Aim of the Study: Malaria is a major health problem in the tropics with increased morbidity and mortality. Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in malaria. Although a reliable diagnostic marker, prognostic implications could vary in the two types of malaria. This study was undertaken to assess the presence and severity of thrombocytopenia in malaria patients. Design: A total of 120 patients were included in the study and identified positive for malaria parasites on peripheral smear examination with conventional microscopy. Platelet count was done on a fully automated, quantitative, hematology analyzer. Results: Thrombocytopenia was noted in 63.33% cases. The mean platelet count in Plasmodium vivax (Pv) malaria was 1,27,652/μl (SD 78,269) with a range of 8000-3,50,000/μl, as against Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria where the mean platelet count was 78,500/μl (SD 51,485) with a range of 9000-1,90,000/μl. Platelet count < 50,000/μl was noted in only 17.4% cases of Pv malaria as against 33.3% cases of Pf malaria. Conclusion: Although absence of thrombocytopenia is uncommon in malaria, its presence is not a distinguishing feature between the two types of malaria. Our study stresses the importance of thrombocytopenia as an indicator of acute malaria.

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Tuberculosis (TB) is a communicable disease that is a major cause of ill health. The hilly region of Uttarakhand has difficult terrain and is one of the least accessible regions of the country. This present study was to evaluate the Clinico-pathological and demographic profile of patients of cervical tubercular lymphadenitis in hilly region of Uttarakhand, India. Detailed History and physical examination was to done and all previous investigations were compiled. Routine investigations like HIV, RBS and Chest X-Ray PA view, if not done earlier, were done of every patient. Lymph nodes were assessed according to system adopted by the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. The age of the patients ranged from 14 to 64 years with a mean age of 35 years (SD=12.27). The commonest age group was 16-30 years (42.73%). Male: Female ratio was 1:1.34. Among 110 patients, 88 (80%) presented with solid lymph nodes, 20 (18.2%) with abscess and 2 (1.8%) with discharging sinus. FNAC was done in all 110 cases and found AFB positive in 45 (40.9%) cases. Disease is relatively more common in younger patients. Constitutional symptoms were absent in some of the patients.

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