<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The term balanoposthitis refers to inflammation of the glans and the prepuce. It is a widespread condition in male patients attending the genitor-urinary clinic. It may be acute or chronic, occurring most commonly in the uncircumcised men. The aim of the study was to study the incidence of balanoposthitis in all male, to identify the etiological agents by microbiological investigations and the risk factors and the complications associated with balanoposthitis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Study group consists of 100 male patients presenting with the complaints of pain, pruritus, fissuring of the prepuce and subpreputial discharge attending the STD department were chosen. The detailed history was taken, and clinical examination was done. The subpreputial discharge was collected, and wet mounts, cultures, and subcultures were done.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> All the patients in the study group with balanoposthitis were uncircumcised. 55% of the patients had some associated systemic disease. Out of the 55 patients, diabetes was present in 45 patients. Of the 51 patients of diabetics, 77.77% were in the recently diagnosed group within the past 5 years. Phimosis and preputial adhesions were the most common complications. The Sensitivity of the KOH wet mount in detecting yeast cells was around 93%. Candida albicans was grown by 56%. In our study, <em>S. aureus</em> (24%) was the most common bacterium isolated.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The most common systemic association and the predisposing factor was diabetes mellitus. The infective etiological agents were associated with the majority of balanoposthitis. The most common complication associated with balanoposthitis was phimosis.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> In India, approximately 6 million populations are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Anemia and leukopenia, especially thrombocytopenia is seen commonly in HIV infections. Low CD4+ count and increased viral load are some of the factors associated with increased risk of thrombocytopenia. The aim of the study was to study the hematological changes that occur in HIV infected patients who attend the Institute of Venereology, before starting HAART.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College/Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Chennai in 100 treatment-naive HIV infected patients. Detailed history and clinical examination was done. Blood samples were collected. Complete blood count, CD4 count, prothrombin time, activated plasma thromboplastin time, peripheral smear etc., were done. Results were collected and analysed.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Out of 100 patients, 56% were males and 43% females and one transgender. Anaemia was detected in 72%patients. 73.5% males and 76.2% females with CD4 count &lt;350/μl were anemic. The commonest anaemia was normochromic normocytic, seen in 65% patients. 7 male and 7 female patients had leukopenia. 81.25%patients with lymphocytopenia had CD4 count &lt;350/μl. 12% males and 4% females had neutropenia. 17% had neutrophilia. Patients in WHO stage I did not have neutropenia. 23% patients had thrombocytopenia. 47% patients with thrombocytopenia were in stage IV. Maximum number of patients with normal platelet count was in stage I.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Haematological abnormalities are a common occurrence during the course of HIV infection. Identifying and treating the haematological changes have great impact on both the morbidity and mortality of HIV infected patients.</p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> HPV infection is one of the common STI’s in females with a majority of patients being asymptomatic and sub-clinical. It is often associated with STI’s and can be a great source of morbidity to patients. Pap smear is one of the effective screening tests for genital HPV infections and HPV induced neoplasia. The aim of the study was to assess the epithelial abnormalities and associated STI’s in study group using Pap smear.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> 500 female patients above the age of 19 years with vaginal sexual exposure were evaluated with the history, clinical examination, and genital speculum examination, ELISA for HIV and Pap smears.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the total 500 pap smears, the normal study was found in 148 pap smears (29.6%), abnormal pap smear results in 46 smears (9.2%) and inflammatory smear was found in 306 smears (61.2%). Among the 306 inflammatory smears, 7.6% smears had predominant monocytes and lymphocyte population, 11.8% smears had neutrophils predominantly. 68.9% showed a mixed population of inflammatory cells. Among the total number of abnormal pap smear study, atypical squamous cells was found in majority that is 33 (6.6%), next was carcinoma 4 (0.8%), high grade and low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions contributed 3 (0.6%) and 6(1.2%) each to the abnormal pap smear study results. Commonest associated STI was bacterial vaginosis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Early screening and detection of dysplasia will reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with carcinoma cervix.</p>