Evaluation of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Chronic Plaque Psoriasis.

Background: Psoriasis is a common inflammatory dermatological condition and affects 2-3% population worldwide. Psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) and body surface area (BSA) are two commonly used scales used to measure disease severity in psoriasis patients. However, these scales are plagued by weaknesses as inter-observer variation and insufficient evaluation of micro-vascular inflammation.

Multiplex PCR technique could be an alternative approach for early detection of leprosy among close contacts--a pilot study from India.

Background: Implementation of Multi drug Therapy (MDT) regimen has resulted in the decline of the total number of leprosy cases in the world. Though the prevalence rate has been declining, the incidence rate remains more or less constant and high in South East Asian countries particularly in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Srilanka. Leprosy, particularly that of multibacillary type spreads silently before it is clinically detected.