Castleman disease (CD) is a rare lymphoproliferative disorder of unknown aetiology. It manifests in two distinct clinical presentations: unicentric and multicentric. Unicentric CD is rare and may present as an isolated neck mass. A 22-year-old man presented with a 6-month history of right neck swelling that occupied the posterior triangle of the right neck region. After surgical exploration, a solitary, well defined, and hyper vascular mass was excise. A histopathological examination confirmed the lesion as CD, hyaline-vascular variant. CD of the neck is a diagnosis that is usually not taken into consideration while evaluating neck masses due to its rarity and unassuming presentation. It should be keep in the differential diagnosis of neck masses as the clinical and radiological features evade a firm diagnosis. The treatment of unicentric CD is complete surgical excision, which cures the patient.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at a high risk of contracting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) due to the increased likelihood of clinical exposure during patient management. The study objective was to determine the seroprevalence of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 and its predictors among hospital employees. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted at a teaching hospital from August 2020 to September 2020 among 1,401 employees, including 1,217 HCWs, in New Delhi, India. The serum samples were examined for immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 using the COVID Kavach-Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG Antibody Detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were collected electronically using the EpiCollect mobile platform. A p<0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: A total of 169 participants (12.1%) had detectable IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. The highest seropositivity rate was observed in the administrative staff (20.1%), while it was lowest among medical doctors (5.5%, p<0.001). Male sex and ever having lived in a containment zone were independently associated with past infection with SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in health workers may be lower than in the general population in New Delhi. However, nonpharmaceutical interventions were not associated with a reduction in the risk of acquisition of SARS-CoV-2.

Shankhpushpi is a reputed drug from an Indian system of medicine for treating mental disorders and enhancing memory. Two herbs, namely Convolvulus prostratus Forssk. and Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L., are commonly known as Shankhpushpi. Ambiguous vernacular identity can affect the scientific validity of the Shankpushpi-based herbal drug therapy. In the present investigation, a novel and sensitive multiplex PCR method based on polymorphism in the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region was developed to establish the molecular identity of C. prostratus and E. alsinoides. DNA was isolated and the ITS region was amplified, sequenced and assembled. Sequences were aligned to identify variable nucleotides in order to develop plant-specific primers. Primers were validated in singleplex reactions and eventually a multiplex assay was developed. This assay was tested for sensitivity and validated by amplifying DNA isolated from the simulated blended powdered plant material. Primers developed for C. prostratus resulted into a 200 bp amplicon and 596 bp for E. alsinoides. The assay was found to be sensitive enough for amplification of low quantities of DNA. The method can detect 10% of the mixing of plants with each other in blended material. This PCR assay can be used for rapid botanical identification of Shankhpushpi plant materials and will improve evidence-based herbal drug therapy.

BACKGROUND: Fungi, especially Aspergillus flavus, can cause chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and modulate host innate immune components. The objective of this study was to examine the serum levels of T helper (Th) cell subset Th1, Th2, and Th17 cytokines and total IgE in patients having chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and Aspergillus flavus infection. METHODS: A case-control study including 40 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis and 20 healthy controls was conducted. Aspergillus flavus infection was confirmed by standard potassium hydroxide (KOH) testing, culture, and PCR. Serum samples of all patients and controls were analyzed for various cytokines (interleukins [IL]-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, IL-21, IL-27, TGF-β) and total IgE by ELISA. Data from patients with Aspergillus flavus infection and healthy volunteers were compared using the independent t-test and non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Aspergillus flavus infection was found in 31 (77.5%) patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. IL-1β, IL-17, IL-21, and TGF-β serum levels were significantly higher in these patients than in controls; however, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-27 levels were lower. Compared with nine (22.5%) patients without Aspergillus flavus infection, IL-17 level was higher while IL-2 level was lower in patients with Aspergillus flavus infection. Total IgE was significantly higher in patients with Aspergillus flavus infection than in controls. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of IL-17 and its regulatory cytokines in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis infected by Aspergillus flavus raise a concern about effective disease management and therapeutic recovery. Surgical removal of the nasal polyp being the chief management option, the choice of post-operative drugs may differ in eosinophilic vs. non-eosinophilic nasal polyposis. The prognosis is likely poor, warranting extended care.
Aspergillus flavus* ; Aspergillus* ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; Disease Management ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Eosinophils ; Fungi ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin E ; Interleukin-17 ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-27 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-6 ; Nasal Polyps ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Potassium ; Prognosis