Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research

Introduction: Platelet products are scarce and expensive resources to be used judiciously. However, inappropriate usage is common. Lack of physician awareness is an important issue. We implemented a physician education program (PEP) along with repeated WhatsApp reminders at our centre. We audited the platelet usage practise before and after the intervention. Methods: Charts of patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) treated between January 2020 and August 2020 was reviewed, and the mean platelet usage per patient per day was calculated. Physician education was implemented between September 2020 and December 2020 (2 PowerPoint lectures of 20 min each and weekly WhatsApp messages containing the guidelines). Data of patients treated between Jan 2021 and August 2021 was prospectively audited to understand platelet usage and the indications for transfusions. The British Committee for the Standards in Haematology (BCSH) platelet transfusion guidelines were used as the adjudication tool to evaluate compliance. The mean platelet usage per day per kg body weight of a patient before and after the PEP was compared using the t-test. Results: Group A (before physician education) consisted of 22 patients, and group B (after physician education) consisted of 23 patients. The mean number of platelet transfusions for each patient in a day per kg body weight was 125.7 × 108 in group A whereas, after the PEP, it had reduced to 73.9 × 108 amounting to an absolute reduction of 51 × 108 (58.8%) from the baseline with a statistical significance of P = 0.001. After implementing the PEP, the mean number of random donor platelets used reduced by 10.25 units (34% reduction), and the mean single donor platelets used reduced by 0.83 units (19% reduction). The 190 requests for platelet transfusion received during this period were classified as appropriate (157/190), which constituted 82.63% of the requests, or inappropriate (33/190), which accounted for 17.36%. Conclusions: A short-duration education programme supplemented with weekly WhatsApp messages and an active feedback mechanism on the rationale of platelet transfusion by the treating physician and transfusion specialist could significantly reduce platelet consumption during the therapy of acute myeloid leukaemia patients. This is a measure that can be considered by all high-volume haematology centres, which can improve patient safety and reduce costs.

Background: There is paucity of information regarding the etiology and outcomes of Acute Kidney Disease (AKD) in children. Methods: The objectives of this cohort study were to evaluate the etiology and outcomes of AKD; and analyze predictors of kidney survival (defined as free of CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4 or 5). Patients aged 1 month to 18 years who developed AKD over a 4-year-period (January 2018-December 2021) were enrolled. Survivors were followed-up at the pediatric nephrology clinic, and screened for residual kidney injury. Results: Among 5710 children who developed AKI, 200 who developed AKD were enrolled. The median (IQR) eGFR was 17.03 (10.98, 28) mL/min/1.73 m2. Acute glomerulonephritis, acute tubular necrosis (ATN), hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), sepsis-associated AKD, and snake envenomation comprised of 69 (34.5%), 39 (19.5%), 24 (12%), 23 (11.5%) and 15 (7.5%) of the patients respectively. Overall, 88 (44%) children required kidney replacement therapy (KRT). There were 37 (18.5%) deaths within the AKD period. At a follow-up of 90 days, 32 (16%) progressed to chronic kidney disease stage-G2 or greater. At a median (IQR) follow-up of 24 (6, 36.5) months (n = 154), 27 (17.5%) had subnormal eGFR, and 20 (12.9%) had persistent proteinuria and/or hypertension. Requirement of KRT predicted kidney survival (free of CKD 2, 3a, 3b, 4 or 5) in AKD (HR 6.7, 95% CI 1.2, 46.4) (p 0.04). Conclusions: Acute glomerulonephritis, ATN, HUS, sepsis-associated AKD and snake envenomation were common causes of AKD. Mortality in AKD was 18.5%, and 16% progressed to CKD-G2 or greater at 90-day follow-up.

Atretic cephaloceles (ACs) are congenital skull defects with herniation of rudimentary intracranial structures through the defect and associated with persistent falcine sinus or embryonic positioning of straight sinus. We describe five cases of ACs, out of which only one had embryonic straight sinus. Three cases had other intracranial malformations such as hypoplasia of corpus callosum, dysplastic tectum in one child and parieto-occipital polymicrogyria with falcotentorial dehiscence in the other, and frontal horn deformity and cortical dysplasia in the third. The prognosis of AC depends on the coexistent intracranial abnormalities and this highlights the role of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing the other associated anomalies for prediction of prognosis and planning of necessary surgical management.

