Many studies propose serial tests of LTBI as effective occupational protection strategies. However, practically, it is not feasible because it has to be done at frequent intervals, but how frequently to be done is not clear. Another concern is even if found to have LTBI, there are no clear consensus guidelines about the treatment in high prevalence settings. The prevalence of LTBI is so high in countries like India that affected HCWs could not be exempted from working in high-risk areas. The depth of knowledge of TB prevention and control among HCWs should be improved by regular infection control training.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Variations in sinonasal anatomy of adults<strong> </strong>are common and vary among different populations. Their role in development of pathological conditions such as sinusitis, epistaxis, etc is debated. Having clear picture of sinonasal anatomy of a person is essential in avoidance of complications during surgery. This study was done<strong> </strong>to<strong> </strong>analyze<strong> </strong>sinonasal anatomy in adults from Karaikal region having chronic sinusitis by nasal endoscopy and CT scan imaging.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total of 50 patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery were studied by preoperative nasal endoscopy, CT scanning and endoscopy at the time of definitive surgery and variations recorded and analyzed.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The incidence of the sinonasal anatomical variations in CT scan study were – discharge in the frontal sinus (100%), agger nasi cells (96%), deviated nasal septum (70%), anterior ethmoidal cells (86%), posterior ethmoidal cells (58%), sinus lateralis (52%), frontal cells (50%), discharge in sphenoid sinus (50%), pneumatised superior turbinate (46%), INSA (34%), prominent bulla ethmoidalis (30%), supra orbital cells (26%), pneumatised septum(16%), medialised uncinate process (16%), paradoxical middle turbinate (16%), Haller cells (14%), supreme turbinate (14%), pneumatised inferior turbinate (12%), frontal recess obliteration (12%), absent pneumatisation of frontal sinus (12%), pneumatised middle turbinate (10%), Onodi cells (6%), pneumatised uncinate process (2%), maxillary sinus septation (2%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The high incidence of variations emphasises the need for proper preoperative assessment for safe and effective endoscopic sinus surgery. </p>

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Plasmodium knowlesi is the fifth species of Plasmodium recently identified to cause human malaria. Infections with P. knowlesi are currently being reported from South-East Asian countries and the incidence is on the rise with a possibility of spread to the geographically contiguous countries. P. knowlesi infections can result in a high degree of parasitemia causing severe malaria in a larger proportion of infected individuals. If detected early and treated with appropriate antimicrobials, these infections show a significant clinical improvement. The widely used microscopic methods usually misidentify P. knowlesi as the less pathogenic Plasmodium malariae leading to inadequate therapy and adverse clinical outcomes. The currently popular rapid immuno-chromatographic card tests have a very low sensitivity in diagnosing knowlesi malaria and can erroneously report P. knowlesi as other Plasmodia and vice-versa. At present molecular methods are the most efficacious in diagnosing P. knowlesi infections, but these tests can produce a false positive report in Plasmodium vivax infections and require expensive equipment and trained personnel. An ideal diagnostic test for P. knowlesi infections, which is potent, cost-effective and practically feasible in the resource limited setting is yet to be developed.

The aetiology of fungal sinusitis is diverse and changing. Aspergillus species has been the most common cause for fungal sinusitis, especially in dry and hot regions like India. Trichosporon species as a cause for fungal sinusitis has been very rarely reported the world over. Here, we report a rare case of allergic fungal sinusitis caused by Trichosporon inkin in a 28-year-old immunocompetent woman. Bilateral nasal obstruction, nasal discharge and loss of smell were her presenting complaints. Diagnostic nasal endoscopy showed bilateral multiple polyps. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was performed and many polyps were removed. Based on mycological and histopathological studies, the pathogen was identified as T. inkin.