Rapid Resolution of Subcutaneous Phycomycosis in a Child: A Case Report.

Subcutaneous phycomycosis is a rare saprophytic fungal infection. We herein report a case of subcutaneous phycomycosis with stony hard swelling on the chest wall as an unusual site of infection. Diagnosis was made based on the clinical, histopathological, and culture studies.

Serial murder: An unusual stereotype.

Serial murders attract attention from the media, mental health experts, academia, and the general public. We present a case of serial murders that took place in a limited area and which caused public anxiety and anguish in central India. All the victims were homeless beggars, who were bludgeoned to death (crush injury).

Screening of health-care workers for latent tuberculosis infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: Health-care workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis (TB) than the general population. While national-level data on the burden of TB in general population is available from reliable sources, nationally representative data on latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) burden in HCWs in the high burden countries is lacking.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out to assess the risk of TB infection among HCWs who directly engage in medical duties.

Challenges in diagnosis of Plasmodium knowlesi infections.

Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth species of Plasmodium recently identified to cause human malaria. Infections with P. knowlesi are currently being reported from South-East Asian countries and the incidence is on the rise with a possibility of spread to the geographically contiguous countries.

Detection of FUR1 Gene in 5-Flucytosine Resistant Candida Isolates in Vaginal Candidiasis Patients.

Background And Aims: This study was done to detect the prevalence, risk factors for vaginal candidiasis in Chennai and to evaluate different methods for speciation of Candida isolates from vaginal candidiasis patients. This study was also aimed at detecting resistance patterns of Candida spp to common antifungals and at detecting mutant FUR1 genes in 5-Flucytosine (5 FC) resistant isolates.

Material And Methods: Two hundred clinically suspected vaginal candidiasis patients were screened for candidiasis and isolated Candida were speciated by standard morphological and biochemical tests (sugar fermentation and assimilation) and by using CHROM agar-Candida medium.

Enteric Parasitic Infections in Relation to Diarrhoea in HIV Infected Individuals with CD4 T Cell Counts <1000 Cells/μl in Chennai, India.

Aim: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of enteric parasites in HIV patients in Chennai and to correlate with CD4 counts and diarrhoeal status.

Material And Methods: Faecal specimens from 100 HIV infected individuals with CD4 < 1000/μl were screened for enteric parasites with wet mounts, modified acid-fast stain for coccidian parasites, modified trichrome stain for Microsporidia, before and after the stool concentration. Agar plate culture for Strongyloides was put up.