Article
Microbiology
Garcia-Clemente Marta, Forcelledo-Espina Lorena, Martinez-Vega Laura, Lanza-Martinez Angela, Leoz-Gordillo Blanca, Albillos-Almaraz Rodrigo, Solis-Garcia Marta, Melon-Garcia Santiago, Perez-Martinez Liliana, Sanchez-Nunez Maria Luisa, Pelaez-Garcia de la Rasilla Teresa
Summary: The study aims to assess the prevalence of COVID-19-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (CAPA) and examine the associated risk factors and their impact on mortality. Among 300 patients with COVID-19, 11.7% were diagnosed with CAPA. Independent risk factors for CAPA diagnosis were age, chronic lung disease, and treatment with tocilizumab. Age and CAPA diagnosis were also independently associated with mortality.
Article
Microbiology
Olivier Despois, Sharon C-A. Chen, Nicole Gilroy, Michael Jones, Peter Wu, Justin Beardsley
Summary: This retrospective study investigated the cases of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) at a major tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia. Out of 28 CPA patients identified, the majority had the phenotype of chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis and the leading predisposing factor was chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These findings are similar to those from other high-income countries, but further studies are needed to determine their generalizability to the wider Australian population.
Article
Dermatology
Inderpaul S. Sehgal, Sahajal Dhooria, Valliappan Muthu, Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Kuruswamy T. Prasad, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Ashutosh N. Aggarwal, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: A study identified two distinct immunophenotypes of chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), with different clinical and treatment outcomes. Future research should validate these findings and explore different therapeutic strategies based on CPA phenotypes.
Article
Dermatology
Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Keshavamurthy Vinay, Sahajal Dhooria, Valliappan Muthu, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Hansraj Choudhary, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: This study compared the differences in drug concentration and treatment effectiveness between the innovator itraconazole and generic itraconazole in treating chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). The results showed that the innovator itraconazole was superior to the generic itraconazole, achieving therapeutic levels more effectively, and serum itraconazole levels were correlated with treatment response.
Article
Microbiology
Animesh Ray, Mohit Chowdhury, Janya Sachdev, Prayas Sethi, Ved Prakash Meena, Gagandeep Singh, Immaculata Xess, Surabhi Vyas, Maroof Ahmad Khan, Sanjeev Sinha, David W. Denning, Naveet Wig, Sushil Kumar Kabra
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic performances of LDBio LFA in CPA and compared it with the diagnostic algorithm utilizing ImmunoCAP IgG Aspergillus.
Review
Respiratory System
Liang Guo, Xiulin Wu, Xueling Wu
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by airway obstruction and alveolar destruction. The use of antibiotics, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and other drugs has led to an increase in pulmonary fungal infections, particularly aspergillus infections, in COPD patients. Aspergillus infection in COPD patients can manifest as sensitization, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA), and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). This review provides an overview of the diagnosis and treatment of aspergillus infection in COPD patients.
CLINICAL RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Sahajal Dhooria, Valliappan Muthu, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, Arunaloke Chakrabarti, Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: The minimal important difference (MID) for the Saint George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA) has been determined to be 7.3 using an anchor-based method.
Article
Pediatrics
Rafia Gul, Zahid Anwar, Mehmood Sheikh, Ayesha Salamat, Samer Iqbal, Furqan Saleem, Samer Fatima
Summary: This study investigated acute kidney injury (AKI) in neonates and identified important risk factors such as outborn birth, birth asphyxia, and medication use. AKI was associated with increased length of stay and mortality rates.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Mycology
Inderpaul Singh Sehgal, Sahajal Dhooria, Shivaprakash M. Rudramurthy, Kuruswamy Thurai Prasad, Valliappan Muthu, Ashutosh Nath Aggarwal, Mandeep Garg, Pulkit Rastogi, Ritesh Agarwal
Summary: This study investigates the diagnostic performance of serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in chronic pulmonary aspergillosis (CPA). The results show that both ESR and CRP have limited sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing CPA, and their trends also vary following treatment.
Article
Dermatology
Priya Ramachandran, Jayanthi Savio, Priyadarshini Padaki, Ruchita Chhabra, Chitra Veluthat, Uma Devaraj, Kavitha Venkatanarayan, Uma M. Krishnaswamy, Santu Ghosh, George A. D'souza
Summary: This study evaluated an X-ray scoring system as a marker for lung damage in patients with PTBLD presenting with haemoptysis and its utility to predict Aspergillus serum IgG levels.
