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The Hindu
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Scrub typhus is now the most common infectious cause of acute encephalitis syndrome in southern India
A large multicentre study of 587 children with acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu has revealed that scrub typhus, a bacterial infection, is now the most common infectious cause of AES in southern India. The study by a team of researchers from NIMHANS, Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, and St. John's Medical College Hospital has been recently published in The Lancet Regional Health - Southeast Asia. Global challenge AES, characterised by acute onset fever and altered mental status and/or new seizures, presents a significant global public health challenge. It has an incidence of 3.5 to 13.8 cases per 1,00,000 patient-years, disproportionately affects children, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. In India, over 10,000 cases of AES are reported annually to the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP). Historically, surveillance efforts have prioritised Japanese encephalitis (JE), even as its incidence has significantly declined due to widespread vaccination. Moreover, recent studies reveal a dynamic, region-specific, and evolving aetiology of AES in India. Scrub typhus (caused by bacterium Orientia tsutsugamushi), an under-recognised cause of AES, has been increasingly reported in certain regions. Aimed at systematically investigating infectious aetiologies of AES in children from southern India and developing clinical prediction models for diagnosing scrub typhus, the study found that the bacterial infection is now the most common infectious cause (44%) of AES in southern India, far exceeding Japanese encephalitis virus (11%). Scrub typhus and other doxycycline-treatable infections are significant contributors of AES in India. However, limited surveillance in southern India has hindered their recognition and the inclusion of doxycycline in treatment protocols. From tertiary care hospitals The prospective study enrolled children aged above 28 days to 18 years with AES presenting to three tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru - Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health, Vani Vilas, and St. John Medical College Hospital. Primary outcomes were microbiological diagnosis of AES and clinical prediction models for diagnosing scrub typhus and identifying patients with doxycycline-treatable causes. Models were developed using multivariable logistic regression, internally validated, and simplified into point-scoring systems. Between March 2020 and February 2023, 714 children were screened, of whom 587 were included. Of these, 315 (54%) had a microbiological diagnosis. Scrub typhus accounted for 138/315 (44%), and doxycycline-treatable causes were diagnosed in 193/315 (61%) of these cases. Key predictors associated with both scrub typhus and doxycycline-treatable causes were age, illness duration, lymphadenopathy, oedema, hepatomegaly, lymphocyte count, platelet count, and serum albumin levels, said Tina Damodar, clinical virologist and DBT-Welcome Trust fellow, Department of Neurovirology at NIMHANS, who is the lead author of the study. 'Among the 315 children with an identified infectious cause, dengue (10%), leptospira (5%), and chikungunya (5%) were also notable. Other detected pathogens included herpes viruses, enteroviruses, pneumococcus, tuberculosis, and measles, reflecting a diverse and region-specific AES landscape. These findings highlight the need to update AES surveillance and treatment protocols,' Dr. Damodar told The Hindu on Thursday. 'The study found that over 60% of microbiologically confirmed AES cases were caused by doxycycline-treatable infections, primarily scrub typhus. Despite this, doxycycline is not routinely included in empirical AES treatment in many parts of India,' she said. Recommendation Another author Reeta S. Mani, head of Neurovirology at NIMHANS, said that based on the results, the study recommends including doxycycline or azithromycin in the initial treatment of children with AES or acute febrile illness (AFI) in southern India - a change already implemented at the participating referral tertiary care hospitals. 'Timely treatment is critical. Among the 138 children with scrub typhus, nearly 40% either died or developed neurological complications, largely due to delayed diagnosis. To address this, the study calls for wider availability of scrub typhus diagnostic tests (IgM ELISA or PCR) at primary and secondary care levels,' the doctor said. The researchers have also developed a clinical prediction model - a simple point-based tool that can help frontline clinicians identify children likely to benefit from doxycycline, even before lab confirmation is available.
Gulf Today
16-07-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Female employee awarded Dhs132,500 and flight home after company failed to pay wages
Abu Dhabi Labour Court of First Instance obligated a company to pay Dhs132,587 and an airway ticket at up to Dhs1,492 to a female employee for failing to pay her due wages for several consecutive months. Earlier, a female employee filed a lawsuit against the company she was working for in which she requested the court to obligate the company to pay her back wages and wage differences for several months totaling Dhs120,889 plus an end-of-service bonus of Dhs11,698, an airway ticket at Dhs1,492 dirhams and the incurred expenses. The plaintiff requested the court's judgment to be with immediate enforcement, based on the claim that she worked for the company for about 3 years with a basic salary of Dhs8,000 and a total salary of Dhs16,000. The court explained that article 22 of federal decree-law no. 33 for 2021 regulating labour relations outlines that the wage, or its type (e.g. hourly, daily, monthly), must be specified in the employment contract. If not specified, the competent court will determine it in labor disputes. The employer is obligated to pay wages on the due dates according to the Ministry's approved systems and regulations, it added. The case papers were devoid of anything indicating that the company paid the agreed-upon wage and hence, the employee was entitled to her delayed wage for this period, the court said. The plaintiff's service period lasted for about 3 years and the papers were devoid of anything indicating that the company had paid the end-of-service gratuity, and accordingly the employee was entitled to the Dhs11,698 she was demanding, it added. It is also stipulated in accordance with article 13/12 of federal decree-law no. 33 for 2021, which regulates labour relations, that a worker is entitled to an airway ticket to be paid for by the employer to the place from which he was recruited or mutually agreed upon. Whereas the employee terminated the employment relationship with her company due to the failure of the latter to pay her due wages as stipulated above, therefore she is entitled to an airway ticket unless she joins another job.
India Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Sourav Ganguly on Shubman Gill's 269: Best Test innings I have ever seen in England
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly showered praise on the current India captain Shubman Gill for his superb innings in the second Test match against England. Gill, captaining India in only his second Test match, put in a flawless performance in scored 269 runs off 387 balls, an innings that frustrated England for nearly two days. His knock included 30 boundaries and 3 sixes, in what turned out to be his career-best outing in Test cricket. After the day's play, Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on Gill, stating that this was the best innings he has ever seen in absolute masterclass from Gill... just flawless... one of the best innings I have seen in England in any era. So much improvement in the last few months. Probably opening was not his place in Test cricket. A Test to win for India," Ganguly said of Gill. ENG vs IND, 2nd Test Day 2 Highlights India Pin England Down in BirminghamShubman's innings helped India post a mammoth total of 587 runs in the first innings in Birmingham. The visitors finished Day Two with a clear advantage after picking up three quick wickets against the start of Day Three, India lead England by 510 runs and need seven more wickets to skittle them out in the first innings. The Indian side will hope to seal a win from this position, as Ganguly mentioned in his tweet, and level the Test series going into the third are without the services of Jasprit Bumrah in this Test, a decision that has been heavily criticised by fans and pundits alike. The Indian bowling line-up will look to prove themselves by picking up all 20 wickets in Bumrah's absence. Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep have started brilliantly, picking up three top order wickets in the first 20 will look to make use of the morning moisture (if any) and get rid of the tall England middle the start of Day 3, Joe Root (18*) and Harry Brook (30*) will take strike for England.- EndsTune InMust Watch
![MARKET PULSE AM JUNE 30, 2025 [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
MARKET PULSE AM JUNE 30, 2025 [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: News on stock, crypto and ringgit moves. Sarawak Consolidated Industries was the most active stock in early trade after proposing a rights issue with free detachable warrants and a capital reduction to boost its capital base. The stock fell 3 sen to 12 sen, with 3 million shares traded. Bursa Malaysia opened higher on Monday, taking cues from Wall Street's upbeat performance driven by optimism over US-China trade discussions. The benchmark index is anticipated to move within the 1,530 to 1,540 range today. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin is climbing to around RM458,296, while Ethereum is also trending upward to approximately RM10,587. In contrast, Solana has slipped to about RM640. That's it for Market Pulse.
Zawya
24-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Qatar: Mortgage activity surges by 168% in Q4 2024
Doha, Qatar: Qatar's real estate sector is proving resilient in the face of evolving market conditions. Despite a 5% year-on-year decline in villa and apartment sale prices, prime locations continue to command strong values, driven by demand for premium developments, according to Knight Frank's biannual Qatar Real Estate Market Review. Faisal Durrani, Partner – Head of Research, MENA, said: 'Qatar's housing market has experienced a prolonged period of softening prices over the past year, driven by a combination of interrelated factors. The extensive construction activity leading up to the FIFA 2022 World Cup significantly increased the housing supply. As a result, property values and rental rates have faced downward pressure, albeit some high-end neighbourhoods have continued to enjoy steady demand.' 'Despite this market dynamic, mortgage activity has increased, with Q4 2024 recording 294 transactions valued at QR24.8bn, a 168% jump year-on-year, signalling perhaps opportunistic refinancing activity, with purchasers capitalising on falling interest rates, which last year declined from 6.25% in January to 5.1% in December,' he added. Among villa locations, Abu Hamour recorded the highest sale prices at QR8,587 per square metre, thanks to its smaller unit sizes and strong community appeal. Mid-tier villa locations such as Al Thumama (QR7,500 psm) and Al Kheesa (QR7,000 psm) offer competitive pricing, while Al Wakair (QR5,600 psm) and Al Kharaitiyat (QR5,807 psm) present more affordable options. Apartment sale prices also declined 5% year-on-year, averaging QR12,625 psm. Luxury waterfront developments continue to see high demand, with Qanat Quartier (QR13,977 psm) and The Waterfront (QR14,300 psm) leading the market. Marina District (QR13,600 psm) remains a prime location, while Porto Arabia on The Pearl Island (QR11,834 psm) offers a more affordable alternative within The Pearl. In Qatar's apartment market, luxury residences continue to command stable rental rates, supported by sustained demand for premium living spaces. However, a two-tier market has emerged, with mid-range and budget-friendly apartments facing challenges stemming from oversaturation. The abundance of available units in more affordable locations has intensified competition among landlords, ultimately driving down rental prices, says Knight Frank. Adam Stewart, Partner – Head of Qatar, explained: 'Looking ahead, villa rental rates are expected to stabilise in prime areas, while secondary locations may see further adjustments due to softer demand. Apartment rentals in luxury developments such as The Pearl and West Bay are expected to remain stable, supported by steady occupancy levels.' © Dar Al Sharq Press, Printing and Distribution. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( The Peninsula Newspaper
