Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-05-10DOI: 10.1177/00494755261449083
Shilpa U Kalane, Meemansa Parashar, Madhavi Bahulikar
{"title":"Neonatal magnesium levels and short-term outcomes following antenatal magnesium sulphate: A descriptive study from a low- and middle-income country.","authors":"Shilpa U Kalane, Meemansa Parashar, Madhavi Bahulikar","doi":"10.1177/00494755261449083","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261449083","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"689-692"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147870234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-05-30DOI: 10.1177/00494755261456495
Romil Saini, Prabhat Kumar Verma, Praveer Rai
{"title":"Valproate-induced acute necrotising pancreatitis in a young woman with bipolar disorder: Sustained remission after switch to lithium.","authors":"Romil Saini, Prabhat Kumar Verma, Praveer Rai","doi":"10.1177/00494755261456495","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261456495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Valproate-induced acute pancreatitis is a rare, potentially life-threatening idiosyncratic adverse effect. Although most reports involve children treated for epilepsy, adults with bipolar disorder may also be affected. We describe such a young woman in sustained remission on valproate who developed acute necrotising pancreatitis, improved after prompt discontinuation and conservative management, and remained stable after switching to lithium, with no recurrence over 30 months of follow-up. This case highlights the importance of early recognition, immediate drug withdrawal, and coordinated cross-disciplinary planning to ensure both clinical recovery and ongoing mood stability.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"778-779"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057888","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Congenital syphilis in neonates: Persistent diagnostic and treatment challenges in resource-limited settings.","authors":"Anjali Joshi, Jeetinder Joshi, Pothapregada Sriram","doi":"10.1177/00494755261455658","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261455658","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite available guidelines, congenital syphilis (CS) continues to burden low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with failures occurring across multiple points. Two prior case reports from India described symptomatic infants with delayed diagnoses resulting from absent or ignored antenatal screening. We add five neonates identified prospectively at birth at a tertiary care centre in northern India (September 2024-January 2026), born to mothers with reactive syphilis serology. All were asymptomatic, but maternal treatment was adequate in only two cases. Neonatal RPR was reactive in one infant only. Based on CDC criteria, one neonate was classified as highly probable CS, three as possible, and one as less likely. Limited availability of aqueous crystalline penicillin necessitated benzathine penicillin use in all cases, and one infant left against medical advice. Together, these series map recurring, correctable failures across the entire CS prevention cascade in LMICs.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"730-732"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148057875","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-06-15DOI: 10.1177/00494755261459745
Manikandan Chidambaram, Pallavi Prasad, Kunal Chandwar, Able Lawrence
{"title":"Recurrent uveitis and nodular skin lesions revealing lepromatous leprosy.","authors":"Manikandan Chidambaram, Pallavi Prasad, Kunal Chandwar, Able Lawrence","doi":"10.1177/00494755261459745","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261459745","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 51-year old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus, presenting with recurrent episodes of bilateral anterior uveitis for five years, had also developed recurrent tender erythematous nodules and plaques over the extremities, abdomen and back. Evaluation ultimately confirmed lepromatous leprosy. After multidrug therapy and systemic corticosteroids, complete resolution of skin lesions and uveitis was maintained at 1-year follow-up, thus rescuing her eyesight.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"804-806"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148254301","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Updates in paediatric advanced life support (PALS) 2025: Implications for clinical practice.","authors":"Saroj Kumar Tripathy, Sarthak Das, Ehtesham Ansari","doi":"10.1177/00494755261445181","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261445181","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The 2025 pediatric advanced life support guidelines, developed by the American Heart Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, are a resource for healthcare professionals caring for infants and children under 18 years of age in peri-arrest and other emergency care situations. The new guidelines address evolving pediatric cardiac arrest patterns, characterized predominantly by respiratory failure or shock, with persistent disparities in out-of-hospital survival and neurological outcomes. Major revisions include setting a blood pressure target above the 10<sup>th</sup> centile post-cardiac arrest, administering epinephrine after two attempts of defibrillation in a shockable rhythm, and administering early epinephrine in non-shockable cardiac arrest, as well as preventing hyperthermia. It also emphasizes evidence-based strategies such as early high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), targeted post-arrest care, continuous electroencephalogram for neurological monitoring, and IV sotalol as an option for refractory supraventricular tachycardia. Long-term survivor support and family presence during resuscitation are integrated as vital aspects of care. While core recommendations-such as CPR technique, ventilation strategies, and shock management-are reaffirmed, the update provides a robust framework for multicentric harmonization. The adoption of these updated protocols in promises enhanced resuscitation outcomes, consistent neurological recovery, and the development of context-specific best practices in pediatric emergency care.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"693-697"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147822831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tropical DoctorPub Date : 2026-10-01Epub Date: 2026-06-18DOI: 10.1177/00494755261459846
Swati Nirmal, Kirti Nirmal, Nimisha Jain, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Shukla Das
{"title":"Optimising Gram stain interpretation: A comparison of four smear preparation methods for Gram staining of positively automated blood culture bottles.","authors":"Swati Nirmal, Kirti Nirmal, Nimisha Jain, Arghya Bandyopadhyay, Shukla Das","doi":"10.1177/00494755261459846","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261459846","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>BackgroundAccurate and timely Gram stain interpretation of positively flagged blood culture bottles is crucial for early detection of bloodstream infections and initiation of empirical therapy. However, resin and charcoal particles in culture media may interfere with smear clarity.MethodsA prospective study was conducted on 100 positive blood culture samples. Four smear preparation techniques - conventional, water wash, blood film, and drop and rest - were applied. These were assessed for diagnostic agreement with final culture results and graded for resin/charcoal interference. Kappa (κ) statistics measured concordance.ResultsThe blood film method showed the highest agreement with culture Gram stains (63%, κ = 0.26), followed by conventional (62%, κ = 0.24), drop and rest (61%, κ = 0.22), and water wash (59%, κ = 0.18). It also had the least particle interference and the most deposit-free smears (29/100).ConclusionThe blood film method offers superior diagnostic clarity and is recommended.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"637-643"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148273514","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Low-cost peranal minimally invasive surgery in a resource-limited setting: Development and clinical application of a locally made port.","authors":"Kanhaiya Hariyale, Utkarsh Ghormare, Yogesh Tiwari, Harikrishn Damde, Arpan Mishra, Dhananjaya Sharma","doi":"10.1177/00494755261463916","DOIUrl":"10.1177/00494755261463916","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Per-anal minimally invasive surgery (traditionally known as TAMIS) is an effective technique for local excision of selected rectal lesions. However, widespread adoption in low-resource countries remains constrained by the high cost of dedicated TAMIS access platforms, which cost c. US$700. This cost barrier is particularly relevant in publicly funded hospitals serving economically disadvantaged populations. We report the development and successful clinical use of an indigenous low-cost TAMIS port fabricated from commonly available materials at a total cost of only US$5.</p>","PeriodicalId":49415,"journal":{"name":"Tropical Doctor","volume":" ","pages":"713-714"},"PeriodicalIF":0.6,"publicationDate":"2026-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148333812","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}