Article
Microbiology
Muhammad Zakir, Maryam Khan, Muhammad Ihtisham Umar, Ghulam Murtaza, Muhammad Ashraf, Saba Shamim
Summary: This study in a local hospital in Lahore found a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Salmonella Typhi, with males and children aged 0-10 being more affected. The incidence of XDR S. Typhi was alarmingly high in both the outpatient department and general ward. The resistant strains showed similar resistance patterns across different wards and patient types, with piperacillin/tazobactam being the most effective antibiotic observed.
Article
Microbiology
Chris Kosmidis, Akan Otu, Caroline B. Moore, Malcolm D. Richardson, Riina Rautemaa-Richardson
Summary: Isavuconazole shows promising pharmacokinetic and safety profiles in patients with chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Lower daily doses may be sufficient to maintain adequate drug levels and lead to better tolerability, enabling long-term therapy continuation.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Asifa Karamat, Atiqa Ambreen, Aamira Ishtiaq, Sabira Tahseen, Muhammad Aqeelur Rahman, Tehmina Mustafa
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of NTM among patients investigated for TB and describe NTM disease and treatment outcomes. The study found that 29% of clinical specimens were reported positive for AFB during the study period, with 5% identified as NTM. Among the patients studied, Mycobacterium avium complex and Mycobacterium abscesses were the main types of NTM.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Pannathat Soontrapa, Piriyaporn Chongtrakool, Methee Chayakulkeeree
Summary: Positive culture for Aspergillus spp. from respiratory specimens, in conjunction with coexisting myeloproliferative disease, neutropenia >= 10 days, corticosteroid treatment, or positive serum galactomannan, strongly suggests the presence of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Article
Psychiatry
Tania Nadeem, Nargis Asad, Sahar Nadeem Hamid, Banafsha Gul, Rabeeka Aftab
Summary: This study implemented an online trauma curriculum for psychiatry trainees, utilizing various teaching methods and found that participants demonstrated good knowledge and clinical skills.
ASIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohammed Zawiah, Amer Hayat Khan, Rana Abu Farha, Abubakar Usman, Ahmad Naoras Bitar
Summary: This meta-analysis examines the association between baseline neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), and platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) with stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP). The results indicate that elevated NLR, MLR, and PLR levels are significantly associated with SAP, suggesting that they could serve as promising blood-based biomarkers for predicting SAP.
CURRENT MEDICAL RESEARCH AND OPINION
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Abdullah Salah Alanazi, Shahid Shah, Ghulam Abbas, Musaddique Hussain, Ammara Saleem, Haris Khurram, Usman Rashid Chand, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Yusra Habib Khan, Kainat Ilyas, Savaira Tariq, Abdullah Jamil, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Alzarea, Sami Ibrahim Alzarea
Summary: This study aimed to assess the quality of services provided at community pharmacies in Punjab, Pakistan by determining the level of patient satisfaction and related factors. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted from May 2021 to July 2021 using stratified random sampling method. Results showed that community pharmacy services to patients were not satisfactory, with concerns raised regarding the absence of pharmacists in the pharmacy and the lack of provision for counseling time.
PATIENT PREFERENCE AND ADHERENCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Malik Suliman Mohamed, Ahmed Osman Mohamed, Rawaf Alenazy, Yusra Habib Khan, Mona Timan Idriss, Noura A. A. Alhudaib, Tilal Elsaman, Magdi Awadalla Mohamed, Eyman M. M. Eltayib, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
Summary: Despite efforts to boost vaccine coverage, vaccine reluctance may impact the process of mass immunization against COVID-19. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccine side-effects among the general population in Sudan and found that there is a high prevalence of transient side-effects after primary and booster doses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Hayat, Nafees Ahmad, Syed Mohkumuddin, Syed Liaquat Ali Khan, Amer Hayat Khan, Noman Ul Haq, Naheed Haque, Amjad Khan
Summary: This study conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in Pakistan aimed to evaluate the frequency, type, and predictors of drug therapy problems (DTPs) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. The study found that high dosage, adverse drug reactions, and the need for additional drug therapy were the most common types of DTPs. It also identified age, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes as predictors of unnecessary drug therapy, dosage too high, and adverse drug reactions.
Article
Immunology
Alina Shabir, Noorah A. Alkubaisi, Amna Shafiq, Muhammad Salman, Mohamed A. Baraka, Zia Ul Mustafa, Yusra Habib Khan, Tauqeer Hussain Malhi, Johanna C. Meyer, Brian Godman
Summary: Prisoners are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19 due to their living conditions and limited movement. A study found that 53% of prisoners surveyed had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with the main reasons being fear of infection, desire to return to normalcy, and trust in the vaccine's safety. Among the unvaccinated prisoners, hesitancy was primarily driven by disbelief in the seriousness of COVID-19, safety concerns, and conspiracy theories surrounding the vaccine.
