Introduction: Substance use during adolescence and young adulthood is a major public health concern, particularly for alcohol and opioids. Neurocognitive impairments related to substance use can adversely affect executive functioning and decision-making. This study compared cognitive functioning and demographic profiles of adolescents and young adults using alcohol or opioids with healthy controls.Method: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted with alcohol users (n = 36) and opioid users (n = 36), each matched with 36 healthy controls. Sociodemographic data including age, gender, education, socioeconomic status, marital status, and parental education were recorded. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Trail Making Test (Parts A and B) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). Independent t-tests and chi-square tests were applied for analysis.Results: Cases and controls did not differ significantly in age, gender, marital status, residency, or socioeconomic status. Substance users showed marked cognitive deficits compared to controls. Both alcohol and opioid users had significantly longer completion times on Trail Making Tests A and B (p < 0.0001). On WCST, cases completed fewer categories and demonstrated more total errors, perseverative errors, and perseverative responses (all p < 0.0001). Alcohol users additionally had significantly higher failures to maintain set, unlike opioid users.Conclusion: Adolescents and young adults with alcohol and opioid use exhibited significant impairments in executive function, attention, and cognitive flexibility. Early detection and cognitive rehabilitation are essential to limit long-term neurocognitive consequences. How to cite this article:Shankar V, Roopalatha M. A Study on the Spectrum of Fungal Pathogens Isolated in ICU patient: A Study from Tertiary Care Centre. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):1-5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202561

Background: Communicable wound infections are a significant cause of morbidity in healthcare settings.Pseudomonas aeruginosa is frequently implicated in hospital-acquired wound and burn infections due to its environmental persistence and virulence potential.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in communicable wound infections and to assess the effect of iron availability on selected virulence gene expression in clinical isolates. Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study included 40 bacterial isolates from infected wounds and burn injuries.Phenotypic identification was followed by molecular confirmation using PCR targeting the 16S rRNA gene.Confirmed isolates were exposed to sub-minimum inhibitory concentration iron (100 M).Expression of fur, exoS, and exoA genes was evaluated using real-time PCR, and relative expression was calculated by the 2Ct method.Results: Of the 40 isolates, 30 (75%) were confirmed as Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Iron exposure resulted in variable regulation of the fur gene, consistent downregulation of exoS, and uniform upregulation of exoA.These findings demonstrated differential iron-mediated regulation of virulence genes. Conclusion:Pseudomonas aeruginosa was commonly associated with communicable wound infections.Iron availability significantly influenced virulence gene expression, potentially enhancing persistence and pathogenicity.Molecular monitoring of virulence determinants may support improved infection-control strategies in healthcare settings.

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen causing various healthcare-associated acute and chronic infections. The multifactorial virulence of the ubiquitous opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been linked to various virulence factors. Objective: Isolate and identify Pseudomonas auroginosa in different types of human clinical specimens, and evaluate the prevalence of four virulence genes (toxA, exoS, oprL, and oprI) in these isolates. Methods: The present study examined ninety-seven P. aeruginosa isolates from various types of patient clinical specimens, including wound swabs (n =33), ear discharge samples (n =28), urine samples (n =22) and burn swabs (n =14), during the period from September 2023 to February 2024 in Babylon governorate, Iraq. All colonies of P. aeruginosa were sub-cultured onto the bacterial culture, and then confirmed as P. aeruginosa by using microbiological tests and the API 20E test. Next, the PCR technique was carried out to screen the four virulence genes (toxA, exoS, oprL, and oprI).Results: P. aeruginosa was the most frequently isolated organism from wounds, followed by the ear, urine, and burns. The urban community shows a higher prevalence (62.9%) than the rural community (37.1%). The oprI and oprL genes were the most common genes detected among all tested isolates 97 (100%), while the toxA gene was detected in 79 (81.4%) isolates, and the exoS gene was detected in 68 (70.1%) isolates. Conversely, the results indicated that oprI, oprL, toxA, and exoS genes were the most commonly found genes in P. aeruginosa isolates from wound swabs, followed by ear discharge samples, urine samples, and burn swabs. Conclusion: PCR was empirically found to be the most optimal technique to detect and differentiate the virulence factor genes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that are involved in human infective diseases. How to cite this article:Rajendran R, Baruah K, Anusree S B, Sasi M S. Entomological Surveillance and Risk Assessment for Aedes-borne diseases in the Premises of Medical College Campus Institutions in Thiruvananthapuram Municipal Corporation. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):14-24. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202564