Genetic conditions have varied presentations, and one of them is the association with multiple malformation syndrome (MMS), which has a high mortality rate in the immediate postnatal period. Here, we describe a neonate born with multiple anomalies—wide anterior and posterior fontanelle, metopic suture, flat nasal bridge, hypertelorism, low set dysplastic ears, corneal cloudiness, micrognathia, webbed neck, simian crease, undescended testis, hypospadias, congenital talipes equinovarus, hypoplastic inferior cerebellar vermis, poor reflexes, hypotonia and ventricular septal defect. There was a history of sibling death with similar malformations, pointing towards a genetic aetiology. Clinical exome sequencing yielded the diagnosis of Zellweger syndrome with a rare mutation in PEX-19 gene. Inherited metabolic syndromes frequently masquerade as malformations, but family history of an affected sibling and clinical suspicion aided diagnosis of the infant.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp., Cystoisospora belli and Cyclospora cayetanensis are common intestinal coccidian parasites causing gastroenteritis. The clinical presentation caused by each parasite is indistinguishable from each other. Uniplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for these three groups of intestinal coccidian parasites was developed by us in our laboratory. Thereafter, we planned to develop a single-run multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay to detect Cryptosporidium spp., C. belli and C. cayetanensis simultaneously from a stool sample and described it here as coccidian mPCR. Methods: New primers for C. belli and C. cayetanensis were designed and uniplex PCRs were standardized. The coccidian mPCR was standardized with known positive DNA control isolates. It was validated with 58 known positive and 58 known negative stool samples, which were previously identified by uniplex PCR. Results: The coccidian mPCR was standardized with earlier primers designed by us for Cryptosporidium spp. and C. cayetanensis, and a newly designed primer for the internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS-1) gene for C. belli. The coccidian mPCR was 92.1% sensitive for Cryptosporidium spp., and 100% sensitive for C. belli and C. cayetanensis each, when tested on 116 known samples. It was 100% specific for all intestinal coccidian parasites. Two representative PCR products of the newly designed ITS-1 primer for C. belli were sequenced and submitted to the GenBank, which best match with the sequences of C. belli. Conclusion: A highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, indigenous, single-run coccidian mPCR has been developed, which can simultaneously detect Cryptosporidium spp., C. belli and C. cayetanensis.

Background: The choice of efficient antipsychotic therapy for schizophrenia relies on a time-consuming trial-and-error approach, whereas the social and economic burdens of the disease call for faster alternatives. Material & methods: In a search for predictive biomarkers of antipsychotic response, blood methylomes of 28 patients were analyzed before and 4 weeks into risperidone therapy. Results: Several CpGs exhibiting response-specific temporal dynamics were identified in otherwise temporally stable methylomes and noticeable global response-related differences were observed between good and bad responders. These were associated with genes involved in immunity, neurotransmission and neuronal development. Polymorphisms in many of these genes were previously linked with schizophrenia etiology and antipsychotic response. Conclusion: Antipsychotic response seems to be shaped by both stable and medication-induced methylation differences.

[This corrects the article on p. 145 in vol. 25, PMID: 36601487.].

