Background: Pancytopenia is a relatively common hematological entity. It is a striking feature of many serious and life-threatening illnesses, ranging from simple drug-induced bone marrow hypoplasia, megaloblastic anemia to fatal bone marrow aplasias and leukemias. The severity of pancytopenia and the underlying pathology determine the management and prognosis. Thus, identification of the correct cause will help in implementing appropriate therapy. Objectives: To study the clinical presentations in pancytopenia due to various causes; and to evaluate hematological parameters, including bone marrow aspiration. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective study, and 104 pancytopenic patients were evaluated clinically, along with hematological parameters and bone marrow aspiration in Hematology Unit, Department of Pathology, JJMMC, Davanagere, during the period of September 2005 to September 2007. Results: Among 104 cases studied, age of patients ranged from 2 to 80 years with a mean age of 41 years, and male predominance. Most of the patients presented with generalized weakness and fever. The commonest physical finding was pallor, followed by splenomegaly and hepatomegaly. Dimorphic anemia was the predominant blood picture. Bone marrow aspiration was conclusive in all cases. The commonest marrow finding was hypercellularity with megaloblastic erythropoiesis. The commonest cause for pancytopenia was megaloblastic anemia (74.04%), followed by aplastic anemia (18.26%). Conclusion: The present study concludes that detailed primary hematological investigations along with bone marrow aspiration in cytopenic patients are helpful for understanding disease process and to diagnose or to rule out the causes of cytopenia. These are also helpful in planning further investigations and management.

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Background: Detection of extended spectrum β -lactamase (ESBL) production among uropathogens is an important marker of endemicity. Aim: Intervention of this endemic transmission is important for the control of initial outbreak of ESBL producing organisms in a hospital or specialized unit of hospital. Materials and Methods: During the study period of one and a half months, 1,551 urine samples were processed for significant bacteriuria. Two hundred gram negative bacterial isolates were tested for ESBL production. Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was ascertained for ESBL producing isolates. Results: ESBL production was seen in 36% of isolates. All the isolates were multidrug resistant with uniform sensitivity to imipenem. Conclusion: This study reveals the significant prevalence of ESBL producing organisms in this north Indian tertiary care hospital. Constant revision of antibiotic policies with infection control interventions is suggested.

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Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans by the ingestion of infected food products, direct contact with an infected animal or inhalation of aerosols. The last method is remarkably efficient given the relatively low concentration of organisms (10 - 100 bacteria) needed to establish infection in humans, and has brought renewed attention to this old disease. Brucella is a facultative intracellular pathogen that has the ability to survive and multiply in the phagocytes and cause abortion in cattle and undulant fever in humans. Brucella spp particularly B. melitensis, B. abortus, and B. suis represent a significant public health concern. At present, B. melitensis is the principle cause of human brucellosis in India. Molecular studies have demonstrated the phylogenetic affiliation of Brucella to Agrobacterium, Ochrobactrum, and Rhizobium. Human brucellosis still presents scientists and clinicians with several challenges, with regard to the understanding of its pathogenic mechanism, severity, progression, and development of improved treatment regimens. Molecular studies have now highlighted the pathogenesis of Brucella, for the development of newer diagnostic tools that will be useful in developing countries where brucellosis is a common, but often a neglected disease. This review compiles all these issues in general and the pathogenicity and newer diagnostic tools in particular.

