Aetiology of acute febrile illness: a multicentre study from the province of Kerala in southern India.

Acute febrile illness with varied aetiology but similar symptoms is common in tropical countries. This prospective, multicentre study was conducted in selected centres in the province of Kerala in India principally to analyse the aetiology of acute febrile illnesses in adult patients over the course of one year. Overall, 1324 patients were included in the study.

Osteomyelitis variolosa.

We present a patient with osteomyelitis variolosa in both elbow joints with short middle fingers-sequelae of smallpox. Both elbow joints showed sclerosis of bones around elbow joint, enlargement of olecranon process of ulna, and head of radius with intact joint space. Hands showed shortening of both middle fingers following dactylitis leading to short metacarpals.