Anil Kanga

Onychomycosis: Clinico-mycologic study of 130 patients from Himachal Pradesh, India

BACKGROUND Onychomycosis is a common nail infection caused by dermatophytes, yeast or other nondermatophyte molds and has diverse clinical presentations. Although common in this part of the country, no significant clinico-mycologic data is available. OBJECTIVES This study was carried out to document the clinico-mycologic pattern of onychomycosis in Himachal Pradesh (India). METHODS All consecutive patients of onychomycosis diagnosed clinically during March 2005 to February 2006 were studied for clinical forms, number of nails involved and severity of infection. The clippings from the most severely affected nails were subjected to potassium hydroxide (KOH) mounts for direct microscopy and fungal culture on Sabourauds dextrose agar. RESULTS These 130 patients (M:F 98:32) were between 8-76 years of age (mean 41.35 +/- 14.98 years). The prevalence of onychomycosis was higher among farmers and office workers (20% each). Finger or toe nails were exclusively involved in 56.9 and 32.3% patients respectively while these were involved concurrently in the rest of the 10.8% patients. Distal and lateral subungual onychomycosis seen in 73.1% of the specimens was the most common clinical type. KOH- and culture-positivity were recorded in 59.2 and 37.6% cases respectively. Dermatophytes and yeast (Candida albicans) were isolated in 40.8% each of the cultured nail specimens while nondermatophytic molds (NDM) were cultured in 18.6% of the samples. Various dermatophytes cultured were Trichophyton rubrum (32.6%), T. mentagrophytes (6.1%) and T. verrucosum (2.1%) respectively. Aspergillus spp. (6.1%) was the most commonly isolated NDM while other detected molds were Acremonium spp, Fusarium spp,, Scopulariopsis spp, Curvularia spp. and Penicillium marneffei. Peripheral vascular disorders (7.69%), occupational trauma (13.8%), close association with animals (60.78%) and a family history of onychomycosis (26.15%) were a few of the predisposing factors identified. CONCLUSION Onychomycosis is not uncommon in this part of the country and has similar clinico-mycologic profiles in the different cases detected.

Cutaneous sporotrichosis in Himachal Pradesh, India

During the period 1990–2002 in Himachal Pradesh, India, 103 new patients with cutaneous sporotrichosis were detected. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous varieties were the most common and seen in 49% and 43% respectively. Chronic non‐specific inflammation without granuloma formation was seen in 46% skin biopsy specimens, 29% showed acute or chronic inflammation and tuberculoid granuloma formation was seen in 25%. In 32% of cases Sporothrix schenckii growth was seen on Sabouraud glucose agar. A saturated solution of potassium iodide was used as first‐line treatment and in 93% patients healing of lesions occurred in 4–32 weeks (average 8.7 weeks) without significant side‐effects. Itraconazole, used in 12 patients, was highly effective in recommended doses. Rapid healing was seen with higher than previously used doses of fluconazole in one patient who also had unusual exacerbation of lesional inflammation with saturated solution of potassium iodide.

Isolation of Sporothrix schenckii from the environmental sources of cutaneous sporotrichosis patients in Himachal Pradesh, India : results of a pilot study

Himachal Pradesh, India is a known endemic area for cutaneous sporotrichosis. No attempt has been made to isolate Sporothrix schenckii, the causative fungus, from environmental sources in this region or in India as such. This prospective study was carried out to isolate Sporothrix schenckii from different environmental samples collected from the vicinity of cutaneous sporotrichosis patients. All patients of cutaneous sporotrichosis diagnosed during March 2005–February 2006 were studied. Twenty‐one biopsy specimens and 62 environmental samples of soil, various thorns, corn‐stalk, grass‐blades and sphagnum moss were subjected to mycologic culture on Sabouraud’s glucose agar. Sporothrix schenckii was identified by colony characteristics, lacto‐phenol cotton blue mounts and demonstration of temperature dimorphism. These patients (F : M 15 : 6) were between 12 and 72 years of age and had cutaneous lesions for 45 days to 4 years. Lymphocutaneous and fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis was seen in 14 (66.6%) and 7 (33.3%) patients respectively. Extremities were involved in 16 (76.2%); and 5 (23.8%) patients had facial lesions. Ten (47.4%) biopsy specimens and six environmental (three soil, three corn‐stalk) samples were culture‐positive, which showed morphological characteristics suggesting Sporothrix schenckii. No variation in colony characteristics and mycelial morphology was observed in growth isolates from clinical or environmental samples. Temperature dimorphism was observed in all the 10 isolates obtained from the clinical specimens and in two isolates cultured from corn‐stalk. Corn‐stalks are evidently important sources of Sporothrix schenckii infection although subsequent contamination of wounds appears more important for development of clinical disease. Culture of Sporothrix schenckii from environmental sources may not be always possible to correlate with profile of injuries.

Scrub typhus involving central nervous system, India, 2004-2006.

To the Editor: Scrub typhus, caused by Orientia tsutsugamushi, is one of the most common infectious diseases of rural southern Asia, southeastern Asia, and the western Pacific. The disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of larvae of trombiculid mites harboring the pathogen. The disease often appears as a nonspecific febrile illness. The clinical picture of scrub typhus is typically associated with fever, rash, myalgia, and diffuse lymphadenopathy (1). Immunofluorescence assay (IFA) is the test of choice for serodiagnosis of rickettsial diseases (2). Scrub typhus has been reported from northern, eastern, and southern India, and its presence has been documented in at least 11 Indian states (3–7).