Rabies remains an important public health problem in developing countries. It is almost 100% preventable if proper wound care is done along with vaccine and immunoglobulin administration. We describe a case of rabies death that occurred following a rabid dog bite and full post-exposure prophylaxis. Even through rabies death with complete post-exposure prophylaxis is extremely rare, isolated occurrences are unfortunately still happening. Despite advances in research, there is currently no cure for this deadly disease.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgent need for resilient and adaptive healthcare systems to effectively manage communicable diseases and prevent future outbreaks. Healthcare providers face increasing pressure to enhance disease surveillance, emergency preparedness, and service efficiency, ensuring that public health interventions remain proactive and responsive especially during the communicable disease outbreaks. Despite advances in medical research and healthcare infrastructure, many systems still struggle with resource allocation, outbreak containment, and community engagement, particularly in developing nations like India, where accessibility and affordability remain critical concerns. This study identifies 33 critical success factors (CSFs) that directly impact healthcare system resilience in communicable disease management, emphasising the importance of economic stability, organizational efficiency, social awareness, smart technologies, performance management, and sustainability. Findings highlight those economic investments in disease preparedness, along with strong governance and policy interventions, significantly enhance a system’s ability to respond swiftly to emerging threats. Additionally, the integration of AI-powered diagnostics, telemedicine, and real-time epidemiological tracking improves healthcare accessibility while reducing the burden on traditional medical infrastructure. By strategically reinforcing data-driven interventions and sustainable healthcare practices, this study presents a structured framework for pandemic resilience, ensuring that healthcare systems remain agile, adaptive, and capable of mitigating future communicable disease threats. How to cite this article:Sherwani F, Ali S W. Reshaping Healthcare Systems for Communicable Disease Control: Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Commun Dis. 2025;57(3):214-219. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202588

Worldwide, dengue is the most frequent trigger for viral haemorrhagicfever. Although it is chronic in many tropical nations, instances fromnon-endemic areas have also been documented on a regular basis inrecent years. Nonetheless, the World Health Organization’s revisedclassification of dengue splits it into three groups: severe dengue,dengue with warning signals, and dengue without warning signs.Significant dengue is defined as those who have a significant vascularleak, hypotension, severe bleeding, or severe organ involvement.Hepatitis, the influenza virus, respiratory infections, liver failure, andHemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) linked to dengue feverhave all been documented; most of these cases involved children, witha small number of adult case reports. Fatal results including a 50%mortality rate have been documented in the child’s research. Here wehave presented a case of a 17-year-old teenager with dengue fever andco-morbidities of hepatitis, influenza, lung diseases, and HLH. How to cite this article:Gadhiya H, Radhanpura Y, Parekh K, Trigar P.A Complex Infectious Case of Dengue Feverwith Thrombocytopenia, Acute Hepatitis A,Influenza B, URTI(Upper Respiratory TractInfection), and Secondary HLH (HemophagocyticLymphohistiocytosis): A Diagnostic Challenge. JCommun Dis. 2025;57(1):213-216. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202527

Introduction: Diabetic patients are at higher risk of various healthproblemsincluding fungal infections. Fungal infections are taken lessseriously but if not identified and treated promptly, may lead to resistantinfections, further complications and impaired quality of life.Objectives: To assess the prevalence of fungal infections among diabeticpatients and risk factors of hypertension and diabetes mellitusMethods: A descriptive survey research design was used. The study wasconducted among people residing in a selected area of Delhi. A purposivesampling technique was used to collect 313 samples. A structuredinterview schedule was used to collect the data,. Permission wasobtained from local authorities. An informed consent was obtained priorto study participation. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.Results: 28.1% of people are suffering from diabetes, and out of thoseonly 88.6 % of people are taking medication. A total of 90.9% of diabeticparticipants had a fungal infection. Out of that, 18.7 % had fungalinfections more than once a month,33.7 % were not taking any treatmentfor fungal infection, 31.2% were taking home and natural remedies,22.5 % were using topical antifungal creams (some containing steroids)or suppositories and 12.5% were taking oral anti-fungal medication.Conclusion: Diabetic patients have increased susceptibility to variousinfections, including fungal infections emphasising the need forcomprehensive research and effective management strategies. Thisstudy highlights the need for effective preventive strategieswhich couldsignificantly reduce healthcare costs and improve patients’ quality of life. How to cite this article:John N, Rani S, Bhattarcharya S, Negi A. ADescriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence ofFungal Infections among Patients with DiabetesMellitus and Hypertension and Their RiskFactors in a Community of Delhi. J CommunDis. 2025;57(1):1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202501