Background & objectives: Pregnant women with dengue infection may be at increased risk of adverse maternal-foetal outcomes. This study was conducted to assess the maternal and perinatal outcomes in women who presented with fever and diagnosed to have dengue infection during pregnancy. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on pregnant women admitted with fever, in a tertiary referral centre in South India, during January 2015 to December 2018. We compared outcomes of women diagnosed with dengue with that of women without dengue. The study outcomes included pre-term birth, stillbirth, low-birth weight (LBW), maternal mortality and thrombocytopenia. Results: During the study period, there were six maternal deaths following complications from dengue infection. Higher rates of thrombocytopenia (24.7% vs. 14.6%, P=0.02) were noted among those with recent dengue infection. The risk of still birth was 2.67 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 6.57], LBW [risk ratio (RR) 1.13, 95% CI 0.87, 1.45] and pre-term birth (RR 1.33, 95% CI 0.89, 1.97) among the cases. Interpretation & conclusions: Occurrence of adverse maternal and foetal outcomes was increased in pregnant women with fever diagnosed with dengue infection. Future studies are needed to formulate the optimum monitoring and treatment strategies in pregnant women, where dengue can have additive adverse effects to other obstetric complications.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease (COVID-19) has caused more than 6 million deaths globally. Understanding predictors of mortality will help in prioritizing patient care and preventive approaches. This was a multicentric, unmatched, hospital-based case-control study conducted in nine teaching hospitals in India. Cases were microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 patients who died in the hospital during the period of study and controls were microbiologically confirmed COVID-19 patients who were discharged from the same hospital after recovery . Cases were recruited sequentially from March 2020 until December–March 2021. All information regarding cases and controls was extracted retrospectively from the medical records of patients by trained physicians. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression was done to assess the association between various predictor variables and deaths due to COVID-19. A total of 2,431 patients (1,137 cases and 1,294 controls) were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 52.8 years (SD: 16.5 years), and 32.1% were females. Breathlessness was the most common symptom at the time of admission (53.2%). Increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 46–59 years, 3.4 [95% CI: 1.5–7.7]; 60–74 years, 4.1 [95% CI: 1.7–9.5]; and ≥ 75 years, 11.0 [95% CI: 4.0–30.6]); preexisting diabetes mellitus (aOR: 1.9 [95% CI: 1.2–2.9]); malignancy (aOR: 3.1 [95% CI: 1.3–7.8]); pulmonary tuberculosis (aOR: 3.3 [95% CI: 1.2–8.8]); breathlessness at the time of admission (aOR: 2.2 [95% CI: 1.4–3.5]); high quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score at the time of admission (aOR: 5.6 [95% CI: 2.7–11.4]); and oxygen saturation < 94% at the time of admission (aOR: 2.5 [95% CI: 1.6–3.9]) were associated with mortality due to COVID-19. These results can be used to prioritize patients who are at increased risk of death and to rationalize therapy to reduce mortality due to COVID-19.

Purpose: The burden and mechanisms of endocrine therapy-related bone loss have been studied in detail. However, there is limited data regarding cytotoxic chemotherapy's impact on bone health. There are no definitive guidelines for bone mineral density (BMD) monitoring and treatment with bone-modifying agents during cytotoxic chemotherapy. The study's primary objective was to evaluate the changes in BMD and fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) scores among breast cancer women on cytotoxic chemotherapy. Methods: One hundred and nine newly diagnosed early and locally advanced postmenopausal breast cancer patients planned for anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy were recruited prospectively during the study period from July 2018 to December 2021. BMD of the lumbar spine, the femoral neck, and the total hip were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. BMD and FRAX scores were evaluated at baseline, end of chemotherapy, and 6 months of follow-up. Results: The median age of the study population was 53 (45-65) years. Early and locally advanced breast cancers were seen in 34 (31.2%) and 75 (68.8%) patients, respectively. The duration of follow-up between two BMD measurements was 6 months. The percentage of decrease in BMD at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip were - 2.36 ± 2.90, - 2.63 ± 3.79, and - 2.08 ± 2.80, respectively (P-value = 0.0001). The median risk of major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) at 10 years (FRAX score) increased from 1.7 (1.4) to 2.7% (2.4) (P-value = 0.0001). Conclusion: This prospective study in postmenopausal breast cancer women shows a significant association of cytotoxic chemotherapy with the worsening of bone health in terms of BMD and FRAX score.

Background: CDX2, a nuclear protein, is essential for the proliferation and development of intestinal epithelial cells and is frequently down-regulated during tumorigenesis. We have evaluated the pattern of CDX2 expression in all stages of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its association with prognosis. Methods: We performed CDX2 staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the available biopsy blocks of patients of CRC registered in our institute from January 2014 to January 2018. CDX2 scoring was done using the semi-quantitative method. Results: A total of 286 patients were registered during the study period, of which only 110 biopsy blocks were available for staining. Of 110 patients, 77 (70%) had colon cancer and 33 (30%) had rectal cancer. The median age was 54.2 years, with 62 (56.4%) being male and 48 (43.6%) female with a male to female ratio of 1.3:1. In the study cohort, 33 (30%) patients had stage II disease, 30 (27.3%) had stage III, and 47 (42.7%) had stage IV. Seventy-three (66.4%) were positive for CDX2 and 37 (33.4%) were negative. Loss of CDX2 expression was significantly associated with advanced stage, rectal site, poor grade of differentiation, and presence of lymphovascular invasion. With a median follow-up of 16 months, progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years was 30% for CDX2-negative patients compared to 67% for CDX2-positive patients (P = 0.009), whereas the overall survival (OS) at 2 years was 46% for CDX2-negative versus 77% for CDX2-positive patients (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Loss of CDX2 expression is associated with advanced stage, higher tumor grade, presence of LVSI, worse PFS, and OS and thereby functions as a poor prognostic factor in CRC.

