Defect in immunity leading to tuberculosis infection among children'

[email protected] (CD Network)
January 16, 2017

Mangaluru, Jan 16: Department of pediatric hematology and oncology, led by Dr. Harsha Prasada L, KMC Hospital in association with National institute of Immunohematology , Mumbai and Imagine Institute, Human genetics of infectious disease team at Paris, France have diagnosed that tuberculosis can also be caused among children due to gene defect. Recently KMC Hospital witnessed two rare cases of 2 year and 6 year old children suffering from tuberculosis due to genetic defect in immunity.

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Two year old Shreya (name changed) was brought to the Hospital in a critical condition. She had multiple lymph gland swelling with discharging sinuses and fever. She has had developed lymphadenitis due BCG vaccination and was treated with ant tubercular medicines for 6 months during her first year of life. Few months later the lymph node reappeared with high fever.

Lymph node biopsy showed multiple acid fast bacilli suggestive of tubercular infection. She was diagnosed with Mendelian Susceptibility to Mycobacterial Disease (MSMD that is an inherited condition due to defect in T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Patients with MSMD have increased susceptibility to systemic infections with weakly virulent non-tuberculosis mycobacteria including the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine strain. These conditions are common in children born to parents who married within the family.

Another 6 year old girl was presented with tubercular infection in brain and in the abdomen along with oral thrush and fungal infection of the nails. She was also found out to have low number of T-lymphocytes which is responsible for body defense against infection. Further tests revealed that she had a rare condition called ROR gamma T mutation. In this condition there is a defect in the body immunity against tubercular infection and Candida.

Speaking on the occasion Dr. Harsha Prasada L, Consultant, Pediatric Hematologist and Oncologist, who looks after children with immunodeficiency at KMC Hospital, said “Children who develop recurrent or multifocal tubercular or atypical mycobacterial infection the primary reason can be immunodeficiency and treatment must be planned accordingly.

Errors in genes weaken child's immunity. Inherited problems with T lymphocytes cause reduced ability to produce interferon gamma in response to mycobacteria and render the patients vulnerable to tubercular infections including live bacilli calmetter-Guerin (BCG) vaccines used to inoculate against tuberculosis.

In these children BCG vaccine can cause severe even fatal illness. He further added, “these above two cases highlight the genetic vulnerability to tuberculosis infection, this means affected children require prolonged treatment, some require preventive treatment, while a few benefit from addition of interferon gamma injections.”

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from the coughs or sneezes of an infected person. It mainly affects the lungs, but it can affect any part of the body, including the tummy (abdomen), glands, bones and nervous system.

All though it is a serious condition, but it can be cured if treated with the right antibiotics. Currently around a million children suffer from TB worldwide and that more than 136,000 die each year. Inherited defect in the immunity leading tuberculosis infection is not well known.

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News Network
May 2,2024

Bengaluru, May 2: Prajwal Revanna, grandson of former Prime Minister Deve Gowda, was issued fresh summons on Thursday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) which is investigating the case of obscene videos involving the former JD(S) member, several news outlets reported.

The SIT also junked his appeal which sought seven days time to join the probe, as per these reports.

Prajwal and his father, H D Revanna, have sexual harassment and stalking cases filed against them over the matter. Gowda's son, H D Revanna, however, said that what took place '4-5 years ago' is now being turned into a legal case.

JD(S) in its core committee meeting suspended Prajwal from the party till the end of the probe. Prajwal, meanwhile, took to X to state he would join the probe in seven days time, asserting 'truth will prevail'.

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News Network
April 20,2024

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New Delhi: The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday alleged that Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is being pushed towards a “slow death” inside Tihar jail by denying him insulin and consultations with his doctor.

Kejriwal, who has Type-2 diabetes, has been asking for insulin and a video conferencing with his family doctor but his requests are being denied by the jail administration, party spokesperson Saurabh Bharadwaj said in a press conference.

"I want to say with full responsibility that a conspiracy is underway for the slow death of Kejriwal," Bharadwaj claimed citing blood sugar readings of the Chief Minister in jail.

He also slammed the Tihar administration, BJP, Centre and Delhi LG for allegedly denying insulin to Kejriwal and said the Delhi Chief Minister had been suffering from diabetes for the last 20-22 years.

On Friday, the chief minister council Senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi said Kejriwal has not been administered insulin to control his sugar levels since his arrest, terming it “shocking” and “alarming”.

The ED had on Thursday claimed before the court that Kejriwal was eating food high in sugar like mangoes and sweets every day, despite having Type-2 diabetes, to create grounds for medical bail.

Kejriwal, however, refuted the ED’s claims by asserting before a court that the food he consumed was in conformity with the diet chart prepared by his doctor.

“Out of 48 meals sent from home, only three times mangoes were there…,” Singhvi told the court.

Bharadwaj said Kejriwal was allowed by the court to use a machine in the jail to monitor his daily blood sugar levels.

"Overall, it was a conspiracy to finish Kejriwal so his multiple organ damage and when he comes out of jail after 2-4 months he goes for treatment of kidney, heart and other organs," said Bharadwaj, who holds the portfolio of health in Delhi government.

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News Network
April 25,2024

Bengaluru: Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) has issued a series of animated shorts in Kannada advising people of appropriate measures to take during extreme temperatures to keep oneself safe.

 “Karnataka has not seen such extreme temperatures and heat waves in the recent past. So, we wanted to ensure a wider reach for safety measures, therefore we decided to issue them in a reader-friendly format,” said an official from KSNDMC.

Meteorological Centre Bengaluru, Indian Meteorological Department, had issued a five-day heat wave warning, lasting till April orange alert, for parts of Karnataka.

“In places like Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Tumkur, Mandya, Gadag, Davangere and Chitradurga, the temperature is likely to touch 40 degrees Celsius tomorrow,” said C P Patil, director of the centre.

On April 25, these places recorded a maximum temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.

Orange alert would mean increased likelihood of heat illness symptoms in people who are exposed to sun for a prolonged period of time as well as those who do heavy manual work.

According to Patil, coastal Karnataka will also have very hot and humid weather conditions, making it very uncomfortable for people there.

“It’s best for children and old people to avoid exposure to heat in coastal areas too,” added Patil.

In places where heat wave is predicted, people are advised to avoid direct exposure to sunlight between 12 noon and 3pm.

“When they go out, it is best to use protective goggles, an umbrella or a hat. Also aerated drinks must be avoided since they cause dehydration. Best to drink water as much as possible, even if you don’t feel thirsty,” said M Rajavel, head of LACD, Meteorological Centre, Bengaluru.

People are also advised not to leave the children or pets inside parked vehicles.

The maximum and minimum temperatures of Bengaluru are very likely to be around 37 degree Celsius and 23 degree Celsius respectively for the next 48 hours, said Patil.

Hassan recorded the highest jump from its normal minimum temperature. It recorded 22.6 degrees Celsius, about 2.8 degrees more than usual.

According to IMD, on April 29 light rain is also very likely in isolated places over Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Chikkamagaluru, Hassan, Kodagu, Mysuru, Mandya and Chitradurga districts.

On April 30, light rain is predicted again for Bidar, Kalaburgi, Yadgir, Vijayapura, Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, Chikkamagaluru, Tumkur, Chikkaballapura, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru Urban and Kodagu districts.

Incidentally, KSNDMC has also issued a series of animated advisory for lightning safety.

“We also update temperature every 15 minutes in our X handle in coordination with IMD,” added the KSNDMC official.

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