Cryptococcus neoformans is ubiquitous encapsulated yeast found throughout the world. It predominantly causes significant infections in immunocompromised individuals, of which 80–90% occur in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Disseminated cryptococcal infection is uncommon and almost always occurs in HIV-infected patients. Disseminated disease, especially noncutaneous cryptococcal abscess in immunocompetent hosts, is exceedingly rare. We report a case of disseminated cryptococcosis with soft tissue, pulmonary, and cerebral involvement in an otherwise healthy immunocompetent patient initially diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC).

Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of cryptococcal lymphadenitis: Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of cryptococcal lymphadenitis: A window of opportunity A window of opportunity ABSTRACT Cryptococcal meningitis is the most common, life-threatening, opportunistic, fungal disease in human immunodefi ciency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. An expeditious diagnosis is of utmost importance because once a cryptococcal infection disseminates, it becomes life-threatening. Pulmonary, intestinal, bone marrow, and retinal involvement have been described.There are very few reports, however, of lymphadenopathy along with cryptococcal meningitis. We report here a case of cryptococcal meningitis with lymphadenitis, which was diagnosed by fi ne needle aspiration cytology of the involved lymph nodes.

A lacto-phenol cotton blue (LPCB) stain for detecting eggs of Enterobius vermicularis in perianal surface samples was evaluated prospectively. Two hundred children treated in the paediatrics ward and outpatients department of Jipmer Hospital in Pondicherry were studied. From each child two anal surface samples were collected by Scotch cellophane tape method. One cellophane tape containing anal surface samples was pressed against surface of the glass slide containing a drop of LPCB while another cellophane tape was placed on a clean glass slide without adding any LPCB. Both the specimens from each child were examined by microscopy for presence of the eggs of the parasite. The anal samples collected from 50 children were positive for the eggs of E. vermicularis--48 were detected by cellophane tape using LPCB and 36 by cellophane tape method without using any LPCB. Using LPCB stain, naturally transparent and colourless eggs of the parasites were stained deep blue which facilitated their easy detection and accurate identification in routine microscopy. We therefore recommend Scotch cellophane tape using LPCB as a simple, rapid, inexpensive and overall more sensitive method for detecting E. vermicularis eggs in anal surface samples for diagnosis of enterobiasis in children.

The Rhesus (Rh) blood group is one of the most complex blood groups known in humans. It has remained of primary importance in obstetrics, being the main cause of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN). Anti-D causes the most severe form of HDN. Other Rh allo antibodies that are capable of causing severe HDN include anti-c, which clinically is the most important Rh antigen after the D antigen. We report a case of hemolytic disease of the newborn due to Rh anti-c in an infant of an Rh positive mother.