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ntroduction: CBNAAT is a very useful rapid diagnostic test for the early diagnosis of DS and DR TB. Report of sample can be available in just 2 hours. But the results of these tests are not available for many days to weeks which results in delay in diagnosis and treatment initiation. Material and Method: This study was conducted for a period of 4 months from mid-April to mid-august 2018 in MMIMSR, Mullana. A total of 535 samples were sent for CBNAAT to TB Hospital, Ambala and the time taken from sending of samples to the receiving of report was analysed and time lag was calculated. Results: Out of 535 samples, 429 samples were negative, 104 were positive for MTB and 2 samples resulted as invalid/error. Out of 104 positive samples, 95 were rifampicin sensitive and 9 were rifampicin resistant MTB. The average time lag in reporting of CBNAAT samples was 11.1 days with shortest time being 2 days and longest being 33 days. Conclusion: CBNAAT is a very useful modality in TB diagnosis and should be made available to all eligible patients especially so in high DR-TB prevalence areas. But delay in reporting undermines the purpose of the test i.e. rapid diagnosis and treatment. There is an urgent need to establish more centres with CBNAAT facility throughout India so that there is no delay in reporting and early treatment can be started. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Identification of allergens by intradermal test in patients with asthma, allergic rhinitis, and eczema. Materials and Methods: Intradermal test was performed in 100 patients of Ambala over an 8-year period to identify the common allergens. A total of 197 allergens including 50 types of pollen, 19 fungi, 17 insects, 14 types of dust, 6 animal dander, 7 types of fabric and feather and 82 types of foods, dust mite, and parthenium were tested. Results: In this study, the major allergens were pollen (51%) followed by foods (28.9%), insects (26.9%), fungus (12.6%), dusts (6.7%). Among pollen allergens, Brassica campestris (8%) was a major allergen followed by Ageratum conyzoides (7%) and Artemisia scoparia (6%) Cannabis sativa, Cynodon dactylon and Maerua arenaria (5%). Among the fungal group, Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigates, Candida albicans, Penicillium sp., Rhizopus nigricans (3%), Fusarium solani (2%) were found. In the insect group, mosquito (7%), ant (6%), grasshopper (5%), locust (male), moth, and house fly (4%) were the major allergens. Among the dust allergens, grain dust rice (3%), straw dust, house dust, and grain dust bajra (2%) were found. Among the food allergens, prawn (5%), almonds, Baker's yeast, Bengal gram (3%) and mushroom, mango ripe, rajma, cinnamon, chocolate, beans fresh, and areca nut (2%) were found. Conclusion: It can be said that the knowledge may help to create a mapping of allergens in this area and help to treat patients by immunotherapy or avoidance strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: the association of Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus is a cause of concern for the health sector. The coexistence of these two highly prevalent diseases has made the already existing treatments very complex. This issue is of particular significance to developing countries like India that bear a significant burden of these two diseases. Methods: retrospective analysis of 1000 consecutively admitted patients in a tertiary care hospital were analyzed for the coexistence of Tuberculosis and Diabetes Mellitus. Results: the study found that a significant proportion of diabetic patients had coexistent tuberculosis (65.5%). Rural population was predominantly affected in both the genders. The study observed that the coexistence of these two conditions increased with advanced age. Conclusion: the coexistence of Diabetes Mellitus with Tuberculosis needs to identified early and adequately addressed. The rural population needs to be educated about these two conditions and seek timely medical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA ligases play an essential role in repair, replication, and recombination of DNA, and catalyzes the formation of a phosphodiester bond at a nick junction on single- and double-strand breaks. We have conducted a hospital-based case–control study to examine the role of polymorphism of DNA repair gene ligase I ( LIGI) in the context of lung cancer risk for north Indian population. One hundred, fifty-one primary lung cancer cases and an equal number of matching hospital controls were collected. The LIGI polymorphism was determined by using the PCR-RFLP method. The association between polymorphisms in the LIGI gene with the risk of lung cancer was estimated by computing odds ratios (ORs) and a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis. The risk for lung cancer was not associated for individuals featuring LIGI (AC) (OR –0.8, 95% CI = 0.44–1.40) and (AA) (OR –0.8, 95% CI = 0.41–1.80) genotypes. The DNA repair gene ( LIGI) may not be playing an important role in modulating the risk of lung cancer in the north Indian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bronchial asthma is an important public health problem in India with significant morbidity. Several international guidelines for diagnosis and management of asthma are available, however there is a need for country-specific guidelines due to vast differences in availability and affordability of health-care facilities across the globe. The Indian Chest Society (ICS) and the National College of Chest Physicians (NCCP) of India have collaborated to develop evidence-based guidelines with an aim to assist physicians at all levels of health-care in diagnosis and management of asthma in a scientific manner. Besides a systematic review of the literature, Indian studies were specifically analysed to arrive at simple and practical recommendations. The evidence is presented under these five headings: (1) definitions, epidemiology and impact, (2) diagnosis, (3) pharmacologic management of stable disease, (4) management of acute exacerbations, and (5) non-pharmacologic management and special situations. The modified grade system was used for classifying the quality of evidence as 1, 2, 3, or usual practice point (UPP). The strength of recommendation was graded as A or B depending upon the level of evidence.

The interaction of genetic and environmental factors can determine individual susceptibility to various cancers. We studied the influence of NAT2 and codon 72 p53 polymorphisms on 151 patients with lung cancer and an equal number of matched population controls. Polymorphisms of NAT2 and p53 were determined by PCR-RFLP techniques. The results were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. A statistically significant relationship between NAT2*5 and NAT2*6 alleles and lung cancer risk was observed. In addition, the population with slow acetylator alleles for NAT2*5 and NAT2*6 had a significantly higher risk of lung cancer compared with rapid acetylator alleles both in smokers and nonsmokers. The combined genotype of heterozygous arginine (Arg)/proline (Pro), Pro/Pro, and slow acetylator alleles of NAT2*5 and NAT2*6 showed higher, although not significant, risk of lung cancer compared with Arg/Arg and rapid acetylator alleles of NAT2*5 and NAT2*6. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the influence of NAT2 genotype, alone or in combination with p53 genotype, may confer increased susceptibility to lung cancer.

Four cases of dengue shock syndrome were seen during an epidemic of dengue fever. Three cases recovered following appropriate management.