Neonatal invasive candidiasis (NIC) has significant morbidity and mortality. Reports have shown a different profile of those neonates affected with NIC and of fluconazole resistant Candida spp. isolates in low-and-middle-income -countries (LMICs) compared to high-income-countries (HIC). We describe the epidemiology, Candida spp. distribution, treatment and outcomes of neonates with NIC from LMICs enrolled in a global, prospective, longitudinal, observational cohort study (NeoOBS) of hospitalised infants < 60 days postnatal age with sepsis (August 2018-February 2021). 127 neonates from 14 hospitals in 8 countries with Candida spp. isolated from blood culture were included. Median gestational age of affected neonates was 30 weeks (IQR: 28-34) and median birth weight was 1270 g (IQR: 990-1692). Only a minority had high risk criteria, such as being born < 28 weeks, 19% (24/127), or birth weight < 1000 g, 27% (34/127). The most common Candida species were C. albicans (n = 45, 35%), C. parapsilosis (n = 38, 30%) and Candida auris (n = 18, 14%). The majority of C. albicans isolates were fluconazole susceptible, whereas 59% of C. parapsilosis isolates were fluconazole resistant. Amphotericin B was the most common antifungal used [74% (78/105)], followed by fluconazole [22% (23/105)]. Death by day 28 post-enrolment was 22% (28/127). To our knowledge, this is the largest multi-country cohort of NIC in LMICs. Most of the neonates would not have been considered at high risk for NIC in HICs. A substantial proportion of isolates was resistant to first choice fluconazole. Understanding the burden of NIC in LMIC is essential to guide future research and treatment guidelines.

Objective To assess whether oral domperidone compared to placebo increases the rate of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months among post-lower segment cesarean section (LSCS) mothers. Methods This double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial, conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India, included 366 post-LSCS mothers with delayed initiation of breastfeeding or with subjective feelings of not having enough milk. They were randomized to two groups - Group A: Standard lactation counseling and oral Domperidone and Group B: Standard lactation counseling and a placebo. The primary outcome was an exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 months. Exclusive breastfeeding rates at 7 days and 3 months and serial weight gain of an infant were assessed in both groups. Results Exclusive breastfeeding rate at 7 days was statistically significant in the intervention arm. The exclusive breastfeeding rates at 3 months and 6 months were higher in the domperidone arm compared to placebo but not statistically significant. Conclusion Oral Domperidone along with effective breastfeeding counseling showed an increasing trend of exclusive breastfeeding rate at 7 days and at six months. Appropriate breastfeeding counseling and postnatal lactation support are important in enhancing exclusive breastfeeding. Trial registration The study was prospectively registered with CTRI – Reg no. CTRI/2020/06/026237

It has been shown that external pancreatic ductal stenting (EPDS) can reduce the incidence of clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula. Although studies have described EPDS in open pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), EPDS in minimally invasive PD has not been reported yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to describe the technique of EPDS in minimally invasive PD. The procedure was performed either laparoscopically or using a robot. Once PD was completed, key steps included triple enterotomy, threading of silk-suture through all enterotomies and exteriorization, completing posterior layer of pancreaticojejunostomy (PJ), railroading stent through preplaced silk-suture, intubation of stent into the pancreatic duct, completion of PJ, followed by hepaticojejunostomy and parietalization of jejunum at the stent exit site. EPDS in PD through a minimally invasive approach can be performed safely in selected cases with either a small-sized pancreatic duct or a soft pancreas.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is common in critically ill patients, affecting almost one in four critically ill children and one in three neonates. Higher stages of AKI portend worse outcomes. Identifying AKI timely and instituting appropriate measures to prevent and manage severe AKI is important, since it is independently associated with mortality. Methods to predict severe AKI should be applied to all critically ill patients. Assessment of volume status to prevent the development of fluid overload is useful to prevent adverse outcomes. Patients with metabolic or clinical complications of AKI need prompt kidney replacement therapy (KRT). Various modes of KRT are available, and the choice of modality depends most on the technical competence of the center, patient size, and hemodynamic stability. Given the significant risk of chronic kidney disease, patients with AKI require long-term follow-up. It is important to focus on improving awareness about AKI, incorporate AKI prevention as a quality initiative, and improve detection, prevention, and management of AKI with the aim of reducing acute and long-term morbidity and mortality.

