Tuberculous meningitis in adults: a prospective study at a tertiary referral centre in Sri Lanka S A C U Gunawardhana, S C Somaratne, M A H Fernando, P S Gunaratne(Index words: tuberculous meningitis, clinical presentation, magnetic resonance imaging, Sri Lanka) AbstractIntroduction Central nervous system tuberculosis is the most severe form of extrapulmonary TB and it is associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality.Objectives To describe the demographic profile, clinical features, laboratory and imaging results of a cohort of adult patients with TBM (Tuberculous meningitis).Methods This study encompasses a prospective analysis of all adult cases of TBM diagnosed from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2011 in the Neurology unit 2, National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Consensus case defini-

Research letters The prevalence of leptospirosis in Sri Lanka has gradually increased since the earliest reports in 1953 [1]. Statistics show that in 2007 about 10% of medical ICU admissions were due to leptospirosis, and 65% of them died from complications. Regular evaluation of the clinical features of leptospirosis is important for early detection and accurate management of the disease [1]. The objective of this study is to describe clinical features and outcomes of patients with confirmed leptospirosis admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL).

This is an evidence-based discussion on a specific question related to the current debates regarding medical education in Sri Lanka. The question in focus is "Is there an urgent need to increase the production of doctors for Sri Lanka?" This question would be discussed along a sequence of relevant sub questions. How many doctors do we have?This is a very basic question. However, given the complexity of the present situation in relation to the question, the answer is not very straight forward!

This research discusses the importance of historical research as it serves to determine ideas and helps to group historical facts into explanatory scientific systems. Thus, by systematically documenting this knowledge contributes to develop and improve the theory and practice of education. Since design education in Sri Lankan is nearly two decades old, subject areas such as Graphic design lacks the needed literature on early Sri Lankan graphic practices that determine and contribute towards clarifying current and future trends built on historical research. The historical data that contributes to these subject areas are found at archival locations, and the preservation process in such locations limits us from the opportunity to observe historical data (primary data); that is required to establish new knowledge; in this case graphic design. Thus, this research aims towards documenting historical data towards building new knowledge. To achieve this, the historical data: specific to early book cover prints are compared with a literature survey on early printing technologies and on how they are identified. For this, the primary data (early book covers) from archival locations, were documented and visually observed with the use of a linen-prover magnifying glass with x4 enlarging capacity. The findings were compared with literature on different print technologies used during this era with the knowledge on how to identify them. The findings were compiled into stimuli for the analysis purpose. And finally, the gathered data was chronologically compiled as new knowledge. In conclusion, we were able to determine the technology used in early prints, more specific to print technology used during the early book publishing and printing industry of Sri Lanka. Since the data is chronologically (1870-1920) compiled we were able to identify patterns that help build new knowledge into other subject areas. It opens up discussion on historical trends in book cover designs, parameters of each technology used in Sri Lanka that influence book layout, its typography and letter composition for further research.