Emerging Salmonella Paratyphi A enteric fever and changing trends in antimicrobial resistance pattern of salmonella in Shimla

This retrospective study incorporates a six years, six months (January 2000-June 2006) laboratory data comprising 258 isolates of Salmonella. Cultures were identified by standard methods. Salmonella enterica serotype Typhi (S.Typhi) was the more frequent serotype isolated i.e., 61.62% with the remaining 38.37% being Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi A (S. Paratyphi A). There was emergence of S. Paratyphi A as the predominant serotype in 2003-2004 with resurgence of serotype Typhi thereon. A total of 66.27% isolates were resistant to one or more antibiotics. MDR S. Typhi was 10.69% and while 13.13% were MDR S. Paratyphi A. There was decrease in resistance to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole in 2004 and nalidixic acid beyond 2005 and increase in resistance to cefuroxime. We also documented a decrease in resistance to ciprofloxacin after 2005.

Sporotrichosis in Sub-Himalayan India

Sporotrichosis is endemic in the Sub-Himalayan belt, which ranges from the northern to the north-eastern Indian subcontinent. Similar to many parts of the developing world, sporotrichosis is commonly recognized clinically in this region however consolidated epidemiological data is lacking. We report epidemiological, clinical and microbiological data from a hundred culture positive cases of sporotrichosis. Out of 305 clinically suspicious cases of sporotrichosis, a total of 100 isolates were identified as Sporothrix schenckii species complex (S. schenckii) on culture. Out of the culture proven cases 71% of the cases presented with lymphocutaneous type of lesions while 28% had fixed localized type and 1% had disseminated sporotrichosis. Presentation with lesions on hands was most frequently seen in 32% with arm (23%) and face (21%) in that sequence. The male to female ratio was 1∶1.27. Age ranged from 1 ½ years to 88 years. Mean age was 43.25 years. Disease was predominantly seen in the fourth to sixth decade of life with 58% cases between 31 and 60 years of age. Since the first report from the region there has been a steady rise in the number of cases of sporotrichosis. Seasonal trends reveal that most of the patients visited for consultation in the beginning of the year between March and April. This is the first study, from the most endemic region of the Sub-Himalayan belt, to delve into epidemiological and clinical details of such a large number of culture proven cases over a period of more than eighteen years which would help in the understanding of the local disease pattern of sporotrichosis.

Catheter-related candidemia caused by Candida lipolytica in a child with tubercular meningitis

Candida lipolytica is weakly pathogenic yeast, which is rarely isolated from the blood. We recovered this species from repeated blood samples and in the central venous catheter in a debilitated pediatric patient of tubercular meningitis. Identity was established on the basis of colony morphology and sugar assimilation tests (ID 32C assimilation profile). The fungemia and associated fever subsided after the removal of catheter and amphotericin B therapy. The data suggest that though of low virulence and usually a contaminant, C. lipolytica is emerging yeast pathogen in cases of catheter-related candidemia. Pathogenicity is indicated by isolation from repeated samples as in our case. Intensive therapy is recommended in cases not resolving spontaneously or responding to removal of catheter alone.

Invasive aspergillosis involving multiple paranasal sinuses - A case report

A case of invasive multiple paranasal sinus aspergillosis with bony involvement is reported. A young immunocompetent lady presented with bilateral nasal obstruction due to polyps. Radiologically and histopathologically a fungal cause was kept a possibility, and the diagnosis of Aspegillus fumigatus was established by demonstration of acute angle branching septate hyphae on direct wet mount and repeated isolation in culture. Patient responded favourably to surgical excision of polyps and oral itraconazole post operatively.

Clinical profile of scrub typhus in children and its association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis

ObjectiveTo study the clinical profile of children with scrub typhus and its association with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.MethodsChildren presenting with unexplained fever and multi-systemic involvement between May to December 2011 were tested for scrub typhus using IgM ELISA kits. Occurrence of Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in IgM positive cases of scrub typhus was studied.ResultsOf the 35 children with unexplained fever and multi-systemic involvement, 15 children (9 boys) tested positive for scrub typhus. Thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia and raised hepatic transaminases were observed in all children. Out of seven children evaluated for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. 3 met the criteria for hemophagocytosis. Two children (one with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis) died.ConclusionsScrub typhus is a common cause of unexplained fever in children in northern India. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis can occasionally complicate scrub typhus in children.

Scrub typhus associated acute kidney injury—a study from a tertiary care hospital from western Himalayan state of India

Abstract Objective: To report the clinical profile of acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with scrub typhus. Methods: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients of acute febrile illness who were diagnosed scrub typhus and had AKI. Results: 174 (35%) patients (75.9% female), mean age (41.4 ± 15.9 years) were studied. The laboratory abnormalities were: anemia (63.2%), leukocytosis (44.3%), thrombocytopenia (61.5%), hyponatremia (35.6%), hypernatremia (2.9%), and hypokalemia (12.1%), hyperkalemia (11.5%), hypoalbuminemia (56.9%), hepatic dysfunction (70%) and metabolic acidosis (28.7%). The complications of hypotension (5.7%), septic shock (3.4%), pneumonia (10.9%), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (11.5%), meningoencephalitis (6.9%), encephalopathy (5.2%), gastrointestinal bleed (1.3%), myocarditis (3.4%), disseminated intravascular coagulation (2.9%) and multi organ failure (MOF) (10.3%) developed during course of hospitalization in these patients. Twenty-five (14.4%) patients required intensive care support (ICU) support and seven (4%) patients were dialyzed. 146 (83.9%) patients survived. Twenty-eight (16.1%) patients died. There was a significant difference in the age, various hematological & biochemical abnormalities, complications and need for ICU support in the non-survival group as compared the survival group. Conclusion: This study shows that AKI in scrub typhus is common and a severe disease. Age, a shorter hospital stay, severities of leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, azotemia, hypoalbuminemia, hepatic dysfunction and the complications of ARDS, encephalopathy, MOF and need for ICU support are the factors associated with mortality.