Pregnancy Outcome in Women with Dengue Infection in Northern India.

Background: Dengue is the most prevalent mosquito-borne infection worldwide. Vertical transmission after maternal dengue infection to the fetus and pregnancy losses in relation to dengue infection have been reported. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the maternal and fetal consequences of dengue fever (DF) infection during pregnancy. Methodology: A retrospective analysis of all pregnant women with DF was done over a period of 1 year. Clinical, laboratory, maternal and fetal outcomes and early neonatal outcomes were collected from patients with confirmed dengue infection. Result: An upward trend was observed with a striking feature of severe thrombocytopenia in 36% cases. Oligohydramnios and low birth weight were the most common and peculiar outcomes. Preterm delivery with increased risk of cesarean section was noted. Vertical transmission occurs in pregnancy but no evidence of congenital anomaly could be traced.

Nephrotic Syndrome: A Rare Presentation of AIDS.

The clinical presentation of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) include proteinuria, typically in nephrotic range (often massive) and renal insufficiency. HIVAN can be an early manifestation of HIV infection. The term HIVAN is reserved for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) but other glomerular lesions may be there. We are reporting a case of nephrotic syndrome (MPGN) in an otherwise asymptomatic HIV-infected patient.

Pseudomembranous Colitis: Do We Need A Screening.

In the last few decades, increasing use of antibiotics has dramatically increased incidences of antibiotic associated diarrhea. An unopposed homing of Clostridium difficile in ICU and wards put forward new challenges for physicians. Development of diarrhea during or just after hospital stay especially in old patients is a typical clinical presentation of C. difficile diarrhea. Cytotoxin assay from tissue culture is a gold standard diagnostic test but its poor availability, high cost, time bound results and rapidly development of life-threatening complications made us to think of a screening test. Demonstration of pathognomonic summit lesions and pseudomembrane with colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is relatively inexpensive, easily available and diagnosis is prompt. Our experience in few patients with colonoscopy makes us to recommend it as a screening test for all clinically suspected patients. Till today, it is refuted as first-line investigation because of good number of false negative results but demonstration of pathognomonic lesions even in few patients saves the life with minimal expenditure and least time wastage before initiation of definitive treatment.