Article
Immunology
Zara Amjad, Iqra Maryam, Maria Munir, Muhammad Salman, Mohamed A. Baraka, Zia Ul Mustafa, Yusra Habib Khan, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Syed Shahzad Hasan, Johanna C. Meyer, Brian Godman
Summary: COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy remains a widespread problem in Pakistan due to conspiracy beliefs, myths, and misconceptions. A study among hemodialysis patients found that only 62.4% had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and only 10 patients showed a willingness to be vaccinated.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Momina Shahid, Kanwal Rehman, Yusra Habib Khan, Abdullah Salah Alanazi, Nasser Hadal Alotaibi, Muhammad Sajid Hamid Akash, Muhammad Hammad Butt
Summary: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a cardiovascular disease caused by coronary artery blockage, leading to cardiac muscle death. The etiology of MI involves environmental, occupational, and genetic factors. Previous studies have shown that different variants of the MTHFR gene are responsible for MI by impacting folate and homocysteine metabolism. This study focuses on investigating the genetic polymorphism of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) and its association with MI in the presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) as a risk factor. The study found that the T/T homozygous genotype of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) was significantly associated with MI in patients with DM as a risk factor.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zia Ul Mustafa, Shahid Iqbal, Hafiz Rahil Asif, Muhammad Salman, Sehar Jabbar, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Yusra Habib Khan, Tiyani Milta Sono, Natalie Schellack, Johanna C. Meyer, Brian Godman
Summary: Since the emergence of COVID-19, various medicines have been used to treat patients, even without sufficient evidence of their effectiveness. This has led to safety concerns and an increase in antimicrobial resistance. Healthcare workers, who are at high risk during the pandemic, may resort to self-medication, leading to the consumption of antibiotics and other drugs. A study in Punjab found that although healthcare workers had good knowledge and attitudes, a significant proportion practiced self-medication, primarily with antipyretics, antibiotics, and vitamins.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bushra Gul, Maria Sana, Aneela Saleem, Zia Ul Mustafa, Muhammad Salman, Yusra Habib Khan, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Tiyani Milta Sono, Johanna C. Meyer, Brian B. Godman
Summary: Antibiotics are frequently dispensed in Pakistan, but the misuse of antibiotics during the COVID-19 pandemic has become a concern. A significant number of antibiotics, including 'Watch' antibiotics, were dispensed, indicating the need for training programs among pharmacy personnel to reduce antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohammed Zawiah, Amer Hayat Khan, Rana Abu Farha, Abubakar Usman, Abubakar Shaaban, Khawla Abu Hammour, Zahraa Almuhsen
Summary: This study aimed to explore the diagnostic and treatment practices for stroke-associated pneumonia (SAP) among clinicians. The findings revealed a lack of standardized approach, with clinicians relying on different criteria and strategies. Therefore, it is important to establish and implement a gold standard criteria for diagnosing and treating SAP.
ELECTRONIC JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Sahabia Masood, Noorah A. Alkubaisi, Maryam Aslam, Muhammad Salman, Mohamed A. Baraka, Zia Ul Mustafa, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi, Yusra Habib Khan, Johanna C. Meyer, Brian Godman
Summary: The World Health Organization declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency in June 2022. Positive cases of monkeypox were reported in Pakistan in April 2023. The majority of future healthcare workers had moderate knowledge of monkeypox, highlighting the need for educational activities and incorporating emerging infectious diseases into healthcare worker curricula.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Abdulaziz Ibrahim Alzarea, Yusra Habib Khan, Abdullah Salah Alanazi, Nasser Hadal Alotaibi, Sami I. Alzarea, Ziyad Saeed Almalki, Saad S. Alqahtani, Tauqeer Hussain Mallhi
Summary: This study aimed to assess the involvement of community pharmacists in public health services in remote areas of Saudi Arabia, as well as the barriers they face and strategies to improve their role. The results showed that a majority of community pharmacists were involved in public health activities and were willing to provide these services. Education and awareness were found to be the most effective strategies to increase pharmacist involvement.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Saleh A. Alrebish, Hasan S. Yusufoglu, Reem F. Alotibi, Nawal S. Abdulkhalik, Nehad J. Ahmed, Amer H. Khan
Summary: Healthcare-associated infections, such as ventilator-associated pneumonia, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections, were investigated in a retrospective study at a public hospital in Unaizah, Saudi Arabia in 2021. The rates of surgical site infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, central line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms were reported. The compliance rates for various infection prevention techniques were also assessed, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene and personal safety equipment.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Usman Abubakar, Ahmed Awaisu, Amer Hayat Khan, Khurshid Alam, Mario Gajdacs
Summary: This study investigated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the rate of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The results showed an increased risk of CLABSIs and CDIs during the pandemic, but no overall increase in the risk of HAIs.