Background: COVID-19, emerging in December 2019, has manifested as a significant global health concern. While its acute phase is extensively documented, the long-term effects post-recovery remain less understood, particularly in specific regions such as Kerala, India. This study investigates the prolonged complications encountered by COVID-19 survivors from a tertiary care centre in South Kerala.Objectives: This research aimed to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of post-COVID complications among survivors in South Kerala.Method: A prospective observational study was conducted from March 2021 to September 2022, involving 184 participants who recovered from COVID-19. All participants were over 18 years of age and had confirmed COVID-19 recovery. Data collection involved interviews and examinations using a validated questionnaire one month post- recovery, continuing monthly for six months. Data on medical history, symptoms, and clinical investigations were gathered, followed by statistical analysis using SPSS 2.0.Results: The cohort consisted of 184 participants, with an average age of 51.5 years and 52.2% male. Among them, 46.2% had mild COVID-19, 36.4% moderate, and 17.4% critical illness. Co-morbidities were prevalent: hypertension (35.9%), diabetes (35.3%), and coronary artery disease (10.9%).At one month post-recovery, 69% experienced post-COVID complications, with fatigue (43.5%) being most common. By six months, complications reduced to 22.8%, showcasing the importance of supportive care in recovery.Conclusion: This study underscores the necessity for continuous medical support and monitoring of COVID-19 survivors to manage long-term health challenges effectively. Identifying post-COVID symptoms enables healthcare providers to customise follow-up care, highlighting the need for evidence-based guidelines to address post-COVID syndrome. How to cite this article: George A M, Asokan A G, Kuriakose M E. Long- Term Sequelae of COVID-19: A Six-Month Follow-Up Study at a Tertiary Care Centre in South Kerala.J Commun Dis. 2024;56(4):62-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202471

Introduction: Tuberculosis seldom affects the larynx without a lung infection. But in recent times, the incidence of laryngeal tuberculosis has risen due to HIV infection, conditions, and medications causing immunosuppression, resistant organisms and atypical mycobacteria. Although rare, this is the most common laryngeal granulomatous disease. This rare case report shows a patient with a laryngeal lesion who responded to empirical antitubercular medication after all tests were negative for tuberculosis. Case Presentation: A 21-year-old woman reported to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with a 3-month history of insidious hoarseness of voice, dry cough, and foreign body sensation in the throat with associated right cervical lymphadenopathy. Management And Outcome: Video laryngoscopy showed a nodular lesion in the anterior commissure extending to the whole of the anterior 2/3rd right vocal cord. Microlaryngeal surgery was done but the biopsy specimen was negative for tuberculosis. On ruling out other granulomatous diseases, anti-tubercular therapy was administered with which the patient recovered fully. How to cite this article: Kumar S B, Rajasekaran S, Muthukumar R, Prabakaran S, Navin N R B, Balaji D, Gowathame K, Adithya V. Is Experience Better than Evidence? Tuberculous Laryngitis: A Case Report. J Commun Dis. 2024;56(4):97-100 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24321/0019.5138.202477

Introduction: Adolescents represent an increasing proportion of people living with HIV. Social psychology and medical sociology have developed several models to understand risk behaviours, including studies on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP). Objectives: i) Design and validate the psychometric properties of a KAP survey on HIV in a young population; and ii) Analyse the KAP profile on HIV in adolescents from Medellín, Colombia, and its associated factors Method: A cross-sectional study and psychometric evaluation of 2411 adolescents was conducted. A KAP scale was designed with psychometric validity and reproducibility in the criteria of acceptability, applicability, usefulness, reliability (Cronbach's α), consistency and discriminant power (Spearman's Rho), and construct validity (λ coefficient from factor analysis). The KAP score was calculated, and its associated factors were identified using parametric tests. Results: Adolescents from Medellín have good knowledge about HIV; however, they have negative attitudes towards the use of condoms and a low perception of the risk of becoming infected, despite their risky sexual practices such as unprotected sex or with drugs. The main factors associated with KAP were socioeconomic stratum, type of family (single-parent, nuclear or extended), source of consultation on health issues (internet, friends, home, health institution), education and age of the parents, age of first sexual intercourse, and use of contraceptive methods. Local health authorities must design interventions aimed at practices, particularly the acceptability of condom use, to promote and facilitate access to HIV screening tests. In addition, this study designed and validated an instrument with excellent psychometric properties that can be used in subsequent research.