BACKGROUND Leprosy is a disease, which has been associated with tremendous social stigma with cases recorded in the Old Testament. It is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. Leprosy expresses itself in different clinicopathological forms depending on the immune status of the patient. Diagnosis of leprosy only on clinical basis is difficult. So, confirmation of diagnosis in leprosy is an important indication for histopathological examination. The parameters used for the histopathological classification are well defined, precise and also take into account the immunological manifestations which enable it to successfully bridge the pitfalls in leprosy diagnosis. Moreover, correct labelling of paucibacillary and multibacillary cases is a prerequisite to treat them adequately, which reduces the chances of occurrence of resistant cases. The study aims at analysing the histological patterns of Hansen's disease in skin biopsy specimens received in Histopathology Department in Medical College Kottayam and to correlate the histopathology and bacteriology in Hansen's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive study was conducted in 34 new clinically diagnosed cases of Hansen's disease received in the Department of Pathology in Govt. Medical College, Kottayam, during the study period of 18 months (May 2015-November 2016). RESULTS Among 34 clinically diagnosed cases of leprosy, most common histological type was borderline tuberculoid followed by borderline lepromatous type. The maximum number of patients were in the age group of 31-40 and 41-50 yrs. Tuberculoid type and indeterminate type showed maximum clinicohistopathological correlation (100%) followed by lepromatous leprosy (80%). Midborderline cases showed minimum correlation. Cases in tuberculoid spectrum showed significant granuloma fraction, bacterial index and histopathological index. In our setting, modified Fite-Faraco stain is more superior than fluorescent staining for demonstration of bacilli in tissue sections. CONCLUSION Among 34 clinically diagnosed cases of leprosy, histological diagnosis of leprosy was established in 100% of cases. In our setting, modified Fite-Faraco stain is more superior than fluorescent staining for demonstration of bacilli in tissue sections. Tuberculoid type and indeterminate type showed maximum clinicohistopathological correlation (100%) followed by lepromatous leprosy (80%). Mid-borderline cases showed minimum correlation.

BACKGROUNDThe primary role of the renal biopsy is to provide a diagnosis that allows the clinician to make an informed prognosis and assign lesion-specific therapy. Renal biopsy has become an indispensable tool in the investigation of medical diseases of the kidney because early diagnosis and treatment can prevent longterm complications. The use of Light microscopy and Immunofluorescence alone may be sufficient to diagnose common glomerular diseases encountered in clinical practice. Hence, the present study was conducted to study and evaluate the glomerular pathology on the basis of light microscopic and immunofluorescence findings in renal biopsies of patients presenting with features of nephritic syndrome and establish a diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHODSA descriptive study was done to analyse the histopathology and immunofluorescence pattern of renal biopsies of patients presenting with features of Acute Glomerulonephritis. For this all renal biopsies received in the Department of Pathology from April 2015 to April 2016 which met the defined criteria were analysed. RESULTSAmong the 31 cases studied, 9 (29%) cases of Glomerulonephritis were Non-IgA mesangioproliferative Glomerulonephritis, 6 (20%) cases were IgA Nephropathy, 9 (29%) cases were Diffuse Endocapillary Proliferative Glomerulonephritis (DEPGN), 1 (3%) case was Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis (MPGN), 2 (6%) cases were of Lupus Nephritis and 4 (13%) cases were Tubulointerstitial Nephritis (TIN). 25 (80%) cases showed immunoglobulin deposits on immunofluorescence study. Of these, 10 (40%) cases showed mesangial immunoglobulin deposits, 12 (48%) cases showed granular immunoglobulin deposits along the capillary wall and 3 (12%) cases showed linear immunoglobulin deposits along the capillary wall. CONCLUSIONImmunofluorescence plays a vital role in elucidating the presumed pathogenesis in glomerular lesions and helps to arrive at a final diagnosis when combined with light microscopic findings.

BACKGROUND Pancytopenia is an important clinico-haematological entity encountered in our daily clinical practice. There are varying clinical patterns, treatment modalities and outcomes for pancytopenia. The severity of pancytopenia and the underlying pathology determine the management and prognosis of the patient. Hence, the evaluation of the various causes of pancytopenia could aid in planning the diagnostic and therapeutic approach in patients with pancytopenia. Megaloblastic anaemia is one of the major causes of pancytopenia in India. The objectives are to identify the various causes of pancytopenia, to describe the clinical and haematological parameters in pancytopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS A descriptive study on 80 cases was conducted to describe the various causes of pancytopenia in the peripheral blood, bone marrow aspirate and trephine biopsy samples of pancytopenia patients received in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College, Kottayam during a period of 12 months (June 2016-May 2017). RESULTS Among the 80 cases of pancytopenia studied, common causes were megaloblastic anaemia (18 cases, 23%) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (9 cases, 11%). Majority of the patients had a hypercellular bone marrow (70%). CONCLUSION Most common cause of pancytopenia was megaloblastic anaemia followed by acute leukaemia.

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