Clinco-hematological Profile of Patients with Falciparum Malaria.

Background: Malaria is one of the major public health problems of the country. Worldwide prevalence of malaria is about 300- 500 million per annum. It is present in more than 100 countries around the world. Most of these are developing countries or under developed countries. So it has a great impact on their economy. The aim is to study the clinicohematological profile of patients with falciparum malaria. Methods: The present study was conducted at MNR Medical College and Hospital, Sanga Reddy, Andhra Pradesh. The study was carried out in 100 patients out of 121 cases of Falciparum malaria, admitted during the period of 2010 November to 2012 October in this hospital. Results: The numbers of males (72%) affected in our study were more compared to females (28%). The male to female ratio was 2.5:1. In this study the predominantly affected age group was between 20-40 years. The most common presenting symptom was fever i.e. in 100% of cases. Pallor was noted in 81 % of the total cases. It was found that 37% of patients had normocytic normochromic picture on peripheral smear. Conclusion: Incidence of falciparum malaria was more compared to other plasmodium. Fever was the chief presenting complaint in almost all the cases. Thrombocytopenia is very common in malaria, but spontaneous bleeding is rare.

Outbreak of acute viral hepatitis due to hepatitis E virus in Hyderabad.

PURPOSE: A waterborne outbreak of viral hepatitis occurred in the old city of Hyderabad from March through August 2005. An attempt was made to study the outbreak clinically, serologically, and etiologically. METHODS: Five hundred and forty-six clinically and biochemically documented cases were screened for the hepatotropic viral markers, hepatitis A, B, C, and E by the ELISA method. Their demographic characteristics and outcomes were analyzed. Point source contamination of the water supply with sewerage was identified. RESULT: Our data confirms hepatitis E as the major cause of the outbreak (78.57%). Occasionally, mixed infection of HEV-HAV (5.31%) or HEV-HBV (0.91%) was detected in the present series of acute viral hepatitis. CONCLUSIONS: HEV was confirmed as the major etiological agent in this outbreak that was transmitted by contaminated drinking water. The study highlights the importance of screening for both enterically transmitted hepatotropic viral markers as well as the parenterally transmitted hepatotropic viral markers during outbreaks of acute viral hepatitis.

Transrectal ultrasonography versus computed tomography in staging rectal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Since therapy of rectal carcinoma depends on the extent of disease, staging becomes important. AIM: To assess the ability of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) and computed tomography (CT) to stage rectal carcinoma. METHODS: Ten patients with rectal carcinoma were examined by TRUS and plain and contrast-enhanced CT scan; their findings were compared with each other and with those at surgery. RESULTS: TRUS identified wall invasion in all ten cases and perirectal fat infiltration in all five cases in whom these were present. Node involvement was detected in five cases on TRUS and two of six cases on CT. Metastasis to bladder (one case) was not recognized by TRUS but was seen on CT. CONCLUSION: TRUS is inexpensive and superior to CT in staging early rectal carcinoma; limited depth of penetration is its major limitation. CT is useful for the diagnosis of advanced disease.