The diagnostic utility of bone marrow trephine biopsies.

The bone marrow examination is invaluable in the diagnosis of certain haematological and non haematological conditions. The diagnosis of haematological disorders is achieved mainly by the examination of peripheral blood and bone marrow aspirate smears. Although bone marrow histology can provide additional information, for many technical reasons, trephines are not so popular and their diagnostic value is overlooked.

Plasmodium malariae malaria--a case report.

The tropical zone is the endemic home for all malarial parasites. Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum are the species that are prevalent commonly in India. Plasmodium malariae is a parasite of both the tropical and subtropical zones, especially West and East Africa, Guiana and parts of India, but its presence in various zones tends to be patchy.

Antiphospholipid antibodies--our experience.

Antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) have aroused multispeciality interests. In our study of 200 cases worked up for APA, we have used a few simple coagulation tests to detect lupus anticoagulant (LA) and ELISA to detect anticardiolipin antibodies. The positivity rate for LA among cases with recurrent pregnancy loss was 4.

Changing trends in malaria--a decade's experience at a referral hospital.

A 10 year study of malaria during 1989-98 recorded an increase in the incidence of malaria from 0.22 in 1989 to 1.3 in 1996 following which it has reached a plateau.

Haematological changes in HIV infection.

HIV infection is associated with a wide range of hematological abnormalities. The peripheral blood findings and the morphological abnormalities in the bone marrow can simulate myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloproliferative disorders, and T cell lymphoma. We studied the peripheral blood smear and bone marrow findings of 42 patients with HIV infection over a 3-year period with the aim of recognising the morphological findings sufficiently characteristic of HV infection.

Disseminated histoplasmosis in an AIDS patient diagnosed on bone marrow.

A 29 year old male drug addict, who was HIV positive presented with fever and hepatosplenomegaly. Bone marrow examination revealed Histoplasma capsulatum confirmed by PAS & GMS stains. However patient had a rapid downhill course with multiorgan failure and died before specific treatment could be instituted.