Indian Journal of Communicable Diseases

This article was aimed to highlight the prevalence, risk factors, clinical presentation, management and self-care strategies for HIV/AIDS-induced neuropathy through an evidence informed overview of literature in PubMed.Studies show relatively higher prevalence rates for peripheral neuropathy ranging from 40-45% among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), with neuroanatomical changes in axons and myelin sheaths of peripheral sensory nerves, clinical presentation of distal symmetric polyneuropathy scondary to HIV infection and/or due to anti-retroviral therapy induced toxic neuropathy, with lower extremity splinting and various self-reported self-management strategies including application of local moist heat. The study findings are of immense importance to clinicians and researchers working on PLWHA in order to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS-related neuropathy, so that multidimensional management could be planned to enhance quality of life of PLWHA.

 

Keywords: Neuroimmunology, Immunoneurology, HIV/AIDS-related neuropathy, HIV/AIDS-related pain.

This short communication article was intended to update the literature on quality of life (QoL) or Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). QoL evaluation was recommended for a holistic assessment of impact of disease and treatments in PLWHA. Many generic and disease-specific self-report instruments are available, including Medical outcome study measures which were reported for their reliability and validity, and available in multiple languages for use. Some treatments like anti-retroviral therapy, exercise therapy, nutritional therapy were shown to improve QoL in PLWHA.

Background: There is a need for the young medical students who become future physicians to be well aware about the signs and symptoms along with management of leprosy. The present study was, therefore undertaken with the objective to assess the knowledge and attitude of medical students towards leprosy in Saint James School of Medicine, Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean). Methods:Students of all the four semesters were asked to respond to carefully structured questionnaires comprising 16 questions. Results: A high percentage of the students in all the semesters answered correctly on leprosy being an infectious disease rather than being inherited or caused by injury, and on the symptoms of leprosy, consequences of nerve damage,  and mode of  spread. Majority of the students were aware of disease being endemic in  Asia, Africa, and South America, but only a low percent of them knew about the global incidence, and the risk factors. Only a small percentage of students expressed no fear of leprosy. Conclusion: It is encouraging to record a high rate of awareness on general clinical aspects of leprosy amongst the medical students of basic sciences in SJSM, Bonaire (Dutch Caribbean). The low level of awareness on some of the psychosocial aspects of the disease emphasizes the need to create awareness amongst students of medical sciences and other disciplines so that they become well informed about the disease and show empathy for the patients

 

Keywords:Leprosy, awareness, medical students, Bonaire, Dutch Caribbean

Objective: To determine  proportion  of human leptospirosis in the sera of suspected clinical cases acute febrile illness  sent by 5 tertiary care hospitals in Kerala. Methods:  From the Out patient Department  serum samples  of suspected individuals were  sent for confirmation  using the immunoglobulin M (IgM) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for leptospirosis. Also the number of deaths in this patients were recorded  and proportion of confirmed  causes of death due to Leptospirosis is recorded. Results &conclusions: We found 45.29 %( 95 % CI 43.82 , 46.76) of sero prevalence across the 5 MCH in Kerala.Also proportional death due to Leptospira was 22.62%(95% CI 19.05 , 26.19 ) i.e out of 137 suspected deaths due to Leptospira 31 deaths had serological evidence. Sero prevalence will be  much more in community than this study report. This warrants  for  better diagnostic facilities for better care  . Proper reporting  from all sectors of health to monitor trend of disease and