Maternal and fetal outcome of malaria in pregnancy

Background: Malaria, an oldest recorded parasitic infection transmitted by mosquitoes, is one of the most devastating infectious diseases. Mangalore, government headquarters of Dakshin Kannada district in Karnataka, receives high rainfall and exhibits humid tropical environment, harboring high vector density and contributing to high incidences of malaria. The aim of the present study was to observe maternal and fetal outcome of malaria in pregnancy.Methods: This is an observational prospective study conducted from September 2014 to September 2015 at Lady Goschen Hospital, Mangalore which serves as tertiary level hospital. Study population included were pregnant women diagnosed to have malaria by rapid diagnostic test or microscopy as an outpatient or inpatient during the study period. Complications were noted in terms of maternal and foetal complications.Results: A total of 12600 pregnant women attended LGH during study period out of which 41 were positive for malaria which has a prevalence of 0.32%. Among the malaria cases, 23 cases were primigravidae and 18 were multi-gravidae. The commonest pathogen found was Plasmodium vivax accounting for 63.4%. Regarding complications maternal anaemia and thrombocytopenia accounted for 34.1% and 26.8% respectively. Pregnancy outcomes were 17% of spontaneous miscarriage, 21.8% preterm deliveries, 29.1% low birth weight babies and 2.4% perinatal deaths.Conclusions: Malaria adversely affects both pregnant female as well as fetus. It is therefore advised all patients with fever in pregnancy must have screening for malarial parasite and treated adequately by medicine and supportive care to improve the maternal and fetal outcome.

Clear cell sarcoma arising from paraspinal ligament of thoracic spine: Report of an unusual case

Clear cell sarcoma (CCS) is an unusual but aggressive soft-tissue tumor with an incidence of <1% of all soft-tissue sarcomas. It was previously termed “malignant melanoma of soft parts” due to its resemblance clinically and morphologically. Normally CCS is seen in patients aged 20–40 years. A rare case of CCS of paraspinal ligament in a 5-year-old boy is being reported. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry markers confirmed the diagnosis. The present case is unique since the entity itself is rare and also due to its occurrence in a child.

A Rare Variant of Oral Lichen Planus-Bullous Form.

Lichen planus (LP) is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disease that is seen mainly affecting the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membranes. Oral LP (OLP) has about 0.4‑5.3% potential to be malignant. If the disease is sufficiently characterized, the diagnosis can be made from the clinical features alone; but a biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis and to exclude the presence of dysplasia and malignancy. OLP seems to be mediated by an antigen-specific mechanism, thereby activating the cytotoxic T-cells and non-specific mechanisms such as degranulation of mast cells and activation of matrix metalloproteinase. Pathogenesis of OLP may involve both antigen-specific and nonspecific mechanisms. Here, we report a case of bullous LP in a 44-year-old female patient, discussing clinical features and etiopathogenesis.