceftriaxone-azithromycin combination may be considered as an empirical therapy for treatment of uncomplicated typhoid fever in view of the emergence of MDR and NAR strains of S. typhi .

Tobacco abuse has an enormous impact on health. Nicotine is the main substance responsible for dependence on tobacco-containing products. The vast majority of cigarette smokers who try to quit ultimately fail because of high relapse rates. Clearly, novel approaches are needed for the treatment and prevention of nicotine addiction. Having an efficient vaccine that would generate antibodies to sequester the drug and prevent its access to the brain could go a long way toward helping a motivated addict quit an addiction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the anxiety, depression, and serum cortisol level in OSMF patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College and Research Centre, Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. Age-and gender-matched 105 patients were divided into three equal groups as follows: Group 1 – those with areca nut chewing habits and OSMF, Group 2 – those with areca nut chewing habits but no OSMF, and Group 3– those without areca nut chewing habits and without OSMF. Anxiety and depression were assessed by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, respectively. Serum cortisol level was also measured simultaneously. Statistical Analysis: Paired t-test, Chi-square test, and analysis of variance were used. Results: Fifty (47.62%) patients were observed to be in the age group of 25–32 years. Ninety-six (91.4%) patients were males and 9 (8.6%) were females. The mean serum cortisol level was observed to be higher among patients with OSMF-C followed by those with OSMF-D. Conclusion: We conclude that there is a significant association between OSMF, depression, and serum cortisol level.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate prescribing pattern in acne vulgaris cases at a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India. METHODS: Prescriptions of 120 patients of acne vulgaris who attended Dermatology OPD of a tertiary care teaching hospital were selected for study and their drug data were analyzed. RESULTS: Topical Benzoyl peroxide, adapalene, ketoconazole were prescribed as monotherapy, while aloevera, liquid paraffin and white soft paraffin as polytherapy. Azithromycin, antibiotics, anti histaminics were prescribed as systemic monotherapy and polytherapy. Statistical analysis revealed p-value was > 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription patterns were in consensus with the general guidelines, with few changes, in the choice of established therapeutic agents.

BACKGROUND: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a common inflammatory skin disease. Appropriate and effective drug therapy can ensure immense therapeutic benefit in patients suffering from ACD. The study was carried out to find out prescribing pattern in ACD at a tertiary care teaching hospital in south India. METHODOLOGY: Patients of allergic contact dermatitis who attended Dermatology outpatient department of KVG Medical College and hospital were the subjects of study. Prescription patterns and other relevant findings were recorded in proforma for analysis and interpretation of data. RESULTS: 209 patients of ACD were included in the study group. Topical corticosteroids and antibiotics were prescribed as monotherapy and polytherapy. Corticosteroides, antibiotics, antihistaminics were prescribed as systemic monotherapy and polytherapy. Statistical analysis revealed p-value was > 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Prescription patterns were in consensus with the general guidelines, with few changes perhaps, in the choice of established therapeutic agents.

Introduction Surgical site infection is one of the most important complication of surgery. It increases the mortality and morbidity. In order to decrease the incidence of surgical site infections perioperative antimicrobial prophylaxis has been recommended in certain types of clean and clean contaminated surgeries. Aminoglycosides are indicated as surgical prophylaxis for prevention of surgical site infection in patients with B-lactam allergy. Aim The present study was carried out to study and compare the renal safety profile of single high dose gentamycin and amikacin as surgical prophylactic antibiotic. Materials and methods Prospective and randomized study was carried out on 100 patients for over one year period in a tertiary care teaching hospital of western Uttar Pradesh, India. Patients in amikacin group received amikacin 15 mg/kg + metronidazole 500 mg intravenously single dose and those in the gentamycin group had gentamycin 5 mg/kg + metronidazole 500 mg intravenously single dose, one hour prior to incision. Result A total of 16% patients of amikacin group and 24% patients of gentamycin group developed acute kidney injury within one week of drug administration. The rise in serum creatinine was temporary as all patients had normal serum creatinine level at one month follow up. Conclusion Aminoglycoside intravenous single high dose is not safe as surgical prophylaxis.