BackgroundNinety-five percent (95%) ethyl alcohol (ethanol) has been used as a standard cytological fixative but it is expensive, difficult to procure, and has addictive properties. Alternate substitutes like methanol, which give similar results to ethanol, have toxic potential. Honey, a known preservative, is an eco-friendly fixative and is of great value when ethanol is unavailable and economizing on cost is necessary. The present study was done to assess and compare the fixation property and cytomorphological features of smears fixed in 20% honey in comparison to 95% ethyl alcohol and to determine whether the former can be used as an alternative cytological fixative in routine practice. Material and methodsThe present prospective study was done in the cytology section of the Department of Pathology for one and a half years on 300 cytological samples comprising 100 samples each of various body fluids (peritoneal, pleural, bronchoalveolar lavage, and urine), cervical smears, and fine-needle aspiration samples. The smears from all the 300 cytological samples were fixed separately in 95% ethanol and 20% unprocessed natural honey for a minimum of 15 minutes and were then stained with Papanicolaou (Pap) stain. The cytomorphological parameters of both the smears were compared based on set criteria. Relevant statistical analysis was done using the student t-test, chi-square test, and test of agreement (kappa statistics). ResultsA comparable and good-quality staining pattern, preservation of morphology, and crisp nuclear and cytoplasmic staining were observed between the two fixatives for all three types of samples with a strong agreement between them (kappa value varying between 0.896 and 0.942) and a p-value of <0.05. ConclusionNatural honey is a readily available and non-toxic alternative to ethanol as a cytological fixative and can be used in routine practices, especially in resource-constrained settings.

This is an era where digitalization has creeped into every single task that we perform; be it transaction of money online or consulting doctors over online platforms. Although digitalization in healthcare was slightly slow in its progress, the recent pandemic of COVID that hit the world forced everyone in the healthcare industry to adopt digitalization to its maximum potential. Healthcare digitalization has touched upon various aspects viz. medical education, clinical consultations, radiological and pathological diagnosis, and also medical research. However, in spite of its positive impact on the overall healthcare scenario, there are some challenges which need to be overcome. This review discusses the various domains of healthcare where digitalization could be implemented with an additional analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of digitalization in pathology especially in times of the recent pandemic of COVID.

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Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is a commonly encountered condition with varying aetiologies ranging from infective to chronic conditions and malignancies. Knowledge of causes and pattern of disease is helpful in management of cases. Aims & objectives: The present study was conducted to assess the causes, clinical profile and findings of laboratory investigations of patients suffering from thrombocytopenia. Material & Methods: The present cross-sectional hospitalbased study was conducted upon 99 patients suffering from thrombocytopenia. Detailed clinical history, physical examination and reports of laboratory investigations were noted. Results: 34.3% patients belonged to the age group of 21-30 years. 57.6% of them were males. Thrombocytopenia was mild (1,00,000-1,50,000) in 24.2% patients, moderate (50,000-1,00,000) in 52.5% and severe (<50,000) in 23.2%. Dengue accounted for 31.3% cases, malaria for 16.2%, enteric fever for 7.1% and septicaemia for 3%. Megaloblastic anaemia was responsible in 24.2% cases. Most common site for bleeding was skin and mucous membrane where bleeding manifested in the form of petechiae, purpura and ecchymosis (18.2%). Conclusion: Knowledge of causes and pattern of disease is helpful in management of cases.