Diagnostic utility of sepsis screening tools, procalcitonin, and C-reactive protein in nosocomial fever of unknown origin.

Background: Nosocomial fever of unknown origin (nFUO) is a frequent and challenging diagnostic entity, encompassing diverse infectious and non-infectious etiologies. Timely identification is crucial, yet evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of commonly employed sepsis screening tools and biomarkers remains sparse. We hypothesized that these tools and biomarkers measured at fever onset could distinguish infectious from non-infectious causes of nFUO in critically ill adults.

Clinical spectrum and outcomes of adult varicella (chickenpox) in India.

Objective: Despite a recent rise in incidence, varicella in adults remains under-recognized, particularly in tropical regions, where prevalence is high. This study aims to delineate the clinical spectrum, evaluate organ involvement, and assess outcomes in adult Indian patients with varicella.

Methods: A hospital-based retrospective study was conducted at Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India, between March 2016 and February 2020.

Cardiovascular safety of gabapentinoids gabapentin & pregabalin: A systematic review.

Background & objectives A few propensity-score-matched cohort studies have suggested increased cardiovascular events with gabapentinoids (gabapentin/pregabalin). This systematic review analysed the cardiovascular safety of gabapentin and pregabalin in clinical practice. Methods Databases were searched for articles examining the occurrence of cardiovascular events with gabapentin and pregabalin in different clinical conditions.

Four-month clofazimine regimen for susceptible pulmonary TB: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Clofazimine, an antimycobacterial agent, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing the treatment duration for MDR TB.

Objectives: To determine whether a 16 week clofazimine-based regimen is non-inferior to the standard 24 week regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB.

Methods: CORTAIL was a multicentric, investigator-initiated, randomized controlled trial designed to assess the non-inferiority of a 16 week clofazimine-based regimen compared with the standard 24 week regimen for drug-susceptible pulmonary TB (Clinical Trials Registry of India no.

Safety, immunogenicity, and breakthrough infections during 1-year follow-up after COVISHIELD™ vaccination among healthcare workers in a teaching institute in North India: A prospective longitudinal study.

Background: A prospective longitudinal study was planned to assess immunogenicity, safety, and breakthrough infection rates among health care workers (HCWs) after COVISHIELD™ vaccination in a teaching institute in North India.

Methods: A total of 518 HCWs were enrolled at baseline for receiving first dose of COVISHIELD™, 429 continued participation for second dose, 415 followed up at 28 days after second dose, 405 at 6 months, and 403 at 1 year from February 2021 to November 2022. At each visit prior, 2 ml of blood sample was collected and plasma separated.

Efficacy and Safety of Tocilizumab in Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: No meta-analysis has holistically analyzed and summarized the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). We undertook this meta-analysis to address this knowledge-gap.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for RCTs involving patients living with PMR receiving tocilizumab in intervention arm, and placebo/active comparator in control arm.

Multipronged strategy for protection and motivation of healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: a real-life study.

Objective: We aimed to assess risk of COVID-19 infection & seroprotection status in healthcare workers (HCWs) in both hospital and community settings following an intensive vaccination drive in India.

Setting: Tertiary Care Hospital.

Methods: We surveyed COVID-19 exposure risk, personal protective equipment (PPE) compliance, vaccination status, mental health & COVID-19 infection rate across different HCW cadres.

Role of Growth Hormone Therapy in Metabolic-Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Multiple observation studies and meta-analysis have linked growth hormone (GH) deficiency with metabolic-dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). No meta-analysis has analysed the efficacy and safety of GH therapy on different aspects of MASLD. We undertook this meta-analysis to address this gap in knowledge.

Convergence of inflammatory response: Salivary cytokine dynamics in coronavirus disease 2019 and periodontal disease.

Background: Periodontal disease is associated with immune dysregulation, and cytokines released can add on to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-associated cytokine storm, further worsening the related adverse outcomes. Specific studies investigating cytokine levels in COVID-19 patients with periodontal disease are lacking. Examining the correlation between these conditions could aid in categorizing risk categories, determining referrals, and strengthening oral hygiene protocols.

Long-Term Impact on Offspring (5 to 11 Years of Age) of Metformin Use in Pregnancy in Mothers With Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Data are scant on the impact of metformin use in gestational diabetes mellitus/diabetes in pregnancy on long-term outcomes in children and mothers beyond 5 years of childbirth. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the long-term impact of metformin use in pregnancy on children and their mothers.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies evaluating metformin compared with insulin for managing gestational diabetes mellitus/diabetes in pregnancy.

