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Background: Anemia from the Greek word (anhaima) meaning "without blood" is the deficiency of red blood cell and/or hemoglobin which result in reduced oxygen-carrying capacity of blood causing tissue hypoxia. Aims and Objectives: To study the efficacy and safety of intravenous ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) versus iron sucrose in the management of iron deficiency anemia in pregnancy. Materials and Methods: A prospective, singlecenter, comparative interventional randomized study was carried among 180 antenatal mother admitted to antenatal ward in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital, from July 1st, 2020, to December 30th, 2021. Results: A total of 180 patients, 90 patients in each FCM and iron sucrose group, were included in the study. There was significant (P=0.001) mean change in hemoglobin (Hb) level in both the groups from pre-treatment to 3 and 6-week post-treatment. There was also a significant (P=0.001) mean change in ferritin level in both the groups from pretreatment to 3 and 6-week post-treatment. The mean change in Hb level and ferritin level was higher among patients of FCM compared to iron sucrose. The adverse reactions were lower among patients of FCM than iron sucrose. Conclusions: This study found that FCM is safer than iron sucrose. Treatment with FCM resulted in rapid replenishment of iron stores in pregnant women with significantly high rise of Hb and ferritin levels over a 6-week period with lesser adverse effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Dengue fever, a viral illness transmitted by mosquitoes, is linked to four serotypes of the dengue virus. Among those susceptible to infection, children face heightened vulnerability, and the risk of severe dengue disease is particularly pronounced in infants and children, especially those who have encountered a different dengue serotype in the past. To effectively prevent and control dengue, possessing sufficient knowledge, maintaining positive attitudes, and adopting proper practices (KAP) are imperative. This research seeks to gauge the prevalence of dengue among participants and explore the correlation between households' knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to dengue (KAP) and the likelihood of children testing positive for dengue antibodies. The study aims to account for socioeconomic and demographic variations, providing insights into the multifaceted factors influencing dengue among children in India. Methodology: This analysis drew upon data obtained from a cross-sectional study conducted inWest Bengal, India, spanning from November 2022 to October 2023. The study encompassed 392 households and 483 participating children. Results: The study revealed a crude dengue of 25.1% among the participating children (n=483). Analysis of household KAP scores indicated that 5% of households achieved scores exceeding 75%, while the majority fell within the range of 50% to 75% (n=271, 69%), and 101 households scored below 50% (26%). Notably, each KAP domain exhibited a significant and positive association with the others. Conclusions: The findings from our study offer valuable insights into the prevalence of dengue among children in West Bengal, India. Shedding light on specific demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with the risk of dengue in this population. Interestingly, our results indicate that relying solely on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) may not effectively pinpoint individuals at a higher risk of dengue infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive cocci bacterium responsible for variety of infections. Emergence of Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strains has led to a greater threat in different clinical settings. Early identification of MRSA in different infections is an effective measure to prevent and treat such systemic infections. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to isolate and identify MRSA with their antibiotic sensitivity in different clinical samples. Materials and Methods: A total of 2041 clinical samples from January to June 2021were collected and processed at the Microbiology Department of Burdwan Medical College and Hospital. S. aureus was identified and their antibiotic susceptibility testing was determined. MRSA/methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) were identified by cefoxitin disc (30 mcg/disc) and their susceptibility to vancomycin and MIC determined by Etest following British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (BSAC) guidelines. Results: Of 2041 samples, 358 (13.36%) isolates were S. aureus, of which 207 (57.82 %) MRSA and 151 (42.18%) MSSA. Among the 207 MRSA isolates, 40% were from patients with sepsis, 18.36% from pyrexia of unknown origin, 12.56% from surgical site infection, and 10.62% from ventilator-associated events. The highest number (55.55%) of MRSA was isolated from blood followed by 27.05% of isolates were from pus. All the isolates were sensitive to vancomycin with MICs of 0.5 μg, 0.75 μg, 1.0 μg, and 1.5 μg according BSAC and also very good sensitivity to levofloxacin and piperacillin/tazobactam. Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of MRSA is posing a real threat to the health-care system. Careful detection and judicious use of antibiotics are the only answer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Novel coronavirus infections cause major morbidity and mortality globally in the all age groups, including the pediatric population. Viral respiratory infections in children may act as a source of infection especially those with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. Aims and Objectives: The aim is to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 characteristics in pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: Ninety seven children neonate to 5 years age tested positive by RT-PCR were included in the study. Detailed data on socio-demography, epidemiology, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, comorbidities, management, and outcome of the study population were collected. Results: Sex distribution showed 47 (48.4%) male and 50 (51.5%) female. Among these 97, 5 children (5.1%) were <28 days of age, 30 children were (31%) neonate to infant age, and 62 children were (63.9%) above 1 year but <5 years of age. The group was divided into two-one with 56 children (57.7%) who were discharged, 2nd with 41 (42.3%) hospitalized children. 