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Aim : Nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli (NFGNB), which are saprophytic in nature, have emerged as important healthcare-associated pathogens. They exhibit resistance not only to beta lactam and the other groups of antibiotics, but also to carbapenems. This study was undertaken to identify the nonfermenters isolated from various clinical samples, to assess their clinical significance, to know the type of healthcare-associated infections they caused, and to know their anti-microbial sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods : The nonfermenters were identified using a standard protocol that included tests for motility, oxidase production, oxidation-fermentation test for various sugars, gelatin liquefaction, and growth on 10% lactose agar. The clinical significance was assessed by using various criteria and susceptibility testing was performed with the help of the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Results : A total of 193 NFGNB were isolated from 189 clinical specimens. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common nonfermenter, accounting for 53.8%, followed by Acinetobacter baumannii (22.2%), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (10.8%). Other significant NFGNB isolated were: Sphingobacterium species (5.2%), Acinetobacter lwoffii (3.1%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (2.6%). P. aeruginosa showed good sensitivity to imipenem (94%), cefoperazone (70%), amikacin (69%), and ticarcillin (63%). A. baumannii showed 100% sensitivity to imipenem and 70% sensitivity to piperacillin. Conclusion : P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii were the common NFGNB isolated in our study from patients of, urinary tract infection, bacteremia, surgical site infections, and ventilator associated pneumonia. P. aeruginosa showed good sensitivity to imipenem, amikacin, and cefoperazone while A. baumannii showed good sensitivity to imipenem and piperacillin.

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Lipid abnormalities in hypothyroidism contribute to the disproportionate increase in cardiovascular risk. A possible relationship between serum level of magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) and cardiovascular disease was recorded. In this work, the possible correlation between lipid profile components and serum cations Ca and Mg was investigated. Matched healthy women were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. All parameters were measured spectrophotometrically. The results showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), total and ionized Mg in hypothyroid patients in comparing with control group. There was a significant increase (P <0.05) in serum total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and (LDL-C)/(HDL-C) ratio in hypothyroid patients as compared with control group. However, no correlation was found between the cation levels and lipid profile of the studied groups. It can be concluded that patients with hypothyroidism exhibited elevated atherogenic parameters (TC and LDL-C) and high risk of cardiovascular diseases.

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Quorum sensing in prokaryotic biology refers to the ability of a bacterium to sense information from other cells in the population when they reach a critical concentration (i.e. a Quorum) and communicate with them. The "language" used for this intercellular communication is based on small, self-generated signal molecules called as autoinducers. Quorum sensing is thought to afford pathogenic bacteria a mechanism to minimize host immune responses by delaying the production of tissue-damaging virulence factors until sufficient bacteria have amassed and are prepared to overwhelm host defense mechanisms and establish infection. Quorum sensing systems are studied in a large number of gram-negative bacterial species belonging to α, β, and γ subclasses of proteobacteria. Among the pathogenic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is perhaps the best understood in terms of the virulence factors regulated and the role the Quorum sensing plays in pathogenicity. Presently, Quorum sensing is considered as a potential novel target for antimicrobial therapy to control multi/all drug-resistant infections. This paper reviews Quorum sensing in gram positive and gram negative bacteria and its role in biofilm formation.

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Healthcare workers have a high risk of occupational exposure to many blood-borne diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C viral infections. Of these Hepatitis B is not only the most transmissible infection, but also the only one that is preventable by vaccination. In developing countries, Hepatitis B vaccination coverage among healthcare workers is very low for various reasons, including awareness, risk assessment, and low priority given by the health managements of both government and private hospitals. Most of the hospitals lack post-exposure management strategies including the coordination among various departments for reporting, testing, and vaccination. This review, therefore, focuses on the current situation of Hepatitis B vaccine status in the healthcare workers of India, and provides updated guidelines to manage the accidental exposure to hepatitis B virus-infected biological materials in healthcare workers. The review also emphasizes on what options are available to a healthcare worker, in case of exposure and how they can respond to the standard vaccination schedules, besides the need to educate the healthcare workers about Hepatitis B infection, available vaccines, post-vaccine immune status, and post-exposure prophylaxis.

