Introduction: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease which is also known as Mediterranean fever. It is acquired from the handling of infected animals or consuming contaminated milk or milk products. The incubation period varies from 1-3 weeks to several months before clinical disease appearance and it shows multiorgan involvement. This study focuses on the varied presentation of this disease and laboratory findings. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study, where the past 15 years data of cases diagnosed with brucellosis was studied in a tertiary care center in South India. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, duration of stay in the hospital, hematological and biochemistry profiles were collected and analyzed in SPSS. Results: More number cases were found among the male gender (70%), mostly in the 20- 40 years age group (40%). 95% of cases reported fever, 40% with arthralgia (29% generalized in nature), and 32% with a headache. A Positive Pearson correlation between CRP and NLR, and CRP and PLR were found, which was statistically significant. Mean laboratory values were documented. 37% of patients were found to have hepatosplenomegaly on ultrasound Conclusion: Most of the patients were admitted as cases with pyrexia of unknown origin. Our study focused on the different clinical presentations and laboratory findings of brucellosis and will help give a better understanding and outline during brucellosis case diagnosis and management in a cost-efficient manner.
Background: Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) is an aggressive form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver disease (NAFLD), with liver inflammation and scarring. Due to a lack of clinical biomarkers and asymptomatic nature, NASH is often under-diagnosed. It is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the USA. Liver biopsy is the gold standard to diagnose NASH, but it is invasive and life-threatening and histologic evaluation of a liver biopsy sample is imperfect as a reference because of sampling variability due to the irregular distribution of fibrosis. Aim: Validating AST/ALT ratio as a stand-alone scoring system in NASH is scarce and so this study aims to establish a correlation between FibroScan values and AST/ALT ratio. Methodology: All NASH patients, who underwent FibroScan were included. Their demographics, FibroScan, AST, ALT values were recorded in M S Excel and Pearson correlation between FibroScan values and AST/ALT ratios of 150 NASH patients was calculated using SPSS. Results: Out of 150 NASH patients, 72% were males and 57.33% belonged to 40-50 years age group. FibroScan values and AST/ALT ratio showed positive Pearson correlation of 0.245, (p value=0.003). FibroScan values and splenic size also showed a positive Pearson correlation of 0.289 (p value<0.001). Conclusion: Males of 40-50 years age group had higher distribution of NASH, so middle aged males should be screened routinely as they are at a higher risk. FibroScan value with AST/ALT ratio and splenic size showed a positive correlation, thus showing that AST/ALT ratio and splenic size increases with increase in liver stiffness.
Introduction: Tetanus is an old world disease where 2 centuries ago people had realized the link between wound leading to muscle spasm and fatality, Even today there are many cases of fatalities of tetanus being reported from different parts of the country even after viability of a tetanus toxoid and Immunoglobulin injections. This one of very few recent studies done in India on tetanus, as there is very little data available on tetanus so we are trying to share our experience on tetanus, so it will help the physicians to get a better understanding. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study has done collecting the patients' detail from 2017- 2019, detailed case sheet review was done and the patients' clinical presentation and the prognosis were noted in predesigned format. Inclusion criteria – all diagnosed cases of tetanus, exclusion criteria – patient already received treatment from the local hospital. The patient details were kept confidential during all times. Results: The total of 58 cases – 35 males and 23 females, The average duration of hospital stay was 15 days. The most common occupation were farmers (barefoot workers). The site of injury was the foot in 65% cases followed by injuries to the fingers or the hand in 30% and 5% cases due to injury while tooth picking with a pin, splinter removal using pins. Clinical symptoms – trismus “lockjaw” (41), difficulty in walking (2), limb pain/stiffness (17), back muscle pain/stiffness (12), dysphagia (7), 72% autonomic dysfunction. Opisthotonus position and risus sardonicus developed after 7-8 days of infection. 20% of cases were vaccinated still developed diseases. 18% mortality was noted most cases were unvaccinated cases. Conclusion: Tetanus is preventable diseases if TT vaccination and IMMUNOGLOBIN are administered on time. In all primary health care levels, the cold chain should be maintained for vaccines. The patients should be made sensitized about the consequence of the disease process.
