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.

A Mysterious Trigger for Serum Amyloid A (SAA)-Associated Amyloidosis: Insights From an Autopsy Study.

Amyloidosis refers to a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by the extracellular deposition of insoluble fibrillar proteins, leading to tissue damage and functional impairment. Among these, serum amyloid A (SAA) amyloidosis, previously termed secondary amyloidosis, arises in the context of chronic inflammatory conditions. While common causes include autoimmune diseases and chronic infections, the underlying etiology remains unidentified in a subset of cases.

Clinical and molecular epidemiology of chikungunya outbreaks during 2019-2022 in India.

Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is endemic in India, with multiple outbreaks occurring across the country since its reemergence in 2005. Suspected CHIKF patients were recruited from four clinical sites during 2019-2022, with data collected on sociodemographic, clinical, and epidemiological aspects. Sera samples were screened for IgM, IgG antibodies and viral RNA along with their neutralizing capacity.

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.

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.

A Case Series of Adult Measles from a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India.

Measles or rubeola is caused by an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family. Here, we present five adult measles patients. The laboratory confirmation of measles by serology/polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out in the National Measles Laboratory as per WHO standard operating procedure at the Department of Virology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.

Surviving the storm: Wave-wise comparison of the pandemic's impact on mental health dynamics, sleep patterns, and preventive behaviors among coronavirus patients in Northern India.

Background: Different clinical manifestations were revealed by the distinct waves of the coronavirus. The pandemic had a multifaceted impact on mental health, sleep patterns, and associated fear.

Materials And Methods: It was an observational online survey using by using Google Forms in the city of Chandigarh between April 2020 and April 2021 across three waves of the coronavirus outbreak (first wave from March 2020 to May 2020, second wave from June 2020 to January 2021, and third wave from February 2021 to April 2021).

Naproxen-induced liver injury in a case of adult-onset Still's disease.

We present the case of a young female with fever, rash, and joint pain without any other history of connective tissue disorder, who was found on evaluation to have neutrophilic leucocytosis, elevated inflammatory markers and lymphadenopathy with hepatosplenomegaly. After extensive workup, the possibility of adult onset Still's disease was suggested by Yamaguchi criteria. She was started on naproxen, but later on developed drug-induced liver injury.

Exploring the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of bedaquiline in leprosy.

Leprosy remains a significant public health concern despite major strides in treatment and control efforts. The Global Leprosy Strategy 2021-2030 and the National Strategic Plan for Leprosy 2023-2027 majorly focus on facilitating action to reach the goal of zero leprosy. Exploration of new treatment regimens is emphasized as one of the verticals of the multipronged approach for reaching the aforementioned goals.

ISCCM Position Statement: Management of Severe Dengue in Intensive Care Unit.

Unlabelled: Dengue is one of the commonest causes of undifferentiated acute febrile illness in India as well as South East Asia. Nearly two-fifths of the world population is at risk of infection, and nearly 96 million infections reported worldwide, it is a major cause of concern across the globe. The ISCCM leadership felt that there have been no new directives/guidelines except the MOH guidelines for the management of dengue fever since 2014.

A multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial of Mycobacterium w in critically ill patients with COVID-19 (ARMY-2).

Background: Mycobacterium w (Mw), an immunomodulator, resulted in better clinical status in severe coronavirus infectious disease 19 (COVID-19) but no survival benefit in a previous study. Herein, we investigate whether Mw could improve clinical outcomes and survival in COVID-19.

Materials And Methods: In a multicentric, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled trial, we randomized hospitalized subjects with severe COVID-19 to receive either 0.

To Study the Distress, Anxiety, Depression, and Sleep Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Essential Workers.

Essential care workers like police personnel, social workers, and office and administrative staff of health institutions are also at increased risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure along with healthcare workers. The present study aims to estimate the distress, anxiety, depression, and sleep impact of COVID-19 pandemic on essential workers through an online survey. This cross-sectional study (included 369 participants) was conducted in Chandigarh through an online survey using three psychological scales: Peritraumatic Distress Inventory (PDI), Insomnia Severity Index, and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale.

A case series of post-infectious chikungunya myeloradiculoneuropathy.

Chikungunya fever is an arboviral illness caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and transmitted by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. It is an RNA virus belonging to the genus Alphavirus and family Togaviridae. We present a case series of three patients with chikungunya illness developing para/post-infectious myeloradiculoneuropathy.

A Study of Hypertension and Related Biophysical and Health-related Lifestyle Behaviors in Patients Suffering from Schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia is a life-shortening disease. The standardized mortality ratio has been higher than that of the general population, and it has doubled what it was 3-4 decades ago. This rise is mostly attributed to the increased cardiovascular risk associated with high second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) use.