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Introduction: The resistance to antimicrobial agents among Staphylococci is an increasing problem. This has led to renewed interest in the usage of Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B (MLS _B ) antibiotics to treat Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infections. The resistance to macrolide can be mediated by msr A gene coding for efflux mechanism or via erm gene encoding for enzymes that confer inducible or constitutive resistance to MLS _B antibiotics. In vitro routine tests for clindamycin susceptibility may fail to detect inducible clindamycin resistance due to erm genes resulting in treatment failure, thus necessitating the need to detect such resistance by a simple D test on a routine basis. Materials and Methods : One hundred and ninety S. aureus isolates were subjected to routine antibiotic susceptibility testing including oxacillin (1 ΅g) and cefoxitin (30 ΅g) by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Inducible resistance to clindamycin in S. aureus was tested by 'D test' as per CLSI guidelines. Results: Twenty (10%) isolates showed inducible clindamycin resistance, 18 (9%) showed constitutive resistance while remaining 16 (8%) showed MS phenotype. Inducible resistance and constitutive resistance were found to be higher in MRSA as compared to MSSA (20%, 16% and 6%, 6%, respectively). Conclusion : Clindamycin is kept as a reserve drug and is usually advocated in severe MRSA infections depending upon the antimicrobial susceptibility results. This study showed that D test should be used as a mandatory method in routine disc diffusion testing to detect inducible clindamycin resistance in Staphylococci for the optimum treatment of patients.

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Background : Biofilm production, gelatinase and hemolysin are the potential virulence factors of Enterococci. Gelatinase and hemolysin producing strains of Enterococcus faecalis have been shown to cause severe infections in animal models. Biofilm production has been shown to enhance the persistence of E. faecalis in urinary bladder and other medical indwelling devices infections. Aims : To compare the presence of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm formation among clinical and commensal isolates and to study the co-relation between virulence factors with respect to different clinical specimens. Settings and Design : During the study period of 2 years from July 2004 to July 2006, 200 clinical isolates from nosocomial infections and 100 commensal isolates of E. faecalis were taken for the study. Materials and Methods : The clinical and commensal isolates were tested for the presence of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm and compared. The presence of these virulence factors among different clinical isolates was also studied. Statistical Analysis : Chi-square and likelihood ratio analysis were carried out using SSPS version 5.1 software. Results : The clinical isolates produced 39, 16.5 and 32.5% of gelatinase, hemolysin and biofilm, respectively, as compared to 31, 19 and 16% produced by the commensal isolates, respectively. Endotracheal tube infection, urinary tract infection, umbilical catheter tip infected isolates produced 60.8, 86.6 and 100% biofilm, respectively. Conclusion : Significant difference in the production of biofilm (P<0.001) was noted between clinical and commensal isolates. Organism isolated from medically indwelling devices produced high amount of biofilm, confirming its role in colonization and causing nosocomial infections.

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Background / Aims : Septicemia is one of the important causes of mortality and morbidity in neonates and children. Blood culture is the gold standard for the diagnosis. Emergence of multidrug resistant bacterial strains is a major problem in the management of sepsis. Present study was undertaken to identify the common bacterial pathogens associated with pediatric sepsis and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods : Blood cultures from 185 suspected cases of sepsis were examined. The growths from the subcultures were identified by conventional biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and drug resistant strains in primary screening were further processed for extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL) and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) status by combination disk method (ESBL) and oxacillin disk diffusion method (MRSA). Results : Out of the 185 cultures obtained from suspected cases, 81 (44%) were culture positive. Fifty-two (35%) of the culture isolates were Gram negative bacilli. Twenty-eight (64%) of the isolates were Gram positive cocci. One case was of mixed infection. The prevalence of MRSA in 41 strains of S. aureus was found to be 29% (12 strains). The overall prevalence of ESBL producers among 28 Gram negative bacterial isolates was found to be 32% (9 strains). Conclusion : This study stresses the need for the continuous screening and surveillance for antibiotic resistance in pediatric care unit.

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Endometriosis is found predominantly in women of childbearing age. The prevalence of endometriosis is difficult to determine accurately. Laparoscopy or surgery is required for the definitive diagnosis. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and low back pain that worsen during menses. Endometriosis occurring shortly after menarche has been frequently reported. Endometriosis has been described in a few cases at the umbilicus, even without prior history of abdominal surgery. It has been described in various atypical sites such as the fallopian tubes, bowel, liver, thorax, and even in the extremities. The most commonly affected areas in decreasing order of frequency in the gastrointestinal tract are the recto-sigmoid colon, appendix, cecum, and distal ileum. The prevalence of appendiceal endometriosis is 2.8%. Malignant transformation is a well-described, although rare (<1% of cases), complication of endometriosis. Approximately 75% of these tumors arise from endometriosis of the ovary. Other less common sites include the rectovaginal septum, rectum, and sigmoid colon. Unopposed estrogens therapy may play a role in the development of such tumors. A more recent survey of 27 malignancies associated with endometriosis found that 17 (62%) were in the ovary, 3 (11%) in the vagina, 2 (7%) each in the fallopian tube or mesosalpinx, pelvic sidewall, and colon, and 1 (4%) in the parametrium. Two cases of cerebral endometriosis and a case of endometriosis presenting as a cystic mass in the cerebellar vermis has been described. Treatment for endometriosis can be expectant, medical, or surgical depending on the severity of symptoms and the patient's desire to maintain or restore fertility.

