Anupam Das

Abstract

Malaria is a parasitic disease caused by and is associated with acute febrile episodes. The disease burden is highest in Southeast Asia. Various measures are being taken to curb the disease in different countries. Even after the introduction of various programmes there has been reports of imported malaria which has been transported from highly endemic countries to less endemic or countries not having cases of Malaria. Not only this, various other viral disease come in as coinfection with malaria which makes the situation even worse. Here we describe one such case of malaria imported from traveller from Nigeria to India who also developed coinfection with Chikungunya.   Keywords: Malaria, Chikungunya, Palsmodium falciparum, Imported, Coinfection

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Abstract

Dermatophytoses are infections of the skin, hair and nails, caused by dermatophytes, namely Trichophyton spp, Microsporum spp and Epidermophyton floccosum. Trichophyton soudanense is an anthropophilic fungus, a frequent cause of tinea capitis in Africa though some imported cases are now been reported from Europe, Brazil, Australia and USA. Untill now, 3 cases of T.soudanense causing tinea capitis, tinea unguium, tinea corporis from North India and 2 cases causing tinea corporis and tinea cruris from south India have been reported, but this is probably the first case report of onychomycosis caused by T.soudanense in India. Keywords: Onychomycosis, Trichophyton soudanense, Epidemiology.

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Abstract

Cryptosporidium is one of the major causes of diarrhea in HIV-positive patients. Infection is related to the ingestion of oocyst-contaminated drinking water or food. In HIV infected individuals, this infection could have a higher mortality and vary in clinical manifestation. We report a case of cryptosporidiosis in a recently detected HIV patient who was suffering from intermittent diarrhea for last 2 months. Stool samples were collected and examined by modified Kinyoun’s acid fast staining. On microscopy of smear, we found pink, spherical oocyst 4-6µm in diameter. The absolute CD4+ count of patients was 85 cells/µl and viral load was 560 copies/ml. Patient was treated with an antiparasitic drug Nitazoxanide for 3 days and anti-retroviral Treatment started in ART clinic. On follow up there was resolution of symptoms and no complaints of intermittent diarrhea.   Keywords:Cryptosporidium, HIV, AIDS, Diarrhea

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Abstract

Introduction: Superficial mycoses refer to the disease of skin, hair and nail caused by fungi, are a serious problem due to deficient sanitation and education. This group includes dermatophytoses, non dermatophytic molds and Candida spp. Microscopic detection of fungal elements using wet mount preparation of 10% and 40% potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a rapid and precise tool for laboratory diagnosis. Objectives: This retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of wet preparation direct microscopy using potassium hydroxide for early detection of fungal elements from various clinical specimens and thereby helping the clinicians in initiating the appropriate antifungal treatments. Materials and Methods: All clinical specimen like skin and nail scrapping from patients suspected of superficial mycoses were subjected to KOH examination for screening and detection and positive samples were cultured on SDA (Sabouraud’s Dextrose Agar) medium for identification. Results: A total of 5734 samples of clinically suspected patients of superficial mycoses attended the tertiary care teaching hospital between September 2013 and August 2017 were included. 3165 patients (55%) were found to be positive by KOH examination. In the present study the most common clinical type was tinea cruris (74.3%) followed by tinea corporis (22.6%) in the patients attending tertiary health care centre. Conclusion: Clinical finding and wet mount with KOH can be believed upon as the single most important rapid and sensitive tool for early diagnosis of superficial mycoses. Since there is a high incidence of superficial mycoses in rural people coming to the tertiary heath care facilities therefore preventive and early screening measures are need of hours. Keywords: Potassium hydroxide preparation, Superficial mycoses, Tinea spp.

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