Background: Hematological disorders are quite frequent in all age group. Most of this hematological disorder first present as anemia. Bone Marrow Aspiration plays a major role in the diagnosis of its underlying cause. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of hematological disorders, its spectrum and to interprete the bone marrow aspiration findings.Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective and prospective study carried out in the department of Pathology of Nepal Medical College in a period of two years. (July 2010 - June 2012). Bone marrow examination of 57 cases of suspected hematological disorders was carried out. All details of the patients were obtained from the record file in the department of pathology.Results: Out of 57 cases of bone marrow aspiration, erythroid hyperplasia was seen in 12 cases (21%). Megaloblastic anemia was seen in 7 cases (12.3%) and microcytic anemia was seen in 4 cases (7%). There were 6 cases (10.5%) of Idiopathic Thrombocypenic Purpura. Acute leukemia was diagnosed in 7 cases (12.3%) and among this acute myeloid leukemia (10.5%) was more common than acute lymphoid leukemia (1.8%). Myelodysplastic syndrome and multiple myeloma was seen in 3.5 % cases each. Aplastic anemia and kalaazar was seen in 5.3% and 1.8% cases respectively.Conclusion: Bone marrow examination is an important step to arrive at the confirmatory diagnosis of many hematological disorders.Journal of Pathology of Nepal (2012) Vol. 2, 309-312DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jpn.v2i4.6885

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to describe treatment outcomes for multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) outpatients on a standardized regimen in Nepal.MethodologyData on pulmonary MDR-TB patients enrolled for treatment in the Green Light Committee-approved National Programme between 15 September 2005 and 15 September 2006 were studied. Standardized regimen was used (8Z-Km-Ofx-Eto-Cs/16Z-Ofx-Eto-Cs) for a maximum of 32 months and follow-up was by smear and culture. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) results were not used to modify the treatment regimen. MDR-TB therapy was delivered in outpatient facilities for the whole course of treatment. Multivariable analysis was used to explain bacteriological cure as a function of sex, age, initial body weight, history of previous treatment and the region of report.Principal FindingsIn the first 12-months, 175 laboratory-confirmed MDR-TB cases (62% males) had outcomes reported. Most cases had failed a Category 2 first-line regimen (87%) or a Category 1 regimen (6%), 2% were previously untreated contacts of MDR-TB cases and 5% were unspecified. Cure was reported among 70% of patients (range 38%–93% by Region), 8% died, 5% failed treatment, and 17% defaulted. Unfavorable outcomes were not correlated to the number of resistant drugs at baseline DST. Cases who died had a lower mean body weight than those surviving (40.3 kg vs 47.2 kg, p<0.05). Default was significantly higher in two regions [Eastern OR = 6.2; 95%CL2.0-18.9; Far West OR = 5.0; 95%CL1.0-24.3]. At logistic regression, cure was inversely associated with body weight <36 kg [Adj.OR = 0.1; 95%CL0.0-0.3; ref. 55–75 kg] and treatment in the Eastern region [Adj.OR = 0.1; 95%CL0.0-0.4; ref. Central region].ConclusionsThe implementation of an ambulatory-based treatment programme for MDR-TB based on a fully standardized regimen can yield high cure rates even in resource-limited settings. The determinants of unfavorable outcome should be investigated thoroughly to maximize likelihood of successful treatment.

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Saliva may be a useful alternative matrix for monitoring levofloxacin concentrations in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) patients. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate the correlation between plasma and salivary levofloxacin (Lfx) concentrations in MDR-TB patients and (ii) to gauge the possibility of using saliva as an alternative sampling matrix for therapeutic drug monitoring of Lfx in areas where TB is endemic. This was a prospective pharmacokinetic study that enrolled MDR-TB patients receiving levofloxacin (750-to 1,000-mg once-daily dosing) under standardized treatment regimen in Nepal. Paired blood and saliva samples were collected at steady state. Lfx concentrations were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using noncompartmental kinetics. Lfx drug exposures were evaluated in 23 MDR-TB patients. During the first month, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) areas under the concentration-time curve from 0 to 24 h (AUC 0 -24 ) were 67.09 (53.93 to 98.37) mg · h/liter in saliva and 99.91 (76.80 to 129.70) mg · h/liter in plasma, and the saliva plasma (S/P) ratio was 0.69 (0.53 to 0.99). Similarly, during the second month, the median (IQR) AUC 0 -24 were 75.63 (61.45 to 125.5) mg · h/liter in saliva and 102.7 (84.46 to 131.9) mg · h/liter in plasma, with an S/P ratio of 0.73 (0.66 to 1.18). Furthermore, large inter-and intraindividual variabilities in Lfx concentrations were observed. This study could not demonstrate a strong correlation between plasma and saliva Lfx levels. Despite a good Lfx penetration in saliva, the variability in individual saliva-to-plasma ratios limits the use of saliva as a valid substitute for plasma. Nevertheless, saliva could be useful in semiquantitatively predicting Lfx plasma levels. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT03000517.)