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Background : Along with the increased incidence of pulmonary tuberculosis in parallel with the increase in population in various parts of the world, in recent years, the incidence of abdominal tuberculosis has also increased. The pathogenetic events in intestinal tuberculosis, which culminate in ulcer formation, perforation, and stricture, still have to be identified. Aim : To correlate the gross and microscopic features in intestinal tuberculosis, in particular tuberculous perforation with changes in mesenteric vasculature. Patients and Methods : A one-year prospective study of excised/resected tissues from patients with abdominal tuberculosis requiring surgical intervention was conducted. Tissues from fifty-six patients were included in the study - of which 36 were resected intestinal segments and 20 were intestinal and lymph node biopsies. Hematoxylin and Eosin and Ziehl-Neelsen stains were used for histopathological examination. Results : Tuberculous enteritis was found to be present in 49 of the 56 patients (87.5%) (ileum being the site most commonly affected), while nodal involvement was seen in 39 (69.6%) patients. Perforations were present in 39 out of 49 (79.6%) intestinal tissues; most being solitary and ileum was the commonest site. Typical epithelioid cell granulomas were seen in the intestine and lymph nodes, with caseation being more prevalent in the latter. The mesenteric vasculature was frequently involved by granulomatous inflammation, with intravascular organizing thrombus being present in 30% of the resected specimens with perforation. Acid fast bacilli were demonstrated in the tissue sections of 37.5% of the patients. AFB positivity was higher in caseating granulomas. Conclusion : Involvement of mesenteric vasculature by granulomatous inflammation was commonly associated with the ulcerative type with perforation, suggesting that ischemia caused by vascular thrombosis is responsible for tissue breakdown. This implies that vasculitis plays an important role in the natural history of abdominal tuberculosis.

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The transfusion-medicine specialists and physicians are often in a difficult situation when the patient has severe worsening anemia and all the blood is mismatched. This situation can arise in patients with red cell autoantibodies or alloantibodies due to previous transfusions. We report two cases of immune hemolysis - one due to warm auto antibodies and the second due to alloimmunization from multiple transfusions.

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Background : Shewanella spp. are unusual cause of disease in humans; however, reports of Shewanella infections have been increasing. Shewanella is a ubiquitous organism that has been isolated from many foods, sewage, and both from fresh and salt water. Earlier it was named as Pseudomonas putrefaciens or Shewanella putrefaciens. There are several reports describing this organism causing human infections such as cellulitis, abscesses, bacteremia, wound infection, etc. It is oxidase and catalase-positive non-fermenter gram-negative rod that produces hydrogen sulfide. Aims : The study was conducted to identify Shewanella spp., which was wrongly reported as Pseudomonas spp. Materials and Methods : Clinical samples were cultured as per standard clinical laboratory procedure. We tested the non-lactose-fermenting colonies for oxidase positivity. Oxidase-positive colony was inoculated in triple sugar iron slant (TSI) to know the hydrogen sulfide production. Hydrogen sulfide positive colonies were further tested for citrate, urease, indole, and amino acid decarboxylation and acid and gas production from sugars. Results : Five isolates identified as Pseudomonas spp. during preliminary testing were proved to be Shewanella spp. on further testing. Conclusions : It will help in better understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors associated with these and prevention of the rare pathogenic organisms.

