Background: Platelet indices (PIs)-Platecrit, mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet distribution width (PDW)-are a group of platelet parameters obtained as a part of complete blood count using automated hematology analyzers. Evidence suggests that PIs may have diagnostic and prognostic value in febrile thrombocytopenia. This study aims to understand the profile of PIs in dengue fever. Aims and objectives was to study the platelet indices in patients with dengue fever.Methods: The present study is a retrospective observational study conducted in a tertiary hospital in Kerala. Platelet count, mean platelet volume (MPV), platecrit and Platelet distribution width (PDW) along with routine blood parameters hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit, WBC, Platelet count, serum bilirubin, liver enzymes (AST, ALT) of 123 patients were collected. These 123 patients were grouped into three according to the platelet count (<20000,20000-100000, >100000). All the test results are available in hospital database. This was accessed using inpatient numbers obtained from medical records department of our institution. All analysis was done using free to use software R and values were rounded off to the nearest decimal point. Non normally distributed parameters were expressed as median (IQR). Parameters which did not follow normal distribution were analyzed with Kruskall Wallis test and the values are expressed as mean (SD) and a p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Platelet indices PDW (57±13.8 vs. 55.4±6.9, p value 0.001) and MPV (9.2±0.09 vs. 13.8±1.3fL, p value <0.001) values were significantly altered in dengue fever with platelet counts below 20,000 compared to platelet count more than one lakh group. Similarly, the Platelet index (MPVxPDW\PLCxPCT), MPV\PLC, MPV\Platecrit, PDW\PLC and PDW\Platecrit ratio showed statistically significant difference between the different platelet groups.Conclusions: Platelet indices are useful parameters in dengue infection. Other than platelet count, PDW, MPV, platecrit are useful to monitor dengue fever.

RAP is defined as more than two attacks of acute pancreatitis without any evidence of underlying chronic pancreatitis and usually occurs in the idiopathic group, which forms 20-25% of the causes of AP. The causes of RAP can be mechanical, toxic-metabolic, anatomical, or miscellaneous. A detailed history including the general details of the patients (age, gender, date of admission etc.) chief complaints and associated complaints with duration, past history including any chronic conditions, general examination and systemic examination especially abdominal examination was recorded in prestructured proforma. Evaluation of a patient with RAP after the first episode of acute pancreatitis included a detailed history of alcohol intake, smoking, medication associated with AP, trauma, viral illness, exposure to toxins, and a family history of AP. During the study period of 2 years, 80 patients were diagnosed of RAP. The mean age of patients in the present study was 33.94 ±8.51 years. The patients in age group of 11-20 years, 21-30 years, 31-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years were 5 (6.3%), 24 (30%), 32 (40%), 18 (22.5%) and 1 (1.3%) respectively. History of drug intake causing pancreatitis or family history of pancreatitis was not found from the entire study group. After applying both phase I, phase II investigations an etiology was detected in 56 patients (70%).

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BACKGROUNDIndia has a high prevalence of hepatitis B. The present study was undertaken to understand the clinical, biochemical and virological characteristics of HBV infected patients and also to describe the natural course of the disease and the progression to chronic infection. MATERIALS AND METHODSOur prospective cohort study enrolled 100 patients with HBV infection presenting to Government Medical College, Trivandrum for 6 months. Participants with previous history of chronic liver disease, jaundice, and severe systemic disease were excluded. Institutional ethics committee approved the study and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Data included socio-demographic parameters, history and laboratory investigations (baseline, 1 month & 6 months of enrolment). Laboratory investigations were done in the central laboratory of the institution. Participants with positive HBsAg after 6 months of treatment were considered as chronic hepatitis. Data was analysed using free software R®, independent sample 't' test, paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used as tests of significance and p<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTSHBV infection was more prevalent among males. Icterus was associated with positive anti-HBcIgM (p=0.01) and HBeAg (p=0.04). Significant association was observed between positive HBeAg and splenomegaly (p=0.03). Hepatomegaly (p<0.001), US evidence of liver disease (p<0.001) and chronic hepatitis was associated. Transaminases, bilirubin, and INR showed reduction over 6 months of treatment with improvement in albumin levels. Between acute and chronic hepatitis, the change in transaminase, serum albumin & INR was significantly different. CONCLUSIONChronic hepatitis treatment results in a higher reduction of transaminases, albumin, and INR compared to acute hepatitis.