European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Introduction: Lymphadenopathy is a common clinical presentation with etiologies ranging from benign reactive conditions and infections to malignant neoplasms. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a rapid, minimally invasive, and cost-effective diagnostic technique that serves as the initial investigation for superficial lymph node enlargement. This study aimed to evaluate the cytomorphological spectrum of lymph node lesions diagnosed by FNAC in a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Pathology, ESIC Medical College and Hospital, Namkum, Ranchi, from January 2024 to January 2026. Ninety-six patients with palpable superficial lymphadenopathy underwent FNAC using a 22–23-gauge needle. Smears were stained with May–Grünwald–Giemsa, Giemsa, and Papanicolaou stains. Ziehl–Neelsen staining was performed when tuberculosis was suspected. Cytological diagnoses and demographic data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 96 patients aged 5–85 years, with the majority (67.7%) belonging to the 20–39-year age group. Males predominated (62.5%), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. Inflammatory lesions constituted 94.8% of cases, while neoplastic lesions accounted for 3.1%, and 2.1% were nonspecific. Reactive lymphadenitis was the most common diagnosis (67.7%), followed by acute suppurative lymphadenitis (12.5%) and granulomatous lymphadenitis, including tuberculosis (10.4%). Metastatic malignancy was identified in 3.1% of cases. Conclusion: FNAC is a reliable, safe, and economical first-line diagnostic modality for evaluating superficial lymphadenopathy. It effectively differentiates inflammatory from neoplastic lesions, enables early therapeutic intervention, and reduces the need for unnecessary surgical biopsy, making it particularly valuable in resource-limited healthcare settings.

INTRODUCTION: Antimicrobial resistance is being expressed in almost all most commonly isolated pathogens such as Enterobacteriales and Non fermenters. Antimicrobial-resistant infections are more difficult to treat, leading to treatment failure and complications, on top of huge financial costs to individuals. So we have undertaken this study by high lightening a few widely available and less expensive diagnostic techniques to detect carbapenem resistance. The study aims to detect and characterize Carbapenemase enzyme production among Enterobacterales using phenotyopic method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 1164 patients attended various clinical departments with clinical manifestations of infection were included in this prospective observational study. All clinical specimens were processed for culture and sensitivity testing as per the standard guidelines. Enterobacterales isolates obtained from these samples were initially screened for carbapenem resistance using the Meropenem (10g) disc, further tested with Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (mCIM) and the EDTA –Modified Carbapenem Inactivation Method (eCIM). RESULTS: 564 (48.4%) Enterobacteriaceae pathogens were isolated from 1164 clinical specimens. 293 carbapenem resistant isolates out of 564 Enterobacteriaceae isolates i.e., 51.9%. K.pneumoniae was the predominant isolate (47.09%) from various clinical specimens followed by Escherichia coli (31.7%), Klebsiella oxytoca (7.8%), Citrobacter (5.4%), Enterobacter (4.07%), and Proteus (3.7%). Out of 244 Carbapenem resistant isolates which are positive for either of tested methods, 240 (98.3%) were detected as MBL Carbapenemases and 1.63% were detected as Serine Carbapenemases. CONCLUSION Phenotypic characterization by mCIM and eCIM methods was performed and noted the type of carbapenemase production which will help in accurate management of infection and avoid failure of treatment due to antimicrobial resistance.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal septicemia is a systemic critical life challenging disease caused by bacterial, viral or fungal origin, manifesting with clinical features related to hemodynamic changes and responsible for severe morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) is increasing day by day poses significant challenges to clinicians. The aim of this study was to know the gram negative bacteria responsible for neonatal infections in this region and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonates less than 28 days of life suspected to have sepsis were selected in this Cross sectional observational study. All blood cultures were inoculated into blood culture bottles, loaded in automated method - BACT/ALERT 3D culture system (BioMerieux). Processing and identification of the colonies was done as per the standard guidelines. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of all isolates was done by Vitek2 compact system.  RESULTS: The total number of microorganisms isolated in the blood cultures was as Staphylococcus aureus (9%), Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (27.9%), Enterococcus faecium (9%), Escherichia coli (4.6%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.6%), Klebsiella aerogenes (4.6%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (9%), Acinetobacter baumanii (9%), Serratia marcescens (4.6%), Candida albicans (4.6%), Non albicans Candida (13.7%). All the gram negative isolates of Neonatal sepsis were sensitive to penems, cotrimoxazole and resistant to remaining antibiotics. CONCLUSION: A scrupulous monitoring and implementation of infection control practices, antibiogram and epidemiology of the health care system definitely reduce this burden on community.

Background: Ebstein anomaly is a rare congenital cardiac malformation with an estimated prevalence of 1 in 200,000 live births, accounting for less than 1% of all congenital heart diseases. It is characterized by apical displacement of the tricuspid valve leaflets — particularly the septal and posterior leaflets — into the right ventricle, resulting in "atrialization" of a portion of the right ventricle. This anatomical derangement leads to varying degrees of tricuspid regurgitation, right atrial dilatation, right ventricular dysfunction, and a spectrum of arrhythmias. While classically presenting with cyanosis in neonates due to right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale or atrial septal defect, the clinical phenotype in adults is considerably more heterogeneous. Adult presentations may range from incidental discovery on echocardiography to debilitating exertional dyspnea, palpitations, or frank right heart failure. The diagnosis of Ebstein anomaly in a 70-year-old individual represents an exceptionally unusual occurrence, underscoring the wide variability in disease severity and the capacity of milder forms to remain undetected for decades.

Introduction: Depression and perceived stress are common but frequently under-recognized mental health concerns among elderly individuals. Community-level assessment is essential for identifying vulnerable older adults and planning early supportive interventions. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of depression and perceived stress among elderly individuals in a community setting and to assess the relationship between depression, perceived stress and selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 100 elderly individuals aged 60 years and above from the Sangareddy population between November 2025 and March 2026. Socio-demographic details, living arrangement, marital status, education and chronic illness history were recorded using a structured proforma. Depression was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale and perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test, with statistical significance considered at p < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the study population was 70.4 ± 7.1 years, and females constituted 52.0%. Depressive symptoms were present in 46.0% of participants. Mild depression was observed in 28.0%, moderate depression in 14.0% and severe depression in 4.0%. Moderate perceived stress was reported by 52.0%, while 25.0% had high perceived stress. Depression was significantly associated with advanced age, living alone, widowed/single/separated status, chronic illness and higher perceived stress. Conclusion: Depression and perceived stress were common among elderly individuals in this community setting. Screening older adults for psychological distress, especially those living alone or having chronic illness, can strengthen early identification and community-based mental health support.