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A pediatric case and literature review of mucormycosis: Diagnostic and treatment challenges in a resource poor setting Lubis, Inke ND.; Farah, Sara; Pasaribu, Ayodhia P.; Evalina, Rita; Daulay, Rini S.; Wijaya, Hendri
Narra J Vol. 3 No. 3 (2023): December 2023
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v3i3.426

Abstract

Mucormycosis is an emerging disease that primarily affects immunocompromised patients; however, it has also been reported in immunocompetent individuals. Studies in the pediatric population are limited and reported mostly in case studies or series. The aim of this case report is to present a pediatric mucormycosis originated from Sumatra Island, Indonesia. A 13-year-old boy was referred to a tertiary hospital with facial necrosis involving the nasal, oral, and left maxillary areas, as well as left periorbital edema. No known underlying conditions were documented. The diagnosis was confirmed by histopathological findings of broad, pauci-septate, ribbon-like hyphae branching at 90°. The patient was managed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of the ear, nose, and throat, infectious diseases, dermatology, surgery, microbiology, and pathology departments. Management of the patient included debridement of the necrotic lesion and antibiotics and anti-fungal (fluconazole). Due to unavailability, the patient was not treated with amphotericin B. The patient died after 30 days of admission. This case highlights the importance of maintaining a high suspicion of invasive mucormycosis, even in immunocompetent children, when symptoms and signs are present, especially in resource-limited settings.
Norwegian scabies in human immunodeficiency virus and tuberculosis-infected child: A case report Wijaya, Hendri; Kollins, Fini; Lubis, Inke ND.; Pasaribu, Ayodhia P.; Evalina, Rita; Nababan, Kristo A.; Paramita, Deryne A.
Narra J Vol. 4 No. 1 (2024): April 2024
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i1.661

Abstract

Norwegian scabies is a rare scabies with the manifestation of thick crusts of the extremities of the skin that contain eggs and mites. Several conditions in which scabies infection is easily transmitted include immunocompromised, home nursing, and severe neurological disorder. The aim of this case report was to present a thorough analysis of a comprehensive resource for the management of Norwegian scabies patients, with a specific focus on individuals who also have HIV or other immunocompromising diseases.  A 1-year-and-7-month-old boy was presented to the hospital with a chief complaint of a thick crust that he had experienced for four months. It began as a red papule in the lower extremity, then crusted and spread to the whole body. The patient kept scratching due to itching, had a recurrent fever and diarrhea for three months, and cough for one month. The patient was diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pulmonary tuberculosis at three months, suspected to get the infection from the parents. Sarcoptes scabiei was found from microscopy examination of skin scraping. The patient received holistic treatment, including antiretroviral drugs, antituberculosis medication, scabies treatment, and malnutrition treatment. Appropriate scabies treatment aimed at peeling crusted skin, relieving itching, and increasing the patient ability to use the extremities. Comorbidity conditions caused by HIV and pulmonary tuberculosis should also be treated to optimize the outcome. The patient was discharged in good condition with sanitation education and regular follow-up at the outpatient clinic. This case highlights that Sarcoptes scabiei infestation may be a clue to an immunocompromised condition. Holistic therapy aiming to cure underlying infection, infestation and underlying nutrition and psychosocial problems must be addressed to fully cure this high-burden case.
Comparison of RT-PCR cycle threshold values between individual and pooled SARS-CoV-2 infected nasopharyngeal swab specimens Yani, Handa; Yuan, Toh D.; Lubis, Aridamuriany D.; Iswara, Lia K.; Lubis, Inke ND.
Narra J Vol. 4 No. 2 (2024): August 2024
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v4i2.765

Abstract

The molecular reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing of respiratory tract swabs has become mandatory to confirm the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, RT-PCR tests are expensive, require standardized equipment, and relatively long testing times, and the sample pooling method has been introduced to solve this issue. The aim of this study was to compare the cycle threshold (Ct) values of the individual sample and pooled sample methods to assess how accurate the pooling method was. Repeat RT-PCR examinations were initially performed to confirm the Ct values for each sample before running the pooled test procedure. Sample extraction and amplification were performed in both assays to detect ORF1ab, N, and E genes with a cut-off point value of Ct <38. Overall, there was no difference in Ct values between individual sample and pooled sample groups at all concentrations (p=0.259) and for all pooled sizes. Only pooled size of five could detect the Ct value in the pooled samples for all concentration samples, including low-concentration sample (Ct values 36 to 38). This study highlighted that pooled RT-PCR testing strategy did not reduce the quality of individually measured RT-PCR Ct values. A pool size of five could provide a practical technique to expand the screening capacity of RT-PCR.
Ivermectin and dexamethasone combination induces apoptosis in SUP-B15 cell line Siregar, Olga R.; Wahyuni, Arlinda S.; Pasaribu, Ayodhia P.; Edianto, Deri; Ugrasena, I DG.; Amelia, Rina; Lubis, Inke ND.; Rusda, Muhammad
Narra J Vol. 5 No. 2 (2025): August 2025
Publisher : Narra Sains Indonesia

Show Abstract | Download Original | Original Source | Check in Google Scholar | DOI: 10.52225/narra.v5i2.1975

Abstract

The development of glucocorticoid resistance has complicated the management of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), leading to increased mortality rates. Ivermectin, a low-cost and well-established anthelmintic, exhibits anticancer potential and may enhance glucocorticoid toxicity in ALL, offering a possible strategy to overcome resistance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the apoptotic effect of combining ivermectin with dexamethasone in ALL. ALL SUP-B15 cells were cultured under standard conditions before treatment with dexamethasone (200 nM) alone or combined with ivermectin (5, 10, and 20 µM), with an untreated group serving as the control.  Cytotoxicity was assessed using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay by measuring cell viability and inhibition. Apoptosis was evaluated through BAX, BCL-2, and CASP3 gene expression analysis using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The findings revealed that the combination of ivermectin and dexamethasone was superior in the repression of ALL cell viability compared to control (p<0.001). The combination of dexamethasone 200 nM + ivermectin 20 μM demonstrated the most significant cell inhibition of 38.16±0.04% (p<0.001) and produced the lowest cell viability of 61.84±0.05% (p<0.001). Moreover, the combination of dexamethasone 200 nM + ivermectin 20 μM demonstrated superior upregulations of BAX (p<0.001) and CASP3 (p<0.001). In conclusion, the addition of ivermectin (5 µM) to dexamethasone regimen (200 nM) increases its cytotoxic and apoptotic activities against SUP-B15 cell line as observed by the CASP3 and BAX upregulation. Studies to confirm the enhanced anticancer activity by this combination by observing the protein levels and animal studies are warranted.