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Drug sensitivity of NTM varies from species to species. While amikacin was the best for rapidly growing mycobacteria, clarithromycin was the most active drug against M. avium and other slow growers.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is a multi-factorial disease involving the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is rising in low income countries. Studies conducted to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among different regions of the country show variation in different age groups of urban and rural population. Current research aimed to study the conventional risk factors in patients of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) presenting in a rural tertiary care hospital in Northern India. Material and Methods: In this cross sectional prospective study, 100 consecutive subjects of first episode of myocardial infarction were enrolled. All patients enrolled in the study were assessed clinically and detailed history with special emphasis on conventional risk factors was taken. Patients were also subjected to investigations like serial electrocardiogram, Echocardiography and biochemical test. Stress evaluation was done using the prevalidated stress scoring system. Physical activity scoring was done with the help of physical activity index. Results: In this study, male comprised of 72% from study population, while, 70% of patients belong to rural population. 46% of study subjects were either labor or farmer by occupation. 34% and 66% of the subjects were less than 45 years and more than 45 years of age respectively. Mean age 54.64 (range: 35-85 years). Smoking (66%) was the commonest conventional risk factor to be present in our study population followed by sedentary lifestyle (50%) and excessive alcohol (44%). Hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus were 28% and 22% respectively. Stress did not appear to be a significant contributor of CAD in our population. The mean high density lipoprotein (HDL) was lower in our study population 35.1 mg/dl ± SD 9.3 (range: 14-55). On univariate analysis, risk factor such as smoking and alcohol was found to be significantly more in younger population (<45 years) as compared to elderly population. When risk factor profile of rural and urban population was compared, no significant difference in the risk factors was found, indicating equal risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) for both rural and urban subjects except lower value of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was seen in urban population (p-<0.01). 80% of study population had 5 or >5 conventional risk factors. Conclusion: We conclude, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, uncontrolled diabetes and low HDL levels were the most common conventional risk factors found in the study population especially in younger age group. The present study highlights the need of a better designed, large population based case-control study so as to identify, which amongst the conventional modifiable risk factor is independently responsible for AMI and also highlights the immediate need to initiate measures to raise awareness about control of diabetes, smoking cessation and exercise among the general population especially younger adults.

Introduction: Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease in the world, accounting for more than one third of the cases. Micro albuminuria is a marker of wide spread micro vascular damage in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and an earliest marker for nephropathy. The correlation between presence of overt proteinuria and proliferative diabetic retinopathy have been demonstrated in both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetic patients. There is an increasing evidence that micro albuminuria could be used as a marker for early diabetic retinopathy. However, this relationship has not been established in our setting. Hence, we planned to evaluate the prevalence as well as correlation of micro albuminuria and retinopathy in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Material and Methods: 100 Type 2 diabetic patients willing to participate, were enrolled in the study after due approval from the Institutional Ethical committee. Prevalence of micro albuminuria was checked using Micral test. Body Mass Index and Glycosylated Hemoglobin were also measured. Patients were evaluated by direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy to look for evidence of retinopathy. Results: 56% patients were male with majority of them (70%) were in the age group of 40-60 years. In 39% patients, duration of diabetes was less that 5 years and equal percentage of patients had micro albuminuria. 45% patients showed signs of diabetic retinopathy, whereas, both micro albuminuria and retinopathy were observed in 32% of patients (p <0.001). Compared to overall prevalence of micro albuminuria and retinopathy, patients with age more than 50 years showed higher prevalence of 51.61% and 56.45% (p=0.001) respectively. Micro albuminuria (52.45%) and diabetic retinopathy (57.37%) were more likely with duration of diabetes above 6 years (p=0.001). Other factors which were statistically significant were Glycosylated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) more than 7% and Body Mass Index (BMI) >25kg/ m 2. Conclusion: The study showed that there is significant correlation between the presence of micro albuminuria and diabetic retinopathy. Several factors like increase in age, duration of diabetes, HbA1c levels on admission and body mass index are associated with increased prevalence of micro albuminuria and diabetic retinopathy.