Background and aims: Uncontrolled hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The present study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence of control status of hypertension in India. Methods and results: We carried out systematic search (PROSPERO No.: CRD42021239800) in PubMed and Embase published between April 2013 and March 2021 followed by meta-analysis with random-effects model. The pooled prevalence of controlled hypertension was estimated across geographic regions. The quality, publication bias and heterogeneity of the included studies were also assessed. We included 19 studies with 44 994 hypertensive population, among which 17 studies had low risk of bias. We found statistically significant heterogeneity (P ≤ 0.05) and absence of publication bias among the included studies. The pooled prevalence of control status among patients with hypertension was 15% (95% CI: 12-19%) and among those under treatment was 46% (95% CI: 40-52%). The control status among patients with hypertension was significantly higher in Southern India 23% (95% CI: 16-31%) followed by Western 13% (95% CI: 4-16%), Northern 12% (95% CI: 8-16%), and Eastern India 5% (95% CI: 4-5%). Except for Southern India, the control status was lower among the rural areas compared with urban areas. Conclusion: We report high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertension in India irrespective of treatment status, geographic regions and urban and rural settings. There is urgent need to improve control status of hypertension in the country.

Background NVX-CoV2373, a Covid-19 vaccine was developed in the USA with ∼90% efficacy. The same vaccine is manufactured in India after technology transfer (called as SII-NVX-CoV2373), was evaluated in this phase 2/3 immuno-bridging study. Methods This was an observer-blind, randomised, phase 2/3 study in 1600 adults. In phase 2, 200 participants were randomized 3:1 to SII-NVX-CoV2373 or placebo. In phase 3, 1400 participants were randomized 3:1 to SII-NVX-CoV2373 or NVX-CoV2373 (940 safety cohort and 460 immunogenicity cohort). Two doses of study products (SII-NVX-CoV2373, NVX-CoV2373 or placebo) were given 3 weeks apart. Primary objectives were to demonstrate non-inferiority of SII-NVX-CoV2373 to NVX-CoV2373 in terms of geometric mean ELISA units (GMEU) ratio of anti-S IgG antibodies 14 days after the second dose (day 36) and to determine the incidence of causally related serious adverse events (SAEs) through 180 days after the first dose. Anti-S IgG response was assessed using an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and neutralizing antibodies (nAb) were assessed by a microneutralization assay using wild type SARS CoV-2 in participants from the immunogenicity cohort at baseline, day 22, day 36 and day 180. Cell mediated immune (CMI) response was assessed in a subset of 28 participants from immunogenicity cohort by ELISpot assay at baseline, day 36 and day 180. The total follow-up was for 6 months. Trial registration: CTRI/2021/02/031554. Findings Total 1596 participants (200 in Phase 2 and 1396 in Phase 3) received the first dose. SII-NVX-CoV2373 was found non-inferior to NVX-CoV2373 (anti-S IgG antibodies GMEU ratio 0.91; 95% CI: 0.79, 1.06). At day 36, there was more than 58-fold rise in anti-S IgG and nAb titers compared to baseline in both the groups. On day 180 visit, these antibody titers declined to levels slightly lower than those after the first dose (13–22 fold-rise above baseline). Incidence of unsolicited and solicited AEs was similar between the SII-NVX-CoV2373 and NVX-CoV2373 groups. No adverse event of special interest (AESI) was reported. No causally related SAE was reported. Interpretation SII-NVX-CoV2373 induced a non-inferior immune response compared to NVX-CoV2373 and has acceptable safety profile. Funding SIIPL, Indian Council of Medical Research, Novavax.