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Aims : Previous studies have shown that diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases in females to a greater extent than in males. In this cross-sectional study, we evaluated the lipid profiles of type 2 diabetic males and females. Materials and Methods : The study included 107 type 2 diabetic patients (41 males and 66 females), and 122 hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients (39 males and 83 females), aged 15 years and older. Total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDL-C) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were assayed for each group using standard biochemical methods. Results : The mean TC, TG, VLDL-C, HDL-C and LDL-C concentrations, TG/HDL and LDL/HDL ratios were higher in type 2 diabetic and hypertensive type 2 diabetic patients compared with non-diabetic, and hypertensive non-diabetic control subjects, although these were not significant (P > 0.05). Hypertensive type 2 diabetic females had significantly higher serum TC (7.42 ± 1.63 mmol/L) than hypertensive non-diabetic males (5.76±1.57 mmol/L; P < 0.05). All the other lipid and lipoprotein parameters except HDL-C were non-significantly higher in females with type 2 DM and those with hypertension and type 2 DM, compared with type 2 diabetic and hypertensive type 2 diabetic males, respectively (P > 0.05). Conclusion : This study demonstrated that dyslipidemia exists in our type 2 diabetic population with greater TC in hypertensive type 2 diabetic females compared with hypertensive type 2 diabetic males. This suggests that hypertensive type 2 diabetic females are exposed more profoundly to risk factors including atherogenic dyslipidemia compared with males.

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Background: Acinetobacter species are gaining importance as potential pathogens in neonatal septicemia because of their frequent isolation and multidrug resistance. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of Acinetobacter spp. as important pathogens in neonatal blood stream infection, to identify the associated risk factors, and to evaluate the drug sensitivity pattern. Materials and Methods: Blood samples of infected neonates were studied bacteriologically. Cases of Acinetobacter septicemia were identified. Speciation of Acinetobacter species was done. Various risk factors were identified. The drug-sensitivity test was done. Results: A total of 26 Acinetobacter septicemia cases were identified by blood culture. Acb complex strains predominated. Institutional birth and preterm birth were identified as the most frequent significant risk factors. 11.3% mortality rate was recorded. Acb complex strains exhibited a multi-drug resistant pattern. No carbapenem resistance was observed. Conclusion: Acinetobacter should be added to the list of organisms causing severe nosocomial infection in neonatal intensive care units. Continuous bacteriological surveillance, implementation of infection control policies, careful disinfection of intensive care equipment, and rational antibiotic use are required for control of such infections.

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Aims: To know the distribution and antifungal susceptibility pattern of Candida species in neonatal septicemia cases. Materials and Methods: In a prospective analysis blood samples from 825 clinically suspected cases of neonatal septicemia, collected aseptically, were cultured to look for the role of Candida spp. in septicemia. Candida isolates were speciated by germ tube test, Hi-CHROME agar, sugar fermentation, and sugar assimilation tests using standard protocol. All the Candida isolates were tested for antifungal susceptibility to fluconazole by the Disk Diffusion (DD) method and broth micro dilution-minimum inhibitory concentration (BMD-MIC) method using NCCLS guidelines. Results: Isolation rate of Candida from neonatal septicemia cases was 8.1%. Most common isolate was C. tropicalis (61.19%), followed by C. albicans (19.40%), C. glabrata (11.94%), C. parapsilosis (5.97%) and C. guillermondii (1.49%). Low birth weight and previous antibiotic prophylaxis was found in 100% cases. Crude mortality rate was 50.1%. By DD method, 95.53% of the Candida isolates were sensitive to fluconazole. A discrepancy between DD method and BMD-MIC method was noted in 4.47% strains. One isolates each of C. tropicalis, C. albicans, and C. glabrata showed discrepancy. Conclusion: Nonalbicans Candida has emerged as an important cause of neonatal septicemia. Routine susceptibility testing of Candida isolates by DD method should be confirmed by BMD-MIC method. Fluconazole can be used as empirical therapy for neonatal candidemia at our center.