Introduction : Tuberculosis (TB) is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially in Asia and Africa.

This preliminary study evaluated the transport reagent OMNIgene SPUTUM (OMS) in a real-world, resource-limited setting: a zonal hospital and national tuberculosis (TB) reference laboratory, Nepal. The objectives were to: (1) assess the performance of OMS for transporting sputum from peripheral sites without cold chain stabilization; and (2) compare with Nepal's standard of care (SOC) for Mycobacterium tuberculosis smear and culture diagnostics. Sixty sputa were manually split into a SOC sample (airline-couriered to the laboratory, conventional processing) and an OMS sample (OMS added at collection, no cold chain transport or processing). Smear microscopy and solid culture were performed. Transport was 0-8days. Forty-one samples (68%) were smear-positive using both methods. Of the OMS cultures, 37 (62%) were positive, 22 (36%) were negative, and one (2%) was contaminated. Corresponding SOC results were 32 (53%), 21 (35%), and seven (12%). OMS "rescued" six (i.e., missed using SOC) compared with one rescue using SOC. Of smear-positives, six SOC samples produced contaminated cultures whereas only one OMS sample was contaminated. OMS reduced culture contamination from 12% to 2%, and improved TB detection by 9%. The results suggest that OMS could perform well as a no cold chain, long-term transport solution for smear and culture testing. The findings provide a basis for larger feasibility studies.

Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is an emerging public health problem in Nepal. Despite the implementation of a successful TB control program in Nepal, notifications of MDR-TB are increasing, yet the reasons are unknown. The objective of this study was to understand the genetic diversity and epidemiological characteristics of MDR-Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) isolates in Nepal. We isolated and genotyped 498 MDR-MTB isolates collected from April 2009 to March 2013 and analyzed the patients’ background information. Our results showed that the lineage 2 (Beijing family) was the most predominant lineage (n = 241; 48.4%), followed by lineage 3 (n = 153, 30.7%). Lineage 4 was the third most prevalent (n = 73, 14.5%) followed by lineage 1 (n = 32, 6.4%). The lineages were significantly associated with geographic region, ethnic group, age and sex of patients. The Beijing genotype was found to have an important role in transmitting MDR-TB in Nepal and was significantly associated with the eastern region, mongoloid ethnic group and younger age group. We conclude that early diagnosis and treatment including molecular-epidemiological surveillance of MDR-TB cases will help to control transmission of MDR-TB in Nepal.

The Pharmacovigilance program in Nepal is at very preliminary stage. Present study analyzed the pattern, causality, severity and preventability of the reported adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to the Pharmacovigilance center at Nepal Medical College and Teaching Hospital (NMCTH), from June 2007 to July 2011. A total of 40 ADR cases were reported, among which 23 (57.5%) were in males and 17 (42.5%) in females. Nineteen (47.5%) ADRs were reported in the age group between 21-40 years. Department of Medicine reported 12(30%) ADRs. Among the total ADRs, antibiotics [n=17, (42.5%)] were responsible for most of the reactions followed by non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [n=5, (12.5%)]. Most of the drugs were found to affect dermatological system [n=14, (35%)]. Carbamazepine accounted for 5 (12.5%) ADRs. The causality assessment showed 34 (85%) of the ADRs to have a ‘probable’ relationship with the suspected reaction.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnpa.v26i1.6633JNPA. XXVI(1) 2012 54-61