On November 21, 2022, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt of India, published the National Suicide Prevention Strategy (NSPS) of India. This document, which is now in the public domain, seeks to reduce suicide-related mortality by 10% by 2030, with reference to 2020 (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, 2022). Notably, there is an emphasis on multisectoral collaborative approach with identification of key stakeholders and multilevel action priorities including responsible media reporting of suicide and suicide means restriction (Vijayakumar et al., 2022). The specific objectives of the NSPS are to establish effective surveillance and data gathering systems for suicide in the country, to introduce and establish suicide support services in outpatient departments of district mental health services, and to incorporate mental health and well-being curriculum in all educational institutions. In this correspondence, we examine the strengths of the NSPS, challenges in its implementation, and possible solutions, in relation to the priority areas and objectives outlined in the NSPS.

Objectives: Carbamazepine (CBZ) is a first-line antiseizure drug used for focal onset seizures. It exhibits inter-individual variability in plasma carbamazepine levels and there are both genetic and non-genetic factors having a role in the requirement of CBZ maintenance dose. The aim was to study the influence of EPHX1 c.337 T>C and UGT2B7*2 genetic polymorphisms on CBZ maintenance dose requirement in persons with epilepsy. Methods: Persons with epilepsy (PWE) of both gender of age 15-65 years on carbamazepine monotherapy who had been taking same maintenance dose for one year were eligible. Five milliliter of venous blood was collected in 10% EDTA under aseptic precautions. After centrifugation, the cellular component was used for DNA extraction and genotyping. For three genotypes of EPHX1 c.337 T>C and UGT2B7*2, the differences in mean carbamazepine dose were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). An unpaired t-test was used to draw a comparison between the genotypes and CBZ maintenance dose requirement for dominant and recessive models of EPHX1 c.337 T>C and UGT2B7*2. A value of p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: For UGT2B7*2 (rs 7439366), CT required a higher dose (CT 626 mg/day and TT 523 mg/day) but not found to be significant (p-value 0.167). PWE carrying CT genotype of EPHX1 c.337 T>C had 62 mg higher dose when compared to homozygous mutant CC (590 mg/day for CT and 528 mg/day for CC) but p-value was not found to be significant (p-value 0.835). Conclusions: The results of our study done in 115 PWE showed there was a lack of association between SNPs of EPHX1 c.337 T>C, UGT2B7*2 and CBZ maintenance dose requirement in Southern part of India and this finding has to be confirmed in a larger sample size.

Purpose: Corneal limbal stem cell (LSC) transplantation has been reported as a potential approach to treat the damaged corneal epithelium. Scaffolds such as human amniotic membrane (hAM) are commonly employed for the in vitro culture and as a carrier during in vivo transplantation. However, they carry the risk of biological contamination and donor to donor variability. To overcome these disadvantages, we herein report the capabilities of a synthetic thermoreversible gelation polymer (TGP) scaffold to serve as an encapsulation support during LSC transplantation and to enable engraftment for corneal regeneration. Methods: Sixteen discarded human corneas were used to isolate the corneal epithelium which was cultured in TGP and hAM. The cell proliferation and characteristics between TGP and hAM culture methods were evaluated by microscopic observation, 3H Thymidine incorporation assay, immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence staining. Results: The 3H Thymidine assay's results showed that TGP allowed human-donor cornea-derived LSCs to proliferate well in vitro, compared to hAM and the cells encapsulated in TGP and transplanted ex vivo onto a human cadaver donor cornea denuded of its epithelium, migrated on the ocular surface, and proliferated to form a continuous layer in 25 days. Immunoperoxidase and Immunofluorescence staining of TGP-cultured cells were positive for LSC markers (p63, ABCG2, Connexin 43 and Integrin β), proving that the TGP helps to preserve the limbal cells' stemness. Conclusion: TGP is found to be a multipurpose scaffold for (i) in vitro culture, (ii) ex vivo encapsulation, and in vivo transplantation (iii), enabling engraftment of LSCs in this study, with potentials to extend its application in cell-based therapies in several regenerative medicine approaches.