Background: Malaria is endemic throughout most of the tropics. Technically, detection of malaria parasite may be missed due to low parasite density at sampling time and poor blood film preparation. The study was aimed to evaluate the serum acid phosphatase levels as a possible diagnostic marker for malarial infections.Methods: This study was conducted on a total of 100 subjects (40 malaria cases, 30 non-malarial cases and 30 sex and age matched healthy controls attending the department of medicine, PESIMSR, Kuppam. Venous blood sample was collected and serum acid phosphatase (ACP) level estimation was be done by enzymatic method using commercial kit (Raichem diagnostics kit).Results: Serum ACP level was highly significantly elevated in malarial group (Mean±SD) (3.14±1.22) when compared with control (1.33±0.72) and non-malarial (1.81±0.30) groups (P value <0.001.).Conclusions: In this study, there was a significant increase in the serum ACP levels in malarial patients as compared to other groups. This suggests that serum ACP levels can be used as a marker for malaria.

The burden of obesity and its related disorders is growing to an epidemic form, particularly among young adults, both in the developing and developed countries. Pursuing medical education is considered stressful throughout the course of the training. Stress leading to disordered eating habits along with lack of physical activity tend to make medical students more prone to obesity related disorders. The present study was carried out to find out the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with stress among medical undergraduates.This cross-sectional study was conducted at Narayana Medical College, Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. After obtaining approval from the Institutional ethics committee, both male and female students were invited to participate. Data on age, gender, type of diet, physical activity, consumption of junk food and other habits were collected. Cohen’s perceived stress score questionnaire was used to quantify the level of stress. Among 170 students, about 18.2% (n=31) of students were obese and 8.2% (n=14) were overweight. The mean stress score was 17.2 (± 4.72) and about 78% (n=133) reported to have stress with scores &#62; 13. There was a significant association between BMI and consumption of junk food and a mild positive correlation existed between BMI and perceived stress score index(PSSI) among first year medical undergraduates.Obesity and stress remain a common problem among medical undergraduates. The causality can be established with more robust study designs. Encouraging proper eating habits combined with daily physical activity, yoga and body weight management programs might help curbing the problem.

Background: Neonatal sepsis remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality both among term and preterm infants. Sepsis and meningitis are responsible for most of these deaths. According to WHO estimates, there are about 5 million neonatal deaths a year. Jaundice and hepatic dysfunction frequently accompany a variety of bacterial infections. This study was aimed to evaluate bilirubin fractions and liver function tests in septic and non septic neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Materials & Methods:A total of 41 neonates, their age ranged from (1-28 days), mean age sepsis cases 4.29±5.34 and mean age in non sepsis 2.27±4.44. The patients admitted to neonatology unit for the management of hyperbilirubinemia were included in this study. Out of 41, 20 babies having sepsis (17 were males & 3 were females) and 21 (15 were males & 6 were females) were non sepsis. All study subjects were studied for the serum bilirubin fractions and other liver function tests by using vitros dry chemistry analyzer. Results: In the present study, delta bilirubin (0.955 ±0.546) and conjugated bilirubin (1.17±2.10) levels are significantly increased in sepsis cases when compared to non sepsis controls. Conclusion: In conclusion, conjugated bilirubin and delta bilirubin were significantly increased in neonates suffering from sepsis with hyperbilirubinemia. By studying individual fractions of bilirubin, especially unconjugated bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin and delta bilirubin (not as direct and indirect bilirubin) will help in early diagnosis of sepsis and thus may help in better management of the sepsis neonates.

Since ancient times people are aware of the association between tuberculosis and diabetes mellitus. Patients with tuberculosis and diabetes experience worse clinical manifestations, increased risk of treatment failure, recurrence, and death. The present study was conducted to evaluate glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose levels, in patients with Type - 2 diabetes mellitus with various forms of tuberculosis who are on RNTCP DOTS and antidiabetic regimens. The study subjects included Type-2 diabetes mellitus with tuberculosis who are registered under RNTCP DOTS, in Dept of Pulmonology, PESIMSR, Kuppam, Chittoor district. Study groups comprises, 20 cases of type 2 DM WITH TB who are on oral hypo glycemic agents (OHA), 20 cases of Type 2DM WITH TB who are on oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) with insulin, 20 cases of Type 2 DM WITH TB who are on insulin. HbAc is measured by fully automatic Bio-Rad D10 - HbA1c Analyzer. Blood glucose levels are estimated by auto analyser VITROS 250 in PESIMSR, Kuppam. The mean HbA1c levels showed good control in those patients kept on insulin alone compared to OHA and OHA with insulin groups (P &#60;0.001). The mean HbAC levels were high in OHA alone group compared to other groups (P&#60;0.001). The study revealed that increased levels of Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) are observed in those patients kept on OHA alone with DOTS as compared with other two groups. There is strong interaction between anti tubercular drugs and OHA which in turn leads to poor glycemic control. Poor glycemic state in diabetic patients is having strong impact on TB treatment outcome.