D-dimer level is a useful predictor for mortality in patients with COVID-19: Analysis of 483 cases.

Background And Aims: COVID-19 is a multi-system disease, with coagulation abnormalities. D-dimer levels are increased in this disease. We aimed to determine the association of D-dimer levels and mortality and to establish its optimal cut off values in predicting mortality.

Urine abnormalities predict acute kidney injury in COVID-19 patients: An analysis of 110 cases in Chennai, South India.

Background And Aims: Renal involvement in Covid-19 infection is varied and can affect glomeruli, tubules, interstitium and can cause acute kidney injury (AKI). AKI is a strong predictor of mortality. Routine urinalysis gives an insight into the renal pathology of the patient.

Evaluation of eosinopenia as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in COVID-19 infection.

Introduction: Eosinopenia has been observed during infection with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19. This study evaluated the role of eosinopenia as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator in COVID-19 infection.

Methods: Information on 429 patients with confirmed COVID-19, admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, India between 04 June 2020 to 15 August 2020, was retrospectively collected through electronic records and analysed.

Enterococcal meningitis in association with hyperinfection syndrome.

Introduction: Strongyloidiasis can cause hyperinfection or disseminated infection in an immunocompromised host, and is an important factor linked to enterococcal bacteremia and meningitis.

Case Reports: We report two cases highlighting the importance of suspecting hyperinfection syndrome in patients with enterococcal meningitis.

Conclusion: Our cases highlight the importance of suspecting hyperinfection syndrome in cases of community acquired enterococcal bacteremia and meningitis.

Evaluation of the Parasight Platform for Malaria Diagnosis.

The World Health Organization estimates that nearly 500 million malaria tests are performed annually. While microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are the main diagnostic approaches, no single method is inexpensive, rapid, and highly accurate. Two recent studies from our group have demonstrated a prototype computer vision platform that meets those needs.

Florid erythrophagocytosis on the peripheral smear.

Erythrophagocytosis is a relatively rare observation on blood smears. It has been reported in auto immune hemolytic anemias and sporadically in few other conditions. Here, we report a case of florid erythrophagocytosis with severe anemia following a viral infection in an 18-year-old girl.

Hemoglobin disorders in South India.

Cation exchange-high performance liquid chromatography (CE-HPLC) is increasingly being used as a first line of investigation for hemoglobinopathies and thalassemias. Together with a complete blood count, the CE-HPLC is effective in categorizing hemoglobinopathies as traits, homozygous disorders and compound heterozygous disorders. We carried out a one year study in Apollo Hospitals, Chennai (Tamil Nadu, South India) during which 543 abnormal chromatogram patterns were seen.