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Plasma cell leukemia (PCL) is a rare entity. There are two presentations of PCL, primary or secondary. The primary or de novo form of PCL presents with an acute and rapidly progressive leukemic phase. This form occurs when the patient has no pre-existing multiple myeloma (MM). The secondary form is the most advanced form of MM. The PCL is a rare disorder representing 1­­-2% of the diagnosed cases of MM. Median age at presentation is usually above 50 years. The monoclonal protein in patients with PCL may be IgG (50%), IgA (15%), or in rare cases IgD or IgE (6%). We report a case of IgA primary PCL that is very rare. Patient was started on combination therapy with vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone. There was poor response and patient died three months after diagnosis.

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Background: Many studies have been done in the past on the correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading of different tumors. Aims: The study aims to find out if a correlation between apoptotic count and histological grading exists in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus, and also to review the literature on such a relationship in the context of some other tumors. Settings and Design: Cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus who presented at a tertiary care center over a period of one year were reviewed. Materials and Methods: The endoscopic biopsy specimens of 56 patients of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed for routine paraffin sections, sections taken, stained by hematoxylin and eosin and examined under light microscope, using 40x objective and 10x eyepiece. Apoptotic bodies were counted in each high-power field (HPF). Statistical Analysis Used: Standard error of difference in apoptotic count in different tumor groups found and P value calculated, using Student's t test. Results: An inverse correlation of the apoptotic count per HPF with the histological grade of the tumor was found. Conclusions: Grading of squamous cell carcinoma of esophagus, solely on the basis of apoptotic count can be used in the first place or to corroborate conventional histological grading done on the basis of morphology.

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Aim : The emergence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has posed a serious therapeutic challenge. We report the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of MRSA in the hospitals attached to GMC, Amritsar, Punjab. Materials and Methods : The study comprised of 250 coagulase-positive staphylococci (COPS) isolated from a total of 6743 clinical specimens (like pus, blood, urine, high vaginal swab, sputum, etc.) of patients admitted in hospitals attached to Government Medical College, Amritsar from January 2008−February 2009. Routine antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed and interpreted as per standard guidelines. Methicillin resistance was detected using oxacillin and cefoxitin disc diffusion method, oxacillin screen agar method, and minimum inhibitory concentration using broth macrodilution method. Results : A total of 115 (46%) strains were found to be methicillin resistant. Multidrug resistance was observed in 73% MRSA strains. However, no strain was resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion : Regular surveillance of hospital-associated infection and monitoring of antibiotic sensitivity pattern is required to reduce MRSA prevalence.

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Background/Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an important cause of nosocomial infections worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MRSA and their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in our hospital located in Mangalore, India. Materials and Methods: The bacterial isolates from various clinical specimens of patients admitted in our hospital were cultured as per standard protocol and all isolates of Staphylococcus aureus obtained were included in the study. The isolates were identified by standard methods like catalase test, slide and tube coagulase tests, and growth on Mannitol salt agar (HiMedia Lab, Mumbai). The antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. The D-test for inducible clindamycin resistance was performed. The isolates were tested for methicillin resistance by using oxacillin disc by disc diffusion method and confirmed by agar screen test (oxacillin 6 μgm/ml). The results were interpreted according to CLSI criteria. Results: During a period of one year, a total of 237 isolates of S. aureus were studied and 69 (29.1%) were found to be methicillin-resistant. MRSA isolates showed greater resistance to multiple drugs than methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus MSSA isolates. Inducible clindamycin resistance was 18.8% in MRSA as against 3.5% in MSSA. About 40-50% of MRSA were resistant to erythromycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol, while less than 30% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and amikacin. However, all strains were sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion: The regular surveillance of hospital-acquired infections of MRSA may be helpful in formulating and monitoring the antibiotic policy. This may also help in preserving antibiotics like vancomycin, only for life-threatening staphylococcal diseases.