Rapid Decline of SARS-CoV-2 Viral Load in Single vs. Double-Dose (Short-Interval <6 Weeks) ChAdOx nCoV-19 Vaccinated Health-Care Workers.

The present work was carried out during the emergence of Delta Variant of Concern (VoC) and aimed to study the change in SARS CoV-2 viral load in Covishield vaccinated asymptomatic/mildly symptomatic health-care workers (HCWs) to find out the optimum isolation period. The SARS CoV-2 viral load was carried out in sequential samples of 55 eligible HCWs which included unvaccinated (UnV; n = 11), single-dose vaccinated (SDV, n = 20) and double-dose vaccinated [DDV, n = 24; short-interval (<6 weeks)] subjects. The mean load of envelope (E) gene on day 5 in SDV [0.

Cycle threshold values of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in conjunctival swabs and nasopharyngeal secretions: a comparative study from a tertiary care center in India.

Purpose: To detect the viral RNA load of SARS-CoV-2 in conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients, and compare with nasopharyngeal swabs.

Methods: Conjunctival swabs of COVID-19 patients (with PCR positive nasopharyngeal swabs) were subjected to quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The cycle threshold (Ct) values of Open Reading Frame 1 (ORF 1 Ab gene) and nucleoprotein (N gene) PCRs were used to assess the viral RNA load, and compare them with the baseline values of nasopharyngeal swabs.

The continuum of liver injury with severity of dengue fever: A retrospective observational study.

Background: Dengue is a major international health concern prevalent in tropical and sub-tropical countries. There are a paucity of studies on the relationship of hepatic complications with inflammatory parameters in dengue infection.

Methods: Single-centre observational study was conducted at the tertiary care centre in North India.

Role of Novel Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Analogue Polyethylene Glycol Loxenatide in Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Polyethylene glycol loxenatide (peg-loxenatide) is a novel glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist developed and available for clinical use in China. This meta-analysis was performed as no meta-analysis has analysed the efficacy and safety of peg-loxenatide in type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: Electronic databases were systematically reviewed for RCTs having patients living with T2DM receiving peg-loxenatide in treatment arm and placebo/any other diabetes medicine in control arm.

Neisseria mucosa: A not so Benign Culprit of urinary tract infection: A case report.

Neisseria mucosa is saprophytic human commensal but reported as a causative agent in a couple of urinary tract infections [UTI] in susceptible individuals. In the present case, a young girl with long standing neurological problems presented with bladder outlet obstruction and fever. Her urine culture yielded Neisseria mucosa which was susceptible to broad spectrum penicillins, aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin.

Optimal use of once weekly icodec insulin in type-2 diabetes: An updated meta-analysis of phase-2 and phase-3 randomized controlled trials.

Background: Previously published meta-analysis have analysed data from 3 small phase-2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Since then, 5 big phase-3 RCTs have been published on use of icodec in type-2 diabetes (T2D). This updated systematic review aimed to establish the best practices and safety of icodec in T2D.

Post COVID sequelae among COVID-19 survivors: insights from the Indian National Clinical Registry for COVID-19.

Introduction: The effects of COVID-19 infection persist beyond the active phase. Comprehensive description and analysis of the post COVID sequelae in various population groups are critical to minimise the long-term morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19. This analysis was conducted with an objective to estimate the frequency of post COVID sequelae and subsequently, design a framework for holistic management of post COVID morbidities.

Comparison of master two-step exercise stress test versus six-min walk test in patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

Background And Aim: There has been a lack of uniformity on how to triage coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients visiting the emergency units of hospitals. Triage tools are themselves spreading the pandemic in hospital areas. The present study compared a master two-step (M2ST) exercise stress test versus a 6-min walk test (6MWT) in COVID-19-positive patients visiting the emergency unit of a hospital.

Frequency, outcomes, and need for intervention in stricturing gastrointestinal tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Gastrointestinal strictures impact clinical presentation in abdominal tuberculosis and are associated with significant morbidity.

Aim: To conduct a systematic review of the prevalence of stricturing disease in abdominal and gastrointestinal tuberculosis and response to antitubercular therapy (ATT).

Methods: We searched Pubmed and Embase on 13th January 2022, for papers reporting on the frequency and outcomes of stricturing gastrointestinal tuberculosis.

Depression, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Patients Treated with Single Infusion Tocilizumab for COVID-19: A Follow-up, Controlled Study.

Background: The inflammatory state that characterizes COVID-19 may contribute to depression, anxiety, other morbidities, and mortality. Interleukin-6 blocker tocilizumab has been used as a treatment modality in COVID-19 as an anti-inflammatory agent. Tocilizumab has also been studied for its potential use in preventing depression in other patient groups, with mixed results.