1st group was asymptomatic (64.3%)/mildly symptomatic (35.7%). In 2nd group 36.5% were moderately symptomatic, 29.2% were with severe complications, and 34.3% of children were critical--22 (52.6%) required PICU admission--17 children (41.4%) required mechanical ventilation and 36 (87.8%) required respiratory support. Conclusion: Reports state that COVID-19 infection is mild in the pediatric population but our findings suggest that some children can develop severe/critical infection requiring hospitalization, respiratory support, and mechanical ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: India is a developing country with many poor sanitation areas. Cholera, a water borne disease is rampant in areas of poor sanitation and is mainly due to Vibrio cholera of O1 and O139 serogroups causing acute cases of rice watery diarrhoea and high mortality. Infection due to Multidrug Resistant (MDR) Vibrio is on the rise. It is endemic in over 50 countries including India leading to a number of epidemics and pandemics. Till date, about seven pandemics have been identified due to cholera infection. Aim: To isolate Vibrio cholerae from acute diarrhoea cases with their antibiotic susceptibility and identify MDR strains, if any. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Burdwan Medical College, Purba Burdwan, West Bengal, India, from January 2021 to December 2021. Rectal swabs/faeces collected in Cary-Blair Transport Media were brought to the laboratory and incubated at 37°C for six hours; a loopful was inoculated in nutrient agar, MacConkey agar and selective media Thiosulphate-Citrate-Bile Salts-Sucrose agar (TCBS). Gram stain, motility, colony characteristics, oxidase test, cholera-red reaction and slide agglutination test was done. Diagnosis was confirmed; antibiotic susceptibility done and interpreted as per Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. The data was collected and entered into Microsoft Excel software and presented as frequency and percentages. Results: Total 60 samples were collected and tested, out of which 24 (40%) were positive for Vibrio cholerae and nine in 24 (37.5%) samples were MDR strains. Twelve samples were from femlaes and 12 were from males, majority {5 (41.67%) females, 9 (75%) males} belonged to the age group of 0-5 years. Serotyping revealed that Vibrio cholerae O1 serogroup was identified in 8 (33.33%) cases and O-139 serotype in 16 (66.67%) samples. Rest were Escherichia coli (n=10, 25%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=5, 12.5%) and Staphylococcus aureus (n=1, 25%). Conclusion: There is a rise of infections due to MDR strains of Vibrio O139 sero group in the community which needs early diagnosis and treatment for control. Vibrio cholerae strains were more resistant to fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracycline and Ampicillin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Injuries are a focus of public health practice because they pose a serious health threat and are preventable. Currently, injury accounts for 14% of all Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) losses for the world's entire population. In India, unintentional injuries within the home environment have not so far been recognized to the same extent as traffic and work-related injuries among all age groups. With this background, a community based epidemiological study was conducted with the aim to find out the prevalence and epidemiology of unintentional injuries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2018 - June 2019 in Bhatar block of Purba Bardhaman District. Cluster random sampling was applied to select required sample of 555 individuals from 24 villages. The study tools used were a predesigned and pretested schedule developed by the researchers with the help of Guidelines for conducting community surveys on injuries by World Health Organization (WHO) and a checklist for assessing household level injury hazard. The study had approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Chi square test and multivariable logistic regression were performed using SPSS V16. RESULTS: Prevalence of unintentional injury was 8.8 % in the preceding three months. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that those who were below 18 years of age, severely vulnerable to unintentional injuries and belonged to nuclear families had significantly higher odds of developing unintentional injuries at home. CONCLUSION: Unintentional injury is prevalent in West Bengal. Dissemination of injury prevention information with special focus on household modification is an effective strategy to prevent unintentional injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the elderly population, sleep problems are prevalent and have known to be associated with many factors. There are many adverse consequences of decreased sleep such as heart disease, diabetes, depression, accidents, impaired cognition, and poor quality of life. Correlates of poor sleep quality have not been well explored in Indian research. Objectives: The present study aimed to measure prevalence of poor sleep quality among elderly and its association with different factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted during June-November 2018 in a randomly selected block of Purba Bardhaman district. Cluster random sampling was applied to select required sample of 180 elderly people (≥60 years) from 30 villages. Study tools used were Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), 5-Item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and a pretested schedule for sociodemographic and other variables. The study had approval from Institutional Ethics Committee. Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression were performed using SPSS V16. Results: Prevalence of poor sleep quality (GPSQI ≥5) was 68.89%. Median Global PSQI (GPSQI) score was 7.00 (4.00–11.00). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that marital status, vital events in past one month, anxiety status, and depression were significantly associated with sleep quality. Those who were unmarried/widowed, having vital events in past one month in the family, and severe anxiety and depression were having significantly higher odds of developing poor sleep quality. Conclusion: Poor sleep quality is high among elderly and measures toward the significant correlates are thus emphasized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]