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Objective: To assess the efficacy of a peripheral smear examination as a screening tool for β-thalassemia trait. Materials and Methods: 17 623 Leishman-stained peripheral smears were evaluated during the period from July 2006 to September 2007. The following parameters were studied: hemoglobin, red blood cell count, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration and red cell distribution width. All the cases that showed microcytosis, hypochromia, erythrocytosis and absence of anisopoikilocytosis were suspected of having the thalassemia trait (TT), and all these cases were further evaluated with Alkaline Hemoglobin Electrophoresis for confirmation. Results: Of the 17 623 smears examined, 60 cases were considered suspicious of having TT. Alkaline hemoglobin electrophoresis carried out on all these cases revealed an elevated HbA ₂ (Mean = 7.5%). Five cases evaluated were found to have other hemoglobinopathies (1 Sickle cell trait, 3 Hb-E, 1 thalassemia intermedia). Conclusion: Careful screening of peripheral smear is an invaluable screening tool for thalassemia trait (PPV - 95%). There must be awareness among the peripheral centers about the importance of peripheral smear screening and the affected persons should be counseled.

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Polycythemia vera (PV) is a stem cell disorder, characterized as a panhyperplastic, malignant, and neoplastic marrow disorder. Several reasons suggest that a mutation on the Janus kinase-2 gene (JAK2) is the most probable candidate gene involved in PV pathogenesis, as JAK2 is directly involved in intracellular signaling, following its exposure to cytokines, to which PV progenitor cells display hypersensitivity. A recurrent unique acquired clonal mutation in JAK2 was found in most patients with PV and other myeloproliferative diseases (MPDs). A female patient of age 50 years, presented with hemiplegia, diplopia, and had a consistent rise in hemoglobin and hematocrit. Serum Erythropoietin (Epo) was decreased. JAK2 mutation analysis was found to be negative. A diagnosis of polycythemia vera was made on the basis of the British Committee for Standards in Hematology (BCSH) guidelines.

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Even though description of the magnifying glass goes back to 1021 by an Arabic physicist in his book, Antony van Leeuwenhoek was the first man to improve the then simple microscope for viewing biological specimens in 1674. This suggests that every discovery has scope for improvement, be it physics or be it biology. In the field of biology, scientists have long studied gene expression as a hallmark of gene activities reflecting the current cell conditions and response to host immune defense systems. These studies have been cumbersome, technically demanding and time-consuming. Application of microarrays has revolutionized this field and help understand the simultaneous expression of thousands of genes in a single sample put onto a single solid support. It is also now possible to compare gene expression in two different cell types, different stages of life cycle or two tissue samples, such as in healthy and diseased ones. Thus microarrays are beginning to dominate other conventional and molecular diagnostic technologies. The microarrays consist of solid supports onto which the nucleic acid sequences from thousands of different genes are immobilized, or attached at fixed locations. These solid supports themselves are usually glass slides, silicon chips or nylon membranes. The nucleic acids are spotted or synthesized directly onto the support. Application of microarrays is new for parasites. Most of these applications are done for monitoring parasite gene expression, to predict the functions of uncharacterized genes, probe the physiologic adaptations made under various environmental conditions, identify virulence-associated genes and test the effects of drug targets. The best examples are vector-borne parasites, such as Plasmodium, Trypanosoma and Leishmania, in which genes expressed, during mammalian and insect host stages, have been elucidated. Microarrays have also been successfully applied to understand the factors responsible to induce transformation from tachyzoite-to-bradyzoite and vice versa in Toxoplasma gondii . Thus microarrays provide a novel tool for diagnosis, prognosis and clinical management of infectious disease.

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Background: Cryptococcus neoformans is the most common fungal pathogen to infect the central nervous system, and an effective diagnostic method is therefore necessary for the early diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. Aim: The efficacy of India ink preparation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture and CSF cryptococcal antigen detection by the latex agglutination test for diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis are compared to determine the most efficient test. Materials and Methods: Two hundred CSF samples from human immunodeficiency virus - positive patients suspected to be suffering from meningitis were screened for Cryptococcus neoformans. Results: Latex agglutination for cryptococcal antigen detection was found to be more sensitive compared to India ink staining and CSF culture. Conclusions: Antigen detection by latex agglutination proved to be both sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of cryptococcal meningitis. Rapid, early diagnosis of infection by detection of cryptococcal antigen by latex agglutination may alter the prognosis for these patients.

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