Emergence of sporotrichosis in Manipur.

A retrospective analysis of all cases of sporotrichosis was conducted to examine the pattern and frequency of sporotrichosis cases in Manipur over a period of six year from July 1999 to June 2005. Seventy-three (73) cases of sporotrichosis were detected of which 30 were confirmed by culture and 43 were diagnosed by aspiration cytology only. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of 21 to 40 years (n = 23; 31.5%). There were 39 females (53.4%) and 34 males (46.5%). Commonest site of infection was upper limbs (n = 39; 53.4%) followed by lower limbs (n = 17; 23.2%). Commonest type of infection was lymphocutaneous form (n = 46; 63.1%) followed by fixed cutaneous form (n = 27; 36.9%). Among these 73 cases, 2 male patients (2.7%) were found to be HIV positive. In our experience, collection of material by aspiration of pus or infected tissue was found to be a better method compared to scraping or exudate. This study revealed Manipur as a new endemic area for sporotrichosis.

HIV/AIDS wasting syndrome in Manipur - a case report.

A-30-years old married man with HIV/AIDS wasting syndrome is being reported. The patient had history of injecting heroin with rampant sharing with his drug partners, weight loss, night sweats, productive cough, severe muscle wasting, chronic diarrhoea >30 days and fever > 30 days. This syndrome indicates the long-standing complication of HIV infection. Blood, sputum, CSF, faeces and urine routine and culture examination findings to rule out opportunistic infections were repeatedly negative. No malignant cells were found. HIV testing was positive. The CD 4 positive T-lymphocyte count was measured before and after six months of treatment. In the present case report, evaluation of the symptoms yielded no specific pathogen and had no evidence of opportunistic infections. He is being placed under observation with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) along with nutritional support. He is improving clinically and immunologically by raising in the patient's CD4 count. Early antiretroviral therapy along with meticulous nutritional support is ideal to improve the quality of life of AIDS patients.