Background: Consumption of iodised salt is a simple, effective and inexpensive preventive measure to prevent iodine deficiency disorders. Lack of awareness, faulty practices in storage as well as poor production quality lead to decreased availability of iodine at consumer level. The objective of the study was to estimate the proportion of households using adequately iodised salt and to assess their awareness and practices regarding iodised salt consumption in a subcentre region of Sarjapur PHC area in Bangalore Urban District.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 382 households selected by two stage method involving proportional allocation based on village size followed by systematic random sampling at village level. MBI salt testing kit was used to check for iodisation level.Results: Of the 382 households, 22.3% used inadequately iodised salt. Out of the 382 individuals interviewed, 72% were females and only 21% were aware about iodised salt. Majority of the households purchased salt from a general store, was stored in tightly closed plastic containers and kept on shelves. Only 5% looked for the iodine logo on the packets before purchase of salt. Individuals with poor awareness, purchase of salt at public distribution system store, storage of salt on the floor, use of crystal salt were significantly associated with presence of inadequately iodised salt at the household.Conclusions: Nearly 30% of the salt packets used by households were inadequately iodised. Awareness regarding iodised salt was poor which contributed to the presence of inadequately iodised salt at household level.

Introduction:The prevalence of multidrug resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) with additional resistance to fluoroquinolones or second-line injectables (MDR FQ/SLI )/extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) in children is high in Mumbai. There are limited therapeutic options available in management of such children. Carbapenems, although approved for this indication, requires 2 to 3 daily injections, which are cumbersome. Bedaquilline (Bdq) and Delamanid (Dlm), the new antitubercular drugs still remain inaccessible to this subset of patients caused by conditional approvals. Hence, newer strategies to combat MDR FQ/SLI /XDR-TB needs to be explored. Objectives: To study feasibility and interim outcomes of a "salvage regimen" using home-based carbapenem therapy through peripherally inserted central catheter as part of a longer (18-20 months) optimized background regimen including Dlm or Bdq or both in pediatric MDR FQ/SLI /XDR-TB patients who failed a standard MDR-TB regimen under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme in Mumbai, India. Design and Methods: Retrospective descriptive analysis study. National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme medical records of all MDR FQ/SLI / XDR-TB patients enrolled at the pediatric TB clinic at BJ Wadia Hospital for Children, Mumbai who were initiated on such "salvage regimen" during the period between April 2018 and December 2020 were retrospectively studied. Treatment outcomes and adverse events were described. Results: Of the 15 patients enrolled, mean age of the patient population was 12.53 ± 2.47 years and the female:male ratio was 13:2. Seven patients had XDR-TB while 8 patients had MDR FQ/SLI . Most common adverse event noted was dyselectrolytemia (3 patients). Catheter-related complications were reported in 5 patients and included catheter blockage, leak, and thrombosis. Sputum culture conversion was reported in all of the patients. One child mortality was reported and 2 patients were lost to follow up during study period. Conclusions: Home-based meropenem therapy using peripherally inserted central catheter is feasible with few adverse effects. This can be a promising strategy in the management of MDR FQ/SLI /XDR-TB when an effective oral regimen cannot be otherwise constituted and needs to be explored further.

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Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1(HTLV-1) is the etiological agent responsible for the clinical entity of tropical spastic paraparesis/HTLV-1-associated myelitis (TSP/HAM). HTLV-1 and HIV-1, being related retroviruses, coinfection with both is a well-recognized phenomenon but rarely reported in children. We describe a 5-year-old boy with no previously known comorbidity who presented with bilateral lower-limb weakness and calf pain along with urinary retention. Imaging confirmed the presence of myelitis. Investigations showed elevated creatine phosphokinase(CPK) values suggestive of myositis. It was later learned that the parents of the child were on treatment for HIV infection. Antibodies for HIV were positive by ELISA, and in view of the clinical picture, probability of a TSP-like illness as the initial presentation of a hitherto undiagnosed HIV infection was considered. TSP/HAM is an important yet underrecognized cause of spinal disease, especially in HIV-infected individuals. Certain features such as elevated to normal CD4 counts, absence of significant sensory symptoms, and associated myositis may serve as subtle clues to underlying HTLV-1 infection.